2001 Saturn Sl

The problem is with the Firestone Tempa Spare T115/70 R14 spare tire. This tire came with the car when new, and has never been used. Tire date of manufacture is 42 2000. I periodically check its air pressure, but it has never been out of the spare tire well. I checked the pressure 1 week ago, and found a large bulge in the tread, along with broken cords, both steel, and polyester (see photos). The inner tire liner has not ruptured, and the tire still holds air. One month ago I checked the pressure, and it looked completely normal. If I had a flat tire then, I would have put it on the car without hesitation. I suspect that it would have failed on the road leading to a possible disaster. My reason for alerting NHTSA is that I suspect there are many compact spare tires in people's trunks, in the same condition, just waiting to cause trouble. I brought it to a Firestone store and they showed no interest in it. I have removed the tire from the steel wheel, and you are welcome to have it to inspect. I live about 25 miles south of Chicago, IL. When you look at the attached photos, numbers 1-3 show the tire on the steel wheel with the tire inflated, number 4 shows the tire deflated, and off the wheel.

I AM SEEING A PATTERN OF SEVERE DRY ROT STRESS CRACKS IN ALL, NEARLY NEW (LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OLD) MICHELIN AND UNIROYAL TIRES IN THE TREAD AREA FIRST THEN LATER THE SIDEWALLS, AND EVEN GOODYEAR TIRES IN JUST 1-2 YEARS. ALL THESE TIRES CAME FROM WALMART. I HAVE THEM ON 6 VEHICLES, ALL WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN BUYING TIRES FOR OVER 38 YEARS, AND NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM TILL THE LAST FEW YEARS. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND DEALT WITH QUICKLY. I AM A DEGREED CHEMICAL ENGINEER AND I DO ALL MY OWN AUTO REPAIRS, EVEN MAJOR REBUILDS, IN OTHER WORDS I AM VERY EXPERIENCED AND I SEE A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY AND CONSUMER ISSUE HERE!!!! *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON I-10 WHEN I HEARD A LOUS NOISE AND THAN THUMPING. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE QUICKLY AND LOOKED AT THE TIRE. IT HAD SEPARATED ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. WHEN I COMPLAINED TO SATURN DEALERSHIP, THEY CLAIMED A ROAD HAZARD HAD DESTROYED THE TIRE. YES THERE WAS A SCREW ABOUT 2 INCHES FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE BURIED IN THE TREAD AND STILL THERE. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TIRE SEPARATED COMPLETELY ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE, LEAVING 2 SEPARATE PIECES. THEY REFUSED TO HELP, AND I BOUGHT ANOTHER TIRE, NOT A FIRESTONE. I FEEL I HAD A DEFECTIVE TIRE. *AK (TIRESIZE: P18565R15)