Tire Suit Asks ‘Worldwide Class Action’

CHICAGO--A lawyer here is seeking “worldwide class” status for plaintiffs who are suing Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. and Ford Motor Co. Kenneth B. Moll said his suit seeks federal court certification “on behalf of all United States, Venezuelan and all other foreign citizens” who may have been harmed by crashes involving defective tires.

The lawsuit now includes plaintiff Aurelio Fernandez-Concheso, who heads the Asociacion Propietarios de Camionetas Explorer (Association of Owners of Explorers) in Venezuela--a group that includes almost 400 Venezuelans seeking recovery for property damage and reimbursement for “loss of resale value” for their SUVs.

Also listed in the complaint is plaintiff Jesus Gererdo Subero Pulgar, a Venezuelan Air Force Major and fighter pilot who sustained serious permanent injuries, including the loss of his right index finger. Pulgar is seeking recovery “for personal injuries and death on behalf of all Venezuelans.”

Ford’s own investigation found that in Venezuela, 14 percent of the Firestone 15-inch tires showed signs of tire tread separation. The number of Firestone 16-inch tires with tire tread separation was even higher at 17 percent, Moll said.

Reports from Venezuela indicate that Firestone tires have been involved in as many as 400 accidents resulting in 100 deaths, said Moll. “Venezuelan media have dubbed the defective Firestone tires as ‘assassin tires,’” he said.

According to information from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, more than 2,200 people have filed complaints regarding tire tread separation and other tire failures associated with the Firestone tires. The statistics include more than 101 fatalities and some 400 reported injuries.

Moll has called for other Firestone tires to be included in the recall: ATX, ATX II manufactured in North America (15-, 16- and 16.5-inch models) and all Wilderness AT tires manufactured at all seven North American plants. In an amended complaint recently filed, Moll wants a recall ordered for all Firehawk ATX, ATX 23 Degree, Widetrack Radial Baja, Widetrack Radial Baja A/S, Wilderness HT tires, Steeltex R4S and Steeltex A/T light truck tires.