NHTSA Complaint #750277 — 1995 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD

WHILE DRIVING AT 68 MPH ON ROUTE 35E 40 MILES SOUTH OF DALLAS, TEXAS, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR. ALL FIVE OF THE LUG STUDS SHEARED OF AT THE FACE OF THE ROTOR ASSEMBLY. THE TIRE WEDGED AGAINST THE LOWEST REAR PART OF THE FENDER WELL WHICH RESULTED IN A CLEAN CUT THROUGH THE TIRE SIDEWALL. I WAS TRAVELLING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE TIRE TRAVELED ABOUT 350 YARDS ACROSS THE RIGHT HAND DRAINAGE AREA AND STOPPED IN A CULTIVATED FIELD ABOUT 100 YARDS FROM WHERE I STOPPED THE CAR. THE TIRE HAD BEEN PUT ON THE CAR ABOUT THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT AND HAD BEEN TORQUED TO THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS OF 100 FT/LBS. THE ROTOR REQUIRED REPLACEMENT ALONG WITH THE SHIELD THAT IS INSTALLED BEHIND THE ROTOR. THE RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL (FENDER) WILL REQUIRE EXTENSIVE WORK OR REPLACEMENT. CADILLAC HAS SAID THAT THE LUG NUTS WERE OVERTORQUED AT SOME POINT. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THE STUDS FAILED BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL THAT WAS USED IN MANUFACTURE. I FEEL THAT FAILURES OF THIS TYPE ARE SERIOUS BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL TURNOVERS AND DAMAGE THAT MAY RESULT TO OTHER VEHICLES BY THE LOOSE WHEEL.*AK