2026 Nissan Kicks

I am writing to file a formal safety complaint concerning a rental vehicle provided to me by Hertz, 1) because I want to help ensure this does not happen to anyone else, and 2) to request action that prevents a similar safety failure from recurring. Hertz rented me a near-new vehicle to transport my medically fragile daughter, but it had a slow-leaking front tire that Discount Tire documented as “not repairable” due to an existing non–RMA-approved rope plug repair, which is unsuitable for passenger vehicles. When this was discovered, I had already driven the vehicle over 200 miles. I am asking for a review of Hertz’s fleet safety and tire inspection practices so that other renters are not given vehicles with unsafe, improperly repaired tires. The Hertz general manager of Michigan and Ohio revealed that the Kicks they had rented to me was a new Hertz acquisition, and that they had no record of having performed any repairs on the vehicle. As such, he was unaware of this temporary rope plug repair. I am requesting a review of Hertz's inspection and tire-repair practices, including whether vehicles are being placed into service with plug-only tire repairs or without proper pressure checks and safety screening. I am also requesting action requiring clear safeguards so that any vehicle with an improperly repaired, leaking, or unsafe tire is removed from rental service immediately and not offered to another customer until the tire is replaced and the vehicle is verified safe for highway use. While my case specifically involves missed tire inspections, this incident raises concerns about Hertz’s inspection protocols for the entire vehicle. We do not know how many other unsuspecting customers across Hertz’s global rental fleet have been placed in danger because of this negligence. I am writing to demand that Hertz be held accountable, and that the proper authorities make sure this negligence is corrected.