10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 33,218 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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Similar to other reports here, extreme inner sidewall cracking; no indication from outside; approximately 1/2 of usable tread remaining. This affected all 4 tires and was inspected at VW dealer. Hankook communication occurred with determination of tread separation. This is an extremely dangerous situation as it is hidden from easy inspection.
- Green Cove Springs, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2011 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire from the front passenger side wheel. The contact did not disclose if a police report was filed or not and who extinguished the fire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.
- Marlton , NJ, USA
Driving on freeway. TPMS light came on. When checked, all three tires which were original equipment (hankook optimo) had failed inside sidewalls. These tires had to be replaced. According to your website, there had been a hankook tire recall in 2010 and volkswagon did not advise myself or other customers about the dangers of these tires which a simple google search would reveal has resulted in numerous accidents and potential endangerment of both their customers and other individuals. For the sake of my fellow VW owners, I don't know how to get through to VW that their silence on this matter is dangerous.
- Fredericksburg, VA, USA
On a trip to St. Charles, mo on 28 Mar 2013, after we parked, my son noticed severe sidewall breaks on the left front tire. He said it looked like the tire was about to blow. I thought that he was joking, but looked any way. Wow. I have never seen such severe condition on any tire, nor had I ever even heard of such a condition. There were numerous short breaks and long breaks inches long all around the outside of the sidewall. The breaks went all the way in with metal belts showing. We had just finished driving 200 miles on the interstate to get to St charles. I honestly don't know how we made it without a blowout and crash. I went immediately, and slowly, to the nearest tire dealer and purchased two new tires. I asked them to save the other tire so I might use as a possible spare since the tires had plenty of tread left. They put the "good" tire in the trunk for me. I later looked at the "good" tire and found that the inside sidewall was even worse than the "bad" tire! I feel very fortunate that these oe tires didn't cause a terrible accident. The other oe tires look ok but I will be replacing quickly. These tires are hankook optimo H725A tires.
- Lebanon, MO, USA
Palisades VW in NY striped my car of all original part and they are telling me that the car comes with old winter tires. I have tried to resolve this with them and they laughed in my face and told me to go and talk to the people that sold me car. My nephew changed my tire he said that I still am going to need a new one because he thought I a donut but I told him I have a full tire that it was not a donut and when he was done he told it wasn't. it was a full tire but again I figured maybe I was did not pay attention or I really did not see a full tire. When I got a flat on October 7th I did not want to bring my car back to palisade VW because they did not do a good job so I went back to where I got my car and they called and asked if I had my tires changed because the tires are not the one the car came with. I have never changed my tires and I did notice that they where different from when I got the car. Not only that but palisade mechanic stole my gas had a full tank both times and I got my car back with less then A1/4. please please I am begging for help I am a waitress I do not have the money for this I can't even afford to get apt please help me I am begging you. I need this car to be safe because I live with my niece and I baby sit her kid in exchange for room and board. These people saw the car seat and did not care if I crashed my car and killed the baby or any one else for that matter. Again I am begging for your help.
- New City, NY, USA
Event leading to failure: Sunny mid-day, driving on the highway I heard a sound as if my tire had burst, and momentarily lost control of the vehicle. Did not crash. Failure and details: Once I halted the car, I inspected my passenger-side front tire, and though it was flat, there were no signs of rupture or perforation. I proceeded to change it, and, having removed it, I noticed a crack in the inner lumen. The crack was an arc of approximately 6 inches. Action to correct the failure: A spare tire was set in place and the car has been taken to the dealer. Further details: Dealer claims that the damage was user induced, but I was driving on the highway and there were no bumps, debris, nor did I crash. I fear this could happen to others. I had previously taken the car to the dealer because the low tire pressure light was on, but I was told that it was normal and that the sensor had to be rest.
- Hialeah, FL, USA
Travelling under normal conditions on interstate 95 my tire pressure light came on signaling low tire pressure. I immediately reduced speed and moved over to the right lane to monitor any change in pressure or control. The light stayed on for approx. 3 miles without any signal of low pressure at which time the rear passenger tire blew out. I was able to control the car and pull off the highway within 30-40 feet after blowout. The tire itself was completely separated from the rim and was 100% torn from at the belt seam on the interior and exterior. The tire in question was a Continental contipro contact 225. VW would not admit defect after their review although mechanics at merchants and "off the record review" by VW admitted it looks like a defect. At the 10K service change at VW, the car was inspected and the tires were approved with sufficient tread noted.
- Woodbridge, VA, USA
- Visalia, CA, USA