NHTSA Complaint #10193423 — 2003 FORD EXPLORER

MY MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRE BLEW OUT AT THE SIDEWALL. IT WAS A CLEAR SUNNY DAY, 30 MPH, ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY. I CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURE REGULARLY SO I KNOW THE TIRE WAS PROPERLY INFLATED. I CONTACTED MICHELIN AND THEY REFERRED ME TO MELODY LAKES TIRE AND AUTO. MY WIFE CALLED AND THE RECEPTIONIST TOLD HER IT WOULDN'T DO ANY GOOD TO COME IN BUT SHE COULD. THE RECEPTIONIST TOLD MY WIFE THE PROBLEM WAS "HEAT INFRACTION?" AND IT WAS NOT COVERED. IT IS INCREDIBLE TO ME A RECEPTIONIST, OVER THE PHONE, CAN DIAGNOSE TIRE PROBLEMS. MICHELIN, NOR THE DEALER HAD ANY INTENTIONS TO DETERMINE WHY A BLOWOUT OCCURRED, LET ALONE TRY TO FIX IT. I WILL FORWARD THIS COMPLAINT TO THE NHTSA AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM. I HAVE 4 MORE OF THOSE DEFECTIVE TIRES WHICH I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THEY WILL BLOW!! UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB