2001 Chevrolet Silverado Tires & Wheels Problems

The exterior of the wheel well separated from the interior cylinder of the wheel well. The issue appears that the wheel well (usually one piece) has cracked/separated into two pieces, likely due to rust. The car was parked at a store and made a loud popping sound, which could be heard from inside the store. The popping sound came from the loud separation of these pieces as shown in the attached images. This separation was powerful enough to bend and distort the entire exterior of the wheel/hub cap. The vehicle required a tow. This issue could have been a lot worse if the car was driving while the incident occurred. Upon inspection, the other wheel wells are likely to have the same thing occur due to similar appearance. For further details please see file number 529550.

The contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 equipped with Kelly Tires, Tire Line: Edge, Tire Size: 245/75/R16, DOT Number: PJUYJH1R1918. The contact stated that upon exiting the vehicle, there was a loud boom sound that came from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had exploded. The contact stated that there was an excessive amount of rust between the rim and the tire. An independent mechanic was sent to the location and a spare tire was placed on the vehicle. The contact stated that the explosion of the tire caused the rim to be bent. The was concerned that the tire had been mounted improperly. The defective tire was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 154,000. The tire failure mileage was approximately 9,000.

My spare tire hoist cable broke causing the spare tire to fall away from vehicle into traffic.

My tires have very little wear because I drive far less now. On I-75 in FL recently, while coming off the ramp and increasing speed, the steering wheel began to wobble back and forth violently. As the road surface was wet, I lost control briefly. Once home, I began investigating the problem. I went back to Pep Boys and they inspected and said the tire was separated and they would give me a credit, but they've discontinued that model tire and I'd have to buy 2 new tires. I could not afford that. So they placed it on the rear and I left mad. A month later the steering wobble returned. I then went elsewhere to have it investigated and they said two more were separated. It turns out 3 of the 4 tires I bought are separated so much they are unsuitable for use on the front and make noticeable vibration in the rear when placed there. Date codes on all of my tires are within two sets of weeks of each other, 1717 and 2717 and all are from the same factory. I placed the best two of the 4 on the back and have to replace them all now as there's no way to use any on the front as it's dangerous. They've discontinued this line, but it needs a recall. Pep Boys is coping out of their responsibility. It is Pep Boys Futura Scrambler A/P, 265/75R16. The DOT code is U973PAM1717 and 2717.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DISCOVERY A/T TIRES, SIZE: 265R75R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY AND ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED A BROKEN ARM, NECK, BACK, AND SHOULDER, SIX BROKEN RIBS, A PUNCTURED LUNG, AND NERVE DAMAGE TO THE LEFT LEG. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN ARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND CAUSED THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

SPARE TIRE FELL TO THE GROUND. THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE TO THE UNDER FRAME BROKE AT THE PLATE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE AND WHEEL IN PLACE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE VEHICLE HAS STEELTEX RADIO A/T TIRES, SIZE T245-75R16 E120L (NA). THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN 2005 AND, AT 30,000 MILES, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO FEEL A STRONG VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT TIRES. THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED AND HE REALIZED THAT THERE WAS STRONG TREAD SEPARATION IN BOTH FRONT TIRES. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03T002000 (TIRES:TREAD/BELT); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS TIRE SIZE WAS NOT AFFECTED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE TIRES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL IF THE FAILURES ARE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON HWY 89 TO PAULDEN, AZ. AT ABOUT 70 MPH I NOTICED A SEVERE VIBRATION COMING FROM MY FRONT END. I DRIVE A 2001 CHEVY 2500 SILVERADO WHICH HAD FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S TIRES ALL THE WAY AROUND WITH APPROXIMATELY 32000, MILES ON THEM. THE TREAD LIFE LOOKED LIKE MAYBE 10000 MORE MILES. BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO PULL OVER, MY FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW. I SWERVED INTO THE SOUTH BOUND LANE AND LUCKILY NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS COMING AND I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP ON THE NORTH BOUND SHOULDER. THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM MY TIRE CAUSING A BLOW OUT. MY MIRROR BROKE AND ALSO MY FENDER GUARD GOT PARTIALLY TORN OFF AND THE TRUCK HAS DAMAGE FROM THE TIRE THREAD HITTING THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. I FOUND PIECES OF SHATTERED MIRROR INSIDE MY TRUCK FROM WHEN THE TREADS HIT MY MIRROR. I HAD MY WINDOW OPEN AND AM FORTUNATE THAT NONE OF THAT MIRROR WENT INTO MY EYES. *JB

TIRE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM CASING ALL AT ONCE CAUSING A BLOWOUT THAT CAUSED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. *NM

I OWN A 2001 SILVERADO 1500 WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER ST, P245-75R16. WITH @25000 MILES ALL 4 TIRES HAVE TREAD SEPARATION. MFG CANADA/DOT 4B70DADR/0302 D08R/D08L. REMOVED ALL 4 TIRES FROM VEHICLE TO PREVENT POSSIBLE INCIDENT. STILL RETAIN REPLACED TIRES. REALIGNMENT AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE WAS DAMAGED WHILE STORED IN THE WELL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SIDEWALL DUE TO THE TIRE NOT BEING SECURELY ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH THE TIRE PRESSURE HAD BEEN MONITORED BY THE CONTACT ON A REGULAR BASIS, THREE TO FOUR TIMES A YEAR, THE CONTACT NEVER RELEASED THE TIRE FROM THE WELL. HE ONLY CHECKED THE PRESSURE WHILE THE TIRE WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE, THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE THAT THE TIRE WAS NOT SECURELY ATTACHED. THE OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FOR REGULAR INSPECTION. *AK

TO: <CAC@CHEVROLET.COM> SUBJECT: OWNER ASSISTANCE: P. ADAMS SUBJECT: CUSTOMER HAS SERIOUS ISSUES MOSSY CHEVROLET DATE: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 4:59 PM TO CHEVROLET: MANAGEMENT AND CUSTOMER RELATIONS:FROM: WEBMASTER.FSS@GSA.GOV SENT: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 10:14 PM SUBJECT: GM 2001 FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T CUSTOM ALLOY WHEELS W/A/T TIRES. THAT MAKES 8 RIMS BUT END RESULT WAS THE TIRES WHERE FIRESTONE LT245/75-16 STEELTEX A/T. 50PSI.LOAD RANGE C SPEC. OR NUMBERS ON TIRES 108/104RM/S TPC SPEC.2313 (00 8008) (08162 0R5) (LT245/75-R16) FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T TIRES ON CUSTOMERS TRUCK WHERE DEFECTIVE AND SIGHT OF SIDEWALL DEFORMATIONS CUSTOMER GIVEN INCORRECT RESPONSE TO REQUEST BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRED IT WAS BROUGHT TO MOSSY CHEVROLET THAT CUSTOMER ADVISING SERVICE WRITER OF CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE TIRES [PEELING] GM IN THEIR 'COMMITMENT TO SAFETY' WARRANTIES SUCH DEFECTS I WILL BE FILING FOR 'REIMBURSEMENT' CLAIM, ALONG THOSE GROUNDS. MAY I SUGGEST THAT YOU FAMILIARIZE YOURSELVES WITH WHAT AND HOW YOU SELL. DENYING OR MISREPRESENTING ANY TERMS OF THOSE AGREEMENTS ARE FRAUD. MY TIME WAS MIS-USED AND WASTED ALONG WITH ME AND ANY PASSENGERS IN VEHICLE WHERE IN UNNECESSARY JEOPARDY FROM THESE PRACTICES. [PLUS THE GENERAL PUBLIC] IF A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE PRICE OF YOUR ACTIONS [SHOULD HAVE] ANYTHING MORE SERIOUS HAPPENED (YOU CAN'T PUT A PRICE ON LIFE) OTHER THAN ME LOSING THE FRONT TIRE AND GRINDING TO A STOP ON RIM IS NOT WORTH IT. LEARN THIS KNOW IT. *JB

DT: CONTACT STATED THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE, ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR FENDER WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE OF THE TREAD SEPARATION. CONSUMER WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE. TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE TIRES WERE ROTATED. AT THAT TIME, THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED FIRESTONE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2001, THE TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL ONES ON THE VEHICLE.*AK ON ORIGINAL TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT DEVELOPED A BUBBLE IN ITS SIDEWALL. *NM

2001 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD CREW CAB, WITH PICKUP CAMPER, TOWING LIGHT CATAMARAN SAILBOAT ON TRAILER. TEMPERATURES 85-90. HAD BEEN ON FREEWAY FOR 1 1/2 HOURS, DRIVING 75 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN LOTS OF NOISE FROM BACK OF VEHICLE. THOUGHT A TRAILER TIRE MAY HAVE GONE. STOPPED ON SIDE OF FREEWAY IMMEDIATELY. SAW RIGHT REAR TIRE CARCASS WITH NO TREAD. TREAD HAD SEPARATED AND WAS IN ABOUT 6 PIECES ON ROADWAY. TREAD HAD WHIPPED AROUND WHEEL WELL & DONE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. ($4,500 REPAIRS). THANK GOD IT WASN'T A FRONT TIRE THAT FAILED!! PUT ON SPARE AND REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AT NEXT CLOSEST TOWN. HAD CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE BEFORE LEAVING HOME & ALL WAS TO SPEC. TIRES WERE ORIGINAL. I STILL HAVE THE FAILED TIRE. FIRESTONE HAS REFUSED THREE TIMES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, CLAIMING UNDER INFLATION & I'M FASTIDIOUS RE: MAINTAINING MY VEHICLES.*JB

CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2001, REPLACED TIMING CHAIN AT 55,000 MILES. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SKIDDED AND WOULD NOT STOP AND WHEN IT OCCURRED THE VEHICLE MADE A NOISE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD IT WAS JUST THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICKING IN. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED WHEN THE ROADS WERE WET AND HE APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR FROM A STOP THE BACK TIRE WOULD SPIN OUT. *JB

THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY WITHOUT WARNING,THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE SIDEWALL EXPLODED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE DRIVER DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. FIRESTONE STEELTEX AT 245/75R16 #DOT YN11BAB. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

THE CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE ALL FOUR TIRE HAD STRESS MARKS LOCATED ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE SIDEWALL WHEEL. THE CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER FOR AN APPOINTMENT AND INSPECTION. GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT P245/70R16 PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE #DOT. *JB

2001 CHEVROLET 2500 TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH.*MR WHEN THE TREAD OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE SEPARATED IT DAMAGED THE REAR FENDER AND WHEEL WELL. *NM

WHILE DRIVING, THE TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT SIDE MIRROR AND LEFT FRONT BUMPER. THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL TIRES. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT TIRED TREAD SEPARATED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. FIRESTONE, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE LT 245/75R16, DOT# VN11B1CS300. VEHICLE SUSTAINED QUARTER PANEL DAMAGE FROM THE TREAD FLAPPING AGAINST THAT AREA. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED. *AK