On January 17, 2004, I had costco install 4 new Michelin X-radial dt tires on my Chrysler minivan. On December 29, 2004, I noticed a bulge the size of 1/2 tennis ball in the sidewall of the left rear tire. I immediately had it replaced by costco. On January 28, 2005, I had my Chrysler dealer replace all four tire pressure sensors, replaced at costcos expense, because of damage done to them during the initial tire installation. On February 15, 2005, without a "low pressure" warning, and without striking any road hazard, the left front tire exploded. In the almost 2 miles it took to cross 5 lanes of fast moving traffic, the tire disintegrated into what Michelin calls a "run flat" condition, damaging the wheel valued at just over $600. Of course what was left of the tire exhibited "run flat" conditions but that was only after what possibly was a blow out due to another defect in the sidewall. Michelins response was that there wasn't enough tire left for them to determine the real cause of the failure. Mr. Terry vanchoff, one of Michelin's customer claims managers also said, "with the new government rulings after the Firestone debacle, even though they may have paid my claim in the past due to good customer relations, now, the government treats every paid claim as admitting that there was a defect and counts against them. If this is true, I think it does a disservice to the consumer as well as the company. I for one, a lifelong Michelin tire purchaser, will actively look to other tire manufacturers for my future needs because of poor customer relations regarding my claim. After extensive review of the NHTSA complaint files, I can't believe that so many "coincidences" occurred with Michelin sidewall failures to so many "uninformed" consumers that they were all caused by underinflated tires or damage due to striking a road hazard. In conclusion, please check the following dot #'s for sidewall issues before someone gets hurt: M30dhu8X4303; 3103; 4503 & 3403.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA