Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIRES | |||||
| SB-00-03-10-006C | 01/01/2008 | 10032850 | General motors: information on tire radial force variation. vehicle must be driven before measuring tires on equipment hunter gsp9700 toensure removal of any flatspotting. models include all gm passenger cars and light trucks, as well as | 06/02/2010 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIRES | |||
| 12/01/2012 | |||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion equipped with bridgestone turanza el400 4305 /b12 tires (n/a). the contact stated that while traveling 55 mph, the vehicle began to shake. as the vehicle was moved to the shoulder, the tread completely separated from the front driver | |||
| 12/01/2012 | |||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion equipped with bridgestone turanza el400 4305 /b12 tires (n/a). the contact stated that while traveling 55 mph, the vehicle began to shake. as the vehicle was moved to the shoulder, the tread completely separated from the front driver | |||
| 12/01/2012 | |||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2004 saturn ion with new firestone turanza el400 4305 /b12 tires n/a. the contact stated that while traveling 55 mph the vehicle started to shake. the contact moved over to the side and rubber came off of the front driver side tire just as the contact got to the side of the road. the contact stated that the rubber came off, but the tire still had air in the tire. the contact stated that the tires had 20,000 miles on them. the contact was not aware of the mileage. the vin was not available.rl | |||
| 11/23/2005 | 22000 | 1 | 02/14/2005 |
| Oem tires on 2004 saturn ion red line unsafe to use on winter driving conditions. had to replace tires with winter rated ones. *jb the consumer experienced excessive stopping distance while on slippery surface. on one occasion the vehicle went a half a block past the consumer's turn when the abs activated but couldn't find a tire with enough traction to stop the vehicle. the consumer found that the oem tires, dunlop sp9000, were the cause of the excessive stopping distance. *nm | |||
| 12/07/2005 | 10000 | 1 | 08/03/2004 |
| While traveling on an interstate highway, observed a soft flapping sound that caused concern. before i could slow down or take any action the left rear tire tread separated from the wheel and then the complete tire was ejected from the vehicle. i was able to exit the roadway and called the state highway patrol. to report the incident and request roadside assistance. *jb | |||
| 12/09/2003 | 1 | ||
| A brake pad fell off the trailer in front and struck his vehicle damaging the tire. | |||
| TIRES - SIDEWALL | |||
| 03/03/2005 | 6000 | 1 | 06/02/2004 |
| I own an 2004 saturn ion 3 that came with firestone, firehawk gta tires and the size is p205/55r16 89h m+s. i had an oil change and tire rotation at 6,000 miles. on 3/3/2005 i had a blowout while driving on the expressway. this was at nine at night and i had forgotten my cellphone and was made late for work. with semi's driving by at 70 mph on i-75 i was in fear for my life while changing the tire. on 3/4/2005 i called the saturn dealership and asked them if they had the tire and how much etc. they transferred me to service and they said to bring the car in. i was happily surprised since this was friday at noon. they inspected the tire for punctures (found none) and i think they were surprised at the sidewall separation. they replaced the tire under warranty (no charge). the tire had 9,000 miles at the time. while driving down a side road at 30 mph i heard a clunk and thought snow was hitting the tire. this then quieted down. i got on the expressway and went two miles before i heard a noise that i thought was a helecopter overhead. i pulled over and found the tire had blown out. now i don't feel safe driving on the expressway in my new vehicle. *ak | |||
| TIRES - TREAD/BELT | |||
| 06/01/2007 | 47000 | 1 | 10/20/2003 |
| I was traveling north on i-95 going about 65 mph in the center lane. all of a sudden i heard a loud boom and i see out of my left sideview mirror, the left side of my bumper flip up into the air. i lost control of my vehicle and it started swerving left and right. my car crossed over the right lane and i was able to pull off onto the shoulder and into a grassy area just north of the glades road exit. when i got out of my vehicle to check the damage, right away i see large pieces of my tire tread laying in the road about 20 feet back. the left side of my bumper is scratched and torn from the car. the tire was completely bald and the tread was pealed off, laying in the street. the panel between my bumper and left rear door is snapped off and hanging by a small piece. i opened the left rear door and the whole inside frame is cracked and in pieces. it looks like when the tire tread peeled off, it beat into the door, side panel and bumper and busted them right off. the tire was not punctured nor did i run over any debris in the road. this is clearly a manufacturer's defect. i changed my tire and put the spare on and drove to a nearby shop to have a new tire put on. i taped up my bumper because it would flap around as i drive. the tire was a firestone tire and it is the original tire that came on my 2004 brand new saturn ion. i contacted firestone to explain the situation and make them aware that this is their responsibility. i keep my car in top condition, i get oil changes every 3,000 miles, fill my tires with air every month and i rotate them every other oil change as well. of course, firestone denied my claim advising the tire had over deflection and that is why the tire tread peeled off the tire. i called firestone and spoke with the paralegal who sent the denial letter. i advised her that firestone is responsible for fixing the damage on my vehicle or paying my $250 deductible to my insurance company in order for them to fix the damage. firestone denied. *tr | |||
| 08/03/2004 | 816 | 1 | 07/21/2004 |
| 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! *jb | |||