NHTSA Complaint #754691 — 2001 DODGE NEON

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW ON MAY 31, 2001. THE CAR CAME WITH 16 ALUMINUM RIMS AND THE GOODYEAR EAGLE LOW PROFILE TIRES. THIS WAS USED AS PART OF THE SALESMEN'S SPEAL TO GET ME TO BUY THE CAR. SINCE MAY, I HAVE HAD 6 OR MORE INSTANCE OF FLAT TIRES, SOME WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, SOME DRIVING ON SIDE STREETS AND SOME WHILE PARKED. THE DEALER HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM EACH TIME. THE FIRST TIME I HAD TO BUY A NEW TIRE AND RIM WHICH COST OVER $500. ALL OF THE OTHER TIMES THEY FOUND THE RIMS BENT AND SIMPLY USED A HAMMER TO BANG THEM BACK IN SHAPE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE SERVICE MGR, JIM MARTIN AND HE HIMSELF PERSONALLY BANGED THE RIM STRAIGHT ON 11/15. HE ALSO TOLD ME THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ALUMINUM RIMS THAT ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND A POTHOLE OR EVEN A DRIVEWAY. THE LOW PROFILE TIRES, WHICH ARE NOT MUCH BIGGER THEN BICYCLE TIRES, ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE RIMS FROM BENDING IF I HIT A POTHOLE, SPEED BUMP, ETC. THE WORST PART IS I SPOKE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THEY TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. BECAUSE THE RIMS ARE 16 INCH, I CAN'T REPLACE THEM WITH STEEL RIMS BECAUSE STEEL RIMS DO NOT COME IN 16 INCH SIZES FOR A P195/50 TIRE. THE ONLY OPTION THEY GAVE ME IS TO GO TO A TIRE DEALER AND BUY NEW TIRES AND 15 INCH STEEL RIMS OR LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND FAMILY AND I THINK THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT FOR A POSSIBLE RECALL SINCE IT SEEMS EVERY DEALER AND MECHANIC IN AMERICA KNOWS THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP. THANK YOU.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 83V TIRESIZE: P195/50R16)