Bridgestone Recalls Tyres in US

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire (BFNT) has announced the start of a recall campaign in the US involving approximately 2,100 SUV and 4,200 motorcycle tyres. These tyres, says the company, do not have any structural or performance safety issues, and the recall is related to incorrect or absent sidewall markings.

The SUV tyres in question are Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684 II in size P235/60R17 that were not properly marked on the outlined white letter side of the tyre. They were manufactured at BFNT’s Aiken County, South Carolina plant during the months of September and October, 2007 and were intended for sale in the replacement tyre market primarily through the company’s channel of independent dealers as well as the retail stores operated by its affiliated company, BFS Retail & Commercial Operations (BFRC). The tyres do not meet the sidewall stamping requirement of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139 New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles, which became effective September 1, 2007.

Tyres Included in this recall campaign are Dueler H/T 684II in size P235/60R17 with the following DOT serial numbers stamped on the black sidewall:

7X0UBD43807
7X0UBD43907
7X0UBD44007
7X0UBD44107
7X0UBD44207

The motorcycle tyres in question are bias play Bridgestone brand motorcycle and motor scooter tyres that were manufactured in Japan and fail to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 119 (49 CFR Chapter V, Part 571.119). The Tire Identification Number (TIN) is marked on the tyre’s sidewall, however, the ‘DOT’ symbol is missing. In addition, the maximum load rating, corresponding inflation pressure markings, the ‘tube type’ markings, and the stamping indicating the ply cord material and the number of plies are absent from the sidewall. These tyres were sold in the replacement market through motorcycle dealers. Manufactured for sale in the Japanese and European Markets, the tyres meet JATMA and ETRTO standards. Steps have been taken to assure that these tyres will not be exported to the US in the future.

Tires Included in this campaign include:
ACCOLADE
4.00-18

ACCOLADE
3.50-19

ACCOLADE
3.50-18

BATTLAX
90/90-10

BATTLAX
3.50-10

RS10
2.50-17

SP UNIVERSAL
3.50-8