Firestone Offers Bounty On Recalled Tires
NASHVILLE--Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. is rolling out a “bounty program” designed to remove used recalled tires from the inventories of used tire dealers.
Also, Firestone has hired Sanjay Govindjee as its “independent third-party” expert to examine the problem tires and determine what went wrong. He was intoduced to the media yesterday at the company’s research center in Akron, Ohio.
The nationwide bounty program for the recalled tires will begin immediately.
Under the program, any person who returns used recalled tires by following the Firestone return program will receive $10 per tire. Anyone wishing to return used recalled tires and receive the bounty should contact Firestone at 800/847-3272.
Additionally, Firestone will pick up and replace any new or unused recalled tires in any dealer’s stock at no charge.
All tire-selling businesses nationwide will receive a letter from the company explaining the program. Firestone expects to mail about 40,000 letters on Friday.
“We are very concerned about the resale of these used recalled tires, which was a problem first discovered here in Washington,” said Christine Gregoire, attorney general in Washington state. “We are pleased the company has taken prompt action to eliminate the public safety hazard created by having these tires remain in the marketplace,” she added.
“We hope this program will prompt new and used tire dealers to thoroughly check their inventories and make sure any of the suspect tires are turned in,” Gregoire said.
Washington Assistant Attorney General Doug Walsh said that continued sale of the recalled Firestone tires could create significant civil--and potentially criminal--liability for the seller.
After being alerted last week that used, recalled tires were being sold, the Washington attorney general’s office asked the Tennessee attorney general to urge Firestone to take action to remove the bad tires from the marketplace. “Tennessee has taken the lead on behalf of attorneys general nationwide concerning the Nashville-based company's tire recall,” said Walsh.
Firestone is continuing its recalled-tire reimbursement program, where consumers who already own the recalled tires can buy replacements made by competitors at any tire retailer. The replacement sizes and models must be approved by the Ford Motor Co. as suitable for the vehicle.
Customers will be reimbursed by Firestone up to $100 per tire, including taxes, mounting and balancing charges.
To obtain a refund form, consumers must return the recalled tires to an authorized Firestone retailer. Additional information on the tire recall is available at: