Other LanguagesSEATTLE -- The Bridgestone/Firestone multistate working group, a joint effort of Attorneys General from Washington and 47 other states and territories, wants consumers who own tires listed on the Sept. 1, 2000, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Consumer Advisory to know their options.
NHTSA’s advisory warned that some Firestone tires not currently part of the company’s voluntary recall are subject to the same potentially deadly problems. Consumers can determine if they have tires covered by the consumer advisory by going to the NHTSA website: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hot/Firestone/consumer/consumer_09-01-00.html
If consumers confirm they have tires listed on the advisory, they are encouraged to replace them as soon as possible.
Consumers have a number of options.
- Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. will replace consumer advisory tires free of charge if the tires are taken to a Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. authorized dealer. Tires will be replaced regardless of their condition, or even if they are not currently on a vehicle.
- If a consumer previously had a road hazard warranty or insurance, Bridgestone/Firestone will replace the warranty free of charge when the replacement tire is installed. Consumers will not be charged for mounting, balancing, sales tax or disposal fees.
- If a consumer does not want to go to an authorized Bridgestone/Firestone dealer for replacement tires, or prefers to replace the consumer advisory tires with tires made by another manufacturer, Bridgestone/Firestone will reimburse consumers up to $140 per tire. The $140 reimbursement includes mounting, balancing, and sales tax and tire disposal fees. The consumer can elect the reimbursement option regardless of the use or condition of the tire. Reimbursement forms can be obtained at authorized Bridgestone/Firestone retailers. Consumers will need an original receipt for the replacement tires to attach to the reimbursement form. Reimbursements will most likely take four to six weeks.
Consumers do not have to waive legal rights to take advantage of the Bridgestone/Firestone tire replacement program. Additionally, at the request of the Attorneys General, Bridgestone/Firestone has agreed not to enforce any "releases" previously signed by consumers.
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