Consumers eligible for replacement tires under recall program

SPOKANE – Consumers who purchased recently recalled Westlake, Compass or YKS tires are eligible for free replacements.

Earlier this month, Attorney General Rob McKenna issued alert urging drivers to check the tires on their SUV, pickup or van in case the tires are among those considered potentially unsafe. The tires were manufactured from 2004 to 2006 by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company Ltd. in China and brought into the United States by Foreign Tire Sales, of New Jersey. According to Foreign Tire Sales, the affected tires may lack a sufficient layer of rubber between their steel belts, which could cause tire treads to separate, creating a potential safety hazard on the road.

The Attorney General’s Office has confirmed that some of the recalled tires were sold by GCR Tire Center in Spokane and that Frank’s Tire Factory in Union Gap has replaced some of the recalled tires for its customers. Other Washington dealers may also have sold or stocked the tires, which were sold as replacements and did not come on new vehicles.

Check your vehicle:

• Examine the sidewall of your tires for the brand name, size, model and DOT number.
• Brand names included in the recall: Westlake, Compass and YKS
• Specific tire numbers and sizes affected by the recall:
  o LT235/75R-15 CR861 CR857
  o LT245/75R-16 CR860 CR861 CR857
  o LT225/75R-16 CR 861
  o LT265/75R-16 CR860 CR861 CR857
  o LT235/85R-16 CR860 CR861 CR857
  o LT31X10.5R-15 CR861 CR857
• The letters "DOT" certify compliance with all applicable safety standards established by the Department of Transportation. Adjacent to this is a tire identification or serial number. This serial number is a code with up to 11 digits that are a combination of numbers and letters. If the DOT number contains "FTS" as part of the number, the tire may be subject to recall. Affected tires also will contain a tire size starting with "LT," as well as a DOT number that starts with "7D" and ends in either "02," "03," "04," or "05."

If you have any of these tires:
Consumers who have the tires described above should do the following:

• Fill out a claim form. Download the form from Foreign Tire Sales’ Web site at http://www.foreigntire.com/recallinfo.html or call 1-888-899-9293 to request a form by mail.
• Bring the completed form and the tires to the dealer where you purchased the tires.
• After confirming the tires are subject to a recall, the dealer will provide free replacements.

Information for dealers:

• Dealers will need to submit a reimbursement form and will be refunded for the cost of each tire plus labor for a total of $90-$125, depending on the specific tire. Forms and information about the reimbursement program are on Foreign Tire Sales Web site at http://www.foreigntire.com/recallinfo.html. Dealers can also call 1-888-899-9293 to confirm that a tire is subject to recall.

Additional information about the recall can be found on Foreign Tire Sales’ Web site at http://www.foreigntire.com and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Web site at http://www.nhtsa.gov.
 
Washington consumers who have concerns about the specified tires can file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office online or call toll-free 1-800-551-4636 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays.

If you have an accident as a result of a defective tire:

If you have an accident as a result of a defective tire, file a report with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration by calling 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153). Also file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office online or call toll-free 1-800-551-4636 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays. You may also want to consult with a private attorney, because you have a limited amount of time in which to file a lawsuit.

Tire safety tips:

• Use the proper tires for your vehicle. Check the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations before replacing a tire with a different size and/or construction.
• At least once a month and before every long trip, inspect tires for patterns of uneven wear that could damage tires.
• Check tire inflation pressure in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. If you find that one of your tires is losing pressure, take it to a tire expert for a complete internal inspection.
• Do not overload your vehicle. Check your tire placard or vehicle owner’s manual for the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can safely carry.
• Regularly rotate tires, have the wheels balanced and receive a front-end alignment as necessary.
• Be aware of how the outside temperature affects your tires. Hot weather can be especially hard on tires, causing them to expand. As the outside temperature drops 10 degrees, tire pressure drops about one or two pounds per square inch.
• Be cautious if buying used tires. Check used tire numbers to ensure you are not being sold a recalled tire.

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Media Contact: Kristin Alexander, Media Relations Manager – Seattle, (206) 464-6432