Bridgestone seeks NHTSA inconsequential noncompliance decision

In the USA, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations has petitioned the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) for an inconsequential noncompliance decision relating to Bridgestone VSB heavy-duty radial truck tyres.

The incident relates to 1,167 tyres said not to be in compliance with US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards due to “a labelling error”. Bridgestone is challenging the recall on the basis that tyres pose no risk to the public.

Bridgestone said the missing information made no difference and that the products had passed single load tyre tests, which are more punishing than dual tyre tests. According to US news sources, Bridgestone added that similar requests for noncompliance have been granted in the past.

The affected tyres were manufactured between 5 April 2015 and 30 March 2016.