Problems with 2003 Audi A4 TIRES

On august 30, 2011 experienced had a right passenger tread separation of bridgestone potenza re960as. i was driving an audi a4 at 65 mph on i24 east near manchester tennessee. luckily i was able to pull off at the next exit without causing an accident. the tires had 19,000 miles of wear. *tr

I was driving my audi a-4 on the freeway at speeds of approximately 65 mph when there was a loud thumping on the left front of my vehicle. moments later, it stopped but i noticed there were vibrations and shimmies on my steering wheel. i slowed down and pulled to side of fwy to inspect the tire. it appeared fine, however, vibration was still there. i pulled onto surface streets at lower speeds and it stopped. shortly thereafter, i pulled into a gas station to take the tire off to replace with spare and noticed separation of the tread, measuring approximately 31 inches long and 1.5 inches in width. i was shocked that i didn't lose control or have a blowout from this catastrophic failure. *tr

My complaint is against falken tire and discount tire direct regarding a tire sold as the falken ziex ze-912. this tire is being sold as an all-season tire. it is in fact a summer tire. the tire has absolutely no traction in the snow and since i purchased the tires i have been in at least three circumstances where i could not safely stop my vehicle. i understand the difference between all-season and winter tires, but i have purchased all-season tires before that offer safe braking performance in snow and slush conditions. i am complaining against dtd as a major reseller of tire products because they market this tire as an all season product neglecting their responsibility to the buying public of offering safe products. *tr

I purchased a brand new 03 audi a4t quattro in june of 03. the dealer is great and thank god they value their customers because my car has given them alot practice on everything. i think germany sent us a dud! since buying the car i have needed various items replaced: a new computer, (replaced by the dealer), a new fuel system was needed because my car stalled in the left lane of a highway while driving in the middle of nowhere (later recalled by audi but after i needed to be towed and have the cpmponent fixed along with other items supposedly attached to the sytem), and most recently 2 separate problems that have not yet been fixed but have occurred within 1100 miles of each other. first diagnosis of the noise and shimmy while driving was tire balance and later rack and pin steering and after all that they are trying to figure out what the shimmy at 65mph + is along with the whinning in the car the first 10 miles fo each day (after it is warmed up or even if it is a warm day). and what supposedly was first thought to be a coil is now a mystery. they have had my car for over 2 days and are still unsure as to what is going on. thank god i bought the extended warranty!

Dt: 2003 audi a4. had a flat tire and i called insurance company. they sent a technician to change tire and tire would not come off the wheel. had to get under vehicle and kick the tire to get it to come off. then i took the vehicle to the dealership to get the tires taken off, get surfaces cleaned, and tires rotated. the tires are pirelli , p235/45 r17, and were on vehicle when purchased. the tire pressure that manufacturer recommended was 32. the problem with my vehicle was when the lug nuts were removed the wheel would not come off. this was the first time had to change tires since owning the vehicle.*ak updated 12/12/2007 *bf

Concern with pirelli tire model p235/45r17-pirelli p6.- i have a total of 28,000 miles on an audi a4. i have had two blowouts and three tires that have needed to be replaced. specifically, the sidewalls of the tires bubble out in weak spots. last week my wife was driving my car and got a flat on the sidewall, and i noticed when fixing her tire that now another one of the tires has a bubble. i will once again have to replace two tires. i believe this is a dangerous problem that could result in loss of control of a vehicle.*ak i am not a high performance driver. i drive for work and family related matters only so this problem is not related to excessive driving speeds or harsh handling. i am following this complaint with a complaint directly to pirelli and to audi of america. if desired i can forward a digital photo of the typical bubble. bruce hendee

The consumer noticed that front tire on the passenger's side had a bubble. the dealer and the manufacturer were notified, they indicated that this tire was not covered under the warranty. *ak (pirelli p6 four season tires) *sc *jb