20" Inch Nitto Grappler A/T tire separations--NOW FOUR!!!!

[SwampNut]

EDIT: Go to this post to see my new update, now FOUR of them have failed the same way: https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...-tire-separations-now-four.61765/post-1065118

I've got a bit over 20k miles on a set of five, and am about to have my third separation replaced. Discount Tire, of course, makes this easy and pretty inexpensive ($88 to renew the tire coverage plan). But it makes me wonder WTF is going on here. Four of them were from one batch/week, and the other from a very different date code. I had one go bad around a year ago, the other two happened in the last two months. I thought one COULD be related to a recent emergency braking event and minor collision, but no way to know. They are the 116 load range which is less than stock, but well over the weight of the truck even if fully loaded, and the most I've done is tow 3500 pounds.

I do wonder about the amount of power. But...then that would mean that hard braking would cause the same problem, right?

Heat is always a factor here in AZ. These tires lived through record heat for a record long time here.

Other than the annoyance, I guess the bright side is I'm getting new $350 tires...

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[jrmbadger]

I'd consider reporting this to the NHTSA. Sounds like Nitto needs to investigate this. NHTSA

 

[jon91581]

Which Nitto Grappler AT tire are your running?

I've been running the Recon Grapplers in stock 275/65/20 size (Load SL/116T) for the past couple of years and have put almost 50k miles on them without issue (we only got about 23k miles out of the factory Pirelli ATs).

Although it's not as hot as AZ, I'm in Texas, and we drive a lot of highway miles at "70+ mph," which puts plenty of heat into the tires.

Could be a potential run of faulty tires?As previously mentioned, it wouldn't hurt to file with NHTSA and/or send email to Nitto.

Good luck with the replacements! We're considering the Terra Grappler G3 for the next set, but reality suggests that the Hankook Ions are probably the more practical choice.

 

[SwampNut]

Which Nitto Grappler AT tire are your running?

I've been running the Recon Grapplers in stock 275/65/20 size (Load SL/116T)

Same.

I no longer have the DOT numbers to give NHTSA. I suppose if I have another one….

 

[SwampNut]

FOUR!!!!

HAHAHAHA, FOUR TIRE SEPARATIONS!!!!

At this point I have PTSD and was in denial when I felt the first tiny hint of a wobble and pull. Then I went through the other stages of grief, fear, and loathing. Anger--WHY ME? Bargaining--maybe if I drive cool, it will fix itself. Maybe I'm just imagining it. I guess I accept it, but going back to anger for a DOT/tire warranty complaint/pissup/something. I think at this point I want to insist on a refund for the extended warranty replacements, and that the manufacturer pick up all costs. Is that unreasonable? I haven't done anything terrible to these tires. Some off-road, but mostly sand not rocks. Light towing, under 3500. Not that many launches.

There's also a super interesting thing about the Rivian suspension. A left tire with an inside separation pulls right. The angle of the suspension arms is such that the inside of the tire is on the right side of the pivot. Normally a separation pulls to the side of the separation. This led to much more confusion, since it wasn't the right tire that was separated in the last three cases. These have assymetrical sidewalls so there is an "in and out" and this implies they have a specific defect area. OTOH the first separation was right front outside tread, and also pulled right as expected.

 

[SwampNut]

Where to start?

Discount Tire: They are always so helpful, but so far, have just vaguely said there might be something strange. Ya think? They charge $88 for new certs to replace them. Shouldn't this be tire warranty. Wait, @Discount Tire is a user here...

Tire manufacturer: Do they even talk to consumers?

DOT: Is there any government left these days? How slow would they be?

 

[forestwalker]

Where to start?

Discount Tire: They are always so helpful, but so far, have just vaguely said there might be something strange. Ya think? They charge $88 for new certs to replace them. Shouldn't this be tire warranty. Wait, @Discount Tire is a user here...

Tire manufacturer: Do they even talk to consumers?

DOT: Is there any government left these days? How slow would they be?

From my understanding, as a long-time, frequent customer of Discount Tire, the issue you're experiencing WOULD be covered under the manufacturer warranty.

BUT

If you opted for the certificates (I never do) they want to sell you the new one when the tire is exchanged. I believe you can opt out of new ones, if you are ok without that added coverage they provide.

I have never had a tire failure with a tire from them, that wasnt covered with the standard manufacturers warranty, so I always skip the certificates now.

 

[SwampNut]

I have never had a tire failure with a tire from them, that wasnt covered with the standard manufacturers warranty, so I always skip the certificates now.

I've had more than the certs cost me. (Not counting these issues.) But really now that I think about it, I'm a bit unhappy that they charged me for what I *think* should have been warranty (free).

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