NHTSA Again Looking at Steeltex Line

(Akron/Tire Review) NHTSA has agreed to again review Firestone Steeltex tyres, prompted by the continuing efforts of California attorney Joseph Lisoni to get Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (FBNAT) to recall the line.

Lisoni has been pressuring NHTSA to force a recall of some 40 million Steeltex tyres since 2001. Two prior Lisoni-initiated NHTSA reviews of the line had found nothing wrong with the tyres. Lisoni has been seeking class action status for a national suit against BFNAT, claiming faulty Steeltex tyres are responsible for 57 deaths and 161 injuries. The latest NHTSA review, announced in late May, will consider Steeltex R4S, R4SII and A/T tyres produced from 1999 to 2005.