On July 21, 2004, I purchased a new 2004 Saturn Ion quad coupe and on August 3, 2004, I experienced tread and belt separation on the driver's side front tire. I was traveling approximately 40-45 mph, heard a loud noise and suddenly lost control of the car and discovered I had no brakes either, (the tire had ripped the brake lines). I was only able to stop the vehicle after hitting a road sign. The tire in question, came standard on the vehicle (which had 816 miles on it) and was a Firestone firehawk gta 03, (P205/55R16). I suffered a fracture to my right forearm, multiple contusions, approximately $6000 worth of vehicle damage, (not including the immediate depreciation of a brand new vehicle), and ultimately loss of my employment related to no transportation. I called the Saturn customer svc. Center and they towed the vehicle to the dealership. They kept the vehicle there for more than 30 days, when they had a Saturn representative fly down from tn to tell me they have no responsibility, even though not one of the 6 airbags deployed, and that I should contact Firestone, however in the meantime I must immediately removed the vehicle from their premises!! I filed an incident report and shipped the tire to Firestone, per their request, only to be told 28 days later that they do not have any responsibility since the damage was a result of a "360 degree spin cut through the tread". my insurance told me that if I filed the claim through them that I would be "heavily penalized" since it was obvious that I was not at fault. So, I lost my job, spent all of my savings, got behind on all of my bills and all I have to show for it is a new car that is not drivable!

- Gastonia, NC, USA

Vehicle involved in a crash and air bags did not deploy. The consumers daughter was involved in 2 incidents with this vehicle. The daughter was hit by a harley davidson F150 truck in the first incident where she turned and the harley hit her in the front passenger side and the second incident occurred when the daughter drove 4 miles, and parked, then fifteen minutes later the gas pedal stuck and she was unable to release it. The brakes had become inoperative. The vehicle was placed in park along with the emergency brake and shut off. (duplicate report - see ODI ref. No. 10074368)

- Naples, FL, USA