GOODYEAR MARATHON TIRES Complaints

A GOODYEAR MARATHON ST225/75R15 MANUFACTURED 3206 WAS REMOVED FROM THE SPARE TIRE MOUNT ON OUR 2007 JAYCO EAGLE TRAVEL TRAILER, GVWR 9500 LBS,AND WAS MOUNTED ON THE LEFT REAR POSITION DURING THE SECOND WEEK OF JULY 08. WHILE TOWING, WEIGHT OF TRAILER APPROXIMATELY 7500 LBS, ON I-5 OREGON AT 3:00 PM AT 55 MPH WE WERE SIGNALED BY THE DRIVER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE TO PULL OVER. WHEN WE DID HE ADVISED US THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD JUST CAME APART AND DAMAGED THE REAR OF THE TRAILER. TOTAL MILES ON THAT TIRE AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS 591.34 MILES. THIS TIRE HAD BEEN BALANCED, AIR PRESSURE CHECKED REGULARLY, SET AT 65 PSI, AND WAS COVERED TO PROTECT FROM SUN DAMAGE. INSPECTION OF THE TIRE REVEALED THAT THE TREAD BELT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CASING, BEATING AGAINST THE TRAILER. THIS CONTACT CAUSED APPROX $5-6,000.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE SIDE AND UNDER SIDE OF THE TRAILER. WHEN THE DAMAGED TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE THE AIR PRESSURE WAS CHECKED AND WAS STILL 65 PSI. THIS IS THE THIRD GOODYEAR MARATHON TRAILER TIRE THAT HAS SEPARATED THE TREAD FROM THE CASING WHILE I WAS TOW A TRAVEL TRAILER. THE OTHER TWO WERE TURNED INTO GOODYEAR DEALERS FOR REPLACEMENT. THIS TIRE IS BEING SAVED BY OWNER AT THE REQUEST OF OUR INSURANCE AGENT. *TR

I HAD A BLOWOUT OF A GOODYEAR MARATHON TRAILER TIRE ST215/75R14. THE TIRE WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF TRAILMANOR 2720 SINGLE AXLE TRAVEL TRAILER. THERE WAS NO APPARENT CAUSE OF PUNCTURE. I WAS DRIVING ON US376 EASTBOUND ABOUT 8-10 MILES EAST OF SALUDA, SC, AND WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH. TIRE PRESSURES WERE CHECKED THAT MORNING BEFORE LEAVING AT 51-52PSI BOTH SIDES (REC. INFLATION PRESSURE IS 50PSI). *TR

GOODYEAR MARATHON TRAILER TIRE BLOW OUT OF THE SIDE WALL. SIZE ST225/75R15 HAS A HISTORY OF SIDE WALL FAILURES. AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT HAPPENED TO US ON HWY 20. IN WA. STATE. THE GOOD YEAR COMPANY IS REPLACING ALL TIRES THAT FAIL BUT NO WARNING TO THE PUBLIC. *TR

I EMPLORE YOU TO START INVESTIGATING THE COMMON USE OF ST RATED RADIAL TRAILER TIRES ON TODAY'S TRAVEL TRAILERS AND FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS. I JUST PURCHASED A NEW 2006 HOLIDAY RAMBLER 30CKS TRAVEL TRAILER THAT RIDES ON 4 GOODYEAR ST 225/75/R16 MARATHON TIRES. I HAD ALL 4 TIRES SUFFER SIDEWALL FAILURE AFTER NO MORE THAN 500 MILES. I RAN THE TIRES AT 65 PSI PER MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS, AND HAVE CERTIFIED CAT SCALE READINGS SHOWING I'M WITHIN WEIGHT FOR TIRES AND VEHICLE. I HAD THE TIRES INSPECTED AT A GOODYEAR DEALER AND HAD A VERY FRANK CONVERSATION WITH THE OWNER. HE WHOLE HEARTEDLY FEELS THAT THE TIRES ARE NOT UP TO THE KIND OF SERVICE THAT THEY SEE HAULING AROUND THESE BIG DUAL AXLE TRAVEL TRAILERS. I PAID $1200 OF MY OWN MONEY (NO COMPLAINING) TO UPGRADE TO COMMERCIAL TRUCK TIRES (GOODYEAR HELPED ME PICK THE CORRECT TIRES). I REFUSED TO RISK MY FAMILIES LIFE TOWING A TRAILER WITH THESE TIRES - THERE ARE REPORTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THESE TIRES - NOW MADE IN CHINA TO BOOT! IT REALLY HIT HOME WHEN THE GOODYEAR DEALER OWNER COULD NOT TELL ME IN GOOD FAITH THAT I WAS SAFE USING THESE TIRES. BY THE WAY I'M A MECHANICAL ENGINEER WITH 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE DESIGNING HEAVY INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT. SUITABLE TIRES EXIST, BUT THE MANUFACTURERS DON'T SPEC THEM TO SAVE MONEY. MOST PEOPLE AREN'T AS SAVVY AS I AM ABOUT THESE THINGS, I FEEL SORRY AND WORRIED ABOUT ALL THEIR LIVES! PLEASE HELP! I'M MORE THAN WILLING TO GIVE MORE INFORMATION AS REQUESTED. THANKS! *TR

I HAVE GOODYEAR MARATHON ST 225/75/15 D TIRES ON BRAND NEW (MAY 2007) 2007 CARMATE 24 FOOT TRAILER. I DROVE THE TRAILER TO SALT LAKE CITY (SLC), BACK TO FREDERICK, MD, THAN BACK TO SLC. SO, WITH ABOUT 8,000 MILES (JULY 14 NOW) ON THE TIRES - I NOTICE "AIR BUBBLES" IN THE SIDEWALL JUST ABOVE THE RIM. I CALL LOCAL GOODYEAR DEALERS, AND NONE HAVE THE TIRES IN STOCK (I DO HEAR THOUGH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES, SEVERAL NON GOODYEAR DEALERS TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE IMMEDIATELY TAKEN THESE TIRES OFF DUE TO ISSUES WITH THESE TIRES). I DECIDE TO PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON (ALSO A MARATHON) AND CONTINUE MY JOURNEY TO SIERRA VISTA, AZ. NEAR PRICE, AZ I NOTICE ANOTHER "AIR BUBBLE" IN A DIFFERENT TIRE. NOT WISHING TO TAKE A CHANCE ON A BLOW-OUT (NO GOOD SPARE TIRE LEFT) I BUY NEW TIRES (BIG O THIS TIME), BECAUSE THERE ARE NO MARATHON TIRES IN STOCK IN PRICE, AZ. ARRIVING IN SIERRA VISTA, AZ I TALK TO THE LOCAL GOODYEAR DEALERSHIP ABOUT THESE TIRES. HE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES, BUT CAN NOT HELP ME BECAUSE HE IS NOT A "AUTHORIZED" GOODYEAR DEALERSHIP ANY LONGER. DUE TO NEW JOB AND HOUSE HUNTING I LET THE REPLACEMENT ISSUE DROP FOR AWHILE. SEPTEMBER 20, 2007. I HAVE PERFOMED SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET, AND WHILE NOT SEEING THE ISSUE WITH "AIR BUBBLES" I SEE PLENTY OF ISSUES CONCERNING "BLOWOUTS" WITH THESE TIRES (WERE THERE AIR BUBBLES FIRST?). I CALL GOODYEAR HQ AND AM GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND A TUCSON DEALERSHIP TO TAKE THE TIRES TOO. OVERALL I AM WRITING THIS LETTER/COMPLAINT TO SAY THAT: 1) THERE SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM (AT LEAST AMONG THE PUBLIC AND DEALERSHIPS (GOODYEAR & OTHER MANUFACTURES)) WITH THESE TIRES. 2) (DEPENDENT UPON THE OUTCOME TOMORROW) GOODYEAR SEEMS TO BE WILLING TO WORK WITH ME ON THE DEFECTIVE TIRE ISSUE. *TR

GOODYEAR MARATHON ST265/80 R16. MANUFACTURED IN 2003. INSTALLED ON 5TH WHEEL TRAILER IN 2004. HAD 1ST BLOWOUT SUMMER 2006 ON INTERSTATE. THIS YEAR I HAD 3 SIDEWALL FAILURES ON THE OTHER TIRES. 2 OF THE 3 HAD LARGE BULGES (3-4 INCHES IN DIAMETER) IN THE SIDEWALL WHEN THE TIRE WAS HOT. WHEN THE TIRE COOLED THE BULGE INCREASED BY A FACTOR OF 4. THE OTHER FAILURE HAD SPLITS IN THE CENTER OF THE SIDEWALL. ALL OF THE GOODYEAR DEALERS TRIED TO MAKE ME BELIEVE THAT THESE FAILURES WERE MY FAULT. I KEPT THE LAST FAILED TIRE. COINCIDENTLY I RAN INTO A GENTLEMAN AT THE GOODYEAR DEALER IN ALBUQUERQUE NM WHO IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS A RETIRED GOODYEAR ENGINEER FROM AKRON, OH. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS FAILURE WAS TYPICAL OF A COMPOUNDING PROBLEM. *TR

20 JUNE 2007 WAS TRAVELING ON I-75 NORTH @ MILE 72 AT 65 MPH LEFT CAMPER TIRE FAILED, TOOK ALL PLUMBING OFF CAMPER, RIM DESTROYED. THERE'S WAS NOTHING LEFT TO SAVE. HIT NOTHING IN ROAD, TIRE WAS AT 52 PSI 1 HOUR BEFORE. TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR MARATHON. REPLACED BOTH TIRES. GOODYEAR DEALER DIDN'T CARRY MARATHONS REPLACED WITH CARLYSES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 AIRSTREAM SAFARI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD ON BOTH REAR TIRES IS SEPARATING. HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES ARE 30.5 INCHES HIGH IN DIAMETER, WHEN THEY SHOULD BE 28.5 INCHES. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE, WHICH WAS A SPARE, FAILED AT 2,500 MILES AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE FAILED AT 12,500 MILES. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR MARATHON (SIZE ST225/75 R15) AND BOTH TIRES HAVE 65 PSI. THE CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES AND THE ACTUAL TIRES IF NEEDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 12,500. NO OTHER VEHICLE INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE.

CONCERNS GOOD YEAR MARATHON RADIAL D RATED TRAILER TIRES 225/15 OUR FIFTH WHEEL CAME WITH 4 OF THEM ON. THERE WAS A RECALL AND WE GOT ALL NEW TIRES. THOSE PROCEEDED TO START WEARING FROM THE INSIDE OUT ALSO. MY HUSBAND TOOK THEM TO GOOD YEAR AND GOT A REDUCTION IN PRICE YOU KNOW PRO RATE AS GOOD TREAD STILL (NOT MUCH OF ONE!!!) AND GOT ALL NEW TIRES AGAIN. THIS WAS ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO. THE TRAILER HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY 7,000 MILES OR LESS SINCE THEN. WE KEEP THE TIRES COVERED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. GUESS WHAT THEY ARE BUBBLING AND WEARING FROM THE INSIDE OUT AGAIN. ONE BLEW OUT ON FREEWAY AND ALMOST CAUSED US AN ACCIDENT. NOW A RVDEALERSHIP JUST POINTED OUT TO US ANOTHER TIRE HAS 2 BUBBLES IN IT. AGAIN THEY HAVE PERFECTLY GOOD TREAD LEFT ON THEM. WE ARE GOING TO REPLACE THEM TOMORROW. WE ARE NOT GOING TO BUY GOOD YEAR BRAND TIRES!!! GOOD YEAR SHOULD BE SHOT FOR SELLING THEM AS TRAILER TIRES. THE RV PEOPLE WHO PUT THEM ON THERE MUST BE IN CAHOOTS WITH GOOD YEAR AND GET A HUGE DISCOUNT AND THEY SHOULD ALSO BE SHOT. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THEIR TRAILER TIRES TO ANYONE. I THINK IF I FIND A CONSUMERS PLACE TO COMPLAIN LIKE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR WHOEVER I SHALL SEND THEM A COPY OF THIS LETTER TO. SINCERELY [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE BECAME FLAT WHILE PARKED. THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION. THEN WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE POURING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THAT TIRE WAS REPLACED. THEN, A PASSERBY ALERTED THE CONTACT THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS SHREDDING, THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS STARTING TO SHRED. THESE WERE REPLACEMENTS FOR RECALLED TIRES, NO RECALL INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/9/2006 - *NM