NHTSA Complaint #10486104 — 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

DRIVING BACK FROM THE BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT ON 20/59 WEST TO TUSCALOOSA DRIVING 68 MPH IN A LEASED 2012 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK OPTIMO H725A TIRES, LINE SIZE 205/55R16 91H, DOT# 1GRP DY H2 THE VEHICLE STARTING PULLING HARD LEFT. I DECELERATED TO PULL OFF ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I NOTICED IN REAR VIEW AND THEN SIDE MIRROR BLACK DEBRIS COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR AS I PULLED OFF ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SHOULDER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER TIRES SIDE WALL BLEW OUT. THEN TOOK PICTURES OF WHAT WAS LEFT HANGING FROM THE TIRE. THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE WHEEL WELL. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THE SPARE TIRE WAS INSTALLED. BOTH THE DEALER QUALITY MAZDA VOLKSWAGEN AND THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7522. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURE OFFERED ANY REASON FOR THE FAILURE OR TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE IN REPLACING THE TIRE. SUGGESTED BUYING ANOTHER TIRE. *TR