Bought Firestone affinity touring tires two years ago, and on my rear tire the sidewall blew a 4.5 " chunk out of it where the tread meets the sidewall. I have had my alignment checked twice since buying the tires and they are rotated every 5-5.5K miles. The tires are 195/60/15. I contacted Firestone but did not receive a response.

- Holloman Afb, NM, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Focus. The vehicle has pirelli P6 tires. On March 2, 2005 and December 21, 2007, the tires went completely flat on the vehicle. The dealer replaced the tires, but it was undetermined which tires were replaced. It was later discovered that another tire had rotted and it was also replaced. On a different occasion, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. It was found that two tires had severe dry rot on the sidewalls and a rapid wear down. The mechanic suggested calling the manufacturer of both the vehicle and the tires. Pirelli tires was notified and offered the contact 25% off the purchase of new tires. The failure mileage was 19,392 and current mileage was less than 30,000. Updated 10/20/08. The consumer stated one of the tires would not hold air and the ohter tire had a bulged. The consumer believed the reaming two tires were showing rapid deterioration.

- San Fransisco, CA, USA

My daughters Ford Focus 2004 has only 21,000 miles on it and was making noises we checked the tires pirelli P6 four season P205/50R 16 87 H M+S and the rear back tire cords were broke since we bought the car over a year ago and the warranty was only for a year they said they wont do anything what if it would of blown out think they should be called it has happened to alot of people with the same tires looked up complaint on internet, we replaced all four tires did not trust the other tires now they are made in china surprise. What would of happened if my daughter would of had a blow out"???????" something should be done. Click here: Compare prices and read reviews on pirelli P6 four seasons passenger/performance tire at epinions.com --- click here: News in brief.(briefs)(briefs on pirelli tire North America, toyo tire (usa) Corp., cooper tire & rubber co.) -

- Helena, OH, USA

June 2004, I purchased a new 2004 Focus with P195.60.15 good year Eagle rsa tires. I assume this is a standard tire used by Ford for this model, as I was not asked by the dealership if I would like to upgrade or change the tires. I never dreamed a car would be sold in this area without an adequate functional tire on. I am unable to control this vehicle in winter weather. With no warning, the car will veer out of control. I have driven in this type weather conditions for years, but never have I ever had a car with this type of handling problem. I do not have any difficulty with it in rain or dry conditions, so it is not a mechanical malfunction. I have had multiple failures in December & January. I was told by good year tire dealer that the tires are a high-performance tire and are not meant for winter driving. There are no gripping treads for snow and ice. I have to replace the tires on this car with 5,600 miles on them for safety purposes so that I do not risk injury or death to myself or someone else. I just do not understand why Ford has put this type of a tire on the vehicle. I should have been told by Ford the tires are not adequate for certain conditions. I am very upset that I have to replace a set of new tires on a new vehicle so that I can feel safe and not have an accident due to incorrect tires. I contacted the dealership where I purchased the car, however, they are not being very cooperative with my complaint. The only explanation I receive from them is that they don't know what I am talking about, or they have never had that kind of a complaint, or I am using bad driving judgment for the conditions.

- Lodi, OH, USA