Ford Providing Tire Warranties

DEARBORN, Mich.--In the wake of its problems with Bridgestone/Firestone, Ford Motor Co. will provide its own tire warranty for 2001 and subsequent Ford, Lincoln and Mercury car and light truck models in North America. The warranties cover repairs made after this past Sunday.

With the addition of tires, all vehicle components are now covered by Ford’s bumper-to-bumper warranty. Ford said the move “breaks with a century of tradition--where historically only the tire manufacturer provided the tire warranty."

The fallout over the Firestone/Explorer problems brought about the changes, said Jacques Nasser, Ford’s president and chief executive officer. “A consumer-focused company listens to its customers, and they’re telling us they want us to take strong steps to ensure tire safety,” said Nasser.

“We now stand behind every component on our vehicles,” said Nasser. (He did not discuss the automaker’s troubles with its thick film ignition modules. A judge in California has ruled that cars containing the faulty TFIs be recalled, and Ford lawyers have tried unsuccessfully to have him removed from the case.) “Administering our own tire warranty will also play a role in our ‘early warning system,’ providing early access to data on tire performance.”

The warranty will provide for replacement of tires for defects in material or workmanship at no charge during the vehicle bumper-to bumper coverage period (Ford and Mercury coverage is 3 years/36,000 miles, Lincoln is 4 years/50,000 miles, whichever comes first).

Vehicle owners will remain eligible for additional tire manufacturer coverage to the extent that such coverage extends beyond the bumper-to-bumper period.

Customers will be able to obtain warranty tire service, as well as routine maintenance, through 6,000 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers in the United States and its territories, Canada and Mexico. Tire service will continue to be available at all independent and franchised service centers authorized by the tire manufacturer.

“We have an extensive, well-trained network of dealers ready to meet the tire needs of our customers,” said Martin Inglis, a vice president at Ford North America. “The majority of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers are now full-service tire retailers. Not only do they stock tires--they are trained and equipped to service them. Administering tire warranty is an additional step in offering a comprehensive sales and service experience at our dealerships.”