QuestionI bought four new Bridgestone Weatherforce p175/70r13 tires (at Sears) 2-3 years ago, and in the past year, two of them have blown out (the tread separated) while I was on the highway. both times my car suffered significant body damage, and this past time my whole bumper came off and I almost lost control of my car. Both times Sears said it was a result of a "manufacturer's defect", and replaced the erring tire (but because they were still under warranty, not because they were defective-they said the defect didn't apply to the other tires and so they wouldn't replace them)
The past couple weeks or so I've been experiencing the same vibrations (btwn 50-65 mph) that happened before the other two blowouts, so I'm going in tomorrow to get it looked at.
Does sears or bridgestone have any responsibility to compensate me for the body damages my car has sustained, or to replace the other tires when two have already been labeled manufacturer's defects? I haven't been able to find a recall but maybe no one's sued them yet? Or did I just get mine from a fluke batch? What are my rights?
thanks.
AnswerLexi,
I am not a lawyer, but here's my understanding of the legal implications.
Warranty only covers the product itself - and Sears took care of that.
Product Liability covers the damage - including what might happen to a person's life - as a result of a product's failure. What is needed in product liability cases is the product and someone to examine it for a defect. Most tire manufacturers have departments that handle this type of thing. Calling their 800 number will usually get the process started.
In your case: You do not have the products that failed the 1st 2 times, so it makes it difficult to connect the damage to the tire - not to mention that tires fail for reasons beyond the manufacturers control - poor repairs, underinflation, etc.
1) I suggest you call the tire manufacturers 800 number and explain the situation. They should tell you what to do next.
2) I also suggest you call Sears. They should have told you to file a claim for that the damage to your vehicle.
3) Get estimates for the damage to your vehicle. Take photos opf the damage. Take photos of the tire that is currently failing. Then remove ALL the tires from your vehicle. (You may have to pay for that yourself, but at this point it is a prudent thing to do.) Save all recepits related to the damage, replacing the tires, and the previous failures.)
4) If neither Sears nor Bridgestone come up with a suitable arrangement, then file suit in your local small claims court.
Just keep in mind, you no longer have the product that caused the damage, and while you have a sample that appears to be headed that direction, it hasn't gotten there yet. Stay calm, but firm. Don't make excessive and unreasonable demands, but insist they (both Sears and B/S) need to make a concession of some sort.
Don't get your hopes too high, but be diligent!!
Hope this helps.
