2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible Tires Problems

“Catastrophic tire failure at highway speeds due to tread separation - cooper response touring 205/55 r16 91h on 2005 Chrysler pt cruiser. Tread depth = 5/32, tires were new on used car purchased in 07/2014. No dry rot or visible cracking on tires, 23k mileage on tires. In 07/2018, two of the tires in the set of 4 were replaced due to the beginnings of tread separation (would not balance). I am a former tire development engineer for a major us tire manufacturer and I have analyzed hundreds of failed tires returned to the manufacturer. …”

“On the incident date, I was traveling on the freeway at about 78 miles an hour (idaho freeway speed limit is 75). The outside sidewall of the left front tire completely disintegrated causing the tire to come completely apart. It was literally filled with ash from the rubber. The tires are on a 2005 Pt Cruiser Convertible touring edition and had only 19000 miles on them. They have always been maintained with 36 or more pounds of air and the air pressure has been checked much more often than normal due to the fact that they always looked low. I had just checked the air in them two days before. …”

“Driving on entrance ramp to highway when there was a violent shudder. Car was difficult to steer (severe vibration). Pulled off on emergency shoulder. There is a large hole in tire sidewall. Sidewall was shredded. Tread was not affected. 4500 miles on tires. Tire was removed and spare tire was mounted.”

“Dt: the contact was driving on june 8, 2005 when he heard a ping sound come from under the vehicle. Then the driver side tire blew out. There were no accidents. When he took it to the dealership they said there was a punctured mark on the tire. They said it was not due to a defect in the tire. The tire is a goodyear, size I 205/50r17xl. The contact did not understand why the puncture mark did not cause the tire to go flat. Updated 11/16/2005 - the tire was a goodyear eagle rs-a. On oct 7,2005 the consumer heard the same ping noise under the vehicle again. …”

“Leased a 2005 Pt Cruiser Convertible, dream cruiser series 4 in november of 2004. First failure of the tires was the passenger side rear tire in august 2006. I was parked somewhere waiting for someone and when they walked back to my car they noticed that I had a bulge in the tire due to a crack in the sidewall. Had to get the very expensive tire (goodyear - 205/50/17 rs-a) replaced, with only approximately 13,000 miles on the car. Next failure was in october of the same year. Driving at 35 MPH at the end of a line of three cars when all three hit the same pothole. …”