2010 Subaru Outback Tires & Wheels Problems

While driving at highway speed the tire separated at the seam of the sidewall and tread. Tire tread depth was between 9–9.5/32nd on the tire. 225/60 r17 tire. Because of the complete separation of the tire and how sudden the separation occurred, it caused the vehicle to lose control, thankfully the driver was able to get control of the vehicle and get it start safely. The safety of all occupants and vehicles on the roadway were put at risk. Tire was taken to the retailer (car dealership), retailer and consumer contacted the manufacturer who stated this is not a manufacture defect.

LUG STUDS BREAK OFF WHEN REMOVING TO CHANGE TIRE. I HAD A FLAT AND 1 STUD BROKE OFF. I WAS LEFT DRIVING WITH ONLY 4 STUDS. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED ON 2 OF THE FOUR WHEELS. WHEN INQUIRING WITH THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY ACTUALLY SUGGESTED SELLING ME MORE REPAIR STUDS THAN I NEEDED AS THEY WERE SURE MORE WOULD BREAK OFF.

CONTIPRO CONTACT 225/60R17 TIRES WERE MOUNTED AS REPLACEMENTS 11/17/13. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND MAINTAINED BY DEALER ON A REGULAR BASIS. PRIMARILY HIGHWAY/CITY DRIVING. I HAVE NOT HIT ANY FOD OR POTHOLES - THERE HAS BEEN NO UNUSUAL TRAUMA TO THE TIRES. AFTER 13 MONTHS, 18K MILES, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE'S INNER SIDEWALL SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. CONTINENTAL REFUSED TO PRO-RATE OR MAKE ANY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE PREMATURE DEMISE OF THIS TIRE. BECAUSE THE CAR IS AWD, I WAS FORCED TO PURCHASE 4 NEW TIRES. I BELIEVE THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THIS BRAND/MODEL OF TIRE. LUCKILY, I WAS ONLY DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE TIRE FAILED. I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE REPORTS OF THIS TYPE OF TIRE FAILURE FOR CONTIPRO CONTACT 225/60R17. ONE REPORT INDICATES THAT CONTINENTAL REPLACED THE TIRE UNDER WARRANTY AT 18 MOS, HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT CONTINENTAL IS AWARE OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND HAS NOW LIMITED THE WARRANTY PERIOD TO 12 MOS. THEY HAVE APPARENTLY CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE INNER SIDEWALL FAILURE BECAUSE THE TIRE IS NO LONGER OFFERED. I BELIEVE THIS TIRE SHOULD BE RECALLED IN THE INTEREST OF CONSUMER SAFETY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEELS WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME CLOGGED WITH DEBRIS OR SNOW CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE FAILURE, SHE WOULD NEED TO WASH THE DEBRIS AWAY FROM THE WHEELS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.