Tire failure at 75 mph - cooper discoverer cts 215/70R16 radial mounted on a 2003 Mazda Tribute dx. The tire disintegrated within a couple of seconds after prolonged driving at 70 to 75 mph on the Florida turnpike. The tire had only 15,000 miles - during which the tire was properly inflated and rotated.

- Austin, TX, USA

Tires began making extremely loud road noise above 30 mph. I was told at the time that the tires were "cupped" probably the result of defective tires. I had the Mazda 2003 Tribute serviced at the local dealership, "jay Mazda" in columbus, ga and the tires were replaced at approximately 84978 miles on the vehicle on 04-22-11. Around approx 112000 miles on the vehicle I began experiencing the same road noise I had experienced earlier on 04-22-2011. I began hearing the loud road noise again. I again had my Mazda 2003 Tribute serviced at "jay Mazda" in columbus, ga on 08-31-2013 at approximately 114190 miles where I had my oil changed, brakes replaced, & spoke with the Mazda tech about the extremely loud road noise I was again experiencing since I purchased the tires on the vehicle from jay Mazda on 04-22-2011 for the same trouble. Upon picking up my vehicle the technician told me that my tires were again "cupped" and that was what was causing the loud vehicle noise and they were "cupped" due to me not having my tires rotated at the proper interval. I told the technician that I never experienced the noise until sometime after having the tires rotated the 1st time. The technician said he found no problems with the vehicles suspension that "lack" of rotation was the only cause. I believe that there is a problem with the rear suspension that causes the rear tires on Mazda 2003 Tributes to "cup" & that rotation of the tires only worsens the problem. I believe this because the Mazda technician told me that if I had my tires rotated now that the noise would only get "worse".

- Cataula, GA, USA

On October 15, a Continental Contitrac tire on our 2003 Mazda Tribute experienced a blow out at highway speeds on a busy over-pass. There was no indication of road hazards coming into contact with the tire. The tire was badly damaged on the blowout and while subsequently traveling on the rim while coming to a stop on the shoulder. The local manufacturer representative denied a warranty claim outright indicating that the damage to the tire was caused by riding on the rim, not a blowout. I am pursuing this matter with the manufacturer and the local magistrate. What concerns me more is that if Continental has created artificial barriers to their representatives processing warranty claims, then serious manufacturing defects may go unknown. I believe that the failed tire was unquestionably defective.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA