Bridgestone Firestone Announces Tire RecallVoluntary field action related to tires with no reported property damage claims, accidents or injuries
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Oct. 29, 2008) — Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) and Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. today announced they are initiating a voluntary field action in the United States and Canada to replace approximately 135,000 Firestone brand FR380 P235/75 R15 tires that were imported into the U.S. and Canada. As part of this program, BFNT will also replace approximately 27,000 LeMans Champion SE P235/75 R15 tires that were imported into the U.S. (these tires were not sold in Canada). The tires covered under this program were manufactured by Bridgestone Firestone de Costa Rica, S.A. (BFCR) at that company’s San Jose facility. Although no property damage or personal injury claims have been reported with respect to these tires, they fail to meet the companies’ internal standards and will be replaced for consumers free of charge. Specifically, the subject tires were produced with insufficient tread base gauge and continued use of these tires may lead to vibration and groove cracking.
Specifics of the recall are as follows.
Firestone FR380:
Approximately 135,000 Firestone FR380 tires size P235/75 R15 were sold in the United States, an estimated 850 tires were sold in Canada. The tires were produced at the BFCR plant from the 23rd week of 2006 through the 35th week of 2007. Consumers in the United States can receive free replacement tires through any participating independent Firestone tire dealer or through the following company-owned stores: Firestone Complete Auto Care™, ExpertTire™, Tires Plus™, Hibdon Tires Plus™ or Wheel Works™. The retailer will replace with new tires any tire (including the spare tire) of the line and size covered by this field action and that were manufactured during the relevant period. Firestone retailers will also mount and balance the replacement tires at no charge. Consumers in Canada can take their vehicle equipped with these tires to any independent Firestone tire dealer to get their tires replaced free of charge. This field action will end on March 31, 2009.
- Tires included in this field action: Only those Firestone FR380 tires in size P235/75 R15 with tire DOT serial number that matches any of the following serial numbers stamped on the sidewall of the tire:
WBHL 380 2306 through and including WBHL 380 3507
OR
WBUL 380 2306 through and including WBUL 380 3507
LeMans Champion SE:
Approximately 27,000 LeMans Champion SE P235/75 R15 tires were sold in the United States (not sold in Canada). These tires were produced during a four-month period in 2006 from the 23rd week through the 35th week. Consumers in the United States can receive free replacement of these LeMans branded tires at any participating independent Firestone tire dealer or through the following company-owned stores: Firestone Complete Auto Care, ExpertTire, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus or Wheel Works. The stores will replace with new tires any tire (including the spare tire) of the line and size covered by this campaign and that were manufactured during the relevant period. The company-owned stores will also mount and balance the replacement tires free of charge.
- Tires included in this field action: Only LeMans Champion SE tires in size P235/75 R15 with tire DOT serial number that matches any of the following serial numbers stamped on the sidewall of the tire:
WBHL LC0 2306 through and including WBHL LC0 3506
Consumers with questions or who would like additional information about how to identify the tires covered under this program and where to get free replacements may contact BFNT toll free at: 1-800-465-1904. In addition, every effort will be made to identify customers who have purchased tires covered by this field action in order to advise them of the program by mail. However, consumers don’t need to wait to receive a letter to have the tires inspected and replaced if they are a part of this field action. Consumers in the United States can visit any participating independent Firestone tire dealer or company-owned location (Firestone Complete Auto Care, ExpertTire, Tires Plus, Hibdon Tires Plus or Wheel Works stores) to determine if the tires are subject to the field action. Consumers in Canada can visit any participating independent Firestone tire dealer to determine if their FR380 tires are subject to this recall. Information about how to identify and replace the tires covered by this field action, as well as frequently asked questions, can be found at www.firestonetire.com.
About Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off road, motorcycle, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America. In addition, through its Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions unit, retreading customers have access to industry-leading research and development, manufacturing, marketing and sales expertise, providing them with a total tire solution.
About Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA):
Mississauga, Ontario-based Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) is an affiliate of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). BFCA and Nashville, Tenn.-based BFNT are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFCA and BFNT develop, manufacture and market Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. They are focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off the road, agricultural and other tires to their customers in Canada and the United States, respectively. In addition, through their industry-leading Bandag brand, BFCA and BFNT develop, manufacture, market and sell retreading materials and equipment.