The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated after the tire blew they moved the vehicle to the side of the road and attempted to detached the spare tire, however it did not detach. The contact stated that the instructions stated that if the spare tire did not detach the latch mechanism was in safety mode. The contact called a tow driver and they attempted to remove the spare per GMC owners manual instructions however, they could not remove the tire. The tow driver called another tow truck driver, they cut the latch mechanism off the vehicle, and the tire was lowered. The contact stated that they were on the side of the road approximately three hours attempting to change the spare tire. The vehicle was taken to tire shop where it was diagnosed that due to the salt on the road the latch corroded. Ryan Chevrolet located 911 hwy 55 buffalo, mn was contacted and the technician also informed the contact due to the state they were located in it was an inherent failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified however no further assistance was offered. The contact stated it was not stated in the owners manual that the latch needed to be cut and the situational failure should be reflected in the manual. The failure mileage was approximately 285,000. Consumer stated wheel blocks, only made the vehicle less stable after it was lifted up by the spare tire, balancing act. Design problem updated 10/1/18

- Delano, MN, USA

You can not lower the spare tire, under the vehicle, this is a big problem and I am not the only person with this problem, the part that holds the spare tire has a spring loaded lock on it that cannot release because of a bad design off it, their is a video on youtube about it (good information about it) you need to cut the tire down with a cutting torch, this is a bad idea around a gas tank, I can not express how mad I am right now because I can't even think of that many cuss words, and it is going into heart a tack mode, I would love to meet the engineer that designed this, and have him change the tire, first you need a tow truck then a shop with a lift then two mechanics if not three and you then need a transmission jack to put upward pressure on the tire to release the tension of the locking device that holds the tire, after you let the air out of the tire, I can overhaul the engine and the transmission and anything else that need to be done to this or any other car, but this is a big big mistake in design, can you imagine a lady having to change a tire on the side of the road!!! if a mechanic (male or female) cant do it, how can the average consumer, do it? and why hasn't this been a recall, I know why it hasn't because people are forced to pay for it and forget it, well I bought the vehicle without looking for this problem because my wife and daughters and sons have all been properly trained on how to handle this problem, but it can't be done on this vehicle or any other Chevy vehicle of this make from what I understand, you can not do this safely, no I don't have a flat tire either I was just explaining to the wife that it may be a little different so I wanted her to see it just incase she had a problem and she would be prepared on how to handle it (wrong) it should take ten or fifteen minutes to do, can't be done, and I can't believe it please contact me.

- Deming, NM, USA