10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,603 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #13

Nov 292004

SL 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,844 miles
While driving 60 mph, the consumer lost steering control. This caused the consumer to hit a tree. The vehicle was towed.. driver sustained injuries.

- Sunnyvale, CA, USA

problem #12

Sep 172003

SL

  • miles
I recently took my 1997 Saturn in to discount tire for my tire rotation that they provide when you purchase tires from them. I took my vehicle in because of the wear on the outer edges of the front tires. The front tires are worn but not down to the wear indicators and the rear tires are in much better condition and have much more tread. I was told by their representative that they would not rotate my tires because the best tires were already in the "rear", and that it is much safer to have bad tires in the front than in the rear. When I questioned him as to why, I was shown a brochure explaining the difference in loss of vehicle control between having a problem in the front vs. The rear. I was also told that having the best tires up front was "old school" mentality. Not only have I experienced "blow out" conditions in both the front and rear of different vehicle that I have owned through out the years, I have approximately 15+ years as and ase certified master technician and currently write automotive technical service manuals, and never have I heard this. Still having many contacts within the industry, I can not find anyone who agrees with discount tire on this one. I am not looking to file a formal complaint, but looking to a reliable source for some clarity on this issue. To me, it seems as if they could be creating more of a safety issue than solving one. However, if presented with creditable information on testing (other than marketing brochures), I could be convinced otherwise. I seemed to me that this was being used to sell me tires more than anything, because the sale pitch started immediately after showing me the color brochure. I look forward to your feed back or additional information on this concern. Feel free to contact if necessary. Regards, gary H knapp.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #11

Oct 142002

SL

  • miles
Going about 30 miles an hour the rear tire separated from the car causing a crash. The car was declared totalled by the insurance company.

- West Sayville, NY, USA

problem #10

Jul 222000

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, tire blewout and caused damage to rear of vehicle, Firestone affinity, 15 inch tire, claim 18-0556-875.

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #9

Jul 222000

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, tire blewout and caused damage to rear of vehicle, Firestone affinity, 15 inch tire, claim 18-0556-875.

- Monroe, LA, USA

problem #8

Jan 312001

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving home car started to pull to right side, and steering wheel started to shake when stepping on brakes. Consumer took car to sears to check tires sizep18565R15, dot# not available. Tires were rotated. Car was taken to dealer to find problem in tires. Dealer rotated tires again. Vehicle started doing the same thing. Dealer stated left front tire had a defect. Consumer contacted sears, and sears rotated tires again, and couldnot find anything wrong. Would not replace tire. They replaced the tire the next day.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #7

May 242001

(reported on)

SL

  • miles
I had to have constant servicing done w/car in shop over a 1 yr period for up to 1 wk @ a time w/ failure in systems listed brakes & tires not covered w/warranty though only 4 months after purchase anothe dealer serviced car orig. Dealer would not. (tiresize: 175-75-14)( dot number: Tire size: 175-75-14 )

- Hastings-On-Hudson, NY, USA

problem #6

Dec 112000

SL

  • miles
Tires were sold as replacements for Firestone afnty trgt1 tublps 18565R15 tires. The tires were sold by rust tires, llc D/B/a austin bluffs big O, 4496 austin bluffs parkway, Colorado springs, co 80918, telephone #: 719-599-4555. I requested similar quality in an all-weather radial tire to the tires being replaced. The products sold do not perform safely in any amount of snow at any speed. At appropriately slow rates of speed, the tires tend to lose traction whenever the clutch is put in and when braking. The car begins to slide at those times and when starting from a complete stop. Tires do not seem to gain any traction until car is in third gear. I have never had this type of problem with any other all-weather tires I've had over the years. These tires had approximately 5,500 miles on them when the problem first occurred with snow on the ground. While it was very icy ON12/11/00, I had never experienced that degree of sliding in over 30 years of driving in winter conditions. With a child in the car, I had numerous "minor" slides and three very close calls where there was nearly property damage and/or injury. During a subsequent snow at christmas time, I again experienced unusual sliding. The most recent occurrences have been during and following a snow storm on 1/16/01. Your database only lists 2 types of nankang tires and I cannot determine whether the ones on my car are either one. I suspect not. (tiresize: 1956015)( dot number: Tire size: 1956015 )

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #5

Oct 302000

SL

  • miles
I took my Saturn for it's yearly inspection at my local Saturn dealer. They told me my driverside front tire was worn, but not due to normal wear, the treads were ready to peel off. They told me the car would not pass inspection as is because of the tire and I had them put a new Firestone tire on. I then brought the bad tire to Firestone and told them what happened. They said they could only replace the tire and not give a refund on the tire. I feel Firestone should give me a refund on the tire because the tire was'nt worn out normaly and the car needed that tire to pass inspection. I also called Firestone and they told me the same thing as the manager at there store told me that they could'nt give me a refund. (tiresize: 17570R14)( dot number: Tire size: 17570R14 )

- Hyde Park, NY, USA

problem #4

Jun 202000

SL

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Firestone FR680 tires(175 70 R14)experienced blowout.

- La Jolla, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 012000

(reported on)

SL

  • miles
No summary

- Pawtucket, RI, USA

problem #2

Feb 011999

(reported on)

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Firestone tire blew out.

- Arcadia, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 011999

(reported on)

SL

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Two tires worn prematurely, Firestone fr680P175/70R1.

- Burbank, CA, USA