Firestone Recalls Defective Tires for Insufficient Tread
Bridgestone Firestone has issued a voluntary recall of about 135,000 Firestone brand tires and 27,000 Le Mans tires that were imported into the United States and Canada. According to this news release, the tires manufactured by Bridgestone Firestone in Costa Rica, were produced with insufficient tread base gauge. Company officials said that continued use of these tires, which “failed to meet the company’s internal standards,” may lead to vibration and groove cracking. So far, company officials say no personal injury or product liability claims relating to these defective tires have been filed. Consumers who own these brands of tires will get a free replacement.
The recall includes 135,000 Firestone FR380 tires size P235/75 R 15, which were sold in the United States. The tires were manufactured between June 2006 and September 2007. United States consumers can receive free replacement tires through any participating independent Firestone tire dealer. The LeMans Champion recall includes the SE P235/75 R15 tires that were sold only in the United States. Firestone will also replace these tires for free through any participating independent Firestone dealer. Consumers who would like more information are asked to call Bridgestone Firestone toll-free at 1-800-465-1904.
Firestone did the right thing by recalling these defective tires. Consumers must immediately replace these tires that have insufficient treads because it could very likely cause a serious accident, which could result in catastrophic injuries or even death. Insufficient tread is a dangerous condition for your tires because it seriously affects your car’s ability to grip the road in adverse conditions. This could cause even a good driver to lose control of his or her vehicle posing a serious risk of an auto accident.
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured because of a defective tire or any other dangerous or defective auto product, I’d like to hear about it.
