Goodyear recalling certain Wrangler Silent Armor tyres (Updated)

ERJ staff report (TB)

Akron, Ohio -- Goodyear is voluntarily recalling 40,915 Wrangler Silent Armor light truck tyres in the US and Canada produced during a 14-week period in 2009 because of the potential for a partial tread area separation in those tyres subjected to “certain severe usage conditions.”

The sizes being recalled-LT235/80R17 LRE; LT325/60R18 LRE; LT275/70R18 LRE; LT265/70R17 LRE; LT245/75R17 LRE; and LT285/70R17 LRD-were produced from the ninth week of 2009 through the 22nd week of 2009 (March 31-May 31) at Goodyear's Fayetteville, N.C., plant, the company said. The tyres being recalled are identified by the tyre plant code PJ and the date codes 0909 through 2209.

Goodyear estimates there might be as many as 27,000 of the target tyres still in operation in the US and Canada.

Goodyear said it intially observed slightly increased levels of warranty returns and property claims starting in May 2010 and continued to monitor early warning data for these tyres and conducted inspections of several returned tyres.

After receiving an injury claim involving one of the tyres in the third quarter of 2011, Goodyear said its inspection of the tyre revealed damage due to stone drilling and other external road-hazard damage. The company said it found no safety issues but determined in the interest of customer satisfaction to recall the tyres identified above.

Goodyear said it will notify owners and replace the tyres free of charge; the recall is expected to begin on or before March 22. Customers who previously may have received an adjustment on any of the recalled population of tyres will be offered reimbursement on a pro-rated basis.

Goodyear said it has notified Transport Canada about its plans for the voluntary recall and will be contacting customers in Canada.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)