Bridgestone Americas Announces Voluntary Safety Recall for 2,600 TBR TiresCautionary Campaign to Address Very Rare Potential for Slow Air Leak
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 8, 2013) – In response to Bridgestone Corporation’s (Bridgestone) November 7, 2013 voluntary safety recall of various truck and bus tires announced in Japan, Bridgestone Americas (BSA) today is recalling approximately 2,600 units which were produced at Bridgestone’s plant in Tochigi, Japan and sold in Guam, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America.
This action is being taken out of an abundance of caution, as statistically it is estimated that only one unit out of the approximate 2,600 imported into the Americas may have an abnormality that could result in a slow air leak characterized in the Japanese recall. All products in question were manufactured between January 2012 and August 2013 (DOT weeks 0412 – 3213).
There have been no field complaints or adjustments in the Americas with respect to the subject abnormality. There also has not been any report of property damage, accidents, injuries, or deaths.
The recall is attributed to a possible abnormality in the tire innerliner caused by intermittent irregularities in the manufacturing process at Bridgestone’s Tochigi plant following a production change, which could result in decreased adhesion levels at the splice in a small number of tires. In these instances, there is a possibility that decreased adhesion of the splice could lead to cracking and a slow air leak into the tire sidewall. An accumulation of air could result in a bulge and eventually, in a worst case, cause a slow air leak rendering the tire inoperable.
BSA and its relevant subsidiaries are communicating and working with regulatory agencies in countries across the Americas to recover subject units in accordance with local laws. BSA and its relevant subsidiaries are also communicating directly with customers, company owned stores, authorized dealers, and fleet customers to recover and replace any subject tires.
Consistent with the company’s long-standing commitment to customer satisfaction and service, owners of the tires identified in the following table are urged to contact their Bridgestone Americas or subsidiary representative, nearest dealer or company-owned service center to arrange verification and replacement. Tire owners may also call phone numbers in their countries as identified in the table below.
Country |
Pattern |
Size |
DOT Serial |
DOT Week |
Customer Information |
| Canada | R168 | 385/55R22.5 | EPVH2CT | 0412-3213 | 1- (800) 267-1318 *6507 (English) 1- (877) 685-3878 (French) |
| M788 | 385/55R22.5 | EPVH2LW | 0412-3213 | ||
| W910 | 11R22.5 | EP3T2FB | 0412-3213 | ||
| Guam (U.S. Territory) |
H300 | 315/80R22.5 | EP4D2HX | 0412-3213 | (671) 633 302 6 |
| Mexico | R249 | 315/80R22.5 | EP4D23Y | 0412-3213 | 0 1 (800) 713-7646 |
| R227 | 295/60R22.5 | EPT02X1 | 0412-3213 | ||
| Costa Rica | R294 | 295/80R22.5 | EP4C2YF | 0412-3213 | (800) 552-6827 |
| Dominican Republic |
R294 | 9.5R17.5 | EPYLHHF | 0412-3213 | (800) 552-6827 |
| R294 | 315/60R22.5 | EPUT2YF | 0412-3213 | ||
| R294 | 295/80R22.5 | EP4C2YF | 0412-3213 | ||
| R295 | 12R22.5 | EP3X25D | 0412-3213 | ||
| El Salvador | R294 | 295/80R22.5 | EP4C2YF | 0412-3213 | (800) 552-6827 |
| Honduras | R294 | 295/80R22.5 | EP4C2YF | 0412-3213 | (800) 552-6827 |
| Nicaragua | R294 | 295/80R22.5 | EP4C2YF | 0412-3213 | (800) 552-6827 |
| Panama | R294 | 295/80R22.5 | EP4C2YF | 0412-3213 | (800) 552-6827 |
| Guatemala | R294 | 295/80R22.5 | EP4C2YF | 0412-3213 | (800) 552-6827 |
| R294 | 9.5R17.5 | EPYLHHF | 0412-3213 | ||
| R295 | 12R22.5 | EP3X25D | 0412-3213 | ||
| Chile | R294 | 9.5R17.5 | EPYLHHF | 0412-3213 | + (562) 2460-7200 |
| R294 | 295/80R22.5 | EP4C2YF | 0412-3213 |
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tenn.-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world’s largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.