NHTSA Recalls Firestone FR380 Tires

Tire Brand Name / Tire Line / Tire Size: Production Dates:
FIRESTONE / FR380 / P235/75R15 SEP 09, 2007 - JUL 02, 2008

Manufacturer: BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE NORTH AMERICA TIRE Mfr's Report Date: JUN 25, 2009

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09T007000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: TIRES:TREAD/BELT

Potential Number of Units Affected: 127183

Summary:
BRIDGESTONE AMERICAS TIRE OPERATIONS, LLC (BATO) IS RECALLING 127,183 FIRESTONE FR380 TIRES, SIZE P235/75R15, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2007 THROUGH JULY 2, 2008. THESE TIRES WERE PRODUCED WITH INSUFFICIENT TREAD BASE GAUGE.

Consequence:
CONTINUED USE OF THE SUBJECT TIRES MAY LEAD TO VIBRATION AND GROOVE CRACKING. EXTENDED USE COULD LEAD TO TREAD DISTORTION OR TREAD SEPARATION AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.

Remedy:
BATO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. BATO WILL ALSO MOUNT AND BALANCE THE REPLACEMENT TIRES, ALL AT NO CHARGE OR EXPENSE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 29, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BATO TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-465-1904 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.FIRESTONETIRE.COM.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .