DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 CADILLAC ESCALADE HAD A PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE, THE SIZE OF A PENCIL. THE SPEED THAT THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING WAS ABOUT 35 MPH. THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT ON THE TIRE. THE CONTACT HAD A GM REPRESENTATIVE LOOK AT THE TIRE. THE REPRESENTATIVE HAD PLENTY OF EXCUSES FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID NOT GET ANY INFORMATION THAT WAS SATISFACTORY. THE CONTACT WAS A SAFETY ENGINEER AND DEALT IN THE TIRE INDUSTRY. HE KNEW THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. THE TREAD ON THE TIRE RIPPED ALL AROUND AND INTO THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS ON A SMOOTH DIRT ROAD. THE LOCATION WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE.*AK