NHTSA Complaint #731215 — 1988 CADILLAC DEVILLE

I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL SIDE STREET DOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. WITHOUT ANY WARNING I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND MY CAR VEERED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF IT. DUE TO A LACK OF TRAFFIC AT THE MOMENT I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE CURB. THE NOISE WAS SO LOUD IT BROUGHT PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOUSES TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. IT WAS NOT OBVIOUS THAT I HAD TREAD SEPARATION BY WALKING AROUND LOOKING AT IT. I DISCOVERED THAT MY LEFT REAR TIRE HAD THE TREAD SEPARATED ALL THE WAY DOWN. IT HAS COPPER COLOR WIRES TWISTED IN LONG COILS WITH THE RUBBER STICKING UP OUT OF IT AND WAS SHARP TO THE TOUCH. A LARGE SLAB OF TREAD WAS ON THE TIRE BUT YOU COULD JUST LAY IT BACK. IT DIDN'T APPEAR TO HAVE LOST TREAD ON THE ROAD, JUST LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD CUT IT NEATLY BACK, EXCEPT FOR THE TWISTED WIRE AND RUBBER IN SMALL STRANDS THAT WERE STICKING UP. HAD THERE BEEN ANOTHER CAR ONCOMING OR AT THE RIGHT OF ME IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO HIT THEM. I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME RETAINING CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HAD 4 OF THESE TIRES ALL PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME AT THE LOCAL FIRSTONE DEALER AND STILL HAVE 3 OF THEM ON MY CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE THESE CHANGED AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THEM. I WENT TO THE SAME DEALER I PURCHASED THEM FROM AND HE SAID HE COULD CHECK THEM BUT COULD NOT REPLACE THEM. BECAUSE I HAD A GOODYEAR TIRE REPLACED FOR THE BAD ONE, THEY WOULD NOT OFFER TO PAY OR IN ANY WAY COMPENSATE ME FOR IT. I AM FEARFUL FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS SAFETY WHO ARE DRIVING ON THESE TIRES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED CLARIFICATION PLEASE DO NOT HESTITATE TO CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL OR TELEPHONE. I HAVE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE, SO I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I ANSWERED WHAT YOU NEEDED TO KNOW OR NOT. THANK YOU.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/75R14 )