Recall of 6.5 Million Firestone Tires
Nears Completion
97 percent of P235/75R15 Radial ATX and Decatur
produced Wilderness AT tires replaced
August 2000 recall completed in record time
Nashville, Tenn. (June 25, 2001)-Bridgestone/Firestone,
Inc. announced today that as of August 29, 2001, it will officially
conclude its recall of 6.5 million P235/75R15 Radial ATX, ATXII tires
and Decatur-produced Wilderness AT tires of the same size. The company
has called for drivers to immediately replace tires that were the subject
of last August's recall.
"We've
replaced more than 6.3 million tires to date, or about 97 percent of
the tires estimated on the road subject to the recall. This is an extremely
high replacement percentage for a recall. Nonetheless, we are urging
all consumers who have not yet replaced their recalled tires to do so
immediately," said Christine Karbowiak, vice president, public
affairs, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
There are more
than adequate supplies of Firestone tires available and there are no
waiting lists at the more than 8,500 authorized participating Firestone
retailers nationwide. In addition, if a driver chooses to have the recalled
tires replaced at a competitor's tire store, Firestone will continue
to honor requests for reimbursement as long as the request is complete
and postmarked by August 29, 2001.
"We want
to thank the driving public for its cooperation and understanding, and
we regret any inconvenience this recall may have caused," Karbowiak
said.
The company
voluntarily recalled approximately 6.5 million tires on August 9, 2000.
These tires were size P235/75R15 Wilderness AT tires manufactured at
the Decatur, Ill. plant and all Radial ATX and ATX II tires of the same
size. In one of the fastest major recalls in history, the company has
to date replaced more than 6.3 million tires.
In December
the company also announced the findings of its intensive four-month
analysis into why this certain group of its tires, primarily on Ford
Explorers, may have been more likely to experience an increased rate
of tread separation claims. The company found that, in extreme cases,
several factors acting in combination could account for the increased
rate of claims.
About Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. is the largest subsidiary
of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan. Bridgestone/Firestone develops,
manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton, and house and
private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs,
roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial products. For further
information, please visit our Web site at www.bridgestone-firestone.com.
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