My firestone compact spare tire for a 1998 saturn sl2, which has never been used, shows tread separation. The rubber is splitting apart in the tread area and the belts are showing through. This also happened to a previous firestone compact spare I owned for a saturn. The tire is size t115/70r14 and the serial number is hym7h5a377. The tire is admittedly old, but the extent of damage is alarming considering the tire has not been used. It has been impossible to find a new replacement- tire dealers say to get a replacement from a junk yard, but they would have the same problem. A full size spare will not fit in the trunk's tire well.
1998 Saturn SL: tire blowout or tread separation
6 of the 167 complaints about the 1998 Saturn SL describe tire blowout or tread separation.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
Tire blowout or tread separation by model year
What owners say
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 saturn sl1. The vehicle has goodyear assurance tires, size p185/70/r14. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear passenger side tire blew out without warning. Within one year, six identical tires in various locations failed without warning. The contact took the tires to the dealer and had the first set replaced. Shortly after the replacement, the tires failed. The manufacturer did not assist and the technician could not identify the cause of the failure. The contact has possession of the failed tires. The failure and current mileages were 10,000. Updated 03/09/09. *lj updated 03/11/09.
My new husband and I had just driven over 300 miles the night before on the interstate to our honeymoon destination. The next afternoon, we were traveling on a divided four lane at approximately 50 MPH when a tire blew. The tires were relatively new and had little wear. The gentleman at the tire dealership showed us where the tire had just "ruptured" on its on. The tire was made by firestone and was an affinity label. I replaced the damaged tire and the opposite tire on the front (my car is front wheel drive). The remaining two tires on the rear look just like the front tires did, and the salesman recommended we have them checked as well and also recommended they be replaced asap. I have heard of other individuals who have had problems with this same tire (after I made my purchase) and was worried. I feel these tires should be recalled by firestone asap because they are unsafe.
My 23 yr old son was traveling from ventura, ca at 75 MPH on fwy 99 n bound in the middle lane (of 3) at about 1 a.m. In fresno, ca. Just before arriving at his exit to hwy 41 n, the rear end began to skid to the left. Driver steered into the skid to correct while stepping on the brakes to reduce speed. Suddenly the rear end of the car was hurled into the air causing the entire vehicle to go airborne, clearing the third lane (far right lane) and landing on top of asphalt berm and soft, sandy embankment resulting in the car rolling and going airborne, bouncing off the rear end of the car and going airborne yet a third time landing upside down on the shoulder of the freeway with the nose of the car extending into the third lane. Driver received minor injuries but chp officers were astonished it was not a fatality. Car was totaled. Talks with saturn headquarters has only resulted in denial that the spindle could have caused the accident. They insist a tire blowout was most likely the cause. Personal investigation revealed there was no blowout. Evidence points toward the spindle breaking allowing the wheel assembly to fold down under the car causing it to skid to the left. The application of brakes brought the front end of the car down enough to allow the wheel assembly to catch the frame assembly and pitch the car into the air while tearing out the entire rear wheel well assembly. Parts of the wheel assembly were found 40 feet before the impact of the car on the driver's side (which would be impact #2) as it tumbled across the freeway embankment. No one seems to want to further investigate the wreckage including our insurance and saturn.
Traveling on I-5 so @ approx 72mph left rear tire blew out. Original stock tire on saturn. Luckily vehicle didn't fishtail or go out of control @ freeway speeds. Saturn dealership referred me to firestone. Firestone claimed no credit towards new tires; replaced all four at this time. Tire had multiple gashes/holes & tread coming apart. Had to drive on rim till got to shoulder 2 lanes over. Don't know if lucky I was in a low profile vehicle so avoided the problems the SUV's have or not? Due to long commutes will not purchase this type of tire. Have had better results from other brands.damage of $120 is only 1/4 cost of complete set of tire replacement of $467.87 paid. (tiresize: p185/65hr1)( dot number: tire size: p185/65hr1 )
The tread separated from the belts. I have seen this on retreads but never new tires. It is as if you took a knife and cleanly separated the tread above the belt.( dot number: w2ep tire size: p175/70r14 )
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1998 Saturn SL tire blowout
Is tire blowout or tread separation a common problem on the 1998 Saturn SL?
6 of 167 owner complaints about the 1998 Saturn SL (4%) mention tire blowout or tread separation. The model year with the most reports is 1996.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Saturn SL?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Saturn SL
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