Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is recalling Firestone light truck tires* because they were manufactured with an incorrect inner liner compound, which could cause increased inner liner permeability or cracking, resulting in belt separation.They are an all-season tire intended for use on light trucks and commercial vehicles. Bridgestone Canada made the tires. There have been no reports of accidents, injuries or consumer complaints, according to the NHTSA filing.
The tires were imported by Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). BATO supplied the tires to Stellantis as original equipment for installation on 2021-2022 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickups. BATO also supplied the tires to retailers for aftermarket sales.
Affected tires were produced at a single plant from 2 May 2021 through 8 May 8, 2021. Affected tires can be differentiated from non-affected tires by the unique combination of brand, tire line, size, and DOT code.
Timeline
- July 1, 2021: Bridgestone’s Joliette, Quebec plant identifies a potential misidentification and mixing issue involving certain compounds mixed in early May. An inventory freeze is initiated to allow lot tracing of tires made with the affected compounds.
- July 13, 2021 – September 13, 2021: Incorrect inner liner compound is recreated, and tests on the recreated compound are conducted by Bridgestone’s materials testing lab.
- September 9, 2021 – December 6, 2021: Extended indoor testing is conducted on assembled and aged tires to determine effect of the incorrect compound on inner liner air permeability.
- January 10, 2022 – January 19, 2022: Additional endurance testing is performed on affected tires. All tested tires passed the endurance test.
- January 24, 2022: Bridgestone’s Quality Committee (QC) met and reviewed the results of the materials testing and assembled tire testing. The QC determined that the incorrect inner liner compound could lead to increased permeability and cracking which could manifest as belt edge separations later in the affected tires’ service life. This could lead to belt detachments and potential safety issues with the affected tires. The QC recommended the voluntary recall of affected tires.
- January 25, 2022: Bridgestone senior executive approved the QC’s recommendation to voluntarily recall affected tires.
Bridgestone will notify owners and replace the affected tires with a comparable Bridgestone or Firestone brand tire, free of charge as required by US law. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 1 April 1 2022. Owners can contact Bridgestone customer service at 1-800-847-3272. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
*Transforce HT, size LT275/70R18 with DOT code VN15TH71821and Transforce AT, size LT275/70R18 with DOT code VN15TR91821.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
RAM – OE Firestone Truck Tires Recalled for Belt Separation
Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations is recalling Firestone light truck tires* because they were manufactured with an incorrect inner liner compound, which could cause increased inner liner permeability or cracking, resulting in belt separation.They are an all-season tire intended for use on light trucks and commercial vehicles. Bridgestone Canada made the tires. There have been no reports of accidents, injuries or consumer complaints, according to the NHTSA filing.
The tires were imported by Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO). BATO supplied the tires to Stellantis as original equipment for installation on 2021-2022 RAM 2500 and 3500 pickups. BATO also supplied the tires to retailers for aftermarket sales.
Affected tires were produced at a single plant from 2 May 2021 through 8 May 8, 2021. Affected tires can be differentiated from non-affected tires by the unique combination of brand, tire line, size, and DOT code.
Timeline
Bridgestone will notify owners and replace the affected tires with a comparable Bridgestone or Firestone brand tire, free of charge as required by US law. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 1 April 1 2022. Owners can contact Bridgestone customer service at 1-800-847-3272. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
*Transforce HT, size LT275/70R18 with DOT code VN15TH71821and Transforce AT, size LT275/70R18 with DOT code VN15TR91821.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.