TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OVER A POTHOLE THE TIRE EXPLODED. THE TIRE WAS A CONTINENTAL CONTIPRO CONTACT SIZE 245/40R18.93V. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DEVELOPED A BLISTER AND THE RIM WAS NO LONGER ALIGNED. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE LED TO A FATALITY DUE TO THE POOR DESIGN. THE WHEEL RIM ON THE TIRES WAS 18 INCHES AND THE TIRE WAS TWO TO THREE INCHES OFF THE GROUND. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL TIRE AND RIMS THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DAMAGED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE REPAIRED THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE DEFECT; YET, THEY WERE UNABLE TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THEY WOULD GIVE HIM A FREE TIRE WHICH HE DID NOT RECEIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.