NHTSA Complaint #754220 — 2001 PONTIAC AZTEK

I HIT A POTHOLE AT 25 MPH AND WITHIN 1/2 MILE THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. ON INSPECTION, THE TIRE HAD WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SLASH MARK ON THE SIDEWALL, PROCEEDING INTO THE TREAD. I TOOK THE TIRE TO DANIELS PONTIAC IN GENEVA NY AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS A ROADHAZARD PROBLEM, SO THERE WOULD BE NO COVERAGE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A BACKORDER ON THIS TIRE SO IT MAY TAKE UP TO A WEEK TO GET A NEW TIRE. I AM FORCED TO RIDE ON THE DONUT SPARE TIRE IN THE MEANTIME. I CONTACTED A FIRESTONE REP. DOUG HILL WHO WOULD ONLY OFFER TO HAVE THE TIRE PICKED UP AND AFTER INSPECTION WILL COVER NO MORE THAN 50% FOR THE COST OF THE TIRE. AT THIS POINT, THE MONEY IS THE LEAST OF MY CONCERN FOR ONE TIRE. AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS TIRE, ON BOTH THE NHTSA SITE AND OTHER WEBSITES, I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY DRIVING WITH THESE TIRES. MR. HILL STATED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THESE TIRES, HENCE FIRESTONE WILL NOT COVER ANYTHING BEYONE 50% FOR THIS ONE TIRE. I HOPE THAT THE RELIABILITY AND SAFETY OF THIS TIRE MODEL WILL BE LOOKED AT CLOSELY, AS THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PATTERN OF PROBLEMS WITH IT. OBVIOUSLY FIRESTONE WILL NOT ADMIT TO ANY CULPABILITY, NOR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE TIRE, UNLESS FORCED TO DO SO. *AK (TIRESIZE: 215/70R/16)