Last weekend a Michelin dealer inspected my tire that had the bubble in the side wall. This is a dealer that Michelin directed me to.

Two other M. dealers said the problem was road hazard, plain and simple. That 99.9% of the time it's road hazard and not a manufacturing defect. One dealer wouldn't even come outside to look at it, just said 'road hazard, not covered.'

Anyway, the dealer I was directed to saw NO blemish or damage of any kind to the tire or the wheel, and reported that to Michelin. I got a call at work from Michelin today saying they will replace the tire at no cost...couldn't care less how many miles I had on it.

Since I had already replaced from Tire Rack, even though they offered to reimburse I asked if they'd simply send me a new tire. Local Chrysler dealer is selling me a new wheel supposedly at his cost...$380 (he says they retail for $100 more). I'm gonna have the new tire mounted on the extra wheel and keep it around so I can quickly get mobile again in case of problems.

Michelin came through, although their dealers left something to be desired.

Thanks AZ Outlaws for the suggestions on dealing w/Michelin.