I own a 2003 volkswagon Jetta that came with Goodyear tires. At 20,435 thousand miles I got my first flat tire. When a second tire went flat less than 2 months later, I decided to purchase a full set of different tires. When the old tires were removed there was severe cracking and "tears" in the walls of the tires. I maintain my vehicle so there was no reason as to why the tires went flat. I live in a safe neighboorhood and had my car for a year before the tires started to go flat. I did not drive through any construction sites and there was no sign this was vandalism since the cuts were on the inside of the wheel. Luckily, neither of the flats happened on a major highway because I could have lost complete control of my car. When my tires were replaced the mechanic told me that I was basicaly driving on "time bombs" and that it was good that I came in. He then proceeded to show me other tires with the same characteristics. I could not believe Goodyear had a line of defective tires and they were doing nothing about it. With a name like Goodyear I would have thought they would have cared more about their customers. Aside from the tears, the tires are still in good shape with the tread barely worn down. Most tires last 40,000 plus miles, I got my first flat tire at half that. Now, I am out over $500 because I had to purchase a whole new set of tires. I think it is outrageous Goodyear has not offered to pay any of that. I kept the tires as proof and I have many pictures. Apparently they only pay attention to people who get injured.

- Palatine, IL, USA

Goodyear Eagle rs-a tire failed due to cracks on the interior sidewall leading to a blowout and near separation of the tire from the wheel.

- Manassas Park, VA, USA

I have a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta gls 1.8T sport equipped with Goodyear rsa tires, size 245/45 R17 H91. The tires had only 16,000 miles on them. At highway speed the drivers side tire blew out. Further inspection of the tire showed that it failed at the side wall. There was a tear in the sidewall almost thru 40 percent of the tire. I managed to make it over 3 lanes of traffic and narrowly overted a collission. Futhermore Goodyear declined to honor my warranty claim. I think that Goodyear rsa model tires should be investigated. These are supposed to be high performance tires and one failed at the sidewall with only 16,000 miles on it and at only 60 miles per hour.

- Streamwood, IL, USA