I have a 2004 Nissan Maxima SE. While the car was at the dealer for routine service, the technician told me that the inside sidewalls of all 4 tires were showing cracks, and the front passenger tire had cracks and a bulge coming out. This was when the car had only about 26,000 miles. He said the cost to replace the tires is $245 each tire, plus installation costs. He strongly recommended that I replace at least the two front tires as soon as possible. I then took the Maxima to a different Nissan dealer for their opinion as well. That dealership agreed that all 4 tires had cracks on the inside sidewalls, and the bulge was there on the right front tire. They recommended that I replace all 4 tires. I told them it seems absurd that tires that are so new would need replacement, and they said it was a common problem with these tires and I should go to Goodyear to see if they would cover all or part of the replacement cost. I called Nissan headquarters (1-800-Nissan-1) and was told the same thing, it is not Nissan's responsibility, but goodyears'. going to Goodyear this afternoon to have them checked -- and if safety risk exists I will of course have to buy new tires. I have a wife and a 21-month old baby, and cannot risk a blowout or some other catastrophe that may cause injury to my family. No tires should fail like this so quickly. General rule is if some object or thing goes into a tire, that is just a risk that the owner must bear. But if the tires show problems coming from the inside out, that indicates a tire defect. I will update this after meeting with Goodyear.

- Bridgewater, NJ, USA

In September 2004 I took my 2004 Nissan Maxima in for some warranty work, and scheduled maintainence. I advised that my front end felt funny, I eventually had to bring it back in for the skyroof recall and again advised that the car still felt rough, I was advised it was just from the tire rotation and would eventually smooth out, it never did. The skyroof started leaking and it took three more trips to get it fixed, every time I took my car in I told the service dept. That the car still felt rough. On June 15, 2005 I took my car back in for the 30,000 mile maintainence. The service dept. Called and said all four of my tires were coming apart on the inside sidewall, the tires were actually splitting the entire circumfrence of all four tires. They said they had never seen tires split like that. The service dept. Called Goodyear and were told they were having a few problems with those tires and would sell me new ones for $900 the dealer declined that price and Goodyear came up with a price of $550 for new tires I was called and told of the final price and advised the dealer I would be contacting an attorney. Then dealer then called me back and said they had a set of tires and rims they would sell me for $400 I agreed because I was leaving for a trip to Indiana the next morning. The tires that they put on my car were the same exact Goodyear Eagle rs-a P245/45R18 that were defective. My husband called a friend at a local tire dealership and was told they were seeing alot of those same problems with the Goodyear eage rs-a. I cannot believe that a company would endanger the lives of the very consumers that buy and trust their products to be safe. I sent a letter to Nissan North american Consumer Affairs dept on June 20, 2005 documenting all the problems, and have had no response so I have turned to you for some guidance as to my rights to be warned and protected when they know there is the potential for diaster with their product.

- Diberville, MS, USA

Good year Eagle rsa tires size 245-45R18 these are orginal eq. On my 2004 nissian Maxima. These tires have developed splits only on the inside side walls of all 4 tires they have 32000 miles on them w/some good tread. I fear these splits will seperate the tread and cause some damage or an accident. The splits were brought to my attention when I had my tires rotated and balanced the other day. Yet on the outside side wall everything apears to be ok. This is possiblely a very dangerous situation due to the fact these splits in the side walls are only on the the insde sidewall of the tires.

- Hamburg, NY, USA

Contact states the tires on his vehicle have large cracks on the inside wall. The tires only had 20,000 miles, the service dealer stated they were 75,000 mile tires. The tires have been replaced by a local service dealer.

- Vineland, NJ, USA

Contact states that the Goodyear tires on her vehicle are cracking. One tire is cracking on both sides, three are on the inside of the tire. Dealership told consumer that cracked tires were good. Consumer had to replace all the tires.

- Columbia, MS, USA

Goodyear has a known defect on their Goodyear Eagle rs-a tires (245/45R18) that were installed on the2004 Nissan Maxima (and who knows how many other vehicles). The tire sidewall was not properly made and depending on miles (I have seen the problem on Maxima's with mileage ranging from 4,000 miles up to 30,000). Goodyear states you should continuely inspect them and if cracking occurs, then they will replace them. I am very cocerned for my families safety when driving now, especially long distance, I may be able to inspect the outside sidewalls, however not the inner. If I can't see the problem I cannot get it corrected. The cracking and composition of the sidewalls could lead to a bowout or rollover if in a turn when the pressure against the tire sidewall is greatest. A Nissan Maxima is a performance family sedan so sometimes driven hard. My next concern is having to hear about this problem from word of mouth through other Maxima car owners. No safety letter from Goodyear telling owners to inspect tires regularly, nothing. They are playing the numbers with my family and my life and this is unacceptable. Please force their hand to do something. Thank you. Also you can read an internet thread from other customers with this problem at, over 5 pages: forums.Maxima.org/showthread.php?T=388048.

- Leington Park, MD, USA

After a 600 mile trip on the Pennsylvania turnpike, by left rear tire sidewall failed. The outer wall separated from the inter cord for about 3 inches. The manufacturer said it was not a manufacturing problem. The tire was almost new. It had 3,700 miles on it, was properly inflated and I hit no road hazard. The tire lost air and we lost control of the car. Some minor damage. It appears to have failed due to heat. Manufacturer: Continental, conti-touring contact P225/55R17 95V. It was original equipment on a Nissan 2004 Maxima. I replaced the tire with same and kept the defective tire.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

I own a 2004 Nissan Maxima sl. It has 21,450 miles on it. During a regular maintenance procedure at the dealership, I found out that all 4 oem Continental tires had longitudinal cracks on the inside sidewall. I asked the dealership for the tire waaranty and they sent me to the local Continental distributor for tire checkup. The distributor found indeed that all tires were defective and needed repalcement and the dealership advised me not drive the car for long periods of time or in the highway because tire might fail. Even tough both the tire distributor and the dealer agree that these tires need repalcement, both are blaming each othe and giving me the long run. Feel very unsafe driving this car. I truly beleive this is a serious safety issue and both the dealership and the tire manufacturer should solve this problem as soon as practical. Can you help?

- San Juan, PR, USA

The Goodyear rsa tires on my 2004 Nissan Maxima have splits on the side wall. Goodyear claims to have no knowledge of any problems with this tire size, 245/45/18. Numerous Maxima owners have had tires replaced for this problem but Goodyear is uncooperative.( Maxima.org) I have called Goodyear and they have given me the run around. If they have knowledge of a tire problem they need to issue a recall before there is a fatality. I checked with Nissan and they have no knowledge of a tire problem. Your assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated.

- Endicott, NY, USA

I own a 2004 Nissan Maxima. Last week while viewing a Maxima forum, I noticed a lot of people complaining about their oem Goodyear rsa developing sidewall cracks. After inspecting my vehicel, I noticed two 2' cracks on the sidewall. I drove the vehicle to sears tire center for further inspection. I was told to bring the car straight home and to park it until the tires were replaced. They found major cracks in three of the tires. These tires only have 20,000 miles on them and I have no idea how long the cracks were there.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

All 4 of the stock Goodyear rsa 18" tires had cracking on the inside sidewall. What I mean by the inside sidwall is not the actual inside of the tire, rather the sidewall that faces towards the vehicle. No visible cracking was occuring on the outside sidewall. Pictures of this can be seen on: forums.Maxima.org/showthread.php?T=354119.

- Northbrook, IL, USA

Goodyear tires Eagle rsa 245/18 side wall has cracks in tire.

- Miami, FL, USA

Front driver side tire cracked on the inside of the sidewall. Passenger side front tire cracked on the inside of sidewall. Goodyear representative stated there was a bad batch of tires and that they had replaced a number of bad tires with the same problem. All four tires replaced.

- Mandeville, LA, USA

4 tires were defective. They experienced tread separation and cracks along the sidewall.

- Union Springs, AL, USA