WASHINGTON (March 30, 2016) — Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is voluntarily recalling 577 Roadmaster RM234 tires, size 295/75R22.5, because the tires may have pin-sized holes in their sidewalls that allow air loss.
The tires in question were manufactured in China by PRINX Chengshan (Shandong) Tire Co. Ltd. between Aug. 6 and Sept. 5, 2015, Cooper told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
A Cooper dealer alerted the tire maker in February 2016 that some of the Roadmaster RM234 tires he had in stock were not maintaining inflation pressure, Cooper said.
Nine tires were returned to Cooper for inspection, the tire maker said in its report to NHTSA. Visual inspection showed that eight of the nine tires had pinholes in their sidewalls, though not in the exact position in each tire.
A mechanical problem with a tire removal unit at the Chengshan plant was causing the pinholes, according to Cooper. The tire maker estimated that 28 percent of the tires in the recall group have the pinhole defect.
Cooper is notifying owners of the defect and instructing its dealers to replace the tires free of charge. Tire owners may contact Cooper customer service at 800-854-6288. Cooper's number for this recall is 4Y.