Table 1 shows three common tire related problems of the 1998 Lincoln Continental.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Tire Blowout problems | |
| Tire problems | |
| Tire Tread/belt problems |
Michelin is aware that old, unsafe michelin tires outside manufacturer's safety guidelines are being placed on vehicles by their authorized tire dealerships yet claims that they are not "legally culpable" and can do nothing about this practice or the resultant deaths and injuries sustained by end users. My situation is as follows: while driving 70 mph my right rear tire blew out almost slamming me into another car and guard rail. Subsequently I learned that the "new" michelin symmetry tires I had purchased at an authorized michelin dealership 2-1/2 years ago were five years old when they were placed on my car according to the d. O. T. Date on them. Moreover the old michelin symmetry tires that were placed on my vehicle were not "h" or "v" rated for safety as Ford/Lincoln manufacturer specifies. I called michelin and talked with multiple individuals including their u. S. Manager of consumer relations. She admitted that michelin is aware that unscrupulous michelin dealerships sell old, outdated tires and tires not properly safety rated for vehicles but claims that there is "absolutely nothing" that michelin can do about this practice. Apparently michelin believes there is an "acceptable" number of consumer deaths and injuries that will occur yearly from faulty, defective michelin tires. Michelin disclaims any responsibility for safety breaches at their dealerships, preferring to meet sales goals and net profit margins, looking the other way and winking at fraud and dangerous practices by their dealerships, and hiding behind "legalities" to shield them from ultimate responsibility. I believe that the rico statute clearly applies to them and should vigorously be pursued. Michelin knows that unsafe practices are constantly occurring, but chooses to do nothing to stop the injuries or the deaths or to sanction or police their dealerships. How many more deaths and injuries will occur if nothing is done?????.
#1-while leaving work the left front coil spring fractured in half punturing (tearing) the tire causing immediate deflation of left front tire affecting steering control and braking. (I had no advance notice -noise or bounce-before failure). #2-failure occured in a parking lot at low speed - thankfully. #3-the left front strut/spring assembly #1f3z*5w311 was replaced as well as the right strut/spring #1f3z*5w310 assembly due to inspection revieled a crack in the right front spring. The left front tire was replaced. This could easily have caused major damage or a fatality at driving speeds. I have old parts for inspection - they remind me how lucky I was in a parking lot at time of failure.
Pe00 020; consumer was traveling 55mph on the highway and heard a noise. She was able to pull over. Two front tires' tread separated from the rims. Michelin tires. There was a technical bulletin for the Lincoln vehicle. Dealership wasn't aware of the this problem.