Tips for Bridgestone/Firestone Recall-Tire Owners

state.ia.us, Mar 09, 2005

Bridgestone/Firestone has recalled certain tires for safety concerns -- namely, that the tire tread might separate and cause serious accidents. NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is investigating over 60 deaths and many injuries that could be linked to those tires.

Bridgestone/Firestone has recalled the tires, offered replacement tires, and offered reimbursement - including for recalled tires replaced with other brands. At this time (Aug. 28), tires recalled are all Firestone ATX and ATX II tires in the P235/75R15 size, and all Firestone Wilderness AT tires in the P235/75R15 size that were built at the Decatur, Illinois, tire plant.

We advise citizens to replace all recalled tires and monitor whether the recall is expand-ed. Remember: you can always take your vehicle to a Bridgestone/Firestone store if you want them to determine whether your tire is included in the recall. Ford dealers also will check Ford vehicles, and most tire retailers also will check your tires. (For more details on recalled tires, see below.)

Here are sources of information about the tires and recall arrangements:

Bridgestone/Firestone - 800-465-1904.

Ford Motor Co. - 800-660-4719.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

There are several ways to get replacement tires: To get replacement tires free of charge, you may wish to start with a Bridgestone/Firestone retailer or Ford dealer. If they are out of suitable replacement tires at the time of your visit, they will likely include you on a waiting list.

You may choose to replace tires from other sources than a Firestone retail store or a Ford or Mazda dealership. Keep the recalled tires you are replacing. Bridgestone/Firestone is making return of the tires a condition of reimbursing consumers - up to $100 for each tire replaced. If you replaced your tires and Bridgestone/Firestone is denying reimbursement because you didn't keep your recalled tires, contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

Bridgestone/Firestone also has said that it will reimburse consumers who exchanged recalled tires between January 1, 2000, and August 8, 2000, whether the tires were replaced by Bridgestone/ Firestone tires or another brand. Go to a Bridgestone/Firestone dealer to get a reimbursement form. Again, reimbursement is up to $100 each for non-Bridgestone/Firestone replacement tires.

If you are buying a used vehicle or used tires, be sure to avoid buying recalled tires.

For more information, contact the Consumer Protection Division, Hoover Building, Des Moines, Iowa 50319. The phone is 515-281-5926. Details on How to Identify Tires Being Recalled

Bridgestone/Firestone has recalled certain tires, offered replacement tires, and offered reimbursement, including for recalled tires replaced with other brands. As of Aug. 28, tires recalled are all Firestone ATX and ATX II tires in the P235/75R15 size, and all Firestone Wilderness AT tires in the P235/75R15 size that were built at the Decatur, Illinois, tire plant.

Here are sources of information about the tires and recall arrangements:

Bridgestone/Firestone - 800-465-1904.

Ford Motor Co. - 800-660-4719. Web site

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration


Using information from those sources, here is more detail on identifying recalled tires: