- #1 of 26
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Tire fell off on 2004 Lincoln Aviator-could have been horrible
by elyseg
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Jun 28, 2008 (3:44 am)
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I recently purchased a 2004 Lin Aviator from Car Max (2 months). It just came off of a 3 year lease with only 20,000 miles. Car is in great shape and I fell in love with it. I was driving on 95 Fri afternoon, 60-70mph when my car started vibrating. I slowed down to 40 and was still vibrating. I called Carmax from the car and they asked a couple of questions (light on displaying tire problem, any noises..none). I told him something is not right and I made the next avail appt for Monday  8:30. Car Max Service is not open over the weekend. I made it home and my husband took it out, less than one mile from the house. He did a u-turn and the tire went flying off the car and he smashed down hard into the ground with sparkes everywhere, trying to avoid being hit. He slid across the road and got to the medium, luckily unharmed. I have front car damage big time. All the lug bolts in that tire were all broken when my husband retrieved the tire. When I heard all this all I can think of is how my life and my childrens' life were all at stake on 95 and the turnpike just hours before. I would like to know if anyone had this happen or a similar situation. I did not purchase a exteneded warranty from Carmax and hoping the lincoln will help us being the car is still under the 50,000 mile manuf. warranty. We could be dead right now and still can't beleive this happened. Look forward to any response.
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- #2 of 26
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Correction - Tire fell off of Lincoln AVIATOR
by elyseg
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Jun 28, 2008 (3:48 am)
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The message from elyseg should have stated Lincoln Aviator!
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- #3 of 26
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Re: Tire fell off on 2004 Lincoln Aviator-could have been horrible [elyseg]
by akirby
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Jun 29, 2008 (7:06 am)
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Replying to: elyseg (Jun 28, 2008 3:44 am)
You need to find out who put that tire on. They didn't tighten the lug nuts properly.
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- #4 of 26
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Re: Tire fell off on 2004 Lincoln Aviator-could have been horrible [akirby]
by jeyhoe
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Jun 29, 2008 (7:54 am)
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Replying to: akirby (Jun 29, 2008 7:06 am)
And it wasn't the tire that fell off - it was the WHEEL. Like previously said, the lug nuts were not tightened, came loose and off came the wheel. At least that is the most likely scenario.
Good luck.
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- #5 of 26
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Re: Tire fell off on 2004 Lincoln Aviator-could have been horrible [akirby]
by elyseg
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Jun 29, 2008 (7:55 am)
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Replying to: akirby (Jun 29, 2008 7:06 am)
Akirby...we had the car brought back to Carmax and they are looking at tomorrow. I would think Carmax is responsible since I have their signed "authenticity" that the car was checked and safe for driving. I'm hoping they comply since I purchased the vehicle just over 2 months ago. They give 1-month for return or defects unless I bought an extended warranty (I didn't). In this case I would think they should honor it. 5 more minutes on 95 with my 9 year old son in the care, we probably would have been killed. It was a u-turn that had the tire fall off, minutes after leaving 95. My concern now is the damage that occured from the impact to the axel and now this vehicle (I think) is considered to be in an accident??? It's a shame that it happened. I really liked the vehicle! Thanks for the info.
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- #6 of 26
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Re: Tire fell off on 2004 Lincoln Aviator-could have been horrible [elyseg]
by akirby
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Jun 29, 2008 (10:09 am)
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Replying to: elyseg (Jun 29, 2008 7:55 am)
But if you look at it from their standpoint - how do they know that someone else didn't take off the wheel and forgot to tighten the lugnuts? If it happened within minutes or even a few days of taking delivery then it's a no-brainer, but 2 months is a long time.
Hopefully they'll cover it for you, but I don't think it's a slam dunk case.
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- #7 of 26
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Re: Tire fell off on 2004 Lincoln Aviator-could have been horrible [akirby]
by elyseg
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Jun 30, 2008 (9:18 am)
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Replying to: akirby (Jun 29, 2008 10:09 am)
Akirby...well you are right. It is not a slam dunk case. I just got the call. I was asked if anyone tried to steal the tire???? My car is always parked in front of my office window and I live in a safe neighborhood so I'd be surprised by that. I told the mechanic that when I first had the car the steering wheel shimmied or vibrated slightly when I turned the wheel left. It stopped doing it so I never thought about it again and now wondering if there is something more than the wheel that is the issue. Carmax said that steering wheel vibrating wouldn't be relevant to the wheel falling off?? Anyway, I now need to get the insurance company adjuster involved and see if they agree to do a major over-hall on the car to determine it was just the wheel. The car has traveled 2700 miles since the Carmax changed the tires. Is there anyway that a wheel can hang on that long if the lug nuts are the issue of not being put in correctly?
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- #8 of 26
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Re: Tire fell off on 2004 Lincoln Aviator-could have been horrible [elyseg]
by akirby
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Jun 30, 2008 (9:30 am)
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Replying to: elyseg (Jun 30, 2008 9:18 am)
2700 miles is a long time for a lugnut to loosen, but I guess it's possible. It's also possible the wheel wasn't centered properly or the studs were defective. All you can do is have the damaged wheel and lug nuts checked (and check the other wheels as well). Sounds like insurance will have to cover it. Good luck.
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- #9 of 26
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Re: Tire fell off on 2004 Lincoln Aviator-could have been horrible [akirby]
by elyseg
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Jun 30, 2008 (10:44 am)
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Replying to: akirby (Jun 30, 2008 9:30 am)
Thanks again for the info..I'll let you know the outcome. Also, if someone tried to steal the tire I don't think they would have put the casing back on and that's what we're finding now too. Again, I'll keep you posted.
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- #10 of 26
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Re: Tire fell off on 2004 Lincoln Aviator-could have been horrible [elyseg]
by jeyhoe
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Jun 30, 2008 (2:04 pm)
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Replying to: elyseg (Jun 30, 2008 10:44 am)
Casing? What are u talking about?
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