OEM Bridgestone failures? scary.

[DCNSX]

I had a OEM rear Bridgestone (fits 7-spoke OEM 17" wheel) that had a failure while traveling 55-60mph. The tires were new- less than 300 miles. The car began to hunt and weave on the highway. Then boom, the tire disintegrates! - the tread portion, all in one piece, went rolling down the highway. Very scary! I managed to pull over and remarkably the wheel was unscathed- the tire sidewalls somehow remained on either side of the rim, albeit chewed to pieces. Bridgestone's lab did a test but because I could not find the all-in-one piece tread section, they claimed that a puncture could have occurred, leading to deflation of the tire. The deflation would then cause the tire sidewalls to deform and THAT caused the disintegration. Bridgestone claims no liability/responsibility for possible punctures and refused to compensate me/replace the tire. This occurred about 18 months ago. I grudgingly replaced the tire (since the other rear seemed OK) and we fast-forward to today. Today the OTHER rear tire developed a 1/2" tear on the inside sidewall and went flat relatively quickly. Luckily I was driving at much slower speeds. Has anyone else had this problem with Bridgestones? How should I proceed with them? PS- the tires were part of the "voucher" for OEM replacement tires on '91 NSXs. (Remember they were wearing out every 2-5k miles on early cars) and were supplied through the dealer.

 

[DCNSX]

Also- the failed tire has about 1/3 to 1/2 tread left.

 

[ak]

Howard, how much tire pressure were you running?

 

[hlweyl]

were they 010 or 040's?

 

[DCNSX]

I think 010's but not sure- OEM that fit the 16/17 7 spoke OEM wheel. tire pressure was normal-- whatever was called for on the tire.

 

[nsxtasy]

It sounds like you were using the RE010.

The OEM tire for the '94-01 NSX 16"/17" seven-spoke wheels is the Bridgestone Potenza RE010, 215/45-16 front, 245/40-17 rear. (The Yokohama A022H is also an OEM tire for the NSX in these sizes.)

The Bridgestone Potenza RE040 is the OEM tire for the 17"/17" wheels on the '02-04 NSX, in sizes 215/40-17 front, 255/40-17 rear. The RE040 is not available in the stock rear size for the '94-01 NSX. Although it is available in 215/45-16, the stock front size, that particular tire is designed to be used on the rear of the Toyota MR-2.

 

[matteni]

PS- the tires were part of the "voucher" for OEM replacement tires on '91 NSXs. (Remember they were wearing out every 2-5k miles on early cars) and were supplied through the dealer.

How old were the tires? How were they stored? You say they were 17's? Were you asking for them to replace voucher tires?

Just curious because the 91' vouchers you describe expired several years ago and my understanding is they were only good for 15/16 tires.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

DCNSX,

Could you claify for me:

"The tires were new- less than 300 miles."

"Also- the failed tire has about 1/3 to 1/2 tread left."

Does this mean you wore out half or better of the tread in 300 miles?? Obviously this could lead to many more questions.

Look forward to your comments.

Thanks,
LarryB

 

[Nsx Service Girl]

Voucher 411

The aforementioned vouchers were for select 91-94 vehicles owners, and expired 09/17/99. If you received Bridgestones it was via special request since was a Yokohama/Acura settlement.

 

[DCNSX]

The tires were replaced with the vouchers- Acura allowed any OEM replacement tire (even 16/17's for the newer 7-spokers). They ARE RE010's, I believe. They were bought thru the dealer and stored flat in my basement for maybe a year and a half and then mounted at the dealer. (Just before our Spring DC-area drive in '02 ). The first tire (scary tread separation) failed with less than 300 miles. The recent flat occured on the other remaining tire last week- that's why still 1/3-1/2 tread left on that one. Tire wear is equal on both rears since one tire only has 300 miles more than the other.

Sooo.... any chance I can get some $$ out of Bridgestone?? Is it worth sending this one to their lab (shouldn't cost me anything). I have the full tire with tread this time so they can't blame it on a puncture. Even though they're "older" tires, they shouldn't fail like that, IMO.

 

[kgb_agent]

They ARE RE010's, I believe.

So all this posting about your tires and you're not even 100% sure what kind of tires this occurred with?

The recent flat occured on the other remaining tire last week- that's why still 1/3-1/2 tread left on that one. Tire wear is equal on both rears since one tire only has 300 miles more than the other.

Back to Larry's question - how many miles were on the 2nd tire that had 1/3-1/2 of its tread left?

 

[DCNSX]

I'm about 90% sure they're RE010's- will have to check tonite. Not sure how that is pertinent - i am sure they are OEM and that is what's important, i believe. (i.e. not some race tire i was "experimenting" with using non-OEM rims, etc.) The tires had maybe 3-4,000 miles on them at most. again- i'll have to check my records. my point was there was plenty of tread left so why did the sidewall fail/develop a tear? I wouldn't think this is something that should EVER occur on a properly-inflated tire with plenty of tread left.

 

[nsxtasy]

Have you tried contacting Bridgestone Customer Service?

 

[DCNSX]

the tires are RE010's. I haven't called Bridgestone yet. Was waiting on the feedback here and to see if anyone else has had a similar problem with their tires. Thanks, everyone, for your input!! I'll post Bridgestone's decision.