Bridgestone recalling unmarked tyres in US

ERJ staff report (TB)

Washington DC - Bridgestone Americas is voluntarily recalling 768 Potenza RE050A, Turanza ER30 and B390 radials that were shipped from Bridgestone Corp. plants in Japan without the required US federal safety labels.

Bridgestone said in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the tyres were part of a larger shipment intended for OE fitment on vehicles assembled in the US or Canada for export to markets outside of North America.

The tyres being recalled were shipped inadvertently to customers in the U.S. replacement market. Bridgestone said since the tyres were not intended for use in the U.S., they do not meet the marking requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. The missing labels could lead to the tyres' being over- or underinflated, increasing the risk of a crash, NHTSA's recall notice said.

Bridgestone is offering free replacement for the tyres through July 31 at its company-owned stores: Firestone Complete Auto Care, ExpertTire, TiresPlus, Hibdon TiresPlus, Wheel Works or Firestone Commercial & Farm.

The tyres being recalled are: Potenza RE050A in size 245/45R18 XL; Turanza ER30 in size 205/65R15; and B390 in size 205/65/R16.

Bridgestone told NHTSA it has located and quarantined 220 of the tyres, meaning 548 of them potentially were sold.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)