2012 Kia Optima: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Aug 29, 2014 · Tires · 36,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima equipped with hankook optimo h431 tires, size 225/45r 18v. While driving 20 MPH, the tire gauge indicator illuminated. An independent mechanic found an air bubble in the rear driver side tire. The tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN and dot number were unavailable. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 36,000 and the tire failure mileage was 7,000.

Filed May 7, 2014 · Tires · 30,000 miles · NJ

All 4 hankook optimo 225/45/18 tires that came with my 2012 kia optima sx vehicle developed a bubble in the sidewall within 18 months. Due to safety concerns and advice from the dealership all 4 tires were replaced around the 2 year point from purchase of the vehicle.

Filed Jun 17, 2013 · Tires, Wheels · 35,000 miles · NC

After 15,000 miles tire developed a huge bubble on the side wall of the front left tire. Bought the car brand new with original tires from dealership(nexen).these tires should be outlawed. Right after I got it to a mechanic shop, it exploded and was sitting on the rim. I was very fortune to not be driving on the highway when this occured. I can send picture also. I have had two flat tires within the first year of purchase. Not including the 2nd pair that the bubble developed at the front. The nexen tires tread life is very short too.. They seemed to drive better in slightly wet conditions than dry; odd. :/ I received no compensation from the kia dealership I bought it from.

Filed Apr 9, 2013 · Body, Visibility · 14,518 miles · TX

I was driving on highway during rush hour when I heard a loud explosion and sound of glass rattling. At first I though I had a blowout on one of my tires, so I manage to pull over to the emergency lane. I then did a walk around of my car and saw the busted sunroof. There was nothing overhead nor did I see any flying rocks or debris at the time of the explosion. There was nothing other than the explosion. The glass was bubbled up like it blewout and not in. There was a hole the size of a basketball in the middle of the sunroof. There were no rocks or anything inside the flap between the glass and interior. Also the flap cover is very thin and flimsy, if something had fallen on it, it would have hit me on the head because it is just a thin material cover. Furthermore, it was a sunny day, at roughly 73 degrees. All I can say is for a sunroof to explode outwards, the glass has to be defective in some sort of way. It scare the living lights out of me, it was such a loud explosion. If I had the cover undone, I would have been hurt by the broken flying glass. I took it to the dealer and the manager there took pictures and then made a comment that he would forward the pictures to the dealer but that it would be denied because the last kia that came in with the same problem the dealership claims person he was planning on forwarding the pictures to had denied the claim and it looked the same! This shows me that kia is very aware that their product (sunroof) is defective and has a potential to explode but of course they will not claim their product has any defects because it would cost them too much. I am not the only one with this incident obviously. I need for you to begin an investigation into trying to determine if the glass is not tempered enough to withstand certain temperatures or if there are other defects that cause it to explode.

Filed Dec 6, 2012 · Tires · CA

This complaint is about the one of my tires. During an oil change at the dealership where I purchased the car, the dealership representative notified me of a bubble in one of the tires. I purchased the car oct (28), 2011. I don't know the exact date of the tire bubble notification by the dealer rep, but it was during the 2011 calendar year. The rep stated that unfortunately the dealership does not warranty the tires! Is there any recourse to have that or all the tires replaced? The tire (all four) is a hankook optimo h431 225/45 r18 . 95v, radial tubeless, made in korea.

Filed Feb 22, 2012 · Tires · 7,200 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 kia optima. The contact noticed that the vehicle was not equipped with a spare tire and could be hazardous if the contact was left stranded if there was a blow out. The contact was concerned that if there was a blow out while there were occupants in the vehicle, the tow truck would not accommodate the other passengers. The dealer advised the contact to purchase a spare tire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but failed to offer any assistance. No repairs were performed. The current and the failure mileages were 7,200.

Filed Nov 20, 2011 · Tires · 500 miles · OH

There is no spare tire and only a inflation kit. A blowout of the sidewall cannot be repaired with this kit. Could be stranded and harm done to the owner. How could it be legal and safe to allow manufacturers to not include a spare tire???