Is Bulging Tires Covered by Warranty?
2 Answers
Typically, new car tires come with a one-year warranty period. If bulging or other issues occur within the warranty period and are confirmed by national authoritative departments to be caused by the tire's inherent manufacturing defects, the manufacturer will provide compensation or replacement according to the Three Guarantees Law. However, if the issue is due to the owner's own reasons, it will not be covered under the warranty. The Three Guarantees regulations for tires are as follows: 1. If quality issues are discovered before actual use after purchasing the tire, a new tire can be exchanged. For appearance quality issues, both parties can negotiate a solution. 2. If quality issues are found during use, the compensation standard is calculated based on the remaining tread depth: (1) If the remaining tread depth is more than 70%, a new tire will be replaced free of charge. (2) If the remaining tread depth is 60%-69%, a new tire will be replaced at 30% of the factory price. (3) If the remaining tread depth is 50%-59%, a new tire will be replaced at 40% of the factory price. (4) If the remaining tread depth is 40%-49%, a new tire will be replaced at 50% of the factory price. (5) If the remaining tread depth is 30%-39%, a new tire will be replaced at 75% of the factory price.
A few days ago, I encountered a tire bulge issue and specifically went to the 4S store to inquire about warranty coverage. The after-sales guy flipped through the warranty manual and explained to me that tire bulges on regular family cars are generally not covered by warranty, as manufacturers typically attribute them to external impacts, such as hitting potholes at high speeds or scraping against curbs. He pointed to the sidewall of my tire and said there were clear impact marks, indicating it was a driving issue. Unless I could prove it was due to a manufacturing defect in the tire itself, like flaws in the cord ply, warranty claims would be unlikely. However, he mentioned that some brands might offer special treatment if the issue occurs within 30 days of purchasing a new car. Now, I carefully avoid potholes when driving—replacing that tire cost me over 800 yuan, which really stung.
