FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FIRESTONE FR690 P195/65R15 VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL
September 10, 2002
1. What tires are being recalled?
In order to collect 890 tires that were manufactured
over a 4-day period beginning April 12, 2002, that may exhibit a manufacturing
defect identified by the company, Firestone is voluntarily recalling 18,912
Firestone FR690 tires in size P195/65R15 manufactured in its Wilson, North
Carolina plant. The recalled tires identifying numbers are: DOT# W2C6T001402
and DOT# W2C6T001502. Since the affected tires from April 12 through April
15 could be marked with serial numbers indicating that they had been manufactured
during either the fourteenth or fifteenth week of production in 2002,
both serial weeks are being recalled. No other Firestone FR690 tires are
subject to the recall.
Almost all of the recalled
tires are original equipment on about 23,400 model year 2003 Toyota
Corolla S and LE vehicles. The only vehicles that could have been fitted
with the recalled tires as original equipment are those manufactured
during the period beginning mid-April and ending in early September
2002 in Toyota's Toyota City, Japan plant, its Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
plant and the NUMMI plant located in Fremont, California. While we believe
that only a small portion of the approximately 23,400 vehicles manufactured
during that period may have one or more of the suspect tires, recall
notices will be sent to all of these owners to ensure that all possible
affected vehicles are covered. Mailing of notification letters to affected
owners will begin in a few weeks. Less than 1200 tires were shipped
to replacement tire outlets in the U.S. We do not believe that any of
these tires can be found in Canada.
Owners of 2003 model year Toyota Corolla S and LE vehicles
can check to find out if their car is fitted with the recalled tires
by looking for the DOT number on the sidewall of the tire near the wheel
rim, which is, in most cases, visible on the outboard side of the mounted
tires.
Replacement tires will be available at Firestone Tire
and Service Centers and TiresPlus locations throughout the United States.
Owners of such vehicles who would like additional information or help
in locating their nearest Firestone Tire & Service Center or TiresPlus
outlet can call Firestone's consumer affairs hotline at 1-800-367-3872.
2. What vehicles are these tires on?
Almost all of the recalled tires are original
equipment on a small number of 2003 model year Toyota Corolla S and
LE vehicles. The only vehicles that could have been fitted with the
recalled tires as original equipment are those manufactured during the
period beginning mid-April and ending in early September 2002. While
we believe that only a small portion of the approximately 23,400 vehicles
manufactured during this period may have one or more of the subject
tires, recall notices will be sent to all of these owners to ensure
that all affected vehicles are covered. Mailing of notification letters
to affected owners will begin in a few weeks. Our records also indicate
that less than 1200 tires were shipped to replacement tire outlets in
the U.S.
3. Why are you recalling these tires? How many
are involved?
Firestone's analysis and a review of the manufacturing
process showed that from April 12 through April 15, 2002 (a period that
spans two weeks of production for DOT tire lot identification purposes)
a piece of equipment known as an "extrusion stitcher" was
not functioning correctly. This led to localized, intermittent pockets
of air becoming trapped between the tread and the tread under-cushion
(a rubber layer between the tire tread and the steel belts of the tire)
in a small percentage of Firestone FR690 tires in size P195/65R15 manufactured
on those four days. This condition in a tire could cause a raised tread
block and cause a "helicopter" type noise while driving. Continued
use of a tire with this condition may lead to a small, localized "chunk
out" of tread material.
The company promptly identified and corrected
the manufacturing problem, and believing that all tires produced during
the period had been properly re-inspected, shipped the tires from the
plant warehouse. In late August, 2002 a tire from the affected lot was
returned to Firestone by Toyota due to a customer complaint about noise.
After examining the tire and reviewing its own records, Firestone determined
the 890 of the 18,912 tires manufactured during the two week period
had not been properly processed for additional inspection. In the interest
of public safety, Firestone is recalling the full production of both
weeks to capture any of the 890 tires that may contain the condition.
4. What should consumers do if they have
these tires?
First, we want to reassure consumers that there
are no reports of property damage or personal injury with respect to
any Firestone FR690 tires in size P195/65R15. We will begin contacting
affected vehicle owners by mail in a few weeks. In the meantime, owners
of 2003 model year Toyota Corolla S and LE vehicles can check to find
out if their car is fitted with the recalled tires by looking for the
DOT number on the sidewall of the tire near the wheel rim which is,
in most cases, visible on the outboard side of the mounted tire. Replacement
tires will be available at Firestone Tire and Service Centers and TiresPlus
locations throughout the United States. Owners who would like additional
information or help in locating their nearest Firestone Tire and Service
Center or TiresPlus outlet can call Firestone's consumer affairs hotline
at 1-800-367-3872. Additional information is also available on the company's
website at www.firestone.com.
5. Do you have enough tires in stock to
quickly replace these tires? Will there be any waiting lists?
We have adequate supplies of the replacement tires
in stock. In anticipation of responding to customer needs, over the
last several days we have distributed replacement tire inventory throughout
the United States to our regional distribution centers to provide for
quick shipments to stores that may require tires. Replacement tires
are available at Firestone Tire & Service Centers and TiresPlus
locations throughout the United States.
6. Have there been fatalities or injuries
associated with these tires involved in the recall or from any FR690
tires? Are any lawsuits pending involving FR690 tires?
No. None of the recalled tires (nor any other
Firestone FR690 tires in size P195/65R15) have been involved in any
accidents or injuries and the company is not aware of any claims or
lawsuits associated with any of these tires.
7. How many tires do you believe have been
released to the replacement market?
We believe very few tires were shipped to replacement
tire outlets, no more than 1200. As part of this recall action we will
be conducting a campaign to capture each of these tires.
8. On what kinds of vehicles can the tires
that may have been released to the replacement market be found?
Since these tires are original equipment on the
2003 model year Toyota Corolla S and LE vehicles, they may be found
as replacement tires on these cars.
9. Are there any other countries to which
these recalled tires might have been delivered?
After a thorough review of our shipping records
and the export records of Toyota we understand that the vast majority
of these tires are to be found the United States. We understand that
11 Corolla vehicles potentially mounted with the recalled tires have
been shipped to Germany and Firestone will arrange to have these vehicles
inspected and if fitted with recalled tires, will arrange to have the
tires replaced. If the recalled tires have found their way to any other
country, Firestone dealers across the globe also stand ready to replace
them at no cost to the customer.
10. When will the recall end?
The recall will end March 31, 2003
