Last Updated on June 19, 2023 by Henry T. Hawkins
If you’re in the market for a new set of tires, it’s important to do your research and find the best brand for you. There are many different brands on the market, and not all of them are created equal.
Some brands are known for their poor quality and durability, so it’s important to avoid them if you want to get the most out of your investment.
This blog post will discuss some of the worst tire brands to avoid when shopping for new tires. These brands have a history of poor quality and customer service, so you’ll want to steer clear!
How can you discover the worst tire brand?
The simplest way to prevent obtaining a poor tire brand is to get one that an impartial third party has thoroughly examined.
Another way is to read online reviews. Customers will often leave honest reviews of their experiences with various brands, so this can be a helpful way to narrow down your options.
Another way to identify the worst tire brands is to look at warranty information. Brands that offer shorter warranties or no warranties at all are often not confident in the quality of their products.
Don’t worry, we’ve put the different tire brands to the test and sorted them from cheapest to most expensive.
Here are some tips for locating a low-quality tire brand.
Poor quality inspection:
Tire manufacturers should always hire an expert to examine the tires. If it isn’t done correctly, you won’t know how strong a tire is.
A brand that doesn’t subject its tires to quality control inspections is likely not confident in the durability of its product.
It means that if you’re buying from that brand, you’re taking a risk.
Customer service:
If a tire brand has poor customer service, it’s likely because they know they make a defective product.
They don’t want to deal with complaints and returns, making it difficult for customers to get in touch with them.
If you can’t get ahold of a company easily, it’s probably because they’re trying to avoid you.
Warranty:
The best tire brands offer comprehensive warranties that cover defects and accidental damage.
Brands that don’t offer a warranty or only offer a limited warranty are likely not confident in the quality of their product.
Inferior rubber compound:
The rubber compound is what gives a tire its strength and durability. If a tire brand uses an inferior rubber compound, they’re likely trying to cut costs. This results in a tire that is more likely to fail and is less safe.
Tires with low quality will be thin and have easily fractured sidewalls. Because of the amount of thickness and durability, you’ll be able to tell the difference between low- and high-quality tires.
Bad tread pattern:
The tread pattern is important for gripping the road and providing traction. If a tire brand has a poor tread pattern, they’re likely trying to save money. This results in a tire that is more likely to slip and is less safe.
Misfire or poor performance:
If a tire brand has a high misfire rate or poor performance, it’s likely because they’re using inferior materials. This results in a tire that is more likely to fail and is less safe.
When driving, misfired or poorly functioning tires emit a lot of noise.
Incomplete information:
If a tire brand doesn’t provide complete information about their product, it’s likely because they’re trying to hide something. This could be anything from the materials used to the manufacturing process.
Examine all the packing and labels for any information regarding the tire. The tire brand should include a transparent statement concerning the tires and their year of manufacture.
Similarly, you can determine the production date on the tire to see whether it was manufactured in a recent period.
Also read: Is it better to get tires from Costco or discount tires
10 Most-Avoidable Tire Brands: A List of the Worst Tire Brands to Avoid
When it comes to tires, most people only think about the price. What they don’t realize is that you get what you pay for. Cheap tires are usually made with inferior materials and construction, which means they don’t last as long and are more likely to fail.
This can be a serious safety hazard, so it’s important to be aware of the worst tire brands to avoid.
Here are the ten most-avoidable tire brands:
| Sl No | Brand | Reason To Avoid | Rating |
| 1 | Firestone Destination Tires | Not safe compared to other branded tires | 2 |
| 3 | Falken Ziex | Cheap rubber compound | 2.5 |
| 3 | Low-End General Tires | Low-grade replicas are widely available | 2 |
| 4 | Carlisle Tires | Poor tread pattern | 3 |
| 5 | Westlake Tires | Sidewalls are very weak | 2.5 |
| 6 | Goodyear G159 | Burst into flames | 1 |
| 7 | AKS Tires | Poor grip and rapidly wear out | 3 |
| 8 | GeoStar Tires | Not comfortable when driving | 2 |
| 9 | Chaoyang Tires | Too soft | 2.5 |
| 10 | Autogreen Tires | Uneven tread patterns | 3 |
Also read: Does walmart do free tire rotation
Firestone Destination Tires:
The Firestone Corporation is a well-known tire maker based in the United States. However, its customers were dissatisfied with the quality of its Destination tires.
The Firestone Destination tires are so soft that even minor bumps cause them to bend rapidly. These tires are made with a cheap rubber compound that is more likely to fail. They also have a poor tread pattern that doesn’t provide good traction.
They don’t even have the most basic safety measures, making them more prone to bursting.
Falken Ziex Tires:
Falken Ziex tires are made by the Japanese company Falken Tire. They’re known for making affordable tires. The tire quality of this company is poor, and they have a high rate of the misfire.
The Falken Ziex tires are also made with a cheap rubber compound that is more likely to have a short lifespan. Customers have also complained about their poor performance in both wet and dry conditions.
So, if you’re looking for a reliable tire, Falken Ziex is not the brand for you.
Low-End General Tires:
General tires are a subsidiary of the Continental AG group. The company is based in Germany and has been around for over a hundred years.
The name General tires might surprise you since it appears in the list of worst tire brands. It is unquestionably one of the most well-known manufacturers in the business. Many professional racers used General tires in NASCAR and Formula 1 races.
However, replica General tires are available on the market, identical to genuine ones. These low-end tires may be the most dangerous tires to use because they are produced with lower-quality materials.
They don’t last very long and are too noisy on the road. Always choose genuine General tires instead of a low-cost bad alternative.
Carlisle Tires:
Carlisle tires are produced by the Carlisle Company, which is based in the United States. The company has been around since 1917 and started out as a manufacturer of horse-drawn carriages.
Now, they produce a wide range of tires for both commercial and industrial vehicles. Unfortunately, their tires are not up to par with other brands.
They have a high rate of misfire, and their rubber compound is known to be cheap and of poor quality. The tread patterns on their tires are also not very good. In extreme weather, the Carlisle Paddles Radial trailer tires are vulnerable and eventually explode.
Westlake Tires:
Westlake tires are made in China, and they’re one of the most inexpensive brands on the market. The company has been around since 2002, and it’s known for making budget-friendly tires.
Unfortunately, the quality of their tires is not very good. The rubber compound is cheap and prone to failure. The tread patterns are also not very effective, especially in wet weather.
In addition, the sidewalls of Westlake tires are very weak and prone to punctures.
So, if you’re looking for a high-quality tire, Westlake is not the brand for you.
Goodyear – G159:
The name “Goodyear” is well-known in the United States as a tire brand. They produce high-quality, dependable tires.
The Goodyear G159 is a commercial truck tire that was recalled in 2003. The recall was issued because the tires were known to burst into flames while the truck was being driven.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted an investigation and found that the Goodyear G159 had a design flaw. The flaw caused the tire to overheat and eventually catch fire.
As a result, Goodyear was ordered to recall all of the G159 tires. However, Goodyear had discontinued the production of G159 more than a decade ago. . Although these tires are still available on the market, they are primarily acquired in the used form at a very reasonable cost.
You must stay away from this faulty model to avoid getting into any trouble.
AKS Tires:
AKS Tires is a Chinese company that was founded in 2002. The company produces both passenger and commercial tires. It is one of the most deadly tires ever produced. They are not only inexpensive in terms of money but also in terms of performance.
The AKS tires have a poor grip and rapidly wear out on dry and wet surfaces. They are also known to explode without any prior warning.
In addition, the company has been known to use recycled rubber in their tires. This makes the tires even more dangerous because they are susceptible to blowouts.
GeoStar Tires:
GeoStar produces tires in China at a substantially reduced price. It’s known for all-weather and all-season tires.
However, these tires provide little driving pleasure and don’t grip well on ice or wet streets. It also has a poor steering response. When driving on snow, the car tends to drift.
The GeoStar all-season tires are not worth the money because they don’t perform well in any type of weather.
Chaoyang Tires:
It is one of China’s top rubber manufacturers. The brand is highly regarded in Asia and the United States, among other places. These tires, on the other hand, are too noisy and wear out quickly.
Even though they don’t have a decent grip, the sidewalls are known to be weak. In extreme weather conditions, they are known to explode without any warning.
These tires are too soft, even your nails can puncture them. You’re better off avoiding this brand altogether.
Autogreen Tires:
Autogreen tires are made in Beijing, China, and they’re one of the most inexpensive and worst tire brands on the market. These tires are not long-lasting, hardly offer any grip, and are known to be very noisy.
They have uneven tread patterns, which make them even more dangerous. In addition, vibrations are common when driving on Autogreen tires.
It’s best to avoid this brand altogether and choose a tire that will offer you more value for your money.
Is it necessary to buy branded tires?
When it comes to buying tires, the brand is very important. This is due to the fact that the brand reflects the quality of the product. The ones with a good reputation on the market are your best bets.
The branded tires usually last longer and provide better grip and handling. They also have a lower chance of getting punctures. So, yes, it is necessary to buy branded tires.
Before purchasing a tire brand, you should first check to see whether they’ve been tested. Many tire brands have been put through rigorous testing by tire testing firms. You’ll be able to avoid receiving an unreliable tire brand if you use this advice.
Also read: How Long Should a New Set of Tires Last
What tires should you buy instead?
Now that you know which tire brands are the worst in the market. Now, you might want to know the best options to buy. We usually suggest purchasing tires from well-known manufacturers based in the United States or Japan since these countries make most of the world’s tires.
Here is a list of some of the best tire brands that you can buy instead:
- Yokohama
- Bridgestone
- Pirelli
- Nokian
- Michelin
- BF Goodrich
- Cooper
- Nokian
- Toyo
- Continental
- Goodyear
Also read: What is the safe speed to drive your car
Is it safe to use a Chinese tire brand?
It really depends on the brand in question. China has grown tremendously in the tire sector globally in the last two decades. Some Chinese tire brands are quite good, while others are not so great.
Many Chinese tire companies, on the other hand, are creating the worst tires and selling them to customers without API authorization. They also make exact copies of costly original tire designs with low-quality materials.
The driving force behind these Chinese companies is profit. As a result, they do not adhere to any manufacturing quality standards.
The Chinese tire brands have several flaws, including excessive noise, poor traction between the tire and road, rapid tread wear, too soft tires, shorter lifespan, lack of basic safety functions, and so forth.
Some well-known Chinese tire brands are Goodyear and Firestone. These companies have been in the industry for many years and have a good reputation compared to other Chinese brands.
But we suggest that instead of spending money on low-quality Chinese tires, you should invest in long-lasting and reliable tire brands. It’s important to pick a brand with care because it affects your car’s safety as well as the safety of your family.
It is probably best to research a specific brand before making a purchase. That way, you can be sure that you are getting a quality product.
Also read: Car smells like burning rubber after driving
FAQs
Wrapping up:
Thanks for reading the complete guide on how to identify the worst tire brand. We hope you have found this guide helpful and informative. To sum up, we just want to mention that the worst tire brand is the one that does not adhere to any manufacturing quality standards and only focuses on profit.
We suggest avoiding these brands and instead investing in a quality tire brand that will last longer and provide a safer ride. As always, be sure to consult your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for specific recommendations on tire pressure and other maintenance tips.
Happy driving!
