MICHELIN ALL SEASON TIRES Complaints

I PURCHASED A SET OF 4 MICHELIN DEFENDER XT TIRES FOR MY 2011 PRIUS II FROM COSTCO ON 11/29/2013. THE TIRES ARE MARKETED BY MICHELIN AS LLR (LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE) TIRES. HOWEVER UPON INSTALLING THEM AND OPERATING THE VEHICLE FOR NEARLY 1000 MILES, I FOUND THE MPG TO BE NEARLY 10 MPG. LESS THAN THE OEM TIRES THAT THESE REPLACED. THE ROLLING RESISTANCE OF THESE TIRES ARE HIGH. VEHICLE ALMOST FEELS LIKE BEING DRIVEN OVER SAND. AS SOON AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE DECELERATES RAPIDLY, MUCH FASTER THAN THE OEM TIRES. I CHECKED THE TIRE PRESSURE, ALIGNMENT, AND WHEEL BEARINGS, ALL ARE WITHIN SPECS. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE HYSTERESIS LOSSES IN THIS TIRE MATERIAL ARE FAIRLY HIGH. THIS TIRE SHOULD NOT BE SOLD AS A LOW ROLLING RESISTANCE TIRE. IT IS BEING FALSELY ADVERTISED AS HAVING THIS CAPABILITY TO INCREASE SALES. THE MPG DIFFERENCE WAS MEASURED BY CALCULATING THE TRUE MILES FROM MY GPS UNIT AND DIVIDING THE RESULT BY THE GALLONS TO FULL AT THE SAME PUMP. THIS WAS DONE THREE TIMES TO ACCURATELY ACCESS THE TRUE MPG DIFFERENCE. NO OTHER FACTORS ON THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHANGED. ONLY CHANGE HAS BEEN REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD FUSION EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN 96HM PLUS TIRES, SIZE: SP235/50/R17 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE TIRE AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF BOTH THE TIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS 1,800. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ON 11/20/12, I DROVE MY 2005 ACURA RSX TO ACURA OF MANHATTAN (AOM) IN NY, NY. THE SERVICE INCLUDED 4 NEW TIRES -- MICHELIN 215/45/17. ON 12/01/12, AFTER 40-50 MILES WITH NEW TIRES, THE VEHICLE STARTS VIBRATING. I STOP AND NOTICE A BLOWN-OUT FRONT RIGHT TIRE. EMERGENCY ROAD ASSISTANCE PUTS ON THE SPARE TIRE, NOTICES THE OTHER 3 TIRES ARE UNDER-INFLATED AND ADDS AIR. I RETURN TO AOM ON 12/03/12, MENTIONING THE VIBRATIONS, BLOWN-OUT TIRE, AND 3 UNDER-INFLATED TIRES. AOM GUARANTEES THAT ALL REMAINING TIRES ARE IN GOOD CONDITION AND REPLACES THE BLOWN-OUT TIRE. ON 12/14/12, ON A DIVIDED PARKWAY THE CAR AGAIN STARTS VIBRATING. I SLOW DOWN TO STOP, BUT THE REAR OF THE CAR YANKS TO THE RIGHT, THE CAR SPINS WILDLY, I SMASH HEAD-ON INTO THE MEDIAN DIVIDER, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY, THE CAR SPINS AROUND, THE REAR HITS THE MEDIAN, I COME TO A STANDSTILL. NO OTHER CAR IS INVOLVED. I AM UNHURT. I LEAVE THE CAR; I NOTICE ONE REAR TIRE OFF THE RIM AND THE OTHER ONE FLAT. THE POLICE WRITE UP AN ACCIDENT REPORT. THE CAR IS TOWED TO A GARAGE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY RAPIDLY DETERMINES IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME EVER THAT A CAR OF MINE VIBRATED -- NOT ONCE BUT TWICE IN TWO WEEKS. THE FIRST TIME, ONE TIRE BLEW OUT; THE SECOND TIME, BOTH REAR TIRES WERE EITHER OFF THE RIM OR FLAT. AND THIS IMMEDIATELY AFTER AOM HAD REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES. I SENT A CERTIFIED MAIL LETTER TO [XXX], PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF AOM, ASKING FOR AN EXPLANATION. I GOT 3 NON-EXPLANATORY E-MAILS FROM A [XXX]; NONE ADDRESSED THE QUESTIONS RAISED IN MY LETTER. I REPORT THIS TO NHTSA TO PREVENT FURTHER ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SERVICE BY AOM. WERE THE TIRES DEFECTIVE? DID THE LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR PROVIDE OLD TIRES WITH REDUCED ELASTICITY? DID THE TIRES PROPERLY FIT MY CAR'S RIMS? DID AOM CORRECTLY INSTALL, CALIBRATE AND BALANCE THE TIRES? AS OF THIS WRITING, NO RESPONSE HAS BEEN GIVEN BY AOM WHICH IS AVOIDING THE ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I OWN A 2010 FORD FUSION AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL GOING DOWN TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES ARE SOFT, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECK TO SEE IF I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS OR WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. I WAS REFERRED TO THE DEALER FOR POSSIBLE FACTORY WARRANTY BRAKE CONDITION, STATING IT HAS TSB ON BRAKE BOOSTER SWITCH, BRAKE PEDAL LEVEL SWITCH PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES AND THEY STATE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES, BUT WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES ARE NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS GOING DOWN TO THE FLOOR WHEN BRAKING IS NOT A NORMAL OPERATION, DRIVING THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE A SPONGE AND I FEAR ONE DAY THIS CAR IS NOT GOING TO STOP, AND I HAVE EXPLAINED THIS TO THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE MANAGER IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WELL MY FEAR ALMOST CAME TO LIGHT WHEN I HAD TO FLOOR THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THEIR IS NO RECALL ON THE BRAKES AND THERE IS NO SERVICE COMPLAINT FROM FORD. THE ONLY ACTION TAKEN BY THE DEALERSHIP WAS TO BLEED THE BRAKES, WHICH DID NOTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT I FEEL I HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL I CAN GET ANOTHER VEHICLE, BECAUSE I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR

LEFT REAR TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT THE SIDEWALLS , LEAVING 2 RUBBER RINGS AT EACH SIDE OF THE RIM, 3 INCH WIDE. CAR WAS GOING 65 MPH WITH NO LOAD, EXCEPT DRIVER. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS OR VISIBLE CRACKING. AIR PRESSURE WAS CHECKED BEFORE TRIP AND FOUND IN COMPLIANCE WITH CAR SPEC. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD FUSION EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN HYDRO-EDGE TIRES, SIZE 215/60/R16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS APXN4XX0110. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDEWALLS OF ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWIATING A REPLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS 17,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 35,100. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 7/23/12 *CN MICHELIN REFUSED TO ADJUST THE DEFECTIVE TIRES UNDER WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIAL WARRANTY. THEY REFERRED TO DEFECT AS COSMETIC CRACKING

MICHELIN HYDRO EDGE DOT B9ODHAEX RADIAL XSE 215/65 R16 98T SOLD BY SEARS, INSTALLED BY SEARS, LIKE NEW TIRE EXPLODED NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THEY SAY IT WAS EITHER OF TWO REASONS A NAIL OR TIRE SENSOR WAS LOOSE. THERE WAS NO NAIL IN TIRE. I CALLED THEM ON IT AND TOOK PICTURES SO THEY ARE NOW BLAMING THE SENSOR. THEY CAN'T KEEP THEIR STORY STRAIGHT. THEY INSTALLED THE TIRES AND THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT REPLACEMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRE AND EXPECT ME TO PAY 130.00 TO REPLACE IT. THEY SAY I MUST HAVE REFUSED 60.00 CHARGE FOR SENSOR ADJUSTMENT EVEN THOUGH WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THEM I HAD THE VEHICLE ALIGNED AND BOUGHT TOP OF THE LINE TIRES. WHY WOULD I REFUSE A 60.00 CHARGE TO ADJUST SENSORS IF BY NOT DOING SO COULD MAKE THE TIRES EXPLODE? I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG. THESE TIRES WERE EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED BECAUSE I AM A BOUNTY HUNTER AND TRAVEL ACROSS THE COUNTRY CAPTURING FUGITIVES. I CHECK THE AIR ON MY TIRES IN DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS AND IN DIFFERENT ALTITUDES. MY TIRES ARE MY LEGS, I EXPLAINED THIS TO THEM. THE LAST THING I NEED IS TO BE STRANDED IN THE AZ DESERT WITH A FLAT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VAN FOR TWO DAYS UNABLE TO WORK BECAUSE SEARS, NORTHRIDGE, CA IS TRYING TO DECIDE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. IT'S NOT ME. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW WHY SEARS DOES NOT THINK IT'S THEIR JOB TO EXPLAIN TO PEOPLE THAT NOT HAVING THE SENSORS ADJUSTED CAN CAUSE DEATH OR INJURY. THEIR EXCUSE WAS ONLY THAT THEY COULDN'T FORCE PEOPLE TO BUY THE 60.00 SERVICE WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY THEY DON'T TELL PEOPLE. I ALSO ASKED THEM HOW MANY PEOPLE DO THEY THINK KNOW THAT NOT ADJUSTING THE TIRE SENSORS CAN CAUSE THEM TO EXPLODE THEY REPLIED VERY FEW. THEY KNOW IT'S DANGEROUS BUT THEY DON'T CARE? SOMETHING IS EXTREMELY WRONG HERE. I COULDN'T FIND ANY INFO ON THE RECEIPT ABOUT THE SENSOR ADJUSTMENT BUT I ALSO COULDN'T FIND WHAT KIND OF TIRE I BOUGHT ON THE RECEIPT EITHER. I HAD TO CHECK ON THE VEHICLE. *JS

IN 2007, BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SERVICE TECHNICIANS AND OTHER OWNERS OF MY CAR'S MODEL, I PURCHASED NEW MICHELIN HYDROEDGE TIRES. UPON RECENT INSPECTION AND ROTATION AT A SERVICE CENTER, IT WAS NOTED THAT ALL FOUR OF MY TIRES WERE DRY-ROTTING AT THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE TREADS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT "MICHELINS DO THAT." THE TIRES ARE 4 1/2 YEARS OLD, HAVE BEEN DRIVEN 23,000 MILES WITH VERY LITTLE TREAD WEAR (9/32" LEFT) AND ARE NOT HOUSED INSIDE A GARAGE WHERE OZONE COULD AFFECT THEM. I DRIVE 10 MILES ROUND TRIP EACH WORK DAY. I ALSO DO NOT LIVE IN AN URBAN AREA. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF DRY ROT LEADING TO BLOWOUTS, OFTEN WITH RELATED ACCIDENTS. IN MANY INSTANCES MICHELIN DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND SITED EVERYTHING FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REACTIONS TO POTHOLE AND CURB HITS BY DRIVERS SOMETIMES DENYING A CLAIM BEFORE RECEIVING THE CUSTOMER'S DOCUMENTATION. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS TO IGNORE ANYMORE. JUST BECAUSE MANY OF US HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE TIRES CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DOESN'T MEAN THIS IS NOT SERIOUS. HOW MANY OCCURRENCES DOES THE NHTSA NEED BEFORE IT ACTS PROACTIVELY TO END THIS SAFETY RISK? I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT SPEAKS FOR CONSUMERS WHO FILED PREVIOUSLY, OTHERS WHO HAVE NOT FILED AND FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE AT RISK. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL A HIGH-PROFILE FIERY CRASH BRINGS LIGHT TO THIS ISSUE (AS SEEMS TOO OFTEN TO BE THE CASE IN OUR SOCIETY.) MICHELIN HAS HAD A FEW MAJOR TIRE RECALLS, ONE JUST RECENTLY, SO THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO INVESTIGATE THE DRY ROT COMPLAINTS. INVESTIGATE NOW SO WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM THE NHTSA, AN ENTITY THAT IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU. *JS

MICHELIN MX4 ALL SEASON AV 1018 06-55667-0 215/65R16 TIRE TREAD SEPARATION ON HIGHWAY IN FL. *TR

MY LEASED CAR FROM VARSITY LINCOLN MERCURY IS SIX WEEKS OLD, MKZ 2011. PART OF THE PRICE NEGOTIATION WAS THAT THE TIRES WOULD BE INCLUDED IF THEY FAILED. TIRES ARE NOT USUALLY INCLUDED BUT MY SALESPERSON KEPT STRONG-ARMING ME TO "INSURE THE TIRES" AND THIS WAS A RED FLAG SO I KEPT REFUSING AND SUGGESTED I WOULD GO ELSEWHERE. ON FRIDAY, DEC. 10,2011, I CAME OUT FROM THE GROCERY AND MY TIRE WAS FLAT. I CALLED MY SALESPERSON WHO LAUGHED AND SAID I WAS UNLUCKY. SHE GAVE ME A NUMBER TO CALL FOR ROAD REPAIR. WITHIN 40 MINUTES HE ARRIVED AND HAD MY SPARE ON. HE SAID NO NAIL, AND IT COULD BE REPAIRED..FOR SURE. BUT, THE NEXT MORNING AT THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TIRE AND IF IT WAS HIM, HE WOULD INSURE THE TIRES. $338.45 LATER I LEFT!! WAS IT BECAUSE I AM AN ELDERLY WOMAN? WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR PROMISES?? I CALLED MY SALESPERSON WHO SAID REMINDED ME THAT I WAS PAYING 200 DOLLARS LESS ON MY LEASE MONTHLY WITH THEM THAN WITH MY ACURA.? SHE ALSO SAID THAT THE SHE CHECKED AND THE TIRE WAS SLASHED!!!!!! NO WAY!!!! MY SALESPERSON SAID THE 338.45 INCLUDED NINETY DOLLARS FOR INSURANCE ON THE TIRES . THE SALESPERSON ALSO REMINDED ME THAT FROM CONSTRUCTION THERE WAS DEBRIS ON THE ROAD. HER TIRE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM THE WEEK BEFORE. I THOUGHT TIRES WWW MADE FOR REASONABLE WEAR ON ROADS. *TR