Subaru of America, Inc. Announces 2000 and 2001 Model Year Outback Not Affected by Recall of Firestone Wilderness Tires
10 August 2000
Subaru of America, Inc. Announces 2000 and 2001 Model Year Outback Not Affected by Recall of Firestone Wilderness Tires
CHERRY HILL, N.J. - Subaru of America, Inc. announces that contrary to
recent press reports of potential problems associated with Firestone brand
Wilderness tires on its 2000 and 2001 model year Subaru Outback models, those
models are not included in the Bridgestone/Firestone tire recall announced today.
As outlined in Bridgestone/Firestone's recall announcement, the affected tires
include the Firestone Radial ATX, Radial ATX II and Wilderness AT light truck
tires of only one size -- P235/75 R15. Those tires are not used on Subaru
vehicles. The Subaru Outback is equipped with size P225/60 R16 passenger car
tires manufactured by Firestone and bearing the Wilderness name. Subaru of
America, Inc. has been in close contact with both the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration and Bridgestone/Firestone regarding this issue and has
received assurances from Bridgestone/Firestone that the tires on the Subaru
Outback are safe.
The Firestone passenger car tires featured on Subaru Outback models have
different specifications and construction than the light truck tires included
in the Bridgestone/Firestone recall. Additionally, the Firestone Wilderness
tires featured on Subaru Outback models have an H-speed rating (up to 130
mph), while the light truck tires under investigation by NHTSA and subject to
the recall have an S-speed rating (up to 112 mph).
Tire manufacturers, not Subaru of America, Inc. provide the warranty on
the tires on Subaru vehicles. Since customer safety is our primary goal,
Subaru of America, Inc. suggests to its customers who have additional concerns
about Firestone Wilderness tires that they visit their local Firestone dealer,
or contact Firestone at 800-465-1904. Subaru of America, Inc. recommends that
owners always keep their tires properly inflated and follow guidelines for
proper tire maintenance detailed in their owner's manuals to ensure maximum
tire life and performance.
About Subaru of America, Inc.
Subaru of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd. of Japan. Headquartered near Philadelphia, the company
markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a
network of 588 franchised dealers across the United States. All Legacy and
Outback models sold in the U.S. are produced at the company's American
manufacturing plant, Subaru-Isuzu Automotive, Inc., near Lafayette, Ind.
Over the past eight years, the company has nearly tripled its revenues and
seen its sales increase by nearly 100 percent thanks to its popular line of
car-based sport utility vehicles. The company is among the fastest growing
brands in the automobile industry and was recently named "Most Improved Car
Company in the World" by the London-based Financial Times Automotive World
Magazine.