WASHINGTON — Discount tool retailer Harbor Freight Tools is recalling 173,557 Innova Ultra Runner and Far East brand replacement trailer utility tires, which were sold mounted on replacement trailer rims.
The recall covers Innova Ultra Runner tires in sizes 5.3x12 and 4.80/4.00x12 (manufactured between Jan. 1, 2014, and Sept. 20, 2017) and Far East tires in size 4.80/4.00x12 (produced between Jan. 1, 2014, and Dec. 31, 2016), Harbor Freight Tools said.
The tires, manufactured by Innova Rubber (Pinghu) Co. Ltd. and Suntop Tire (Wuxi) Co. Ltd., respectively, may not be strong enough to support the loads they are expected to support, Harbor Freight Tools told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They do not comply with federal safety standards for truck tires, the company said.
NHTSA notified Harbor Freight Tools of an apparent failure during strength testing of Innova Ultra Runner tires in May 2017. The next month, Harbor Freight Tools told the agency of discrepancies between federal strength testing standards and the testing procedures performed by a third-party contractor, according to the safety recall report.
Additional third-party testing in September indicated that not all of the tires met minimal federal strength requirements, the report said.
Camarillo, Calif.-based Harbor Freight Tools said it does not know of any injuries association with this problem, and also that it has not determined the cause of the noncompliance.
The company will replace the tires free of charge, and has instructed its dealers to return the recalled tires to Harbor Freight Tools for disposal.
Harbor Freight Tools notified dealers of the recall the week of Oct. 9, and will notify owners between Nov. 6 and Nov. 24, the report said.
Harbor Freight Tools operates more the 800 retail outlets across the U.S.