---buyers beware.--- tires purchased: 215/55R-17 Continental purecontact ls sl purchased these tires on tire rack and had them professional placed on by Firestone personnel (appropriate tire pressure checked). In just a little over a month, less than 100 miles, and without any trauma (no potholes, curbs, etc), the rear passenger tire had a major, sidewall blowout on the highway (70 mph) with near catastrophic consequences. Continental will not allow a refund but will only permit me to purchase tires in their lineup according to their 60 day policy. However, this should be an exception due to the near miss that could have caused serious bodily harm or death. I do not trust these tires given the extensive damage from such little usage (please see photos). They have denied any claim of defect in their tires but I am perplexed on how such extensive damage to a tire can happen without any trauma or inciting event. Please don't put your family or loved ones in harm's way and highly consider an alternative brand of tire than general or Continental.

- Orlando, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Toyota Avalon. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 mph, the tire on the front driver side blew out, causing the vehicle to veer into a cotton field. The vehicle flipped four times and landed on the passenger side. The contact stated that the air bags had not deployed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, back, and leg. The passenger sustained injuries to the right ear that detached from the head, injuries to the neck, and a concussion. Both occupants required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a salvage lot awaiting an insurance appraisal. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,000.

- Estill, SC, USA

Could not change flat tire because lug nuts had swelled so wrench would not fit, had to buy a size bigger wrench to remove lug nuts. Also all the lug nuts on the car were swelled. When I asked about this I was told this is a common problem.

- Farmington, NM, USA

On a trip from Florida to Ohio there was a humming that started between 40 an 60 miles per hour. When it was taken to the dealer they identified it as a right front wheel bearing that was defective. The vehicle is a 2006 Toyota Avalon with 44,500 miles on it. I took the vehicle to another service shop to verify the defect and they confirmed that it was the right front wheel bearing that was defective. They replaced the part and gave me the defective one.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA