NHTSA Complaint #10270044 — 1995 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL

MY LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING AT APPROX 69 MPH ON I-85. THE TIRE HAD PROPER AIR PRESSURE AND NOTHING WAS RUN OVER TO MAKE A PUNCTURE. I THINK THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE BODY DUE TO POOR ADHESION TO THE STEEL CORD AND THEN THE BODY EXPLODED WITHIN A REVOLUTION OR 2. I BASE THIS ON THE SOUND AND THE FACT THAT BARE TIRE CORD IS SHOWING ON THE CARCASS. MICHELIN REFUSED TO OFFER ANYTHING MORE THAN CREDIT FOR TREADWEAR, WHICH WAS ABOUT 40% (60% LEFT). I ESTIMATE THE TIRE AGE AT 2 TO 3 YEARS, BUT CANNOT FIND A RECEIPT. THE TIRE WAS TOO DAMAGED TO FIND A SERIAL NUMBER. SOME DAMAGE OCCURRED DURING APPROX 0.2 MILE REQUIRED FOR CHANGING LANES AND MOVING OFF THE EXPRESSWAY (RUSH HOUR). THE LEFT FRONT FENDER, WHEEL WELL (PLASTIC), AND WHEEL WERE REPLACED IN ADDITION TO THE TIRE AND AN ALIGNMENT. TOTAL COST ABOUT $1550. THE TIRE WAS A MICHELIN HARMONY 225R60X16. THE CAR ALSO HAD TO BE TOWED, DUE TO A MISSING KEY TO A LUGNUT ON EACH WHEEL. *TR