FINDLAY, Ohio (July 30, 2015) — Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. is recalling approximately 90,000 All-Trac A/T tires because of a risk of tread separation, which can lead to a suddern loss of air pressure.
The tires being recalled were manufactured between June 2008 and May 2010 by Shandong Yongsheng Rubber Group Co. Ltd. at its plant in Dongying, Shandong, China, and are believed to be similar to Capital Precision Trac II tires that were recalled in 2014 by ITG Voma Corp.
In its recall notice, Hercules said its adjustment data did not indicate higher than usual adjustment rates or any unusual spikes in the adjustment rates for these tires. Nonetheless the private brander said that “out of an abundance of caution,” it chose to recall voluntarily the All-Trac A/T SUV tires produced by Shandong Yongsheng without a full nylon cap overlay.
Hercules said Shandong Yongsheng began using a complete nylon overlay in May 2010 instead of the partial overlay used prior to that time.
The Hercules tires also were the subject of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this spring after a Brownsville, Texas-based trial lawyer sought NHTSA's intervention, citing the similarities between the Capital Precision Trac II and Hercules All Trac A/T.
Hercules is recalling seven lots of the All Trac A/T, all different sizes:
- 235/70R16 106T — DOT serial number JEKJ ECP 2508 2110;
- 235/75R15 109T XL — serial number JE KK DCP 2708 2110;
- 245/70R16 107T — serial number JE LJ ECP 2508 2110;
- 255/70R16 111T — JE MJ ECP 2508 2110;
- 265/70R16 112T — JE NJ ECP 2508 2110;
- 265/75R16 116T — JE NK ECP 3008 2110;
- 275/70R16 114T — JE RJ ECP 1309 2110
Hercules said it will notify owners—and its dealers will replace the tires—free of charge, up to $150 per tire. The distributor cited its Terra Trac AT II as a recommended replacement. Hercules said it will reimburse dealers up to $15 per tire for labor involved.
Owners may contact Hercules customer service at 1-888-943-2402. Hercules number for this recall is 01-2015.