Leaving williamsburg va on I64 for newport news 6-21-2010 at 4:30 pm the right rear tire explosively failed. The car was stopped and brought to the shoulder. Before this the traction control light would come on at times. The pavement was dry, the temperature was 80-99F. The blow out looked to be caused by the rim spinning in the tire and the ply stock delaminating from the bead, then the side wall split. There was several ounces of ground rubber in the tire when removed from the rim. The tires had the pressure checked the week before when the right front tire developed a slow leak and was replaced. The tires were returned to the purchase location and replaced due to road hazards. The tires were purchased in January. The tires are michlien Pilot sport A/S plus, 225/50zr16 92Y dir BSW. The car is a Mercedes SL500 1995. I have photographs of the damaged tire. Retailer kept tire to be reimbursed.

- Newport News, VA, USA

I have noticed there are many complaints about Michelin tires.(mxv4) I would like to state that I also had problems with that tire. I had two unexplained blowouts on the highway, and a year later a "bubble" on the sidewall of another tire. My experience as an ex-aircraft mechanic (16 years), allowed me to know these tires are unsafe and I replaced them all. I felt really foolish that I didn't immediately take action after the blowouts because there was no visible cause either time. As I reflect back, both blowouts were on a hot summer day and the poorly constructed tire couldn't take the heat.

- Marion, IN, USA