Pennsylvania AG Fisher and Multi-State Working Group Issue Consumer Alert on Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Replacement Options
16 October 2000
Pennsylvania AG Fisher and Multi-State Working Group Issue Consumer Alert on Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Replacement Options
HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 16 Pennsylvania Attorney General
Mike Fisher and members of the National Association of Attorneys General
(NAAG) tire-recall working group today issued an advisory for consumers
seeking replacement tires from Bridgestone/Firestone.
Bridgestone/Firestone has agreed to replace or reimburse consumers for the
tires listed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Consumer Advisory list dated Sept. 1, 2000. The list of affected tires is
posted on the NHTSA web page located at http://www.nhtsa.com.
Fisher said Bridgestone/Firestone will replace, free of charge, all
affected tires that are brought into any Bridgestone/Firestone authorized
dealer. A list of authorized dealers is available on the web by accessing
http://www.firestone.com. Tires will be replaced regardless of use and condition,
without a pro rata payment and even if they are not currently on the vehicle.
Under this option, Bridgestone/Firestone will select the brand and type of
tires used as a replacement.
In addition, consumers that have purchased a road hazard warranty or
insurance with Bridgestone/Firestone will renew the warranty, free of charge,
when the replacement tires are installed. Consumers will not be charged for
mounting, balancing, valve stem, sales tax or disposal fees for the
replacement of affected tires brought into a Bridgestone/Firestone authorized
dealer.
Fisher said if a consumer does not want to go to an authorized
Bridgestone/Firestone dealer for replacement tires or prefers to replace the
affected tires with their choice of competitors' tires, Bridgestone/Firestone
will reimburse the consumer up to $140 per tire. The $140 reimbursement
includes mounting, balancing, valve stem, sales tax, tire disposal fees and is
effective regardless of the use or condition of the tire.
Bridgestone/Firestone will also pay to replace the warranty on the new tires.
Consumers who choose the reimbursement option must return the affected
tires to an authorized Bridgestone/Firestone dealer to apply for their
reimbursement voucher. An original receipt must be included with the
reimbursement application. Consumers can expect to receive their
reimbursement within four to six weeks.
At the request of the Attorneys General, Bridgestone/Firestone has removed
any release language from reimbursement forms. Consumers do not have to waive
their legal rights to take advantage of any Bridgestone/Firestone tire
replacement program. Additionally, at the request of the Attorneys General,
Bridgestone/Firestone has agreed not to enforce any "releases" on the recall
or advisory forms previously signed by consumers.
NOTE: Actualities are available by contacting the Attorney General's
Radio News Line at 1-877-603-5201.
CONTACT: Barbara Petito, Deputy Press Secretary of the Office of PA
Attorney General Fisher, 717-787-5211.