1999 Mercury Cougar: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 8,520 miles · MO

Purchased car new, in 57000 miles we have had to replace, 2 alternators, 1 starter, 2 batteries, entire rack and pinion, power steering pump, transmission torque converter, 4 set of brakes, 4 sets of tires plus two individual tires all with sidewall blow outs except one puncture and 2 headlight switches, 2 cig lighters. The entire upper engine gasket set had to be replaced to get to an intake leak. The head lights and foglights work itermittantly, engine warning lights are constantly going on and off. Currently one headlight is out (lamp is good) fog lights are not working (today) and an engine warning light is indicating a problem again.

Filed Jan 27, 2002 · Tires, Wheels · TX

The first time the wheel cracked while exiting interstate and running over a small pothole. Thought it was something my daughter did. The second time a few months later, another one cracked in the same location on the wheel and caused the tire to blow out. Checked with the dealer who refused to take any action or even investigate any chance of malfunction of wheels. Several months later when having the car serviced, was told the other 2 wheels were bent causing the car to vibrate while driving at 55 to 60 MPH.

Filed Jul 12, 2001 · Tires · TX

Tire blewout sidewall after less than 10 minutes of driving. Vehicle recently serviced at a lincoln mercury dealership tires were inspected and determined to be in good condition. *ak (tiresize: 215/50/16)

Filed Feb 7, 2001 · Wheels · GA

This is the second wheeel failure in 200 miles. The heat from the documented poor brake system may be causing the rim failure and the numerous brake and blowout related complaints posted to date. Once again, two weeks since the first sudden deflation, the front left tire suddenly deflated without warning. The brakes were extremely hot as were the tires and wheels on the fronts of both sides. The rears were "air temperature." either the proportioning valve is non-functional, or the front brakes are dragging causing excess heat to the extent that tires, brakes, and even aluminum rims are softening enough to cause blow-outs. Once agin the tire is in fine shape and is currently holding air; the rim is bent in two places on the inner bead contact and I'm left with another $500 dilema and a family safety question. Both wheels and tire are available for investigation as I will be forced to buy another replacement tire and wheel. Odi id 850215 may have had a similar defect. Please check it out.

Filed Jan 17, 2001 · Acceleration, Brakes · NJ

Car leased in 1999. Since then there have been several complaints, the radio shorting out, 2 same side/tire blow outs, trouble lights and transmission problems, brake noise and acceleration problems. In each and every case the response has been "we cannot reproduce the problem" hence, no fixes. Warrenty expired now the alternater needs to be replaced? Comment from service department "it must have been defective". ???

Filed Jan 8, 2001 · Tires · MO

This is the second time that all four tires have gone bad. The first happened at 17m miles with tread separating in all four tires. This has happenned once again at 61m miles with two of the four separating and showing wires and the other two are going the same way soon. *ak (tiresize: 215/50/16)( dot number: tire size: 215/50/16 )

Filed Sep 19, 2000 · Tires · OK

After regular tire rotation at 28,000 miles, the car started to pull to the right (the side where the defective tires were on), the steering was jerky and an audible thrumming could be heard. It was noticeable as slow as 10 MPH and grew increasingly worse as the vehicle sped up. When we had the vehicle inspected at three different locations, they all concluded that tire separation was the cause and was the possible cause of the car being out of alignment. We corrected the alignment and purchased four new tires (yokohama) and the problems are gone.( dot number: w2b0 tire size: 215/50r16 )

Filed Aug 24, 2000 · Tires · VA

Two of the firestone firehawk gta 20-p215/50r16 tires experienced tread separation and blowouts, one incident caused loss of control of the vehicle and hit a curb.

Filed Aug 14, 2000 · Tires · VA

I have had two (2) side wall blowouts on the lower part of the sidewall near the tread. Both incidents were on city streets and there was no evidence of road hazard of any kind. The first incident through the car out of control and into a curb. No other cars were involved. I kept the last tire, however discarded the first.*ak( dot number: tire size: p215/50 r1 )

Filed May 16, 2000 · Electrical · IL

Fuse box controls all electrical parts of car-lights, alarm, & parts of engine etc. Our paticular problem is that it continues to blow out the fuel pump and play havac with lights not working, car not starting and just shuting down. Doors won't work, seats won't move, trunk won' t open etc. Everything electrical is effected by the fuse box . The ford motor co. Is unable to get the part after 3 weeks. I would think that a company of that size would have parts in stockto fix this problem. The company can not give me a definitive date as to when this part will come in.

Filed Jan 12, 2000 · Airbags, Tires · NM · crash

Vehicle was traveling at 35mph and hit a pothole a tire blew out, and driver's side and passenger's side airbags deployed. Dealer says the pothole messed up the airbag sensor.

Filed Oct 7, 1999 · Tires · TX

While driving and exiting off highway consumer noticed a wheel had cracked which caused tire blowout. This problem has occurred two times.