NHTSA Complaint #10658801 — 2013 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE 205/55R16 TIRES WITH 33,865 MILES. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL SPLIT WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AT A LOW SPEED CAUSING A FLAT TIRE. ALL DRIVING HAS BEEN ROUTINE. THERE IS NO LEGITIMATE REASON FOR A SIDEWALL TO SPLIT AFTER ONLY 33,865 MILES ON IT UNLESS IT IS DEFECTIVE. CURRENTLY, THE TIRE CANNOT BE CHANGED BY THE OWNER BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAS INSTALLED LOCKING LUG NUTS AND WILL NOT PROVIDE THE SPECIAL KEY TO REMOVE THE WHEEL. THE GLOVE BOX HAS A SPOT FOR THE SPECIAL KEY, SO THE INTENT IS CLEAR THAT THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE A KEY, BUT A KEY WILL NOT BE GIVEN UNLESS ADDITIONAL MONEY IS PAID TO PURCHASE THE KEY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF A FLAT TIRE OCCURS, THE OWNER CANNOT CHANGE THE TIRE AND THEREFORE, WILL BE LEFT IN AN UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR