Tire Sidewall problems of the 2002 Jaguar X-type

My wife's x type 2002 Jaguar was riding very rough and I asked our local mechanic to balance the tires. He called in shock advising that the interior wall of a rear goodyear american eagle tire was cracked all around the rim of the tire and we were lucky to be alive. From the outer wall and the tread the tire appeared perfect. I have the tire and digital photographs which I will forward when provided an e-mail address.

From Jan 2005 to 6/28/06 I have had four separate incidents with 2004 potenza g009 225/45r17 tires that had tread separation from sidewall. Tires installed on a 2002 Jaguar X-type (awd). All tires were constantly maintained, rotated and balanced per Jaguar specs. Dot emh8lhc1805. All tires had between 5/32 and 6/32 of tread left and more than 25,000 miles before occurrence. Replaced one out of pocket and other three were replaced at minor charge by bridgestone dealer (tire free (warranty) / charged for$ 45 for installation & balancing & road hazard protection). Incidents lead to extreme vibration and vehicle instability and would have lead to blow out if I had not responded immediately.

I have a 2002 Jaguar X-type equipped with pirelli p6 low profile tires and alloy rims. In the past 6 winter months, I have experienced 4 incidences of sidewall bubbles and one sidewall blowout. I have talked to other Jaguar owners regarding these tires and find that this is a common failure. I believe that these tires are failing excessively. I believe that these tires are a safety problem. I believe that they are a misapplication for the service intended. The incident date listed is the last incident of failure.

While traveling on the highway, I had a flat tire. The tire went flat extremely fast, not quite a blow out. Upon removing the front passenger tire, I found a hole worn on the inside sidewall approximately 2 inches up from the thread. There is complete band of removed rubber around the entire tire with the hole exposing some white fibers. I expected a nail or other protrusion, not a hole on the thinnest part of the tire. I looked at the other tire (drivers side) and noticed the same problem is happening. I am relieved we did not have a blow-out although the tire looked like it could have blown out at any time. It is obvious the tire rubs on something in the wheel well. I need to take the tire off again and look at the what is happening (did not have time to do a full investigation while on the highway). I hope other Jaguar X-type owners are not experiencing the same thing. This is a accident waiting to happen. It could have easily been a serious accident depending on traffic flow. I strongly feel this is a safety issue. Regardless of tire position, the tire should never rub against a permanent object in the car. The tire pressure was not a issue. The tires were checked often with minimal degregation in pressure. The vehicle had waranty work on it approx 6,000 miles ago. It is possible they misaligned the tires after replacement of the transmission. (9 separate waranty items worked over 16 months - talk about a lemon).

This is the third problem with continental tires since I owned my 2002 Jaguar X-type sport. The first was a flat the day I bought it. The second was numerous cracks in the inside tire tread, and the third was discovered at the dealer service dept. For a tire rotation for cords sticking through the sidewall. All 3 instances were the left rear tire. Continental blames Jaguar, Jaguar blames continental, and I'm still out 3 tires in only 19 months/19,000 miles of ownership !!! my wife is extra cautious about driving ever since we brought it home not to hit any road obstacles, we feel this is a safety issue and possible lemon law as well.

Consumer called complaining about having problems with continental tire contour, dot lmt4axbu1502. Also while his wife was driving the tire went flat, and when she exited the vehicle the tire had no sidewalls. Manufacturer was contacted. Sidewall separated which caused wheel to bend.