2000 Saturn LS Tires & wheels Problems

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH SOMETHING WAS NOTICED THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR COMING OFF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS PULLED OVER AND UPON INSPECTION THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE SPARE TIRE WAS PUT ON THE VEHICLE THEN IT WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS ALSO SEPARATING AND THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 05/04/06

NHTSA ID

10152200

Incident

Jul 16, 2005

Mileage

42,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CHANGED THE TIRE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *TC

NHTSA ID

10090295

Incident

Aug 8, 2004

ALL FOUR FIRESTONE INFINITY TIRES, SIZE 21956R15 WOULD WORE OUT. DEALERSHIPS REPLACED THE TIRES TWICE. CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ID

10071724

Incident

Feb 6, 2004

Mileage

40,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE THEN HAD A JERKING MOVEMENT DUE TO THE TIRES CUPPING AND WEARING. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID

10001711

Incident

Nov 1, 2002

Mileage

6,000 mi

ALL THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO THREAD SEPARATION. *YH

NHTSA ID

568135

Incident

Oct 25, 2000

FIRST INCIDENT WAS REPORTED ON 6/22/00. VEHICLE WAS NOISY. ON A VIST ON 8/01/2000 HAD AN OCCASION TO BORROW A VEHICLE OF THE SAME KIND. CAME BACK AND INFORMED THEM THAT I WANTED SOMEONE TO DRIVE MY CAR. UPON DRIVING AND INVESTIGATING NOISE, FIRST INCIDENT OF TIRES CUPPING. TWO TIRES WERE REPLACED. NOTICED TIRES NOISE AGAIN AT APPROX. 35,730 MILES, AGAIN TIRES WERE CUPPED AND TWO REPLACED. ASKED AT THAT TIME IF THIS WAS OCCURRING IN OTHER 2000 L SERIES SATURNS, WAS TOLD YES. ASKED WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW. NOISE OCCURRED AGAIN IN 8/15/01, AGAIN CUPPING OF TIRES, REPLACED TWO. WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE THE LAST TIME. CALL SATURN IN TENNESSEE AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. NOTICED NOISE AGAIN THIS MONTH. INFORMED SATURN ON VISIT ON 8/17/02, WAS TOLD TIRES WERE CUPPED AGAIN. WAS TOLD THAT I COULDN'T EXPECT TO GET ANY MORE TIRES REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE. I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD PAY FOR THEM AS I WASN'T CAUSING THE PROBLEM. I AGAIN CALL SATURN IN TENNESSEE AND INFORMED THEM. I BASICALLY WANTED TO KNOW WHY AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. I WAS REPEATEDLY INFORMED THAT I WAS OVER MY ORIGINAL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY AND COULDN'T EXPECT TIRES CHANGED AGAIN FOR NOTHING. I ENDED UP WITH TELLING THEM THAT THEY HAD LOST A SATURN CUSTOMER AND THAT I WOULD REPORT THE MATTER. THIS IS MY 3RD SATURN, I HAVE HAD NO COMPLAINT UNTIL NOW. I DON'T REALLY HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH MY DEALER, ITS JUST THAT I AM NOT GETTING ANY ANSWERS. I TOLD THEM THAT IF THEY NEEDED TO RECALL THE VEHICLE, THEN THEY BETTER BE DOING IT. I AM VERY UPSET AT THIS AND WANT THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. YESTERDAY SATURN CALLED AND TALKED TO MY HUSBAND AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES. THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM, IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN. ALSO JUST HOW SAFE ARE THESE TIRES. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. THERE IS MORE TO SAY, BUT I AM OUT OF ROOM. THANK YOU JANIS IPSEN. *AK

NHTSA ID

766443

Incident

Aug 1, 2000

CONSUMER PUT AIR IN THE TIRE EVERY OTHER WEEK DUE TO TIRE LOSING AIR QUICKLY. SIZE AND DOT UNKNOWN. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK

NHTSA ID

8011263

CONSUMER RETURNED FIVE TIMES TO HAVE THE VEHICLE CORRECTED FOR VIBRATION AND PLAY. THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED UNDER WARANTY, HOWEVER THERE IS VIBRATION AND PLAY. THE DEALER HAS BEEN WORKING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A BENT HUB. THIS REPLACEMENT STOPPED THE VIBRATION. THERE IS STILL CONTINUOUS PLAY. THE TIRES WERE FEATHERED AND CUPPED. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND REAR BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED AS WERE THE FOUR TIRES. *JG

NHTSA ID

8009549

Incident

Sep 15, 2001

FRONT BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 37,929 MILES BECAUSE THE INSIDE EDGES WERE WORN BELOW SPECIFICATION AND THE BRAKE SHOES WOULD NOT SEAT PROPERLY ON THE ROTOR. THE EDGES COULD NOT BE TURNED OR RESURFACED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF METAL GRINDING INTO THE ROTOR. ALSO, ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED FOR UNEVEN WEAR. THE REAR BRAKE RETAINER SPRING BROKE. THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW IS INOPERABLE. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE CONSOLE. CONSUMER ALSO CLAIMS THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING. THE POWER STEERING WAS REPLACED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2001. THERE IS STILL VIBRATION AND PLAY BEING FELT IN THE STEERING. THERE WAS A BENT HUB WHICH WAS CAUSING THE VIBRATION. *JG

NHTSA ID

8009548

Incident

Mar 26, 2002

I HAVE CONTACTED SATURN ABOUT THE TIRE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE LS SERIES, WHICH I CURRENTLY OWN THE CAR OF THE FIRST LAUNCH YEAR, 2000. I AM NOW ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES. THEY TELL ME THAT IT IS THE TIRES, BUT I AM ALSO ON THE THIRD BRAND OF TIRE. I KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN THIS PROBLEM. WHILE AT THE GARAGE WITH THIS LAST SET OF TIRES, ANOTHER CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THEIR TIRES AT 5000 MILES. I HAVE ASKED SATURN TO LOOK INTO A POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW WITH REGARDS TO THE WAY THE CAR'S CHASSIS IS STYLED. THEY REFUSE TO LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEND TO YOU COPIES OF LETTERS I HAVE DIRECTED TO THE SATURN CORPORATION. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK (TIRESIZE: R185) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *JS

NHTSA ID

756456

Incident

Oct 21, 2000

TOOK CAR IN TO DIAGNOSE WOBBLE IN FRONT END. DEALER REPORTS THAT ONE TIRE SUFFERED FROM "A BLOWN STEEL BELT AND TREAD SEPARATION. OTHER THREE TIRES ARE ON WEAR INDICATORS." THESE TIRES ARE OE, AND AND STILL AT LEAST 10000 MILES BELOW THEIR EXPECTED LIFE.*AK (TIRESIZE: P205/65R15)

NHTSA ID

755246

Incident

Nov 27, 2001

CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE ALIGNMENT CAUSES PREMATURE WEARING OF TIRES. *AK DEALER HAS REPLACED REAR TOE AND CAMBER, FRONT CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS, ADJUSTED RIGHT FRONT CAMBER, ADJUSTED REAR TOE ON BOTH SIDES, ADJUSTED FRONT TOE, PROBLEM COULD BE RELATED TO THE FIRESTONE TIRES, SIZE P205/65R15. *SLC

NHTSA ID

877590

Incident

Sep 21, 2000

CAR IS UNSAFE HAD TIRES REPLACED AND POWER STEERING PUMP CAR SHAKES AT ALL SPEEDS. *AK

NHTSA ID

738509

Incident

Jul 29, 2000

RIGHT FRONT AND ONE REAR FIRESTONE AFFINITY TIRES EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT RIM, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ID

557678

Incident

Nov 8, 2000

TREAD SEPARATION, TOTAL SIDEWALL DISTRUCTION. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2UR TIRE SIZE: 205/65R 15 )

NHTSA ID

732635

Incident

Sep 26, 2000

PE00020, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE 2000, SATURN, LS1 , TIRE SIZE P195/65R15 AND DOT # W2C6. REAR DRIVER TIRES TREAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF, WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. FIRESTONE WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST CONSUMER. *AK THE RIM AND THE HUB CAP WERE DAMAGED DURING THE TIRE ACCIDENT. *YH

NHTSA ID

869918

Incident

Aug 25, 2000

HAVING BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE RECENT FIRESTONE RECALL, I FELT IT NECESSARY TO REPORT THIS TIRE BLOWOUT SINCE IT OCCURED ON A BRAND NEW CAR (W/ ONLY 12000 MILES) WITH A NEW SET OF FIRESTONE TIRES (THE ORIGINALS THAT CAME WITH THE CAR) I WAS GOING THE SPEED LIMIT WHEN THE TREAD COMPLETLY SEPARATED AS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER FIRESTONE TIRES. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS A COINCIDENCE, SINCE THIS MODEL TIRE IS NOT THE ONE BEING RECALLED, BUT I WOULD LIKE SOME MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS PROBLEM, AND POSSIBLE TIRE REPLACEMENT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P185/65R14 )

NHTSA ID

730247

Incident

Sep 1, 2000

WE WERE DRIVING, HIT A SMALL POTHOLE DURING A TURN AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH,THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THERE IS A HOLE IN THE SIDEWALL THE TIRE IS ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD WITH ABOUT 1300 MILES ON IT.( DOT NUMBER: W2URAFB349 TIRE SIZE: P205-65R15 )

NHTSA ID

729098

Incident

Aug 24, 2000

TIRE DELAMINATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, LESS THAN 8 HOURS AND 250 MILES AFTER BEING CHECKED BY MY NEIGHBORHOOD FIRESTONE STORE. I KNOW OF ATB LEAST 1 OTHER SATURN LS2 OWNER WHO HAD A SIMILAR DELAMINATION. I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THESE TIRES, AS THE PROBLEM IS LIKE THE EXPLORER PROBLEM. I WAS JUST LUCKY NOT TO LOOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR. DON'T KNOW IF THESE TIRES CAME FROM THE DECATOR PLANT BUT THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM SIMILAR TO THE EXPLORER PROBLEN. FORTUNIATELY THE LOWER CENTER OF GRAVITY PROBABLY KEEPS THE SATURN FROM FLIPPING OVER.( DOT NUMBER: ? TIRE SIZE: P205, 65R1 )

NHTSA ID

729080

Incident

May 30, 2000

SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE IN NOV. 1999 I HAVE PUT APPROX. 24K MILES ON IT, THE DEALER HAS CHANGED THE TIRES ON THE CAR THREE TIMES. ONE TIME EVERY APPROX 8000 MILES, THE REASON THE TIRES GET CHANGED IS THAT AFTER THE TIRES GET HOT FROM DRIVING THEY BEGIN TO THUMP, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN WHEN THE TIRES ARE NEW BUT AFTER APPROX 6 TO 8 THOUSAND MILES OF WEAR.THE DEALER HAS CHECKED THE CAR BUT CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN THEY DISCUSS THIS WITH FIRSTONE , THEYKEEP CHANGING THE TIRES. OBVIUOS THIS IS CONCERNING!!!!( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P20565R15 )

NHTSA ID

728806