NHTSA Complaint #10510938 — 2005 FORD F-350 SD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-350 SD EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN TIRES, SIZE: LT245/75/R17 TIRES(N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE HOOD ON THE TRUCK, BEGAN TO VIBRATE IN A VIOLENT MANNER. WITHIN 2-3 SECONDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TOWARD THE RIGHT AND SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY OFF ROAD, THROUGH SAND, BRUSH ROCKS, ACROSS A CULVERT, WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, TO BECOME BURIED DEEP IN THE SAND. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A TIRE CENTER WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE TIRE CENTER REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE TIRE FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,462. UPDATED 6/17/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT REFUNDED THE COST OF THE BLOWN TIRE, STATING IT WAS DEFECTIVE. MICHELIN DISAGREED WITH THE RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS FINDINGS AND STATED THE TIRE WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. MICHELIN STATED THEIR INSPECTION REVEALED A RADIAL BREAK THROUGH THE CASING IN THE CROWN AREA FROM BEAD TO BEAD. A PORTION OF THE TREAD AND BOTH STEEL BELTS WERE DETACHED AND MISSING IN THAT AREA EXPOSING THE RADIAL CASING PILED. MICHELIN, WENT ON TO STATED, THAT INDICATED THE INNER LINER ALLOWING AIR TO INFILTRATE INTO THE CASING. AS THE TIRE REMAINED IN SERVICE, THE AIR INFILTRATION PROGRESSED, ULTIMATELY CAUSING THE TREAD TO DETACH. UPDATED 06/25/13