NEVER Buy These 13 Tires — They’re Secretly Killing Your MPG

Buying new tires does not mean you're taking care of your car. You might think new equals better, but some tires make your engine work 30% harder, silently burning $50 extra every month. Never buy these 13 tires. They kill your fuel economy. By the end, you'll see 3 tires that can actually increase miles per gallon, save gas, and make your car feel faster. Starting with… 13. Prinks High Country and Fortune Tormenta Winter Tires Over half a million tires. That's how many were pulled into a major safety recall. These winter tires were sold as snow-ready, but testing showed they did not meet U.S. snow traction rules. That is a big problem when roads are icy. These tires come from Prinks Changshan and were sold under the Fortune Tires name. On paper, they look like a good deal. Low price. Aggressive tread. Winter rating. But that's not what the drivers and the tests found out. The rubber compound creates high rolling resistance. That means your engine works harder to move the car. More effort equals more fuel burned. Drivers often report worse gas mileage after installing them. Some also notice faster wear. As the tread wears unevenly, friction goes up even more. That kills fuel economy even faster. There is also the safety risk. Poor snow grip means longer stopping distances. That can turn a simple stop into a crash. And believe it or not, the next tire had problems even before it reached customers. It failed stress testing at highway speeds. Which is much worse. Number 12. Wanli Optane Tires This one shocked a lot of drivers. A tire failing a federal high-speed endurance test. Even the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration couldn't ignore this one. In 2026, certain Optane-branded tires made by Wanli, specifically the Optane Ecosendero MT2, were recalled after testing showed sidewall separation during high-speed runs. That means the tire structure can literally come apart while you are driving. At highway speed. Now think about what that does to fuel economy. When a tire has weak construction, it flexes more. More flex means more heat. More heat means more rolling resistance. And more rolling resistance means your engine must work harder. That equals more fuel burned every mile. Budget tires like these are often built with cheaper rubber compounds and inconsistent quality control. Drivers also report higher noise and poor handling at speed. Those problems are not just annoying. They waste energy. And here's the scary part. Many people buy them because they are cheap. But they end up paying more at the pump every week. Over time, the cheap tire becomes expensive. Fuel loss. Faster wear. Safety risks. That is a bad combo. And it doesn't stop there. Another, it was not just one brand. It involved multiple major tire lines and hundreds of thousands of units pulled from the market. Number 11. Galaxy DH241G. This tire got hit with a safety recall. And the reason was scary. Investigators found a manufacturing defect. The rubber inside the tire was not bonded correctly. That means the layers could separate while driving. At highway speed, that can turn into a sudden blowout. Now think about that for a second. A heavy truck tire carrying thousands of pounds. And the tread can peel off. That is not just dangerous. It is deadly. But safety is only part of the problem. This tire is also heavy. The thick casing and deep tread increase rolling resistance. More resistance means your engine works harder. When your engine works harder, fuel economy drops. So you lose money every mile. Drivers also reported uneven wear. Once the tread starts wearing unevenly, fuel economy gets worse again. The tire no longer rolls smoothly. It drags. And when a tire drags, your wallet suffers. The worst part? Many people buy tires like this thinking they are saving money. But cheap tires with defects often cost more long-term through fuel, wear, and replacements. Then there's a premium brand that surprised everyone. A manufacturing error so bad, it forced thousands of tires off the road. Number 10. Continental Terrain Contact and Cross Contact. Imagine buying a brand new tire from a top company. And it comes apart on the road. That's exactly what happened with Continental in 2025. About 7,000 tires were recalled, including Terrain Contact HT, Cross Contact LX25, and Cross Contact RX Contiseal models. Most were in the U.S., coming from their South Carolina plant. The problem? A manufacturing mistake. The rubber didn't have enough sulfur. Sulfur is what makes the tread strong and flexible. Without it, the tread can separate, bulge, or even detach completely. Drivers noticed more vibration and unusual wear on these tires. That extra drag hurts fuel economy. Your engine works harder. You burn more gas. What should have been a smooth ride becomes bumpy and costly. This wasn't a small batch problem. Some tires were even on new cars, like the 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV and Cadillac Optic. That means brand new owners faced safety risks and worse fuel efficiency before they even left the dealership. Continental has had production issues in this line before. In 2016, over 14,000 Cross Contact LX20 tires were recalled due to belt problems. This shows that even premium brands are not immune to quality control failures. And if you thought this recall was surprising, the next tire on our list caused a massive multi-brand recall affecting hundreds of thousands of tires. It was a real shock to drivers everywhere. If you're finding this eye-opening, make sure to like this video, share it with anyone buying tires, and subscribe so you don't miss the rest of these hidden fuel and safety killers. Number 9 Toyo Open Country and Nitto Tires This recall caught even off-road fans by surprise. In 2025, about 37,000 Toyo and Nitto tires were pulled from the market. That is not small. These were popular all-terrain and highway tires. Drivers loved their rugged look and promise of grip in mud, dirt, and snow. But here's the catch. Some of these tires were found to have a tread separation risk just like what happened with Continental. That means the tread can peel away from the tire body. On a trail, you might limp along. But on the highway, that can turn into a sudden blowout. When a tire fails like that, your fuel efficiency is tanked. Your engine does extra work. You lose miles per gallon faster than you think. Plus, aggressive tread patterns that look cool off-road also create higher rolling resistance on pavement. That resistance makes the engine burn more fuel just to keep the car moving. Many drivers reported worse gas mileage after switching to these tires. What makes it worse is that these tires were advertised as all-purpose. People bought them thinking they would be smooth and efficient on the road. Instead, they ended up costing more at the pump and risking safety. So far, we've seen budget and mid-tier tires cause serious trouble. Now it's time to turn the spotlight on three brands everyone trusts, the ones you'd never expect to see on a list like this. Number 8 Goodyear Metro-Miler G652 Goodyear, one of the most famous tire brands in America. Don't get me wrong, the company makes solid tires for millions of drivers. But even the best brands have bad batches, and this tire is one of them. In 2025, Goodyear recalled the Metro-Miler G652 after defects were found in tires produced in late 2024. The problem? Manufacturing errors that could lead to tread separation and uneven wear. On the road, that can turn into sudden vibration, poor handling, and worst of all, a blowout. This is not just a safety problem. Tires that flex or wear unevenly also increase rolling resistance. Your engine works harder, you burn more fuel. Even a premium brand can end up costing you at the pump if the tire has defects. Fleet operators and delivery drivers notice the impact immediately. These tires are designed for long-haul durability, but flawed units can undo efficiency, turning a workhorse tire into a fuel guzzler. And here's the kicker. Even when a big name gets it wrong, drivers often assume their tires are perfect. That assumption can cost you both money and safety. And the tire coming up next? It's from another top-tier brand, and this batch shows that even the most reliable nameplates aren't immune to costly flaws. Number 7. Michelin Agilis Cross Climate The name Michelin alone screams quality. Drivers trust it. But even Michelin had a recall in 2025 that shocked some fleet owners. Around 6,888 Agilis Cross Climate tires were pulled because of identification issues. It sounds small, but the real problem was hidden. Some tires couldn't be properly traced or registered for safety notices. That means drivers might not even know their tires are defective until it's too late. Even more concerning, these commercial-grade tires are heavy. That weight and structure increase rolling resistance. Your engine has to work harder. More work equals more fuel burned. Fleet operators noticed miles per gallon dropping on vehicles using these tires. The tires were meant to last long and perform under tough conditions. But the combination of traceability issues and the naturally higher drag of commercial tires creates a hidden cost. More money spent on fuel, even before safety becomes a concern. It's a reminder that even top-tier brands can have small batches that create big problems. And speaking of big problems, the next tire on our list isn't small at all. A major recall across hundreds of thousands of tires put an American favorite under the microscope for sidewall and tread failures. Number 6 Cooper Discoverer AT3 This is one of the biggest names in tires, competing directly with Michelin and Goodyear for SUVs, light trucks, and 4x4s. A trusted brand for many drivers, but even trusted brands can slip. The Discoverer AT3 proves it. In 2021, Cooper recalled hundreds of thousands of tires, including the Discoverer AT3, due to sidewall separation risks. That means the tire's sidewall could fail while driving. Imagine a sudden wobble or blowout on the highway. Dangerous, yes. And costly. And there's a hidden cost most drivers don't see. All-terrain tires like this have aggressive tread patterns. That looks good off-road. But on pavement, it creates high rolling resistance. Your engine works harder. You burn more fuel. Miles per gallon drops without you even noticing. Drivers also reported uneven wear on recalled units. As the tread wears unevenly, drag increases, making fuel efficiency worse. So what seems like a rugged, durable tire can quietly drain your wallet at the gas pump. And then there's a tire that looks tough and reliable, but under the surface, its design quietly punishes fuel economy. Number 5. Hercules TerraTrac AT2. A familiar name for off-road fans. Tough tires. Affordable. Sounds perfect, right? Not always. The TerraTrac AT2 made it onto a major recall list. It was included in Cooper's 2021 multi-brand recall. Why? Sidewall separation and structural defects. On the road, that could mean sudden vibration, loss of control, or even a blowout. Even when nothing fails catastrophically, these tires can hurt your wallet. The aggressive all-terrain tread creates high rolling resistance. That means your engine works harder. More effort equals more fuel burned. Miles per gallon drops without any warning. Drivers also report uneven wear over time. Once the tread wears inconsistently, the tire drags even more, burning fuel faster and reducing overall efficiency. It's the classic trade-off of off-road tires. Toughness and traction off-road, but a hidden fuel penalty on the street. And when defects exist, that penalty skyrockets. Safety and money both at risk. And here's a twist. The next tire is marketed as a touring tire. Smooth, comfortable, and efficient. But in reality, it has a structural flaw that can make it a silent fuel and safety thief. Cooper CS5 Grand Touring Marketed as a smooth, reliable touring tire. Comfortable ride, good wet and dry grip, and decent fuel efficiency. Sounds perfect, right? But even this trusted model had a serious safety problem. In 2021, Cooper issued a recall under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign, Around 11,957 tires were affected, including some Mastercraft-branded units. The issue? A low tread gauge in the shoulder slot area caused cracks at the base of the slots. Over time, this can lead to tread separation or rapid tire failure. Basically, a sudden blowout on the road. The defect came from a tread extrusion die problem at Cooper's Tupelo, Mississippi plant. Specific tires were produced in late 2020 and early 2021, and you could identify them using DOT codes starting with U9-001CW within the date ranges weeks 29 to 32 and 42 to 44 of 2020, and week 51 of 2020, and week 1 of 2021. Even if your tire doesn't fail immediately, these defects can cause uneven wear, which increases rolling resistance. That means your engine has to work harder and fuel efficiency drops. A tire meant for comfort and efficiency ends up costing more in gas while increasing safety risk. Drivers assumed this touring tire was safe and efficient, only to face hidden problems in specific production batches. And the next tire? It's a budget-friendly performance option that looks appealing, but carries a hidden defect that can quietly wreck your fuel economy while putting you at risk. 3. Achilles ATR Sport II These tires have a reputation for budget-friendly performance. They look sporty, promise grip, and cost less than premium brands. Sounds like a win, but not this one. In 2025, the ATR Sport II was recalled. Nearly 83,000 tires. The reason? The tire identification number was too long, which meant drivers couldn't register their tires for safety updates. That may sound minor, but it violates federal safety standards. Drivers literally couldn't be notified if their tires were dangerous. That's only half the story. Performance tires like this often have stiffer sidewalls and aggressive tread for cornering. On regular roads, that increases rolling resistance. More resistance equals more fuel burned. Your sporty upgrade can quietly lower your miles per gallon without you noticing. Drivers also reported uneven wear and premature tread loss. Cheap performance tires can be expensive over time, both at the pump and in replacements. And this is where things get serious. The next two tires aren't just problematic. They're infamous. If you see these on your car, consider this a red alert. Fuel economy, safety, and your wallet are all at risk like never before. 2. Cooper Evolution HT Among all the Cooper batches, this one is the worst. It promised a comfortable ride, SUV-ready, and affordability, but that's not what it delivered in March 2021. Cooper recalled about 430,000 tires. Yes, you heard it right. 430,000, including the Evolution HT. Why? The tires could develop sidewall bulges or separation, just like the others we've talked about. These were mostly 275-stroke 65R18 tires, made between February 2018 and December 2019. A tire failure at highway speed is no joke. Beyond safety, drivers reported other issues. The Evolution HT can be loud on highways, with humming that grows as speed increases. It struggles on ice and snow because it lacks the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake 3PMSF certification. Some tires wore out as early as 38,000 miles, despite a 60,000-mile warranty. Balancing can be tricky too, hinting at manufacturing inconsistencies. On wet roads, stopping distances are longer than premium alternatives. Heavy SUVs and trucks may notice stability and handling problems, especially under load. Even budget-conscious buyers may find themselves paying for these flaws at the pump and in safety risk. Finally, the worst tire on this list. It's so dangerous that it made national headlines with accidents and recalls. It's widely used in motorhomes, and drivers still don't realize the hidden risks. Number 1. Goodyear G159. Here it is. The tire you never want on your vehicle. The Goodyear G159. Even though Goodyear is one of America's most trusted brands, this tire is infamous for a reason. Back in 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a major recall. Over 173,000 tires were affected. Why? These tires were designed for commercial vehicles, but sold for motorhomes. Drivers reported tread separation at highway speeds, leading to crashes, injuries, and even fatalities. The problem isn't just safety. Once the tread begins to separate or bulge, rolling resistance skyrockets. That means your engine works harder, burning more fuel with every mile. A tire that fails this badly doesn't just risk your life. It drains your wallet at the pump. What made it worse? Many motorhome owners didn't realize these tires were not meant for passenger use. The combination of heavy vehicles, long trips, and high speeds turned a trusted name into a ticking time bomb. This is the ultimate example of why you can't rely on brand name alone. Even a famous tire company can produce a dangerous product. If you're looking for fuel efficiency and safety, this is the tire to avoid at all costs. But as I promised, not all tires are bad. Some tires can actually help you save gas. Here are three of the best tires to buy. Number 3. Michelin Energy Saver EAS This tire was built for efficiency. That is its main job. Drivers often see real miles per gallon gains after switching. The rubber compound is advanced. The tread stays stable. It also lasts a long time. That saves money twice. Less fuel. Less replacement cost. For hybrids and sedans, this is one of the smartest choices you can make. Many experts consider it the gold standard for fuel economy tires. Number 2. Bridgestone Ecopia EP4-22+. This tire is famous for low rolling resistance. Automakers even use it as factory equipment on fuel-efficient cars. It rides smoothly. It is quiet. And the miles-per-gallon improvement is noticeable to many drivers. If you want comfort and fuel savings together, this one delivers. It is especially popular with commuters and hybrid owners. Number 1. Continental TrueContact Tour This tire balances everything. Fuel savings, grip, and long tread life. Some efficiency tires sacrifice traction. This one does not. It also comes with a very long mileage warranty. That makes it one of the best value options in America. But avoid the terrain contact and cross contact batches like I explained earlier. One last thing. Before you buy new tires, you need to check this. Because if this number is wrong, even the best tire on earth won't save your fuel economy. Most people get it wrong every week. I break it down step by step in the next video.