ComplaintsforHercules Tire & Rubber Co., Inc.

• Initial Complaint

  01/10/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  First email to *********************: I own a 2010 Mazda 3 with 177,602 miles. Yesterday, I had the rear two Goodyear tires replaced at a shop in Corpus Christi TX with brand new Ironman 205/55 R16 91V. The car rear end seems unstable now with any change in steering. There is no vibration and car drives straight without issue; however, if there is a variation in steering (i.e. a lane change) the front of the car will change course with the rear slow to respond and then becoming unstable (swaying and then returning to stable after a period). It feels like the rear is swaying like the tires are underinflated or the rubber or sidewalls are not rigid enough. Any steering adjustment made at speeds greater than 65mph is causing the car to become unstable. The only change made to the car prior to this issue was the two replacement Ironman tires. The car feels dangerous. I put 85 miles on these tires, but I need to change these out for something safer. The shop that sold the tires is: Vista's Tire Express 642 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX, United States, Texas (**** ******** *********************** Please contact me with options. I will not accept an accident and/or putting myself, passengers, and others in danger because of cheap tires. Second email to *********************: Iron Man Tires, This is the second email that I am sending to you. The iMove Gen 3 205/55R16 that were mounted on the rear of the Mazada 3 are problematic. They are not quality and the rear of the car is unstable with speeds greater than 65mph. I returned the car to ******* at Vista's Tire Express, 642 S Padre Island Dr, Corpus Christi, TX, United States, Texas, (**** ******** who offered to charge $30/tire to remove with the sale of replacement tires for approximately $150/each. This is unacceptable. He also test drove the vehicle and admitted the car has an issue in the rear. It is unacceptable...

  Business response

  01/11/2024

  We have confirmed that Vista's Tire Express is willing to return the tires for a refund and communicated this to the customer on 1/9/24. 

• Initial Complaint

  11/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased 4 new tires from tire choice 3/16/23. On 11/6/23 I had a blow out tire on the highway by the tire I made it to the shoulder the tire was shredded. I contacted tire choice who said they only warranty mileage and this doesn’t fall into that category. Hercules website states warranty of 60 months limited protection policy covering defects in workmanship and material and replacement up to 2 years or 50% of tredlife or 40,000 miles. This tire did not make any of those milestones.

  Business response

  11/07/2023

  We contacted the customer by phone on 11/7 to obtain more information about the situation. After a brief conversation, our request is for the customer to provide the original proof of purchase for the product and if the physical tire cannot be returned to the original dealer so they may send it in for evaluation (understand if the condition falls within the protection policy guidelines), provide some clear pictures showing the failed tire.
  

  Customer response

  11/10/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:i have sent the original receipt of the tire. The actual tire cannot be returned to merchant due to shredding on the highway down to the rim. I have sent a picture down to rim along with tow receipt 
  Sincerely,
  
  *** *******

  Business response

  11/10/2023

  We are sorry for any confusion, please upload the requested information to the complaint page. 
  Thanks

  Customer response

  11/13/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: see attachments
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** *******

  Business response

  11/15/2023

  Our recommendation is to review the attached Ironman Limited Protection Policy for complete details and exclusions. This information is also available by visiting our website *****************************, go to: Support > Protection Policy. 
  
  There are many reasons why tires can fail, some due to manufacture defect in workmanship & material however, a majority can be traced to service conditions caused by heat. When a tire is traveling down the road, the sidewalls are flexing which ultimately creates heat. If the air pressure inside the tire is enough to carry the load of the vehicle and its contents, then the heat created by the flexing sidewalls is minimal and does not damage the tire. However, when the air pressure inside the tire is not enough to carry the load, the sidewalls flex to a much higher degree, which creates additional heat.

  If the heat is allowed to build up over a long enough time, the bonds between the plies and rubber components in the sidewalls start to break down. Eventually the stress becomes too great and the tire experiences what most people call a “blow out.” While traveling, even if the tire is properly maintained and inflated it can still be susceptible to road hazards such as potholes, curbs or surface debris. At highway speeds a small puncture can cause a rapid loss of air giving the driver minimal warning before tire failure.
  
  Our desire is to provide fair and honest consideration for Protection Policy claims. However, without the benefit of the tire for examination, it is impossible to determine the cause of failure, and in turn, the extent of coverage, if any.

  In the interest of the customers continued satisfaction and as a matter of goodwill only, we will honor a onetime concession for the retail cost + tax of the tire in the amount of $131.70 as shown on the original invoice.

  Customer response

  11/15/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I have only had the tires for 7 months before the tire fell apart on the highway causing me to have to merge to shoulder. When it was safe enough to exit the car to see what happened to the tire, it was completely missing and down to the rim. I have a feature in my car that alerts me of low tire pressure, the tire pressure gage was not on. I find it convenient this company does not warranty their product for even a year and instead blame any and all possibilities for their failure. I would not use this product again or recommend it, it is a danger to its consumers. It is also convenient that they require the consumer to gather the remaining tire from the highway to send back to company for inspection, I’m sure they have gotten away with this many times.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** *******

• Initial Complaint

  09/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I have bought 4 brand new Hercules brand tires on walmart.com in October 2021. They were Hercules Terra Trac Cross-V 285/45R22 114 H for my 2015 Cadillac Escalade. They were delivered quick and I had them installed by my mechaninc-professional tire shop that is one of few shops that have and did road balancing on tires with special road balance machine. Total for tires was $766 and balancing was $305. Less than 5 months and not even 5,000 miles there was vibration. Tires were rebalanced and one tire was found to have small bubble on the side wall. I contacted walmart but they said warranty is thru manufacturer. I contacted Hercules tires and forgot about problem until another tire developed bubble which i seen from outside car about 2 months later. Tire tech at shop said that all these 4 tires are strangely bad. they were made in 33 week of 2020 as shown by code 3320 on tires but they are already dry rotted in march 2022 and probably that is why side walls are developing bubbles. I received tires from walmart that were new but 14months old. Also several other buyers complained about this online and at better business website. I replaced two tires that had bubbles by different brand and other two tires are still on the car with severe dry rotting and cracking in them. They were on the car not even 5 months when problems started to develop. I did not drive on flat tire, did not hit curb or nails, just drove on nice florida roads. I need to get refund for these 4 tires because 2 tires were replaced after like 7 months and two are on the car now are dry rotted and cracking as of september 2022. You can see pictures and bubble in the side wall and cracked thread.

  Business response

  10/05/2023

  Hercules Tire and Rubber Co. has contacted the customer and satisfied the request. 
  
  

  Customer response

  10/10/2023

  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ******

• Initial Complaint

  02/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased a set of 4 tires from Love Tires In Peterborough On Canada. Upon paying bill with cheque ,Love tires handed my a rebate card to mail for a $50.00 rebate from the manufacturer, in the form of a prepaid credit card. The manufacturer is Hercules Tires. I mailed the rebate on Nov 12 2022. Hercules sent back a email stating they needed more information. I scanned the check that Loves Tires cashed at the Royal Bank, and invoice of purchase on Nov.08 2022. I was emailed back from Hercules that the dealer was to call them to verify purchase. I went back to the dealer and watched him call and verify purchase. My claim number is ****. I called Hercules tires on Feb 03 23 and I was told i will be getting a email that my claim was approved in the next 2 days. I have received nothing to date. I called today Feb 10 23 and no answer. Hercules # * *** *** ****

  Business response

  02/20/2023

  We have reviewed the documentation submitted by the customer and have verified what was submitted is sufficient to receive the rebate.  We apologize for the delay in processing and the customer should receive an email with instructions on claiming the $50 rebate electronically or by mail.

• Initial Complaint

  01/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  1. I gave my rebate form and receipt for the 4 Hercules tires, then waited 2 months for the $70 visa card. 2. I called and asked why I had not received the rebate and was told it was incomplete and they needed a number. 3. I went to crossroads tire and asked for the number, he said he didn't know what they were talking about and that he had had another complaint. 4. I called Hercules Rebates and told them this. They told me to email a copy of the cancelled check and receipt. I did this on a Wednesday as they said the deadline was Friday. I called after a week and was told by Nars my file was incomplete. I told him about the email, and he said I would have to call customer service. I called customer service and they said they didn't have anything to do with Hercules Rebates. I called Nars back and he said he would have to train customer service; customer service would call him back and then he would call me back. I still haven't heard from Nars and it's been a week.

  Business response

  01/09/2023

  Hercules Tires offered a rebate with the purchase of four eligible tires.  The customer submitted the attached documentation but did not originally include proof of payment per the rebate qualifications to avoid delay.  We have since approved the rebate for this consumer and they should expect to receive an email from notification@prepaiddigitalsolutions.com with the subject line  Your Hercules Tires Reward Has Arrived!.  This email will allow the consumer to choose a digital prepaid Mastercard or a physical card be mailed to their address. 

  Customer response

  01/17/2023

  [BBB Transcription via Phone]
  Better Business Bureau:
  

  I want a physical card mailed to my mailing address.
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *** *********

• Initial Complaint

  10/05/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am a hotshot owner/operator. I bought 2 new 14 ply Hercules trailer tires for $500 from ******* tire recently. The first one blew the sidewall out after 300 miles running unloaded. The second one blew out the sidewall after about 3 weeks of running loaded and unloaded. I’ll never buy another Hercules tire. Neither should anyone else. They’re way over-priced and they are junk. Though they had over a month to inspect the tire, they never even looked at it. They told me it was underinflated. Admittedly I didn’t check the tire pressure as I relied on the “professionals” at ******** to properly inflate them. I’m certainly not convinced the tires were underinflared. I don’t know how Hercules can claim underinflation without even inspecting the tire. Worst tires on the market. The only thing worse than Hercules’s products is it’s customer service and it’s utter refusal and failure to stand by its products.

  Business response

  10/20/2022

  As per the original communication with the customer on 9/28 that included pictures and a description of the condition, the examination results revealed that the tire failed due to being run flat. This condition is unrelated to any material, design or manufacturing issue in the tire. Because the tire failed for reasons outside of our control, the claim was denied.
  
  However, in the interest of the customers continued satisfaction and as a matter of customer goodwill only, we’ve collaborated with ******** Tire (***** Township store) to offer a onetime credit for the tire. Please reach out to **** at ******** Tire for further instructions. 

• Initial Complaint

  10/03/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased the set of tires 2022. 225/70R19.5 Strong Guard H-DO Less than 6,000 miles. I had one tire effecting the steering with a vibrating. So the tire shop rotated the tires and I was towing my fifth wheel and the vibration was a lot worse. It was hard to handle at 60 mph. The tire shop replaced the tire and told me they could not warrant the tire. The tire had a broken tread and it was very obvious by the the tread was bulging. I purchased the tires for heavy and good ride. My PU is a 450 Ford. I just think there’s big problems with just hauling my fifth wheel trailer. You can contact me anytime if you would like to. Thanks for your help and let me know what you and the company think. I love the tires but I think they’re would be a better warranty than what the tire shop told me.

  Business response

  10/06/2022

  Hi *******, it was a pleasure to speak with you about your tire concern and am glad we were able to help. We hope you continue to enjoy your Hercules tires! 

• Initial Complaint

  02/02/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  Purchased a set of 4 Ironman iMove Gen 2 A/S tires for my car via TireBuyer, after reading a few good reviews and seeing that they indicated my brand/model of tire came with a 2 yr warranty for defect/road hazard. The tires were bought on 10/17/21 and installed 10/20/21. Fast forward 3.5 months and less than 1k miles later, and I'm outside washing my car when I notice a bubble in the sidewall on the passenger rear side tire. I don't think too much of it since I recalled the warranty on this particular brand. I make calls to both TireBuyer and Iroman/Hercules rubber and give them all my info pertaining to the issue. I get the tire removed, fork out $120 to have a new tire mounted and balanced, and send out my tire to TB with the requested documentation. I'm thinking "What a relief," a painless process for the most part outside of waiting room inconvenience at my local shop. Well now I'm being told that TireBuyer and/or Hercules Rubber has obtained my tire, inspected it and deemed it a fault of my own and since I purchased a "40 series" tire, my iMove Gen 2 A/S tire isn't covered. What's a 40 series tire? Good question. It's apparently referring to the aspect ratio measurement. So since my tire is a 225/40/18 tire, it's not covered, and in fact none of the tires I purchased are covered. Clever huh? From the image attached, you can't infer that the 40 series is based on the AR measurement, so I assumed it was another model. Would be real curious to see the truck tires they apparently do cover then. So after telling people my tire size repeatedly at both TB and Hercules/Ironman, they never once mentioned this, and now I'm stuck with 4 tires that could develop sidewall bubbles, and leave me high and dry at any time and out for a new tire. They mentioned my bubble developed due to a pothole or road debris, but neither of which I've driven over. Since they're the judge and jury on claims, the consumer is ***. BE WARNED, I strongly advise avoiding this brand/tire!

  Business response

  01/01/1900

  Business Response /* (1000, 6, 2022/02/11) */ We appreciate the opportunity to respond and have contacted the consumer. There are many reasons why a tire can develop a bubble in the sidewall and the consumer was advised to have the tire sent in for inspection so that a final determination could be made as to what caused the condition. Upon inspection it was identified that the cause of the condition was related to impact break/road hazard and not because of any workmanship or material defect. Additionally, it was explained to the consumer that an impact break/road hazard has nothing to do with the performance or durability of the product. This condition is caused by high-impact damage such as hitting a pothole or piece of road debris, running into a curb, driving too fast over speed bumps/railroad crossings, overloading the tire or even driving for a short distance, with a flat tire. The impact that the tire experiences from hitting the foreign object pinches the tire against the rim, damaging the inner liner, forcing air to leak into the body of the tire and causes a bubble to form. In the interest of the consumers continued satisfaction and as a matter of goodwill only, we have issued a onetime credit for the tire. Consumer Response /* (2000, 8, 2022/02/16) */ (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.) While I appreciate the explanation and the "one time goodwill" extension from the company, I am still put off by their lack of transparency regarding their posted warranties. If you're going to state a model of tire is to come with a warranty, with the exception of certain sizes, you better be sure to note that specifically somewhere in the documentation, otherwise it looks incredibly unprofessional and a classic bait & switch tactic by a company lacking in integrity. I appreciate the actions taken, but the right thing was only done after involving the BBB. It should never have to get this far, but I am pleased that potential customers will have a little heads up regarding these products and their offerings after having made this post. With that said, Hercules/Ironman did refund the cost of the tire to me but only the original purchase cost from tirebuyer which was $40 less than what I paid to have a shop expedite removal and replacement of said tire. (EX: I paid $120 for the tire to be replaced after noticing damage, Ironman refunded me $86.) Thank you for your time, and please elect to exercise better business practices in the future. This was my first experience with Hercules/Ironman and I guarantee it will definitely be my last.

  Business response

  02/11/2022

  We appreciate the opportunity to respond and have contacted the consumer. There are many reasons why a tire can develop a bubble in the sidewall and the consumer was advised to have the tire sent in for inspection so that a final determination could be made as to what caused the condition. Upon inspection it was identified that the cause of the condition was related to impact break/road hazard and not because of any workmanship or material defect.
  
  Additionally, it was explained to the consumer that an impact break/road hazard has nothing to do with the performance or durability of the product. This condition is caused by high-impact damage such as hitting a pothole or piece of road debris, running into a curb, driving too fast over speed bumps/railroad crossings, overloading the tire or even driving for a short distance, with a flat tire. The impact that the tire experiences from hitting the foreign object pinches the tire against the rim, damaging the inner liner, forcing air to leak into the body of the tire and causes a bubble to form.
  
  In the interest of the consumers continued satisfaction and as a matter of goodwill only, we have issued a onetime credit for the tire.
  

  Customer response

  02/16/2022

  (The consumer indicated he/she ACCEPTED the response from the business.)
  While I appreciate the explanation and the "one time goodwill" extension from the company, I am still put off by their lack of transparency regarding their posted warranties. If you're going to state a model of tire is to come with a warranty, with the exception of certain sizes, you better be sure to note that specifically somewhere in the documentation, otherwise it looks incredibly unprofessional and a classic bait & switch tactic by a company lacking in integrity. I appreciate the actions taken, but the right thing was only done after involving the BBB. It should never have to get this far, but I am pleased that potential customers will have a little heads up regarding these products and their offerings after having made this post.
  
  With that said, Hercules/Ironman did refund the cost of the tire to me but only the original purchase cost from tirebuyer which was $40 less than what I paid to have a shop expedite removal and replacement of said tire. (EX: I paid $120 for the tire to be replaced after noticing damage, Ironman refunded me $86.)
  
  Thank you for your time, and please elect to exercise better business practices in the future. This was my first experience with Hercules/Ironman and I guarantee it will definitely be my last.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩