NHTSA Complaint #753260 — 1995 FORD TAURUS

ON 10.12.2000, WHILE DRIVING ON THE H-1 VIADUCT TO ENTER THE MAIN FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING BEGAN TO PULL STRONGLY TO THE LEFT. I GAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN HEARD A NOISE WHICH SOUND LIKE THERE WAS A BUBBLE IN A TIRE. I PROCEEDED ON TO TRY AND REACH A SERVICE STATION, WHEN WITHIN A HALF MILE OR SO, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON THE VEHICLE BLEW OUT. THE SOUND OF THE BLOWOUT WAS EXTREMELY LOUD AND CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT. THE IMPACT OF THE BLOWOUT WAS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO STUN ME MOMENTARILY. WHEN I GAINED CONTROL, I PROCEDED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I CONTACTED AAA AND NOTED THAT THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLES RIGHT FRONT AND SIDE PANEL. MY ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THIS THROUGH MICHELIN WAS TO NO AVAIL, THEY REFUSE TO ADMIT LIABILITY. I HAVE THE REPORTS SUBMITTED TO THEM, PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE AND THE TIRE ITSELF AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. ALL TIRE "EXPERTS" HERE IN HONOLULU ARE ASTONISHED BY THE DAMAGE TO THE TIRE AND NONE BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A RESULT OF MY RUNNING OVER AN OBJECT. ANY ASSISTANCE YOUR OFFICE COULD PROVIDE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. I CONSIDER THE TIRES UNSAFE AND AM APPALLED THAT MICHELIN WILL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH A SAFETY HAZARD. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND REPLACEMENT TIRES HAS BEEN PROVIDED. THANK YOU AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME (H) 808-836-6826 OR (C)808-754-3070. *AK (TIRESIZE: 205/65R15)