FORT MILL, S.C. — Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C. is recalling 3,742 CrossContact LX25 tires in two sizes because some of them may be contaminated with small metal fragments that could cause a sudden loss of air pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
The sizes affected are 235/55R18 100H and 225/65R17 102H.
The tires were produced in April in Continental A.G.'s plant in Cuenca, Ecuador, using zinc oxide that was contaminated with small metal fragments. Conti estimates that about 11% of the tires being recalled were built with the contaminated material.
The tires being recalled have sidewall tire identification codes of: 1H 3L WB85 1423 1423 and 1H 3L WB85 1623 1623 for the 235/55R18 size and 11H 0F 9HLH 1423 1723 for the 225/65R17 size.
In a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Conti said X-ray inspections of the tires at the plant resulted in an unusually high number of scrapped tires. It was at that point that the company discovered the metal fragments that it traced back to the contaminated zinc oxide supply.
Despite Conti's efforts to contain the affected tires, some were shipped before a "quality hold" was issued.
Dealers will replace the tires, free of charge, Conti said. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed no later than Nov. 27. Owners may contact Continental customer service at 888-799-2168.
Owners also may also contact NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 or www.nhtsa.gov.
