DUNLOP MAXX GT Tyres - splitting

[J4mesm]

  

Hi everyone,

I'm a new member so this is my first post.  Many thanks for all your post’s relating to the issue of the Dunlop Tyre's, they have helped me start to build my case.

I am furious that Dunlop have taken no notice of what is, obviously a major issue with the manufacturing of these tyres.  I have an A7 that I bought from Nottingham Audi a little over 2 years ago, supplied with Dunlop’s. Last year the front tyre literally popped as were driving along a main road with my 2 young children on board. I replaced the tyre with the spare and when I looked at the tyre it was split nearly all the way around, I replaced the tyre and didn’t think too much about it, 2 months later the same thing happened, over 5 months all 4 tyres developed the same fault so all the tyres were replaced in 2018 (April – Sep). I contacted Dunlop and Audi but neither were interested and fobbed me off, so I just put the matter to bed and got on with life, safe in the fact I had 4 new tyres and my family were safe with our new born baby now onboard.    

it’s not quite that simple, 3 days ago and the car pressure sensor told me the front tyre was low, or well just a puncture I thought so I took it to Kwik Fit, it turns out 3 of the 4 tyres have splits and the one has a bulge after covering less than 6k.  I cannot believe this has happened again, I have now spent hours researching these issues and contacting Dunlop, Kwik Fit HQ, Audi UK and Audi Nottingham.  

I have been told the same as the other poor owners of these tyres, they will have to be sent to Dunlop, I may get some money back, it will take several weeks and, well frankly I’m not accepting this, they know there is a fault with these tyres.  Fortunately, I have kept all the tyres so I now have 7 faulty tyres and I'm refusing to purchase any more!  The car is unusable, and I am livid that both Dunlop and Audi have allowed this to continue, as soon as Audi had a few reports of this happening they should had taken Dunlop to hand and stopped using these tyres, this is people’s lives they are putting at risk!!! What the hell are they playing at, I have owned several Audi’s but this will be my last if nothing is done.

So I going to let the relevant parties come back to me before I light up social media and contact Watchdog as others have suggested.  This needs to be resolved before someone dies, it’s that simple, all the cars running these tyres need to be recalled and Dunlop need a heavy fine for playing with peoples live, they know about the issue, they told me this morning I was not the first to contact them. 

I will let you know how things progress, but I’m going to do my upmost to get this into the media spotlight. 

Regards, James

[mylifesablast]

This was posted in 2016 - safety recall on specific dunlop sports Maxx GT tyres - totalling 369 tyres in correct compound used

https://www.hiqfranchise.co.uk/Network-News/safety-recall-recall-of-dunlop-sportmaxx-gt-tyre-in-size-25540zr19-100y-xl/

 

 

On Audiworld website, this is probably as bad as it gets.

Now thats terrifying:
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/s4-b8-platform-discussion-134/anybody-else-had-problem-dunlop-sport-maxx-gt-2916654/

Jag Info forums:
https://www.jaginfo.org/archive/index.php/t-2574.html

VXR online
http://www.vxronline.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?274874-Tyre-Problem&s=3b066f2a8f19ef70fb088c92ff1d44e1

Alfa forums
https://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/general-alfa-discussion/872514-cracking-dunlop-tyres.html

 

[J4mesm]

Thanks Mylifsablast, so it isn't just the 275/30Z/R21 that is affected, the plot thickens...............

[mylifesablast]

Hi James,

If you are In dire straits the only approach at the moment is to contact Dunlop directly and have them returned for inspection. If you want to get independent advice speak to a local tyre trader. These tyres can be collected for free I believe, understand the length of time it takes. but then you are talking nearly 400 quid a side if you don’t shop around it becomes very expensive.

I think we all here totally have sympathy for your issues, but the only real way to force the issue is to contact them (dunlop) with a complaint to get the ball rolling. Its a pain but best to be safe than sorry. Best of luck.👍

[Magnet]

Hello James,

It makes sense to return the tyres, since it's only then that an official investigation can begin on your (should be in caps.) tyres. If it were me, I would be putting everything in writing and certainly retaining a typical couple of the defective tyres incase you need to progress your complaint through other channels. i.e. Retain some evidence. 

It really surprise me that the media have not been involved. Not followed the given links, so apologies if the links points to media having been involved.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Guest]

Hi James, I went through this last year - same car model. Tyre dealers have a specific complaint form they have to complete in cases such as these, My tyres were replaced at Audi by BMTR in Birmingham with Continentals), the form was completed and went off with the tyres to Dunlop. (Photos and copies of everything were kept including the video taken by Audi as the car was in for service when the fault was detected - that story is posted earlier). I was told it would take about six weeks for an investigation and reply after about eight weeks I was told by Dunlop that the faults were acknowledged and the tyres had xmm of tread remaining (they detailed each one) and that a credit had been applied to BMTR who duly refunded Audi, who refunded me. I got just over £600 back (The Contis cost me much more than that). If it helps I was told by a service advisor at Audi that this problem only occurs on A7's the same tyres are fitted to A6's and are fine. They summised there might be an aero and suspension problem with th A7 design that causes it as it happens so often! Audi themselves (HQ) didn't want to know!

[skull duggery]

Hi James & welcome. 

Sorry to hear you are having the same issues. Like yourself I had 2 full sets of tyres split. As I only had video and photographic evidence Dunlop refused to admit fault. However, as Dunlop are now admitting that there is indeed issues with their tyres then perhaps there is a legal argument that can be made? 

It’s scary to think that the small number that have found this forum and raised their concerns. Undoubtedly there are1000’s more of these cars and tyres on the road & It will only be a matter of time before statistics come into play there will be a catastrophic failure of these tyres resulting in serious injuries or worse. Especially seeing they are the cheaper tyre for sale on most tyre websites. 

Chris. 

[J4mesm]

Hi Guys,

 

Many thanks for your replies and help.  I have been told by Audi UK that Audi Nottingham will need to recover the car and inspect the tyres, I have called them twice and still have not had a call back today, I will be onto them again in the morning.  

By the sound of things many people have jumped though the conventional hoops of returning tyres to Dunlop, only to be given meagre compensation to purchase new tyres, I'm afraid this is not acceptable and I am not just conforming to their commercial policies, they know there are issues and they know peoples lives are being put at risk, but not only is it about the risk, what about the amount of money we have all lost and the time we have taken to sort this fiasco out, time none of us should have to  have lost in the first place, if either company had done due diligence.  I cannot step onto a site without risk assessments, and reports, meanwhile these companies take our money whilst putting our family's lives at risk then expect us to have to battle to get any way of recompense, its not good enough!  

Sorry for my rant but I'm furious that so many people have been treated this way. 

lets see what tomorrow brings.........

[J4mesm]

So after a week of battling with Audi Uk, Nottingham and Dunlop, I am no further forward, my car is still undriveable and no one has been in touch for 48 hours! 

Can I ask anyone that has been affected to write to watchdog, it takes 5 mins to fill in the form on their contact us page which I have done.  I have paid to increase my Twitter feeds to Dunlop and Audi/Audi media and I’m going to contact the press. 

I know I’m new to the forum but the only way we can stop someone dying or getting seriously injured is to fight this together if you have time to support this? Any one that has been through this knows it takes time and has cost you hundreds to resolve, whilst being put in danger, we should also be compensated for this 

Many thanks 

James

[mylifesablast]

Hi James,

Have you approached Audi UK ?(although I found them very toothless).

Also if you purchased the car with Finance your finance company is also liable, and responsible as they in essence own the vehicle. They will come down on the dealer a lot heavier than you can.

Here is another approach;

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/your-rights-if-something-is-wrong-with-your-car

Let us know how you get on don’t lose hope.

 

[J4mesm]

22 hours ago, mylifesablast said:

Hi James,

Have you approached Audi UK ?(although I found them very toothless).

Also if you purchased the car with Finance your finance company is also liable, and responsible as they in essence own the vehicle. They will come down on the dealer a lot heavier than you can.

Here is another approach;

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/your-rights-if-something-is-wrong-with-your-car

Let us know how you get on don’t lose hope.

 

Many thanks for the link mylifesablast, I have now called VW finance and they are looking into things. 

I have spoken to Audi UK 8 times over the last week, although they have contacted the Nottingham dealership and I have spoken to various people there, nothing has been done!  I finally lost it and demanded to speak to a manager yesterday at the dealership (I'm dealing with this whilst my 12 week old baby is critically ill in hospital been fed by tubes and on oxygen, like I haven't got enough to deal with!), he told me I would receive a call from the dealership manager tomorrow.  I said that if something wasn't done quickly I would have the car recovered through the night and deposit it at the entrance of the dealership, as it is no use to me!    

I have sent emails to Which, What Car, BBC News and Watchdog trying to get some (excuse the pun) traction on this story. I am also gong to contact the vehicle ombudsman when I get chance   

Regards

James

[skull duggery]

I have contacted BBC Watchdog and will await a reply if any.

I have also sent them a copy of this link so we will see what happens. hopefully something will be done.

James, Did you contact Watchdog? did you get a reply? and any update Dunlop?

Cheers

Chris

[Steve Q]

Hope they take on this case 🙂

as it's about time owners got answers.

[Parky25]

Hi everyone, new member but thought I would join in as I’m having the exact same trouble. In December my car informed me I had a flat front left tyre. 

I changed the wheel and took it to a independent who advised me the inner wall was split. I just thought I had hit a pot hole and that was that. Replaced with Dunlop!

Today I’m driving and my front right goes down. Back on with the spare and low and behold it’s also split!! 

So won’t be getting another Dunlop. I’m going to have them all checked but I’m fairly certain they are all doomed. They where brand new on my A7 black back in June so not even done 10k miles! 

Iv contacted watchdog and need to contact Dunlop. My independent fitter said he has a warranty from which we can fill in to get some money back, but not holding my breath. As for Audi well I will contact them Monday but can almost hear the it’s not our problem reply. 

 

Surly Dunlop must know there is fault?! It’s not just Audi if you look on line it’s Jags to. 

Cheers everyone. 

[CarlT]

Hi 

the same thing has happened to me. 4 Dunlop tyres have all split over 6 months.

 

 

 

[Magnet]

Hello Craig,

Sorry, but not surprised to hear about your problems with these tyres. Just wondered what your next move is going to be with attempts to get some resolution.

I also wonder if earlier posters who have reported their similar issues to Watchdog etc. have had any feed back from any of these organisations.

Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Parky25]

Oh what a surprise I thought I would take the rear wheels off and check them... both splitting 🤬. That’s all 4 gone in 6 months. 

I can’t inderstand why it only seems to be the 21” wheels splitting?! 

[Parky25]

So Audi.... not very helpful, but I guessed the outcome of that one. They suggested that I can either bring the car in and exchange the tyres for stupid money, with the hope of getting some money back from Dunlop if they find fault with the tyres. Or I can go to an independent supplier (which is what I’m doing) and they will send the tyres back. Again it boils down to Dunlop finding fault with them. 

 

I did speak to a guy called “Peter” at Dunlop and I will attach the email he sent me. Not sure if this will help anyone else, but I’m never having Dunlop tyres again! 

If anyone else has had any luck with the “stealers” let me know. 

Thank you for your e-mail and also the call regarding the tyres on your A7.

 

Our passenger tyres are warranted for 5 years from date of manufacture or date of purchase if proof can be shown.  The warranty covers manufacturing and materials but not accidental damage to the tyre, natural wear etc caused during use.

 

To arrange for a warranty examination please ask the tyre retailer or vehicle dealer who supplied the tyre to arrange the return to us. Returning a product via the retailer who took your money for it best covers you as your contract in the UK is with them.  Vehicle main agents, tyre dealers and internet sellers can send tyres back for inspection if they have an account with us.  If they do not have an account the return can be made through their wholesaler who will then arrange to return the tyre here on their behalf.  

 

If returning the tyre via the supplier who your contract is with is not possible many dealers will return a tyre under warranty as long as you are purchasing the replacement from them. Before buying the replacement you will need to ensure they are aware you wish them to return the tyres as part of the deal and they will offer any allowance should one be advised.

 

For further information on returns and the UK industry standard see http://www.btmauk.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Consumer-guide-to-tyre-warranty-complaint-process.pdf

 

Kind Regards 

 

Peter Wayte

 

[Magnet]

Hello Steve,

Well I guess it at least gives you an avenue to ensure these tyres are inspected at the manufacturer. I can only repeat (which would be vitally important to me) to retain one typical example for future independent assessment/evidence should you be dissatisfied with Dunlop’s findings. Probably stating the obvious, but you would need to advise them that you are retaining one typical example, but you wish this tyre to be considered along with the others.

Perhaps you would be kind enough to let us known how you get on.

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[J4mesm]

Hi All,

I’m sorry to report that despite sending emails to every man and his dog, boosting Twitter feeds and constantly calling Dunlop and Audi, I have drawn a blank and had to pay for my third set of tyres which are now Continental! 

I have 7 tyres to send back to Dunlop, like many of you I have spoken to Peter at Dunlop, he has admitted as have Audi he knows about this issue but sticks to the corporate policy of sending the tyres back for analysis, which we know is a waist of time, of course they are faulty forgoodness sake! 

I am so so annoyed that I have just had to spend another £1000 and no one will take responsibility, it’s absolutely disgusting given how much we have all spent with both Audi and Dunlop.  Anyone up for going to protest outside Audi HQ with Banners and a stack of tyres????  I genuinely feel like doing that and asking the local Press to attend as everything else has failed! 

My next plan is to write to the Chef Exec of Audi and Dunlop, and I ask that anyone that can be bothered do the same, I will find out their contact details and addresses unless one of you already has them?  Are you all happy for me to use quotes from your posts to send to those in charge? 

Someone, somewhere will eventually listen!

Regards 

James 

 

[Parky25]

Yes that’s fine by me James. Can I ask did you recivie any money back from Dunlop? 

Im thinking of going to the papers to. It’s just not good enough. I will of course use this thread also as it’s a good bench mark to use. 

[J4mesm]

Hi Parky25,

i haven’t sent the tyres back yet, I only had the next 4 replaced last weekend.  

 

Im not sure if I’m going to send them back or go and plant all 7 of them on one of the Audi directors desks! 

[CarlT]

Hi Everyone.   I would just like to share my story of being an A7 owner for 2 years now in particular with the awful service I received from Audi who today have done the right thing for me with regards to the tyre issue. (Today I can't praise them enough) My car is  Bi-Turbo black Edition. This will be long winded so I apologise in advance.

My story starts 2 years ago when after purchasing my a7 I allowed a friend to drive it and 3 corners later he curbed the alloy. The repair was done by Audi who sent the alloy off to their preferred repairer. It came back a week later not repaired due to the repairer not having the tools to repair 21" alloys. It was therefore sent away to another repairer. It came back 1 week later and was on my car all finished ready for collection (Or so I hoped)  When I went to pick the car up I instantly noticed the alloy was painted the wrong colour. It had a gold tinge rather than the gunmetal grey. I brought this to the attention of the bodyshop manager who looked as shocked as me that the alloy was painted wrong and had been fitted on my car for collection.  Audi sorted this out in house and I had another 2 days wait before being able to collect my car.  I had owned the car for 18 days  14 of which it had been at Audi. (I was given a courtesy car)  When I returned to collect the car I inspected and noticed a small dent on the rear wing. I had inspected the car with a fine tooth comb before purchasing it and can confidently say the dent was not there when I dropped the car off at Audi. Audi agreed to remove the dent using their own dent removal specialist who attends every Thursday. I had to bring the car back the following day to get the dent removed. So I drove the car away. After 2 hours of driving my low tyre pressure warning came on. I checked the tyre and it was significantly under pressure so I pumped it up reset the values and decided to wait to see if the tyre lost pressure again and how quickly this would happen.  It took 4 days for the warning to come back on and for the pressure to drop to what it did before I pumped it up. This to me was significant because Audi had my car for 14 days and it takes 4 days for the  warning to show and I had the car back for 2 hours before it came on for me which conclusively proves IMO that the puncture had happened whilst in Audi.  By this time I was in London and so took the car to Audi Victoria who found a small pin in the tyre and repaired this without charge. Overall not a great start to my A7 ownership.

4 months later is when things become a lot more interesting and serious.  I was driving along and I again got a low pressure warning come up on my back right. I checked the pressure and it was low. I saw a nail in my tyre close to the edge so had a feeling the tyre would not be repairable. I booked it in with Audi and left it with them all day. I was called to say the tyre was needed to be replaced but no tyres in stock and could I bring the car back the following day. I agreed and picked the car up and drove it away. I remember this day as clearly as anything, It was torrential rain and I had 30 miles to drive up the M1. When I was on the M1 I felt for the first time that my car was pulling to the right. It didn't feel good at all. I slowed down and got myself home.  Following day I drove back to Audi and felt the car pulling so I drove slow and avoided the motorway.  When I booked the car in I mentioned the car did not feel right and asked if it could be looked at. When the assistant looked at my notes  she went away to speak to the tyre fitter. They both came back to ask who told me I could drive away the previous day. I told them I was asked to pick the car up and bring it  back today by the person I was dealing with yesterday because they had no tyres in stock, I  asked them why? They obliged by showing me what was wrong with my tyre. See picture.  I was stunned to say the least . I felt they had put my life at grave risk allowing me to drive away with a tyre in such a bad state.

I must say I am one of the lucky ones that I purchased tyre insurance when I purchased my car and I was able to claim for this tyre.

4 months later another speed wobble and I found another  tyre had split and this was also replaced using my insurance. 2 weeks ago another tyre split and again my insurance paid. At this point I did ask Audi what was causing this to happen and they advised I should get the wheel alignment check done @ £200.00.  I decided to go to ATS who carried out the check for free and told me that my set up looked OK and had no explanation to what was causing the tyres to split. Whilst on the ramp I looked at the tyres and found yet another tyre split which was only 5 months and 4000 miles old  - 5 mm tread. No uneven wear.

I therefore felt I had not option but to book my car in with Audi for them to do the £200 checks themselves and then to take things from there using my Audi warranty.

It was then when I came across this forum and found so many of us experiencing the same problem with the Dunlop tyres. So today armed with everything that's gone wrong this past 23 months of ownership I used my appointment to speak with the service team and asked them to take some responsibility. I told them how many more of their customers was experiencing split Dunlop tyres showing them the forum pictures etc, I suggested to them that the Dunlop  tyres were dangerous and not fit for purpose,  I asked them if they would be prepared to replace the split tyre using my last insurance claim and to also  replace the tyre I had replaced only a few weeks ago with Continentals. 

I have to say the 2 people I have dealt with today in Audi have been fantastic. They had a private meeting with who I assume was the service manager who then agreed to replace 2 tyres using my insurance for 1 tyre and the 2nd as a token gesture FOC. They also told me they would send the split tyre off to Dunlop and to also add to that a report stating this has happened to 3 other tyres.

I am  happy about this outcome even though this will still leave 2x Dunlops on my car which I will replace at my cost with Continentals ASAP from an independent and all my insurance claims have now been used up.

When I pick up the car later today  I will ask Audi what they now intend to say to customers who need  new 21" tyres. I'm hoping they will advise they can no longer supply Dunlop Maxx GT's.

 

[Steve Q]

Sorry to hear you've had the same issue Carl, but I'm.glad that the this forum helped in getting the tyres sorted 🙂

its certainly worth other a7 owners showing the Audi dealers the forum as evidence.

cheers

Steve

[FleetOptima]

Hi guys,

New to the forum.  I found it because I was researching issues I've been having with my tyres.  Dunlop Sportmaxx splitting on the internal shoulder.  I recently phoned both Audi and Dunlop about this issue and Audi stated that they new nothing about any tyre issue, whilst Dunlops technical line stated that sidewall/shoulder splits were usually down to underinflation.  It seems that my tyres were slightly under inflated at 32 and not 34 but is this would mean that the tyres are very intolerant.  I bought the tyres from Bathwick and they are returning them on my behalf to Dunlop where apparently they will be examined in Germany and I might be offered a partial refund proportional to the tread left on the tyres.

I have this weekend switched to Continental at massive cost so a refund would be welcome.  Those of you who have changed brands how have you got on?

Cheers

If I get a refund I will update the forum.