Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
TIRES
1579404/01/2002637511Some 4x2 vehicles equipped with p275/60/r17 continental-general tires may exhibit a highway speed tire vibration. *tt12/02/2002
1572703/01/2002636371Some 4x2 vehicles equipped with p275/60/r17 continental general tires may exhibit a highway speed tire vibration. *tt11/07/2002
00B5709/01/2000618608Continental general tire company announced a customer satisfaction program on 16-inch p245 / 75 r16 contitrac as tires. *jb04/17/2001
985204/13/1998601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance. *yc07/17/1998

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
TIRES
08/09/2005100175105/01/2000
 Dt: while traveling on the interstate at 60 mph the left rear tire blew out. the tire completely shredded, no evidence of a previous puncture. pulled to the right side shoulder of road on a bridge and called for tow truck. tow truck came , removed tire and placed the spare on. the tire is now at auto repair shop from where it was purchased. had not contacted general tires, but wished for someone to investigate the tires. the tire was replaced with a goodyear tire. general tire, ameritrack, p255/70r16. *ak
08/04/2003680002
 Dealer will not honor recall letter for tire replacement. the two rear tires blew out on two separate occasions.*ak
10/12/2002204/30/1998
 Consumer noticed the metal rim heat too much causing deflation on all four tire (original equipment) dealer has been notified. please provide further information. ts consumer stated tires constantly need to be filler with air, possible tire defect. ph 09-dec-2002
08/28/2001103/12/1999
 Right front tire separated while driving, and driver lost control of vehicle, almost causing an accident. *ak the tires are continental contitrac at 17 inches. consumer turned in tires before retreiving the dot number. *jg
06/10/2002103/01/2099
 Tread separation of tire with 50% of tread life left. *ak
12/21/2001110/01/1999
 Right front tire was vibrating. thought was out of balance so had tires rotated and balanced. tire technician said right front tire had tire separation. i reviewed other complaints on your data base and based on numerous other complaints on these same tires, asked manufacturer to replace all tires. they said they would only adjust the one tire at 50% which i said was not acceptable (dot number: ad9c448287 tiresize: p255/75r17)
11/16/2000112/01/1997
 No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak (dot number: ad9c448467 tiresize: p25575r17)
10/14/2000109/01/2000
 No summary (tiresize: p255/75 r1)( dot number: tire size: p255/75 r1 )
05/02/2000105/01/1998
 Appx. 12 of inside shoulder of p245/75r16 tire located on driver's side rear separated. (dot number: unk. tiresize: p245/75r)
09/21/2000109/01/1998
 Tire separation on the highway....question:do people have to die to have these recalled?*ak (tiresize: p255/75r17)( dot number: tire size: p255/75r17 )
08/01/2000108/01/1997
 Was operating my 1998 lincoln navigator with listed tires for several hours on 08/01/2000 when i felt a sudden constant vibration in tires or suspension. after looking at tires did not initially see anything wrong with them but later assumed it was possibly the tread seperating and giving my vehicle a rough ride. i slowed my speed and drove vehicle home very slowly and next day to desert lincoln mercury in las vegas. dealer stated the tire was damaged and needed replacement, total cost of $124.76. i believe this tire could be part of national recall and should be covered.( dot number: e4025825 tire size: p255/75r17 )
09/11/200004/01/1998
 Car started vibrating heavily in speed over 30mph. took vehicle in for service, and was told tires were defective. purchased new tires from dealer . while at the dealership was approached by another customer who had also been told that the tires on their navigator had failed at 30,000 miles. saw on abc news tonight ( 9/18/00) that these tires were being looked into for failure in saudi arabia. i think this problem needs to be looked into here in the united states also.while picking up my vehicle i was also informed that tire failure occured on a truck with the same tires at only 11,000 miles. i would appreciate more information, as i do not want to put my family in jeopardy if these tires are defective as suspected.( dot number: tire size: p245/75r16 )
08/19/2000107/01/1998
 Complete tiread separation and right axle separation, causing rollover. *ak( dot number: )
09/03/2000102/01/1998
 Tread separation on right front tire, vehicle traveling approx. 70 mph, posted speed 70 mph, almost lost control of car with vehicle instability. tire purchased 10/18/1999, only 13,000 miles on tire. very lucky no injuries, but why did tread separate? not a blow out, as tire was inflated with air hissing out when we were able to stop. on interstate 95, and able to pull over safely, but again, very lucky not to be passing another vehicle or on a bridge when tire failure occurred. should there be a recall for these tires too? just because no injuries and minor equipment damage from flailing tread wound around axle doesn't mean it's a safe tire.( dot number: tire size: p245/75r16 )
08/29/2000111/01/1997
 Tire began bumping, tread seperated at 70+mph( dot number: tire size: p245/75r16 )
2
 2 of the originial tires failed (size p24575r16). nlm
09/01/1998110/31/1997
 Tires worn out. yh
10/07/19981
 While driving in rain at 60 mph car started to hydroplane, 360 in road, tires have been replaced since the latest incident. during any rain complete traction with the car is lost. dealer contacted, and are aware of the problem, but cannot duplicate the problem. *ak
1
 While turning a corner in the rain the vehicle did a 360 degree turn around and ended up facing oncoming traffic. also when the vehicle takes off on an incline the tires just spin and the vehicle does not move. manufacturer says . *ak *nlm
09/01/1997
 The vehicle experienced 4 blow outs with all 4 tires, which almost caused an accident. the 5th blowout ofthe tire, caused the hub and tire to fall out, almost resulting in an accident. tire dealer claims that it is the wrong tire size for the weight of the vehicle. manufacturerclaims its a defective tire. please provide manufacturer of the tire other details. *ak
TIRES - SIDEWALL
01/16/200477000111/17/1997
 An aftermarket tire in the front driver's side blew out while driving 70 mph on the interstate. consumer sent the damaged tire back to the manufacturer, who claimed that based on the results of the examination this was a service related condition beyond the control of the manufacturer. *ak tires where only 2 days old, tire dealer had replaced the tire. *la
08/07/20011
 Second set of contitrac tires results in second sidewall blow out. once again on the freeway 65-70mph. what about consumer safety?*ak (tiresize: p255/75r17)
08/07/20011
 Second set of contitrac tires results in second sidewall blow out. once again on the freeway 65-70mph. what about consumer safety?*ak
12/13/2000110/01/2000
 Tire separated from sidwall, call continental and they blew us off went to the ford dealer and he replaced the tires for me. he said there is a problem with the tires but continental is saying their is no problem.*ak (tiresize: p255/75 17)( dot number: tire size: p255/75 17 )
04/11/2000107/01/1998
 A large bulge developed on the inside sidewall of the tire, but it did not deflate. it had to be replaced. the agent at the lincoln dealer in san antonio, tx told us these tires were only good for 20,000 miles and recommended we have them all replaced. he sold us a michelin tire to replace the damaged one. these tires have now all been recalled and we got the remainming 4 replaced without charge. ( i was unable to get your program to take all 17 digits of hte vin. it is 5lmpu28l3wlj54862). *ak (dot number: ad704490xx tiresize: p245/75r16)
06/22/2000101/01/1998
 While traveling at 55 mph, the right rear tire had a massive and complete outer sidewall failure. through skillful maneuvering, the truck did not loose directional control and were able to change lanes twice and stop on the shoulder. tire was changed and trip completed. the sidewall was so desintegrated that i took pictures. contact me if you want copies.( dot number: tire size: p255/75r17 )
09/01/2000406/01/1997
 3 out of 4 tires have signs of sidewall separation. tire is a contitrac at, p255/75r17. original tire equipment on a 1998, lincoln, navigator. tire mileage at 40,000. continental would not replace tires free of charge.*ak
09/01/200007/01/1997
 The sidewall on the front right tire shredded. there is no information stamped on tire or in owner's manual regarding recommended air pressure. *ak( dot number: )
TIRES - TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
11/17/2001410/01/1998
 We have had our navigator into the dealership a total of 8 times in the last 3 years. the following had to be replaced: sunroof, groaning noise from beneath the hood (in 4 times for this still not corrected), cd player replaced, sterio replaced, heating elements both front seat replaced 2 times each, incorrect lug nuts, incorrect tire wrench, shaking in stering @ highway speeds-still not corrected, lift system broken-not fixed, hood latch would not release, fuse blowen 3 times for ac outlets, check suspension light on, check engine light on, rear turn sigal out, passenger window catches, incorrect spair tire. (tiresize: p265/70r17)
TIRES - TREAD/BELT
11/26/20041
 Tire tread separation. *jb
07/06/2004150002
 Continental conti track, p225/75r17, dot # ad9c448078 front driver's side tire experienced tread separation, resulting in blowouts. *ak the consumer purchased the same brand and experienced another separation. *sc *jb
540002
 The driver side front and rear tire treads separated on two occasions. the cause had not been determined. please provide further details. *jb
08/02/200340000107/09/2003
 Right rear tire tread came completely of the tire while driving. *ph. the consumer stated the tire was still inflated on the rim. continental tire company stated the tire contained a split which caused the tread separation. *jb
04/29/200338000106/19/1996
 While driving the vehicle experienced tread separation. *nlm the entire medial wall of the tire had blown out. the vehicle veered off to the right side of the road and stopped 10 feet in front of the guard rail. continental was supposedly examining the tire but the consumer haven't gotten any word from them. *scc
08/12/2002103/01/2001
 The right rear tire tread separated from the tire at 50 mph. the tire stayed inflated however the tread caused minor damage to the rear bumber and right rear wheel well panel. fortunate for me i was able to maintain control of the truck and bring it to a stop with out injury to anyone else or myself. there was evidence of abnormal wear and no visual defects were noted on the tire prior to the failure. i'm a commercial transport category aircraft mechanic so i do know how to inspect tires and understand the importance of preventative maintenance. and still this happen to me, there is a dangerous problem with these tires. please get them off the roads before someone is killed.*ak
02/16/2002
 While traveling on interstate and without prior warning there was a noise and vibration . he was able to pull over to shoulder, saw that right tire tread separated. firestone, bridgestone, 24575r16, dueler at. dealership was aware of problem.*ak
 My parents have owned three lincoln navigators with 17 in conti trac continental tires from the factory. my mothers 98 navigator had a tire tread separate. my fathers 99 navigator had a tire tread separate also. now his 2000 navigator with 17 in conti trac tires is developing the same tire thumping as the other two vehicles did. a separation usually follows. we have replaced one tire, replaced the entire set on a second vehicle and are awaiting a more complete separation on the latest vehicle.......these 17 inch tires are junk. i know the government has recalled the 16 in, tires on navigators of the same brand but the 17 inch ones are just as bad... i have power of attorney over both my aging parents and felt compelled to write you and let you know of this dangerous situation....sincerely, rodger d. connor. *ak (tiresize: 17 inch)
07/01/20011
 Continental contitrac ac tires, p255 75 r17, original equipment, 27ooo miles, mounted on a 1998, lincoln, navigator. while consumer was traveling at 70 mph passenger's side tire had tread separation. tire was not flat, it stayed intact.*ak dot number ad9c448098. *slc
06/21/20003
 On three occasion the tires experienced tire blowout and lost a large piece of tread causing irregular tread wear and strong vibration, consumer replaced the tires and request reimbursement (continental general tire). nlm
10/15/2000101/01/1999
 Just like the explorer tires the tread just came loose yesterday. (tiresize: p255/75 17)( dot number: tire size: p255/75 17 )
10/15/2000101/01/1999
 Just like the explorer tires the tread just came loose yesterday.( dot number: tire size: p255/75 17 )
10/23/19992
 Firestone tires p245 75 r16 experienced tread separation. *slc
10/01/2000
 Problem is that there was abnormal wear of tires on vehicle. consumer contacted lincoln, and continential has also been notified. *ak
04/28/2000512/01/1999
 My contitrac as tires have the same symptoms as the tires in the recall announced by continental tires on 9/19/00; however, the recall dot number range inappropriately exclude my tires. my contitrac p246/75r16 tires should be included as part os this recall because they are defective. the recall should also include the contitrac 17inch tires because i have some friends who have those tires which have the symptoms of vibration, missing chunks of tread. *ak( dot number: ad70449397 tire size: 245/75r16 )
09/15/200005/01/2000
 On the left rear, the tread seperated from the tire while driving on the interstate at 65-70 mph. a loud pop was heard when the tread seperated followed by loud noises as the tread came off the tire and hit the fender well. i took the seperated tire to the local ford dealer and they recommended that i put all new tires on my car. the left front tire also had a crack in it along the tread and sidewall of the tire. the ford representative said that it look like the left front was about to also seperate. the seperated tread also caused the center cap of the wheel to come off. this was a very terrifying experience and i am lucky that i was able to get the car stoped without causing a wreck. the car swerved when it first occured and we were lucky that there was not another beside us.( dot number: ad70 449 tire size: p245/75r16 )
 Original equipment on a 1998 lincoln, naviagtor. while driving tread separated on the right rear tire which caused damages to vehicle. please give any further details. *ak
07/31/2000101/01/1998
 After checking pressure and tread 1 wk prior, tread completley separated from tire( dot number: ad70449457 tire size: p245/75r16 )
09/15/2000
 Pe00 020; consumer was traveling 65mph on intersection, and experienced vibration from vehicle. then, there was a loud boom. he was able to pull vehicle over to the shoulders, and left rear tire tread had separated from rim. tire was still inflated. continental, #p245/75r16. he contacted dealership, and mechanic replaced the tires. also there were stress marks and cracking.*ak
01/06/2000105/14/1998
 Right rear tire(no brand or size provided) experienced tread separation while driving, muffler bracket and inner fender were slightly damaged. *slc
07/31/2000101/01/1998
 After checking pressure and tread 1 wk prior, tread completley separated from tire( dot number: ad70449457 tire size: p245/75r16 )