DUNLOP MAXX GT Tyres - splitting

[skull duggery]

I had Dunlops Sport Maxx GT on my A7, 275 30 21 from new. when I first replaced the tyres I was informed there there was cuts in the tyre on the inside... to be honest I thought it was due to the machine removing the tyres from the rims that caused this. I replaced the tyres like for like.

18 months later my car was going for its MOT and I get a call from Audi saying that my tyres are in a dangerous condition. I immediately thought foreign objet as I checked the tyres prior to putting my car for its MOT and there was plenty of wear left.. but they sent me a video of the technician checking the tyres out and low and behold it was the inside of the tyres splitting again! i was gob smacked that this has happened to me twice on two different sets of tyres.

I immediately got them replaced with continentals. which were slightly more expensive. I contacted Dunlop about this just to inform them that this has happened to me on two full sets of tyres and was wondering if there is a known issue. but as I never kept the tyres to send them Dunlop dismissed it.

The question I have is.... has anyone else had this issue ? and if any one has the type of tyre have a check of the inside .... better safe than sorry.

Cheers 

C

[Trevor]

Wow, they are pretty severe splits, not just the usual perishing.

Only time I have seen anything like this is on Pirelli's (P4 range if I remember right) and the tread area would completely delaminate from the carcass.

Good luck with your case with Dunlop, who are being foolish if they think they can brush this type of defect under the carpet...especially if they standard fit for Audi

 

[Steve Q]

That's crazy! Never seen anything like that before! As Trevor has said Dunlop can't just dismiss this. Especially as it's on an Audi technicians report. I would imagine it's on the previous report/video as well. Surely Audi are witness to this? 

Plus it might be worth asking the dealer if they are aware of similar issues on other Audi cars running dunlops. 

Cheers

steve

[Magnet]

Hello Chris, Nasty.

Apologies if I'm being a bit thick, but is this second? episode recent, and can I take it the Audi tester has retained the defective tyres this time for Dunlop's attention? 

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[Dan3222]

Only ever seen that on tyres that have gone flat whilst on the car, sat there for quite a while. But they don't look that old?

i don't rate Dunlop tyres at all!!

[Hgracer]

I have the exact same problem splits on the inside wall and have had 2 blowouts in 7 months now, been to Audi with it who said I have just been unlucky twice (both front tyres) but it has just happened again and I'm at the end of my tether with it, I'm just back from my local Audi specialist who have said it's not wheel alignment and never really had an answer for me.

 

i phoned Dunlop to complain last week but was basically fobbed off with an apology.

 

Dont really know where to turn next with it other than selling the car which I don't want to do, love the car but can't keep going on like this with these tyres.

[Magnet]

Hello Henry,

Not only is this experience unacceptable, but it is a downright threat to your, and other road users lives, so you have to do something. 

This needs a Recorded Delivery letter to the Chief Executive Officer at Dunlop UK, requesting his immediate attention and investigation. If you feel you are not up to writing such a letter then just visit your local Citizens Advice office with your photos etc. and ask them to write a letter on your behalf. 

If that does not resolve this ( and I would be surprised if it doesn't) then you need to take this to the media. 

I'm not sure about getting rid of the car because of this problem. Surely it is just a matter of buying tyres from another manufacturer. 

Let us know how you get on Henry.

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[Steve Q]

Well I think k both of you need to come together to show this problem. Dunlop and the media would be more interested in both of your stories. I agree with Gareth on this one. Media wise auto express are always highlighting dealer/component issues in features in every issue. Might be worth you both coming together and talking to them. 

Hope IV helped :) 

Cheers

Steve 

[Hgracer]

Cheers for the feedback guys, very concerning when you have the wife and kids driving around in the car with the potential of a blowout at any time.

 

Dont know if it is just Dunlop or if any other brands continental or Pirelli have similar issues with the side walls splitting.

 

I reported it to Dunlop but was just fobbed off with them saying they had no reported issues and hadn’t heard of this happening before but a simple google search shows loads of people complaining about the same thing.

 

thanks henry

[Steve Q]

I'm getting the impression that it is just Dunlop tyres that are affected. As I say it might be worth you going to auto express 

[Hgracer]

I am sending a strong worded email back to Dunlop just now with the pictures and will see how they reply then I will look at other avenues.

 

I will keep you updated on the reply.

 

Henry

[Steve Q]

22 minutes ago, Hgracer said:

I am sending a strong worded email back to Dunlop just now with the pictures and will see how they reply then I will look at other avenues.

 

I will keep you updated on the reply.

 

Henry

Please do Henry, as this is a key issue for any a7 owner.

Cheers

Steve 

[A7Guy]

Hi,

I have the same problem with the same tyre spec.  Have you had any feedback from Dunlop?  I am getting my tyres replaced tomorrow so can probably keep one back as an example.

[Steve Q]

On 11/28/2017 at 1:59 PM, A7Guy said:

Hi,

I have the same problem with the same tyre spec.  Have you had any feedback from Dunlop?  I am getting my tyres replaced tomorrow so can probably keep one back as an example.

I would definitely keep one back as an example. Your the 3rd person now. I think Dunlop are trying to brush this issue under the carpet. 

[Tripper]

Hi guys,

Any news on existing problems?

Reason I ask is that I just had wheel alignment check and all was good, but having seen your posts I asked the tyre company to check the inside walls.

Held my breathe but it didn't help, small splits starting on 3 of the tyres (maybe the fourth as only half visible). Recommended to change.

Dunlop Maxx GT 275x30x21 OE never changed, 11000 miles, tread half worn.  No other damage visible.

On my way to my Audi dealer to pose the question.  I will keep you posted.

[Hgracer]

Hi

 

I contacted Dunlop again and was told that I would need to return the tyres at my own cost and they would look at them but any payment made to me would be purely a good will gesture on their behalf if any at all.

 

I could tell with how the conversation was going that I wasn’t going to get anywhere with it so decided to just replace all 4 tyres with continentals at a great cost to me but no problems with them yet so despite the cost I now have faith in the car again that I ain’t going to have a blow out every time I go out in it.

 

If you are replacing the tyres don’t go for Dunlop’s again in my opinion as there is obviously an issue here which Dunlop will never admit to.

[Hgracer]

Sorry don’t know why that posted my original post.

 

i replaced all 4 tyres with continentals, a very expensive lesson never to put Dunlop’s on my car again.

 

after a few calls with Dunlop I had to send the tyres back at my own expense for them to inspect and make a decision on but just talking to the guy I knew I wasn’t going to get anywhere with it so just bit the bullet and bought the contis.

[Hgracer]

Just be careful with the split tyres I had 2 blowouts with them thankfully at 30 and 40 mph but could have quite easily been on motorway and had a very different outcome.

[Tripper]

OK so update.

Called at my Audi service centre.

I have a problem, "How can we help?"

Apparently my tyres are splitting on the inside bead and the car is only 18 months old, "Oh dear, and?"

But they are dangerous, "Well you should have them replaced"

Who will pay?  "You will"

Is that normal for tyres to split? "Depends upon the road, weather, driving style, colour of your shirt" (no she didn't actually say that one)

So I'm going to have to replace my tyres every 10,000 miles?  "Yes that's normal"

Really? "Yes, anything else?"

Goodbye.

So it seems I'm going to have to follow your path Hgracer and hope for the best.

Just out of interest, browsed the new cars while waiting, Pirelli, Michelin, not a Dunlop to be seen on any model.  Interesting!

[Steve Q]

On 1/18/2018 at 4:07 PM, Hgracer said:

Sorry don’t know why that posted my original post.

 

i replaced all 4 tyres with continentals, a very expensive lesson never to put Dunlop’s on my car again.

 

after a few calls with Dunlop I had to send the tyres back at my own expense for them to inspect and make a decision on but just talking to the guy I knew I wasn’t going to get anywhere with it so just bit the bullet and bought the contis.

Sorry you've had this Henry. Have Dunlop come back to you with regard to their findings? 

On 1/18/2018 at 4:45 PM, Tripper said:

OK so update.

Called at my Audi service centre.

I have a problem, "How can we help?"

Apparently my tyres are splitting on the inside bead and the car is only 18 months old, "Oh dear, and?"

But they are dangerous, "Well you should have them replaced"

Who will pay?  "You will"

Is that normal for tyres to split? "Depends upon the road, weather, driving style, colour of your shirt" (no she didn't actually say that one)

So I'm going to have to replace my tyres every 10,000 miles?  "Yes that's normal"

Really? "Yes, anything else?"

Goodbye.

So it seems I'm going to have to follow your path Hgracer and hope for the best.

Just out of interest, browsed the new cars while waiting, Pirelli, Michelin, not a Dunlop to be seen on any model.  Interesting!

Good idea Keith. Make sure you take pictures of them before they go to Dunlop. In my opinion they should be giving you and Henry case numbers so that you can follow it up with them. Don't send both tyres to them. Only one so that you have some form of evidence. It would be easy for Dunlop to dispose of the evidence!! 

I think if all of you who are affected do t get anywhere with Dunlop it might be worth contacting trading standards or Ann Robinson's Watchdog. 

Sorry I can't help more.

Cheers

Steve

[mylifesablast]

This sounds very familiar, similar issue I had with Dunlops sportsmax GT I also have pictures for my Audi garage. who were initially non-plussed until I threatened to return the car.

I had taken out the wheel and tyre insurance, you have never heard such a "palaver" I sent in the pictures as requested to them and the so called insurer and that was it,  heard nothing back. I was stranded with a 2 flat front tyres, only having the car for two months and done possibly 500 miles. Off course I had to shell out the better side of 500 for two replacements.

Long story short all my initial payment s to the insurers refunded, the garage eventually refunded me for the tyres.

The only issue I take with the this is they shouldn't have been on the car in the first place, ultimately the tyre garage noticed the years difference in the tyres, two were from 2015, one from 2016 and one 2017(before the car was made??).

Hope you sort this out as there is clearly and issue with these tyres, once a week now check the tyre pressures, don't rely on the DIS it doesn't report. I had no warning of early deflation, the first time I realised the loss of pressure was turning a corner and thinking I was dragging my exhaust on the ground - that was the rim touching the tarmac at 10 mph.

[mylifesablast]

There was a recall notice according to this report.

https://www.tyrepress.com/2016/02/recall-dunlop-sportmaxx-gt-size-25540-zr19-100y-xl/

Be it to say the customer services number no longer works - Goodyear no longer in Wolverhampton

[mylifesablast]

Had an interesting call with Dunlop.

All Dunlop tyres have 5 year manufacturing warranty, they have advised that I go back to the garage were they were purchased from  (in some cases that might be the dealer)

And ask them to complete a dealer return form, these tyres will then be sent to Dunlop and farmed off to Germany for further inspection.

(doesn't help if you no longer have them) but I think it is still worth pointing out to Dunlop what issues have arisen especially if like me you have replaced like for like at the 275/30/21 I have are R01 rated - Audi specified tyres.

Under the sale of goods act the cost and refitting will/should  be refunded.

I am going back to me local tyre fitter and ask them to return the tyres to dunlop, it costs them nothing to do this I have been told 

Details below:

GOODYEAR DUNLOP TYRES UK LTD

ADDRESS:

Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited

2920 Trident Court

Solihull Parkway

Birmingham Business Park

Birmingham

B37 7YN

TELEPHONE:

General information: +44 (0)121 378 7000

EMAIL:

tyre_doctor@dunloptyres.com

[Steve Q]

2 hours ago, mylifesablast said:

Had an interesting call with Dunlop.

All Dunlop tyres have 5 year manufacturing warranty, they have advised that I go back to the garage were they were purchased from  (in some cases that might be the dealer)

And ask them to complete a dealer return form, these tyres will then be sent to Dunlop and farmed off to Germany for further inspection.

(doesn't help if you no longer have them) but I think it is still worth pointing out to Dunlop what issues have arisen especially if like me you have replaced like for like at the 275/30/21 I have are R01 rated - Audi specified tyres.

Under the sale of goods act the cost and refitting will/should  be refunded.

I am going back to me local tyre fitter and ask them to return the tyres to dunlop, it costs them nothing to do this I have been told 

Details below:

GOODYEAR DUNLOP TYRES UK LTD

ADDRESS:

Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK Limited

2920 Trident Court

Solihull Parkway

Birmingham Business Park

Birmingham

B37 7YN

TELEPHONE:

General information: +44 (0)121 378 7000

EMAIL:

tyre_doctor@dunloptyres.com

Sorry to hear you've had the same issues Las, but good work! Think you've helped alot of other members :) 

Cheers

Steve

[Walter]

Hi Guys

Today I found a bad surprise in my Audi A7 the front tyres are totally gone. They are Dunlop Sport GTMaxx. What I need to do? Contact Dunlop? Or my Audi Dealer? In the meantime I ordered 2 Dunlop RtMaxx. Please let me know Thanks Bye