general problems of the 1997 Toyota Avalon

When I brought my car into the tire dealership where I had purchased my tires complaining of a shaking steering wheel (thinking one of my tires had lost a balance weight), that's when I discovered 3 of the 4 tires I had purchased a year ago September (and which had only 14,000 miles of wear) had all experienced the steel belt separating inside the tire. Updated 09/02/lj.

Failure of a tire at highway speed. The tread portion of the tire separated from the casing of the tire resulting in a loss of control and vehicle damage. The driver was able to stop the vehicle without damage to other vehicle of injury to the passengers.

Car hydroplaned in light rain. Tires are nearly new and properly inflated. Dt.

I have had to replace (4) sets of bridgestone and firestone tires on my '97 Avalon due to hydroplaneing, poor wear quality and substandard performance. I have had nothing but firestone & bridgestone tires on this car since I purchased it new. Yet, I have spent close to $2000. 00 and alot of my time to replace tires that haven't held up to the performance and quality "as advertised"! on 11/16/00, I spent an additional $543. 15 replacemy last set of bridgestone tires with michilen 205/60/15 tires. I also have a 1988 Toyota 4-runner with 230,000 miles on it. From the day I bought it new, I have had nothing but bridgstone dessert deuler's on it. The last set of b/s dessert duelers I purchased for my 4-runner were so poorly built, that I went through 8 (eight) tires to find four good ones; because they were all out of round and hopping. On 11/15/00, I was forced to replace my 4-runner tires with michelin tires as well. I have been a true bridgestone/firestone tire diehard until these most recent problems. But I got to the point that I felt that the safety of my family and I was at risk due to the poor quality and performance bridgestone/firestone had advertised their tires to be. I am requesting a full investigation by NHTSA and the bridgestone/firestone company. I have all the documentation to support my claim. Please feel free to call me at (904) 223-9549 if you have furhter questions or I may assist in any way. Thank you in advance for your help. Respectfully, john m. Graves. (tiresize: p20565hr15)( dot number: tire size: p20565hr15 ).

Bridgestone portenza tires (205-65-r15) experienced excessive wear.

Vehicle hydroplanes on the slightest wet pavement. Also pulls to the left or right due to wrong tires on vehicle. Toyota refuses to replace the bridgestone tires with an alternate make designed for this vehicle. Also abs brakes engaged many times due to the sliding.