NHTSA Complaint #10469128 — 2008 FORD TAURUS X

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD TAURUS X WITH CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING TIRES, SIZE: P215/55R17, DOT D1976825. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS BEGINNING TO LOSE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TIRE EXHIBITED CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALL AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPLACING THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE ALSO EXHIBITED CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALL. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,600.