WASHINGTON (Aug. 8, 2013) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has granted petitions for inconsequential noncompliance from Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations L.L.C. and Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.
The grants of inconsequential noncompliance mean that Bridgestone and Cooper will not have to conduct formal recalls of incorrectly marked tires.
Between June 2011 and March 2012, Bridgestone manufactured some 1,102 Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval AS tires, sizes 245/40R19 and 245/35R20, with markings that incorrectly stated the number of plies in the tread area. They were marked, "TREAD 1 POLYESTER2 STEEL 1 NYLON," instead of the correct, "TREAD 1 POLYESTER 2 STEEL 2 NYLON."
Only 97 of the tires are no longer under Bridgestone's control, the tire maker told NHTSA. All the tires meet or exceed all federal truck tire performance requirements, and the incorrect labeling has no effect on the safe operation of the tires, Bridgestone said.
Cooper's case involves approximately 1,080 El Dorado Legend GT replacement tires, size P225/70R14, manufactured in Mexico by Cooper affiliate Corporacion de Occidente S.A. de C.V. in May and June 2012.
As with Bridgestone, the El Dorado tires incorrectly state the number of tread plies in their sidewall markings. The tires read, "TREAD 1 POLYESTER 2 STEEL 1 NYLON," instead of the correct, "TREAD 1 POLYESTER 2 STEEL 2 NYLON."
All the tires meet or exceed federal standards, Cooper said. Also, the company has corrected the problem so that it will not recur, it added.