Saturn SL tire blowout problems

Filed Sep 26, 2011 · Tires, Wheels · 208,000 miles · NC

My complaint is with a dayton quadra se tire, size p175/70r14 the tire is 2 years old with 20,000 miles and has never been plugged or patched. It has never been flat or low on air pressure. On sept 1 2011 while driving down interstate 40 near the forsyth-davie county line in north carolina a piece of the tire's tread separated from the core of the tire similar to the way recapped tires do. The separated piece is still attached to the tire at one point but threw enough rubber off that it actually knocked a hole in the saturn's left rear quarter panel. A crack nearly 5 inches long. I believe this was similar issue to the firestone tires separating and being blamed for SUV accidents 10 years or so ago. The tire caused no personal injury but I did lose control due to the pounding caused by the loose rubber. The tire never lost air pressure.

Filed Jun 30, 2011 · Tires · 180,000 miles · UT · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 1994 saturn sl. The vehicle was equipped with big o big o aspen tires (205/70/r14 dot u9t9 tx30103). While driving approximately 75 MPH the rear drivers side tire tread separated causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into a ditch. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The tire was not replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 241,000.

Filed Apr 13, 2010 · Tires · 70,000 miles · KY

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.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Tires · 10,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Nov 30, 2006 · Tires · 149,000 miles · TX

I have a temporary spare that has never been used & came with the car when I purchased it new. On november 21, 2006, I discovered my right front passenger side tire was plat & changed it, installing the emergency flat (which had never been used). I headed to the ntb tire store to purchase a new tire. After driving only 2 ,miles, the emergency tire exploded. I had to call aaa & be towed to the tire store. The tire that exploded: firestone tiempa spare t115/70r14 88m I had to buy a new tire. Now, I also have to buy a new rim + tire to serve as my spare. I feel that, although the car was old, the emergency spare, never used, was defective, and either gm (saturn) or firestone should be held liable for replacement. This unsafe tire should never have been installed as the original equipment spare. I have saved the tire for inspection by any party.

Filed Aug 22, 2006 · Tires · FL

2002 saturn sl-1 rear passenger tire blew out. *kb the consumer noticed something flying from the rear of the vehicle. The consumer was loosing control and immediately grasped the steering wheel to regain control.

Filed Oct 29, 2005 · Tires · 110,700 miles · GA

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.

Filed Dec 4, 2004 · Transmission · 174,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Sep 13, 2004 · Tires · 65,000 miles · NY

While driving 65 MPH rear passenger's side tire tread separated. As a result the rear quarter panel and bumper were severely damaged. No impact reported. *ak

Filed Mar 27, 2004 · Tires · 24,500 miles · SC · crash · 1 injury

The right rear tire separated at the sidewall, causing the car to swerve violently into the next lane, striking a tractor trailer and totaling the car.