1998 Dodge Caravan: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Mar 12, 2007 · Tires · ID

We had a euro tour tire from big o (serial #u9ytt2n3903 produced by cooper tires size 205/70r15 [this size is not listed on the tire section]) on the front of our dodge caravan. My son was driving on the freeway that had been completed approximately a year before so the freeway was in excellent condition. My son said that while they had our van they had not hit anything nor was there anything in the road. The cop who helped my son change the tire said my son had not hit anything. Both steel belts blew out. My son said the tire exploded! It blew out the wheel well, blew off the bumper,blew out the headlight, blew out some of the wiring and broke the bottle for the windshield wipers & gave the fender a fat lip. My daughter-in-law was the vehicle ahead & looked back just in time to see pieces of tire & van flying everywhere. Luckily the van did not roll. There was $1800-$1900 worth of damage to our van. Big o replaced the tire but when we sent it cooper, they said they believed the tire failed because of a probable impact. A cooper tire dealer & the big o dealer in pocatello both told me they felt the tire was faulty. They did not believe the damage to the tire could possibly have resulted from impact. Everyone except cooper thinks damage to the tire indicates it actually exploded.

Filed Jan 19, 2007 · Tires · NY

Driving 20 MPH on local road, had front and rear passenger side tires incur blowouts without any apparent cause. Tires were rotated every 6,000 miles and inflation checked at least monthly. Tires were 3 years old and had approximately 22,000 miles or wear.

Filed Mar 7, 2003 · Transmission · 79,984 miles · MI

I was driving down the highway at 60 MPH when I heard a loud noise and my car shook. I pulled over and looked for a flat. There wasn't one. My power train differential pin went through the casing rendering my transmission useless, it had to be towed to the shop. The repair bill is $2500 for a new transmission. The transmission repair shop said this is very common on these vans. A search on the web revealed they usually blow out between 60,000-70,000 miles. This is a major flaw in the transmission. A phone call to chrysler was useless.8jb

Filed Dec 6, 2002 · Visibility · AL

Brought vehicle new in aug 98 and the heater core would continuously to blow out. Would be replaced heater core part every year. Mechanic can not locate cause of the defective heater core problem. Ts

Filed Nov 21, 2001 · Tires · CA

Tire blew out at freeway speed, tread was in good condition, cause unclear (possibly puncture). *ak (tiresize: p215/65r15)

Filed Aug 9, 2001 · Tires · LA

While driving 70mph on highway tread separated from tire on rear driver's side, causing damage to vehicle.*ak three tires all together experienced tread separation, p215/65r15, bridgestone bt70s.

Filed Dec 7, 2000 · Tires · TX

Consumer was checking goodyear eagle tires, p215/65r15, and noticed tread was starting to separate, goodyear replaced both front tires, however both rear tires consumer was charged for even though they too showed signs of tread separation.

Filed Nov 15, 2000 · SC

Belts in the tire slipped resulting in tire failure (dot number: m6vfhkor12 tiresize: 215/65r15)

Filed Nov 9, 2000 · Tires · MD

While traveling at 25-30 MPH, vehicle appeared to be driving rough. Pulled vehicle over, and noticed both right and left front tires showed signs of tread separation on a 1998 dodge, caravan, original equipment, p215/65r15, goodyear conquest was not contacted at this time. *ak dot#4bvfhkdr317.

Filed Nov 8, 2000 · Tires · AR

Michelin mx4 all season tires (p215 65 r16) experienced tread separation, causing vehicle to vibrate and shake.

Filed Oct 31, 2000 · Tires · AR

The original michelin mx4 all season 215/65/r16 tires were experiencing tread separation causing vibration while driving, consumer replaced all four tires.

Filed Sep 12, 2000 · Tires · MA

I've had a half dozen customers' caravans with goodyear conquest tires that I've caught in time to avoid any blowouts. These tires are slipping belts, and the treads are separating. The worst case was one 1998 caravan with 35k miles, and 3 of 4 tires were about to let go.(steel belts breaking through tread around 1/2 circumference of tire) I don't believe air pressure to be an issue here!!*ak( dot number: tire size: 215/70/15? )