Bob of Oxford MS (12/20/08) As I was traveling west on I-40 just West of Memphis I felt a vibration from the left front. Very quickly realizing I had a catastrophic tire failure I drifted to a slow enough speed to pull off onto the shoulder. Three cheers for the Lexus LS430s stability. When I looked at the tire I was shocked at how totally destroyed it was. It had a major major sidewall failure led to the separation of the inner and outer sidewall for about half the circumference of the tire. I have pictures of it to show how bad it was. I mentioned my concerns about the tire being defective to the Sears store in Little Rock. They said it looked like road debris had hit the tire and caused the damage. It was not road debris! The tire simply blew up. After seeing the tales about Michelin tires having sidewall proble. I am horrified to think that the replacement Michelin tire I bought may put me at risk of another failure like this.
interstate, drove about 100 miles to Little Rock on the spare. Bought a new tire at a Sears Auto Store for 150. No damage that I know of. Glad to learn that I can still change a flat.
Keith of Norwich, CT December 17, 2008
Keith of Norwich CT (12/17/08) I have a 2008 Cadillac with 10K miles on it. Had to have the front right tire replaced at about 3,000 miles due to sidewall wear-dealership claimed my wife must have rubbed a curb. Today the 200 replacement blew out on me. Front right, only 7,000 miles and I have been only driver. I was driving at a whopping 40 mph and hit nothing, it just blew a hole in the sidewall. Tread is brand new as expected, but with a hole in the sidewall, can't do a whole lot with these garbage tires! Thankfully I wasn't on the highway and folks allowed me to pull over gracefully.
Huge inconvenience, not to mention cost for first replacement. Now due to safety concerns (I can't even count the number of sidewall complaints I've seen) I will have to get four alternate tires. Thanks for endangering lives Michelin, that's swell of you!
Brian of Glen Rock, PA December 4, 2008
Brian of Glen Rock PA (12/04/08) I bought a new Toyota Tundra approx. 1 year ago, which was equipped with Michelin Tires. With approx. 26,000 miles on the tire, I experienced a blowout from the passenger side rear tire for no apparent reason.The side wall was torn to shreds.
I put the spare on while pulled to the side of the road, at 4:00 in the morning.I called the Toyota dealer, and was told there was no warranty obligations on there behalf, that I should go through a Michelin dealer. The damaged tire was taken to Mr. Tire, where they claimed they could not handle the warranty aspects, but offered me a replacement for full price of 327.00. I proceeded to take it to National tire, where they offered a replacement at 280.00, with the understanding that upon inspection if they determined it was a defect, they would contact Michelin.
Now riding on a spare, I noticed the tire warning light on the dash, and now I have a noise and vibration from the front drivers side tire. The same noise I heard just prior to the last blowout. I will be going back to pick up my spare, hopefully I will get there without another blowout. Now I will have to stop and take the time to have them inspect the remaining 3 tires. Needless to say, I am compelled to get all 4 tires changed out ASAP, and get away from the Michelin tires altogether.
Bruce of Fort Lauderdale, FL November 11, 2008
Bruce of Fort Lauderdale FL (11/11/08) I have two 185/70-14 tires that have plenty of tread, little dry rot. Despite the above one blew out on me in the side wall area and the other is out of round. Michelin refused to offer any satisfaction because the tires were made in 1988. I had another 80s Michelin tire blow and Michelin offered some compensation but only because the fender was damaged when the tire fell apart. For this reason I now refuse to buy Michelin or Firestone tires.
Loss of use
James of Yakima, WA November 11, 2008
James of Yakima WA (11/11/08) I bought a 2001 Ford Focus with Michline piolet tires. I can't keep the air in the tires and after reading all the complaints I am going back to toyo tires. Have never had trouble with them.
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