NHTSA Complaint #11210507 — 2006 TOYOTA AVALON

---BUYERS BEWARE.--- TIRES PURCHASED: 215/55R-17 CONTINENTAL PURECONTACT LS SL PURCHASED THESE TIRES ON TIRE RACK AND HAD THEM PROFESSIONAL PLACED ON BY FIRESTONE PERSONNEL (APPROPRIATE TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED). IN JUST A LITTLE OVER A MONTH, LESS THAN 100 MILES, AND WITHOUT ANY TRAUMA (NO POTHOLES, CURBS, ETC), THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE HAD A MAJOR, SIDEWALL BLOWOUT ON THE HIGHWAY (70 MPH) WITH NEAR CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. CONTINENTAL WILL NOT ALLOW A REFUND BUT WILL ONLY PERMIT ME TO PURCHASE TIRES IN THEIR LINEUP ACCORDING TO THEIR 60 DAY POLICY. HOWEVER, THIS SHOULD BE AN EXCEPTION DUE TO THE NEAR MISS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS BODILY HARM OR DEATH. I DO NOT TRUST THESE TIRES GIVEN THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE FROM SUCH LITTLE USAGE (PLEASE SEE PHOTOS). THEY HAVE DENIED ANY CLAIM OF DEFECT IN THEIR TIRES BUT I AM PERPLEXED ON HOW SUCH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO A TIRE CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT ANY TRAUMA OR INCITING EVENT. PLEASE DON'T PUT YOUR FAMILY OR LOVED ONES IN HARM'S WAY AND HIGHLY CONSIDER AN ALTERNATIVE BRAND OF TIRE THAN GENERAL OR CONTINENTAL.