Cooper recalling SUV tyres under four brand names

ERJ staff report (TB)

Washington DC - Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. is recalling 10,236 radial SUV/light truck tyres sold in North America under its own and three customer names because of possible tread separation issues.

The recalled tyres are:

• Cooper Discoverer H/T, sizes P265/70R17 and LT235/85R16;
• Cooper Discoverer LSX, size 265/70R17;
• Mastercraft Courser HTR, size LT235/85R16;
• Del-Nat Delta A/S Sierradial, size 265/70R17;
• Del-Nat National A/S Commando, size 265/70R17;
• Pep Boys Definity Dakota H/T, size P265/70R17; and
• TBC Sigma Stampede Radial SUV, size P265/70R17.

These tyres may have been manufactured with contaminated rubber in the tread compounds that could result in tread separation, Cooper told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“We have received reports from several dealers regarding the subject tyres developing early life tread separations when placed in service,” Cooper said in a June 5 letter to NHTSA. Cooper's internal investigation showed a small amount of “non-standard” rubber stock was mixed inadvertently with the specified tread stock.

The tyres were manufactured during the weeks of Dec. 11-17, 2011, and Jan. 1-7, 2012, the tyre maker said, at its Texarkana, Ark., plant.

Cooper's recall number is 156. Cooper will begin notifying owners of the tyres June 15 and replace them free of charge, including mounting and balancing, the company said.Cooper did not indicate whether it had received any reports of personal or property damage as a result of the suspect tyres.

Owners may also contact Cooper's consumer relations department at 800-854-628

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)

Recall notice from NHTSA (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12T010000 )