A Verdict With Real Traction
A New Mexico jury has ordered Michelin North America to pay $220 million in a wrongful-death lawsuit stemming from a tire blowout involving a Ford Excursion. Per Car Complaints, the plaintiffs, including vehicle owner Mr. Eleazar Marin, alleged that the tire in question – an all-season Michelin LTX M/S2 – was defective at the time it left the factory.
The incident occurred in Gaines County, Texas, in 2021, when the front-left tire of the Excursion allegedly suffered a blowout, causing the full-size SUV to cross into oncoming traffic. The vehicle collided with another heavy-duty vehicle towing a trailer, resulting in a fatal crash that killed three of Marin’s family members: his wife, Rosalva Marin, daughter Laura Marin Zamarippa, and granddaughter Alexis Zamarippa.
Inside the Alleged Defects
According to the lawsuit, the Michelin LTX M/S2 allegedly experienced a tread separation caused by multiple design and manufacturing defects, including improper adhesion between the steel belts, an inadequate belt-edge protection package, and an inferior belt system. The complaint further alleged the tire lacked sufficient antioxidants and proper belt-width-to-tread proportions, and exhibited various belting anomalies such as offset belts, improper splices, and irregular wire spacing.
The tire involved in the crash was reportedly manufactured in Alabama around June 2014, though the exact purchase date was not disclosed in court filings. Reports indicate the tire was approximately seven years old at the time of the accident and had accumulated roughly 70,000 miles of use. As a general guideline, tires are typically recommended to be replaced every six to 10 years or 50,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on wear and overall condition.
Ford
The Jury Wasn’t Buying It
While those figures suggest the tire was still within commonly cited replacement windows, Michelin reportedly argued during the trial that evidence showed the tire had already sustained damage. Despite that defense, the jury ultimately assigned 100% of the blame to Michelin, resulting in the $220 million verdict. The tire manufacturer will likely seek a reversal.
The LTX M/S2 product line remains on sale today, marketed for use on light trucks and SUVs, as well as electric vehicles – think along the lines of the Rivian R1T. Michelin, which has been manufacturing tires since the 19th century, also maintains an active presence in global motorsports and currently participates in top-tier programs such as America’s endurance racing series, the IMSA SportsCar Championship.
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