NHTSA Complaint #10990809 — 2009 LINCOLN MKZ

DUE TO POOR WHEEL CONSTRUCTION, THE CHROME PLATING ON THE LINCOLN OEM WHEELS FLAKES OFF RESULTING IN A FAILURE OF THE TIRE TO SEAL PROPERLY AGAINST THE WHEEL. THIS FAILURE TO SEAL AGAINST THE WHEEL CAUSES A PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AIR LEAK ON EVERY WHEEL. IF AN OWNER OF THIS CAR IS NOT AWARE OR OBSERVANT OF THE CONSTANTLY DECLINING AIR PRESSURE, THEY COULD DRIVE ON DANGEROUSLY UNDER INFLATED TIRES, AND POTENTIALLY EXPERIENCE CATASTROPHIC TIRE FAILURE. IN PARTICULAR, THE WHEELS ON MY MKZ LEAK TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT EVERY MORNING, I HAVE TO GO OUTSIDE AND PUMP THEM UP TO THE PROPER PSI. BUYING NEW LINCOLN WHEELS WOULD RESULT IN THE SAME PROBLEM AS THEY ARE ALL AFFECTED BY THE SAME MANUFACTURING DEFECT. MANY OWNERS HAVE RESULTED TO BUYING AFTERMARKET WHEELS, WHICH I SEE AS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE ORIGINAL WHEELS SHOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY AND REMAIN RELIABLE FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.