FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WIDETRACK BAJA 30X9.50R15LT VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL
September 10, 2002
1. What tires are being recalled?
We are recalling 754 30x9.50 R15LT Widetrack brand
Baja A/T tires produced over a 21-day period beginning September 23, 2001,
at our LaVergne, Tenn., plant. The recalled tires can be identified by
the following DOT serial numbers: W166WB03801; W166WB03901; and W166WB04001.
2. What vehicles are these tires on?
The tires were sold exclusively in the replacement
market and are intended for Light Trucks in on- and off-the-road applications.
3. Why are you recalling these tires? How many
are involved?
This voluntary recall involves 754 tires. The
products involved in the recall did not comply with the tire marking
requirements set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS
No.119) for new compressed air tires for non-passenger car vehicles.
Bridgestone/Firestone's
analysis and review of the manufacturing process showed that all of
the affected 30x9.50 R15LT Widetrack Baja A/T tires met the remaining
requirements of FMVSS No. 119, and the company believes that the tire
marking did not compromise motor vehicle safety. The maximum
load as stated on the tire, in both English and metric units, was actually
less than the actual maximum load for these tires. It is not likely
the tires would be placed in an unsafe, overload situation as a result
of the marking noncompliance.
While the inflation pressure on the recalled
tires was incorrectly marked in metric units, the English inflation
units were correct. English units are the common usage for inflation
in North America, making it highly unlikely that the subject tires would
be over inflated as a result of the marking noncompliance. The recalled
tires are correctly marked Load Range "C" and Load Index 104.
By Tire and Rim Association's data, the Load Range "C" and
the Load Index 104 define maximum load of 1985 lbs. and 900 Kgs at 50
PSI and 350 kPa.
4. Why is NHTSA requesting that these tires
be recalled?
NHTSA requested a product recall based on non-compliant
tire markings. We reported the non-compliant tire markings to NHTSA
in December 2001 and provided the agency with detailed information about
why this mismarking does not present a safety threat. We requested that
NHTSA find this to be "inconsequential to motor vehicle safety."
However, on September 3, 2002 NHTSA published a notice in the Federal
Register that denied our request to have this mismarking be considered
an inconsequential non-compliance. The agency did not grant our request
and has required that we recall the tires. We will comply with its decision."
5. How can consumers locate a Widetrack
dealer who is participating in this replacement program?
First, we want to reassure consumers that there
are no reports of property damage or personal injury with respect to
any 30x9.50 R15LT Widetrack Baja A/T tires that are the subject of this
recall. We will begin contacting affected vehicle owners by mail in
a few weeks.
Widetrack Baja tire owners who would like additional
information can call the company's hotline at 1-800-807-9555 or they
can call the hotline to locate their nearest Widetrack retailer (a retail
location that sells Dayton, Gillette or Road King tire brands).
6. Do you have enough tires in stock to
quickly replace these tires? Will there be more waiting lists?
We have adequate supplies of the replacement tires
in stock.
7. When will the recall end?
The recall will end March 31, 2003
