NHTSA Complaint #764611 — 2002 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

COMPLETE TIRE NUMBER IS DOT M65LB3DTL3901, AND IS BEING SAFE KEPT BY GOODYEAR DISTRIBUTOR. VEHICLE WAS -THANK GOD- PARKED FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AND WHEN I RETURNED TO IT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE CAR DID NOT EVEN HIT A POTHOLE ALL DAY LONG AND OUT OF THE BLUE I HAD AFLAT. AFTER FILLING IT WITH FIX A FLAT I DROVE FOR SOME TWO MILES TO REPAIR IT. AT FIRST THE MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING SUSPICIOUS OTHER THAN THE SMALLEST OF NAILS BUT AFTER REMOVIG IT AND PATCHING THE HOLE HE ATTEMPTED TO FILL IT BACK WHEN HE REALIZED THE TIRE WAS LOSING AIR VERY FAST. THE OUTSIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS CRACKED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE GOODYEAR DISTRIBUTOR YESTERDAY AND NOT ONLY DID THEY INSIST THERE IS NO GUARANTEE ON THE TIRE SINCE IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT THAT THE PROBLEM POSES A SAFETY RISK. I MOST CERTAINLY DO NOT AGREE AND HOPE YOU DO TO. THE DISTRIBUTOR AGREED TO HOLD THE TIRE UNTIL THE PROPER AUTHORITIES HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT, IF THEY SO DESIRED. THERE IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. NEEDLESS TO SAY, MY WIFE AND I ARE VERY CONCERNED FOR OUR GRADSON'S SAFETY,. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT IT BEFORE LIFES ARE LOST. THANK YOU. *AK