Consumer Complaint Detail

CONTINENTAL / GENERAL AMERI / 9999

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 004263542 Incident Date: Jan, 31 2004
Consumer's City: FARMINGTON HILLS Consumer's State: MI
Vehicle Transmission Type: Manufacturers Name: Continental Tire the Americas, LLC
Model Name: GENERAL AMERI Model Year: 9999
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Tires
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: 1FAFP6637XK Date added to File: May, 25 2021
Date Complaint Received: Mar, 08 2004 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Sep, 30 1999
Was Original Owner: No Anti-lock Brakes: No
Number of Cylinders: 0 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: After 22k miles i have to replace the original tires 185/70/r14 on my ford contour se '99. i contacted general tire (the tires have 70k miles warranty). i was surprised to find out that "general tire was not contracted by ford co to put tires 185/70/r14 on ford contour se". i contacted tire dealers, check websites and found that the only size 205/60/r15 is listed as an original equipment. the size 185/70/r14 is downsize tires, and tire manufactures will not honor the tire warranty if i put these tires on my contour se. this is one problem. the biggest issue is safety: do the tires 185/70/r14 provide the same safety features as 205/60/r15? i found that r15 tires could hold 400 lb more than r14 tires, provide better tracking control. and, i already know that, the r14 tires lasted only 22k miles. i try to convince ford co that because of the production defect my car - contour se 99 -was equipped with incorrect tires (185/70/r14 instead of 205/60/r15), and as a result of that the safety level of the car is less than it should be, and tire warranty is denied by tire manufacturers. the only fix is to replace the wheels (rim and tires). thank you.