Goodyear Sued Extensive Wear of 'Run-Flat' Tires

A class-action lawsuit filed Monday against Toyota Motor Corp. and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. alleges the two companies sold "defective tires" to certain buyers of Toyota's popular Sienna minivans.



The suit, filed by a pair of New York Law firms on behalf of Stanley Monk and other buyers of the Sienna, claims "run-flat" tires produced by Goodyear under the company's Dunlop brand wear out after approximately 10,000 miles of use, said Roger Bernstein, an attorney representing the class. He said the Dunlop tires need to be replaced on a yearly basis, which means they are "defective."

The tires are what are known as run-flat, meaning the vehicle can continue to drive for a period of time even when the tires are deflated. While run-flats are seen as safer than traditional tires, they are also known to be less-robust in their rubber composition and could wear out sooner than traditional tires, according to various industry publications and engineering experts.

Bernstein said the allegedly defective tires cost buyers $1,300 or more to replace. The lawyer alleges the problem is aggravated by the fact that Toyota does not equip its minivans with spare tires.

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