UNION, N.J. (July 3, 2007) — Foreign Tire Sales Inc. (FTS) is advising consumers who bought selected Westlake, Telluride, Compass and YKS brand tires made between 2002 and December 2005 to return them to the dealership from which the tires were purchased for a free replacement.
FTS, the importer of these brands during the time in question, is still working out details of how dealers will be reimbursed for the Chinese-made tires, which are subject to a recall ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on June 25.
The New Jersey-based importer also said it has only enough resources to pay for about 10 to 15 percent of the recall, which covers approximately 450,000 tires made during the period by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd. Lawrence N. Lavigne, FTS' attorney, estimates the total cost of the recall at $50 million to $80 million.
FTS said on its Web site it is setting up a toll-free number for consumers. It advised those needing more information to check its Web site, www.foreigntire.com. The site already contains a large icon reading, “Register your tires here.”
FTS told NHTSA that it had received few registration cards for the recalled tires, and that Hangzhou Zhongce ignored repeated requests for the tires' Department of Transportation (DOT) identification numbers.
The tires being recalled have DOT alpha-numeric production codes on the sidewalls, beginning with LD (Hangzhou Zhongce's manufacturer's code) and end in either 02, 03, 04 or 05. There are six sizes involved: LT235/75R15, LT225/75R16, LT235/85R16, LT245/75R16, LT265/75R16 and LT31x10.5-15.
In addition, FTS said the tires being recalled have the initials FTS in the DOT code.
FTS advises that independent testing reveals that the subject tires meet and exceed all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. This recall was ordered because FTS' independently commissioned testing showed the tires lacked sufficient gum strips between the belts to prevent potential belt and tread separation.
The company also said it believes other companies have imported Hangzhou Zhongce-manufactured light truck tires into the U.S.
FTS pointed out that YKS tires bearing DOT codes containing 8E and Compass-brand Trailer Service tires bearing ST in the DOT code were not made by Hangzhou Zhongce and therefore are not included in the recall.
Also, specialty and bias-ply tires bearing these brand names are not part of the recall.
Mr. Lavigne said FTS would make its full recall plan available publicly as soon as NHTSA had reviewed it.