Toyota RAV4 tire blowout problems

Filed Nov 8, 2026 · Tires · AZ

On XXX at about 7:22 PM, I was driving my 2025 Toyota RAV4 at 40 mph on the frontage road near [XXX] and [XXX] in [XXX], when the left rear (driver-side rear) original-equipment Firestone Destination LE2 (225/65R17, about 19,000 miles) suddenly failed with a loud bang. Dashcam audio shows a single failure sound, no impact sound before it, and no debris or pothole in my lane; the rim is undamaged. The tire still held partial air; I stopped in a parking lot within about 15 seconds and changed to the spare myself. Inspection shows a crack around the full circumference at the tread/sidewall shoulder, a radial split across the sidewall where it burst open, exposing internal cord, and additional fine cracking elsewhere. The rubber looks weathered and oxidized for a tire under two years old and under 20,000 miles. This is a circumferential cracking and separation failure of the tire structure, not road damage. On XXX, Firestone Complete Auto Care ([XXX]) inspected it at a warranty appointment and denied manufacturer-defect coverage, calling it road hazard, without a factory technical inspection. The failed tire was not retained; I have photographs of it and dashcam video of the failure. Bridgestone/Firestone customer service refused an escalation, saying the matter has to be the store. I paid $65 out of pocket for a used replacement tire. Other owners of this vehicle and tire reported the same failure. Similar RAV4 complaints: 2025 RAV4 LE2 225/65R17 sudden rupture, 1-inch radial sidewall slit near the tread line (XXX, properly inflated); sidewall separating from tread (XXX); sidewall randomly cracking, no debris or potholes; 225/65R17 sidewall blowout. Mine failed the same way on the identical vehicle, tire and size at 19,000 miles. The three remaining original LE2 tires are still on my vehicle, which concerns me. I am filing so the federal safety agency can consider investigating this fitment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · Tires · AL

A single Michelin Primacy Tire from this newly purchased vehicle has serious tread separation, a SAFETY DEFECT around the circumference of the tire with significant portions of the separated tread missing from the tire. The tire set including the tire with the tread separation defect averages 5/32 of remaining tread. This new vehicle has been maintained by Toyota since I purchased new on 4/25/2025. All 4 tires including the defective tire were replaced by the Toyota Dealer with Michelin Defender Tires we purchased from Toyota for a total including 4 wheel vehicle alignment of $915.55 on 10/28/2026 at 70,442 miles. I have the 4 tires that were removed and I will retain the defective tire for further investigative action. This RAV4 is driven exclusively by my middle aged daughter, a nurse at University of Alabama Hospital, including on I-65 at Interstate speeds. Michelin was notified and I sent tire pictures on 10/29/2026 to Michelin Case #06413824. Text response from Michelin blamed the Toyota Maintained Vehicle, which seemed odd to me given only one tire failed. Michelin seemed unconcerned about this safety defect, so given they blamed the vehicle, I reported the same failure same information to Toyota, Case #261030000205. Toyota said they would be following up with Michelin and said it sounded like a tire defect rather than vehicle issue.

Filed Oct 9, 2025 · Tires · TX

The passenger rear tire experienced a catastrophic tread separation failure on the highway at speed limit speed. Since this was on the freeway, loss of control could have been experienced and caused a severe incident injury to drivers in the vicinity of the incident. The problem just happened and will be inspected by an authorized dealer. There were no warnings until the tire of the incident. These tires have been rotated according to schedule and have less than 21,000 miles.

Filed Aug 27, 2025 · TX

Was driving on the freeway on my way to work and suddenly i heard this loud pop. I didn't know if a vehicle next to me had a tire blow out or if i had a tire blow out. I pulled over and i checked my car and then i looked on the roof as that is where the loud pop came from and i saw my sunroof broken with a hole in the middle.

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · TX

I was driving on the freeway to work. It's a 40 minute commute I make every day Monday to Friday. Half way to my destination, I heard like a loud pop or explosion sound. There was an 18 wheeler on the middle lane to my right and I thought one of its tires exploded and a piece landed on my roof. It felt like something landed on my roof or hit it hard, but not sure what. I also thought maybe my tire blew out, but my tires are all new and were fine. I pulled over to the side and put my emergency break lights on and checked the roof of my car and saw that my sun roof was broken. There is a hole in the middle. \n

Filed Jul 27, 2025 · Tires · NC

I was driving on the Highway at 70 mph and the rear passenger tire blew out. Thank God I was able to stopped the car safely and no one was injured. It was a scary moment and it is still is.My safety and other was at risk It is a brand new car with only 4397 miles. I took the car to the dealership and they replaced the tire. They found NO indications of a puncture or road hazard. Tire split at the shoulder and sidewall. Tire description Dunlop Grantrek 225/60 R 18

Filed Sep 7, 2024 · Wheels · GA

Manufacture r sold us a car with faulty Falcon tires. At 2.5 years 50K miles, tire blew out completely on highway, with no previous service warning duriing regular maintenance check-ups. Tires were problematic at less than 36K miles, but dealer did not mention anything other than a need to rotate and balance the tires.

Filed Aug 1, 2024 · Tires, Wheels · 102,580 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Rav4 equipped with four Continental Tires, Tire Line: Cross Contact LX; Tire Size: 225/65/R17, DOT Number: A32YHOOB0224. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unattended, the passenger’s side front tire exploded. The hub cap detached and flew off the rim. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called AAA and was informed that the tires were not properly installed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where the tire was replaced. Additionally, while the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact became aware that the driver's side front tire was flat. The contact's neighbor replaced the tire with the spare tire. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 102,580. The tire failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Mar 18, 2024 · Tires · 36,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Rav4 equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Destination LE2, Tire Size: 225/65/R17, DOT Number: 8X2Y-DE8. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle experienced abnormal shaking and vibration. The vehicle was taken to the local service center who discovered that all four tires were out of round and had experienced tread separation. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Driver assistance, Steering · MO · crash

On February 14, 2024, I was driving to pick up a friend who needed a ride to an appointment. I had the lane correction feature on while I was driving on the interstate. When I exited the interstate, I traveled on a two-lane road that becomes narrow as it travels along a downhill slope. This road has a steep ravine on the right side of the road caused by rainwater runoff. There are reflector signs cemented into the road along the steep drop off. Because there was no oncoming traffic, I crossed the center line avoiding getting too close to the edge. When I did so, the lane correction feature activated, pulling the car hard into the signs along the road. As a result, the entire right side of the car received extensive damage. I was fortunate not to have lost control of the vehicle and gone through the signs into the ditch. My first reaction was to think that I had lost a wheel or had a tire blow out for the car to have jerked so hard to the right. When I stopped, I saw that this was not the case. I have since read that there have been many instances where the auto lane correction has caused other accidents like mine, some of which have been more severe. It is unfortunate that I have the inconvenience of getting the damages fixed and an accident being reflected in my insurance as a result. However, I feel fortunate that I was driving the car and not one of my children who may have lost control. I am glad the signs were securely installed to keep me from rolling into the ditch. I feel most blessed that nobody was injured. What if I had swerved to avoid a person walking on the road instead of the signs posted there? There was not a police report taken on this accident. It was reported to the dealer and insurance company who referred me to Caliber Collision for repairs where it is currently. There were no warning lights prior to the incident.