My spare tire fell out from beneath my truck. The cable was split at the end. The small connector that is attached to the cable had separated from the end of the cable which also holds a metal pad in place. The pad allows the spare tire to be raised or lowered. All parts were retrieved, the spare tire, metal pad and connector. The spare tire hoist assembly was still operational, minus the parts that fell out.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA

I experienced a Continental tire tread separation while driving on the freeway at about 65 mph today. The tire tread caused considerable damage to the side fender/bumper and side step panel after the tread separation. The car is a 2000 Lincoln Navigator id # [xxx] which I just purchased on July 6, 2003. The tire was a Continental SUV P265/70R17 113S that appears to be the replacement tire for a Continental tire recall in August 2002 (NHTSA campaign id number: 02T012000) dealing with the Contitrac aw and grabber aw tires size P275/60R17 for use as original equipment on certain 2000-2001 by two-wheel-drive Ford Expedition and two-wheel-drive Lincoln Navigator sport utility vehicles. The spare tire that was then put on the car looks to be the original equipment spare tire. It is a Continental aw tire, P275/60R17 100S that appears to be the tire that was covered under the recall. I would like know how to correctly identify the spare tire I am now riding on as to whether it is the tire that was recalled and if so as to how I can get it replaced. Also, as to who is going to pay for the damages that the tire has caused and as to how I can get the tire replaced because of apparent manufacture defect. Also, if the spare is one covered by the recall how is it that the car dealer I purchased it from only two months ago did not have it replaced or at least notified me of the defective product that would / could prove fatal to myself or others? information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- San Diego, CA, USA