Wheel & Tire complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl contact owns a 2002 Saturn sl1. While driving between 65-75 MPH, both driver's side tires blew out. Two weeks prior to the failures, the contact had the vehicle inspected to find out if it was safe to drive long distances. The vehicle passed inspection and the dealer was unaware of the faulty valve stems. Aaa informed the contact that the valve stems on the tires were faulty. The current mileage was 17,000 and failure mileage was 16,000.
Consumer stated, she could feel a slight thumping in the steering column, consumer then made an appointment to take the vehicle in, while in route to the dealer, the right front tire separated from the rim, there was no audible sound of a blowout, consumer was able to pull over and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, consumer is requesting 4 new tires, but the dealer refused stating that it was just one of those things.(Firestone tires)
The problem is with the Firestone Tempa Spare T115/70 R14 spare tire. This tire came with the car when new, and has never been used. Tire date of manufacture is 42 2000. I periodically check its air pressure, but it has never been out of the spare tire well. I checked the pressure 1 week ago, and found a large bulge in the tread, along with broken cords, both steel, and polyester (see photos). The inner tire liner has not ruptured, and the tire still holds air. One month ago I checked the pressure, and it looked completely normal. If I had a flat tire then, I would have put it on the car without hesitation. I suspect that it would have failed on the road leading to a possible disaster. My reason for alerting NHTSA is that I suspect there are many compact spare tires in people's trunks, in the same condition, just waiting to cause trouble. …
I am seeing a pattern of severe dry rot stress cracks in all, nearly new (less than 12 months old) Michelin and uniroyal tires in the tread area first then later the sidewalls, and even Goodyear tires in just 1-2 years. All these tires came from walmart. I have them on 6 vehicles, all with the same problems. I have been buying tires for over 38 years, and never had this problem till the last few years. This needs to be investigated and dealt with quickly. I am a degreed chemical engineer and I do all my own auto repairs, even major rebuilds, in other words I am very experienced and I see a very dangerous safety and consumer issue here!!!!
All tires on car repeatedly went flat within 2 weeks of purchase. Firestone did not repair nor replace despite numerous visits & calls. Saturn refuses to assist despite numerous calls and emails. All tires have been replaced by owner 2/00 for safety/convenience after changing tires dozens of times and airing them every day. No problems since new non-Firestone tires have been put on. Other complaints? Convinced they are defective and no one accepts responsibility.( dot number: w2pafa329 tire size: 18565r15 )
I was driving on a highway at about 50 MPH as the rear passenger tire blew out, I lost control of the car, swerved over a lane then off the highway, hitting the curb and ending up in a grassy area. The police arrived and courtesy patrol arrived to assist in changing the tire. Their objective was to immediately get me on my way, so the courtesy worker threw my tire into the trunk and I left. When I got to the tire store we evaluated the tire and 40% of the tire had separation. The car has maintenance done every 3000 miles, so tires were rotated and properly inflated.( dot number: w2epbca428 tire size: p17570r14 )
Tl* - the contact owns a 1999 sl2 Saturn. The contact stated that the front driver's side tire shredded and pulled out the injection circuit so fuel was not getting into the cylinder. The contact stated that the vehicle had been sitting for three years. Also, the jack did not work. The failure and current mileage were both 95000.
While driving at 65 MPH left front tire went flat, consumer lost control, vehicle rolled over, and neither of the air bags deployed . Consumer bought vehicle five days prior to accident, and was not sure if there were air bags in the vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
Which Saturn SL years have wheel & tire problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1997 (16), 1996 (14), 2000 (14), 1998 (13) and 1999 (13) model years. Wheel & Tire complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 1997.
Is there a recall for Saturn SL wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for any Saturn SL model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Saturn SL wheel & tire problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the tread/belt (20 mentions), followed by the sidewall (10).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.