Bridgestone/Firestone Voluntary Tire Recall

As a demonstration of our commitment to customer safety and satisfaction, Bridgestone/Firestone, after consultation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, began on August 9, 2000, a voluntary safety recall of P235/75R15 Radial ATX and Radial ATX II tires and certain Wilderness AT tires of the same size.  We intend to spare no effort to retain our customers’ long-standing confidence.

What are the details of the recall?

This recall involves Radial ATX and ATX II tires produced in North America with the designation P235/75R15. Wilderness AT tires in the same size and with an additional Department of Transportation ten digit code beginning with the letters VD also are being recalled.  The designations are found on the tire sidewall; in some cases, the designation may be found on the inside of the tire, depending on how it was installed.  (Click here to download "How to Read & Understand Your Tire's Sidewall" (.PDF). Please Note: You will need Adobe® Acrobat® Reader™ to view and print this file. If you do not already have this installed on your browser, click here to download). Radial ATX, Radial ATX II, or Wilderness tires of other sizes or with other numeric designations are not affected. These tires are most commonly found on sport utility vehicles and light trucks. We will use warranty and other records to the extent possible to notify by mail customers with the affected tires.  Ford also will provide vehicle identification numbers to locate Explorer and Mountaineer owners.  We are replacing the tires, whether original equipment or replacement units, even if the customer did not make the original purchase and no matter how old or worn the tires are.

How is the recall progressing?

In order to replace as many tires on as many consumer vehicles as quickly as possible, the company has doubled production of replacement tires, maximized imports and is purchasing tires from other tire manufacturers. In addition, tires are being airlifted to the U.S. from Bridgestone Corporation manufacturing plants in Japan to help Firestone accelerate its delivery of replacement tires. These shipments will continue as long as needed to assist consumers involved with the recall. We have previously announced that we anticipated completing the recall before spring.  But, we are not satisfied with that.  We will continue to work to complete the recall as quickly as possible. In addition, we have extended our reimbursement policy for tires involved in the recall.  Consumers will continue to be able to have their tires replaced free of charge at any Firestone Tire and Service Center, authorized Bridgestone/Firestone retailers or Ford dealers.  Through the extended policy, however, customers who choose to purchase competitors’ tires from any other tire retailer will be eligible for reimbursement up to $100 per tire, including mounting and balancing charges and taxes.

What is known about the causes of the tire failures?

We are working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Ford Motor Company as we conduct an intensive investigation to find the root cause or causes of the problem.  We are using all of our resources to determine the cause of these failures. It may take time to scientifically determine the cause of the problem.  Tires are highly complex engineered products.  A typical tire can have more than 26 components, 14 different compounds, and require 29 separate steps to manufacture. It is also important to remember that there are other factors that affect tire performance, such as weather, temperature, vehicle loads, driving styles, vehicle dynamics, inflation pressure and road conditions.  We will be looking at all factors to determine the causes of the failures.   Owners of vehicles with affected tires should ensure their tires are properly inflated. Bridgestone/Firestone recommends an inflation of 30 pounds per square inch.

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