Frequently Asked Questions
Bridgestone/Firestone Voluntary Recall
Recall/Tire Specifics
Q. What size and tire lines are being recalled?
A. All Firestone Radial ATX and Radial ATX II
tires in size P235/75R15 produced in North America, including
Mexico, are being recalled. In addition, Wilderness AT tires
in size P235/75R15 produced in Decatur, Ill., are being recalled.
Q. What is Firestone doing to meet the increased
demand?
A. The company is doubling production in its
plants and maximizing the volume of imports.
Q. What tires are being used as replacements?
Firestone is replacing recalled tires with new
Wilderness AT tires not produced at the Decatur, Ill. plant. If
Wilderness AT tires are not available, recalled tires may be replaced
with comparable Bridgestone/Firestone tire lines or competitors’
tires during the first phase of the recall. We are committed
to ensuring that customer satisfaction is met.
Q. Which vehicles have these tires as original
equipment?
A. Ford Explorers, Ford Ranger light trucks,
Ford F150 light trucks, Mercury Mountaineers, Mazda Navajo, and
Mazda B series light trucks.
Q. How do consumers determine if my Wilderness
tire was made in the Decatur facility?
A. Owners should check the DOT number, which
is located on the bead of the tire near the rim. DOT numbers
beginning with the letters “VD” were produced in the
Decatur facility.
Q. Should consumers who are using Wilderness
tire models that have not been recalled be concerned?
A. Wilderness tires are among the safest on
the road. Experience shows that only Wilderness AT tires in size
P235/75R15 that were made in Decatur, Ill., should be replaced.
At the same time, all consumers should check their tires to ensure
that they are properly maintained and inflated.
Q. Didn’t Firestone announce a phased recall?
Do consumers have to wait to have their tires exchanged?
A. Bridgestone/Firestone is committed to replacing
tires in all states as quickly as possible. Even though some
additional inventory is being directed to certain states that
had a higher number of reported incidents, replacement tires are
being made available in all states. We are committed to using
our own tires or even competitors’ tires, if necessary, to
replace recalled tires as quickly as possible. Consumers do not
have to wait to have their tires exchanged, no matter what state
they live in.
Customer Service
Q. Are Firestone stores going to extend their
hours to meet the increased demands?
A. Firestone dealers are committed to providing
consumers with the best assistance possible. Each store sets
its own hours and will do whatever it takes to meet their consumers’
needs.
Q. What should consumers do while waiting
to get their recall letter?
A. While waiting to receive a recall letter,
consumers should ensure that their tires are properly inflated
and properly maintained. Bridgestone/Firestone recommends a pressure
of 30 pounds per square inch.
General
Q. What prompted the concerns with the recalled
tires?
A. We don’t know. The continuing NHTSA
inquiry is seeking an explanation and we are cooperating fully
with that inquiry. However, out of a commitment to public safety
and consumer confidence, Bridgestone/Firestone has decided to
recall the tires even though no definitive cause has been determined.
The number of incidents reported has been relatively low in proportion
to the vast number of tires on the road and miles driven.
Q. What is being done to ensure that tires made
at the Decatur plant are safe?
A. Other than the P235/75R15 Wilderness tire
made at Decatur, there have been no other concerns with tires
made at the plant. We don’t yet know the reason why there
were more incidents reported with that size tire from the Decatur
plant. Bridgestone/Firestone maintains rigorous quality control
procedures in the plant as it does in all of its plants.
Q. What is Firestone doing with the tires that
are returned? What are the environmental implications?
A. The tires will be properly disposed of in
accordance with applicable laws.
Q. How does this recall compare to Firestone’s
recall in 1978?
A. There is no correlation between this voluntary
recall and Firestone’s government-mandated recall in 1978.
This is a voluntary, proactive recall. Since 1988, Firestone
has been part of the Bridgestone family and has global resources
committed to customer safety and satisfaction. Without regard
to costs to the company, Firestone has elected to make this voluntary
recall because of its commitment to public safety and consumer
confidence.
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