My wife, janelle, and I have a 2003 Volvo S60 which we purchased new in April, 2003, and which had four original equipment Michelin tires (mxv-4, I believe). We use it for normal highway and Suburban travel in the boston area. When the car had gone only 8000 miles, one of the left tires gave out on us. The side wall of the tire unraveled, and the tire could not be repaired. No specific cause could be determined. Fortunately, this happened in a quiet cape cod town and we were not in any danger (but I was out about $150). We had no further problems until September 13, when the right front tire gave out from the side in the same manner as the previous tire on route 128 in wakefield, MA (at 23000 miles), while I was traveling more than 60 miles an hour in heavy traffic. We were lucky not to have been killed or injured. Again, the tire was ruined. Again, it cost me over $150 for a replacement tire. Both tire dealers who sold us replacement Michelin matching tires advised us that perhaps the problem had to do with the "low profile" of the Volvo S60 and bumping into curbs. Yet the first tire which unraveled was on the left side of the vehicle and the second tire which unraveled had absolutely no contact with a curb for about 100 miles prior to the incident. I do not believe that this should have happened. I believe that the original tires were defective, and we are now afraid to drive the car at all, even though we are planning long trips in the next few weeks. I want the remaining tires replaced by Michelin asap, and I want to be reimbursed for the $300 I have already spent on the first 2 replacement tires. Have there been other complaints" what should I do? could you contact Michelin for me" Volvo refuses to do anything. My office phone number is 781/431-9788, and my home phone number is 781/641-0668. My cell phone no. Is 617/645-4345. Thank you in advance for your prompt assistance.

- Arlington, MA, USA

The grief from this car literally began on the way home from the show room, as the seat belts were not functioning. They required four visits to the service department to correct the problem. The issue of the tires being unsafe became apparent when the car was two weeks old, with under 1000 miles on the odometer front & rear bumpers separate from vehicle, with little or no provocation. Tires self destruct at speeds of 2-4 mph (while parking), if a curb is touched. I'm informed that tires have weak sidewalls & to replace tires (at my expense). Air conditioning required three visits to repair shop & is still not getting the car as cold as it should in hot weather. I should add that I'm also informed that replacement tires will diminish the handling of the car.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

I recently leased a Volvo S60 with pirelli P6 235/45R17 tires. The vehicle has 2900 miles on it and I have had to replace three (3) of the tires. I am told it is due to road conditions, such as potholes, etc. There is no damage to any of my rims; therefore, I obviously did not hit anything that hard. I have been getting the run around from both Volvo and pirelli with regard to this issue. Volvo tells me that it is pirelli's responsibility and the customer service representative I spoke to at pirelli told me that Volvo is trying to avoid their responsibility. He also informed me that he was processing four (4) claims that day from Volvo for tire damage. I feel there is a problem with these tires and I am driving at risk to my children and myself. I have put out over $500 for tires in the last month and I am very nervous about continuing to operate my vehicle on these tires. I would appreciate anything you could do to assist me in getting some satisfaction from either Volvo or pirelli tires. I am very nervous about driving the car with these tires.

- Neptune, NJ, USA