On 03/06/2024, at approximately 2038 hours, I, Zachary Yost, was operating a Chevy Malibu I rented from Avis to drive for Uber on Sorensen Parkway heading east, west of N 43rd Avenue. At this time, the passenger front tire suddenly and unexpectedly failed and rapidly deflated. This incident sent the vehicle into the right curb as I struggled to keep the vehicle under control. There were no objects in the road, I did not hit anything on the road or shoulder, the tire was undamaged when I inspected it at 1810 hours while fueling the vehicle, and the vehicle did not contact the curb until after the tire failed. I pulled the vehicle over at N 43rd Avenue and Sorensen Parkway. I observed a hole in the sidewall of the tire approximately the size of a nickel. The tire's bead was still set to the wheel. I changed the flat and replaced it with the spare in the trunk. I then proceeded to the Avis Location on South 20th and dropped off the car. On 03/07/2024 I contacted a representative at the South 20th Avis Location by phone. She proceeded to tell me that I would be liable for the replacement of the tire and the resulting damage to the wheel. I explained to her that I did not feel that was correct as I had done nothing to cause the failure of the tire. The tire was in good repair when I checked it at the gas station, I did not hit anything to cause the tire to fail, the tire failed going down the road unexpectedly, there was and obvious hole in the sidewall of the tire, and the tire's bead was secured to the rim (indicating the tire failed prior to hitting the curb). Given the facts, I am shocked the Avis representative suggested I be held liable for an obviously faulty tire. I am thankful I did not have a passenger in the vehicle at the time and I myself was not hurt. In closing I feel Avis, their service contractor, or the manufacturer of the tire be held responsible for replacing the tire and the resulting damage to the wheel.
I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
The Avis representative contacted me Friday and asked me if I'd like to check out a car this morning. I said yes and reported to the Avis location at 0900. I was told by the Avis representative she would not honor my reservation due to the BBB complaint. read more