Table 1 shows one common wheel related problems of the 2001 Mercury Cougar.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Wheel problems |
Blisters on the sidewalls of both front tires. The consumer was told the vehicle had a bent wheel, the mechanic explained that it was due the short sidewall height along with the wheel design that caused the problem. During the vehicle's next oil change, the consumer was again informed the vehicle had two more bent wheels.
Consumer noticed blisters on sidewall of both front tires. Dealership also noticed that the wheels were bent due to short sidewall height. The vibrations from the tires and wheel caused the steering wheel to vibrate. The dealership felt the problem was due to a combination of the magnesium/aluminum wheels and the low profile tires.