Tires are far more than thick, donut-shaped pieces of rubber inflated with air. They require complex designs and faultless manufacturing to perform properly. They are the only part of a vehicle that touches the road, and they play a part in traction, maneuverability, comfort, and safety. When tire manufacturers cut corners or make mistakes, people on the road pay the ultimate price. Faulty tires may result from unsafe designs, defects during manufacturing, low-quality materials, inadequate pre-market testing, and poor quality control.