July 1, 2007: Michelin tire failure: P255/65 R16 Michelin ltx M/S. after 22K miles on the tires, while driving on the highway at 65mph, suddenly the rear passenger side tire tread completely separated from the sidewall, resulting in a blowout. The 2001 Pathfinder le 4X4, didn't flip over. I was able to control the vehicle and pullover on the side. The entire tire tread separated intact, around the tailpipe brackets and rear mudflap. The tread is undamaged: No nail or screws or any other road hazard or damages. The aaa sent a truck who changed the tire. His comment was: "in over 22 years of doing tire and mechanical work, he never saw anything like this". I returned the tire to costco. The tire center manager was very cooperative, where they ordered a new tire without question.damages to the Pathfinder were estimated at $900 due to the need to replace the tailpipe/muffler assembly and the mudflap was destroyed. Costco manager said that the claim for damages would need to be made directly to Michelin. I did that. It is a miracle that the vehicle didn't flip over !!!. Michelin required that the tire be returned to costco, have them call Michelin to give a report of the situation. Michelin rep said that they would offer perhaps a 50% discount on the purchase of new replacement tire but nothing else. I want Michelin to pay for the damages sustained !!. I was required to send the tire to Michelin (they eventually paid for the shipping) to be examined. The results of their investigation was a letter response that this was caused by "driver error" - by running the tire in a run-flat condition. A run -flat condition "??? they sent a brochure printout explaining how that occurs. Air escapes, runs low and the tire eventually blows out. There was no air escape nor is there any road hazard damage to the tread. How did the air escape to run flat ??" Michelin did not pay any damages.

- Rye Brook, NY, USA