Firestone Steeltex A/t Recalls

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 04T003000
Manufacturer: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations,LLC
Date of Owner Notification: March 5th, 2004

Defect Summary:
LT265/75R16 LOAD RANGE D STEELTEX RADIAL A/T TIRES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 1999 AND DECEMBER 2002. MOST OF THESE TIRES WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MY 2000-2003 FORD EXCURSION LARGE SIZE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. BFS STATED THAT IF THE TIRES ARE OPERATED AT BELOW RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURES OR ABOVE THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. RECOMMENDED LOADS OR AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS, THEY MAY EXPERIENCE RAPID AIR LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Consequence Summary:
PERSONAL INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH COULD RESULT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Corrective Summary:
BFS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. BFS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS BEGAN MARCH 5, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER AFFAIRS AT 1-800-465-1904.

Recall Notes:
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT.HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY.CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE AT 800 465 1904.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

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NHTSA Campaign Number: 03T002000
Manufacturer: Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations,LLC
Manufactured Begin Date: March 9th, 2003
Manufactured End Date: March 15th, 2003

Defect Summary:
LT235/75R15 STEELTEX RADIAL A/T TIRES WITH DOT TIRE SERIAL W1HKRAD1003. DUE TO AN INSUFFICIENT CURE IN THE TREAD SHOULDER AREA, THE TIRE MAY DEVELOP IRREGULAR WEAR, NOISE, OR VIBRATIONS AND WITH EXTENDED USE, THE TIRES WITH THIS CONDITION MAY EXPERIENCE A TREAD SEPARATION.

Consequence Summary:
TREAD SEPARATION OF THE TIRE CAN POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

Corrective Summary:
BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE HAS ADVISED NHTSA THAT ALL OF THE SUBJECT TIRES HAVE ALREADY BEEN REMOVED FROM THE FIELD.

Recall Notes:
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).