NHTSA Complaint #10404536 — 2002 FORD TAURUS

THIS MORNING AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I STOPPED THE CAR AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO CHECK FOR OBSTRUCTIONS. I THEN TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND BACKED IT BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I BEGAN TO PULL FORWARD SLOWLY, ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE IF THE NOISE WAS FROM THE BRAKE. AT THAT POINT THE TIRE BLEW, AND THE WAS A LOUD POP. UPON REMOVING THE TIRE, I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE COIL AROUND THE STRUT HAD EMBEDDED ITSELF INTO THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE, AND TORE A RING ALL THE WAY AROUND. IT LOOKS AS IF I TRIED TO OPEN THE TIRE WITH A CAN OPENER. AFTER REMOVING THE STRUT AND THE COIL, I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT A PIECE OF THE COIL HAD SNAPPED OFF UP NEAR THE TOP. AFTER LOOKING AT THE POINT OF THE BREAK, I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT THERE WAS NO EROSION, OR RUSTING. THE MECHANIC WHO IS REPAIRING THE STRUT IS QUITE STUNNED, AS IS EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS SEEN THE PICTURES OF THE TIRE, AND THE COIL. APPARENTLY SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING IS QUITE RARE. IN FACT, THEY ALL HAVE SAID THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING. I AM GRATEFUL THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN AS WE WERE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. YESTERDAY EVENING THE CAR WAS FINE, AND NOT MAKING ANY OF THE GRINDING NOISE AT ALL. *TR