Ford Motor Company Statement in Response to Firestone Tire Recall
10 August 2000
Ford Motor Company Statement in Response to Firestone Tire Recall
DEARBORN, Mich. - The following statement in response to Bridgestone/
Firestone's announcement of a recall of Firestone P235-75R15 ATX, ATX II and
certain Wilderness AT tires is attributed to Helen Petrauskas, Ford vice
president, Environmental and Safety Engineering:
Ford Motor Company has worked closely with Firestone to
thoroughly investigate tire tread separation concerns. As we have repeatedly
stated, we are absolutely committed to doing the right thing to protect our
customers and to maintain their trust.
An analysis of field data by both companies and reviewed with the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that tires being
recalled today account for the overwhelming majority of tread separation
failures reported on Firestone tires.
After extensive review of the data, we are satisfied that Firestone has
isolated the affected population of tires that should be recalled. We believe
that the Wilderness AT produced since 1996 at Firestone's Aiken, S.C.;
Joliette, Que.; Oklahoma City, O.K.; and Wilson, N.C. plants have an
outstanding safety record. We have confidence in Wilderness AT tires produced
at these plants.
NHTSA has not closed its investigation. But in the interest of customer
safety, Firestone is not waiting to act and should be commended for its
comprehensive and decisive action. We have been working with Firestone and
NHTSA, and we strongly support Firestone in its voluntary recall and customer
satisfaction actions. Firestone has long been, and continues to be, a valued
supplier to Ford.
Ford Motor Company and its dealers will work with Firestone and its
service centers to replace tires on our vehicles as quickly as possible. The
safety campaign will concentrate first on customers in Arizona, California,
Florida and Texas where more than 80 percent of the reported Firestone tread
separations have occurred.
Maintaining tires at the appropriate air pressure is necessary to protect
tires. Underinflated tires deteriorate more rapidly than tires that are
properly maintained and are at an increased risk of tread separation, blowout
or other failure.
At the request of Firestone, Ford has evaluated the performance of these
tires at 30 psi and has determined that the vehicle maintains good performance
characteristics at this higher pressure. Ford recommends that Explorer and
Mountaineer customers with 15" Firestone tires maintain their tire pressure in
the range of 26-30 psi.
Customers with other vehicles should check the door plate on their vehicle
for recommended tire pressure and make sure that tire pressure does not fall
below the recommended level. If customers have any questions about tire
pressure or safe operation, they should contact their vehicle dealer or
Firestone service center.
If customers have any questions about tire pressure or safe operation,
they should contact a Firestone service center or their vehicle dealer.
Firestone has established a toll-free number - 800-465-1904 - for concerned
customers. Ford Motor Company customers can call 800-660-4719 or send a note
to tireinquiry@ford.com for information on the recall and tire safety.