Michelin North America is recalling ~7000 Agilis Cross Climate C-Metric tires, size 185/60R15C. This is a an aftermarket replacement all weather tire. If placed into service, the affected tires may not provide the expected performance and could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
“Chunks of tread rubber may detach from the shoulder blocks. As such, these tires fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles,” Michelin told the National Highway Traffic Safet Administration in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. NHTSA made the Michelin tire recall public this morning.
Chronology
- 19 Mar 25 – As part of internal surveillance testing of production tires, Michelin received an indication suggesting that the Subject Tire may not meet endurance regulatory requirements found in FMVSS 571.139 S.6.3 due to tread chunking, which was inconsistent with testing performed previously in 2023.
- Test logs were studied in detail to ensure stability and accurate conditions. Additional tires were ordered and a retest scheduled. Tires were produced in France and tested at the Michelin facility in Greenville, SC.
- 19 March 25 – Tires arrived at the test facility and retest started.
- 20 March 25 – During the retesting of tires, an equipment malfunction occurred interrupting the test. Additional tires were ordered with expedited shipping for the retesting.
- 28 March to 4 April 25 – Tires arrived at the test facility and the second test request was submitted for retest to evaluate the Subject tires ability to meet FMVSS 571.139 S.6.3 requirements.
- 15 Apr 25 -Both the original test and the retest results were studied and an investigation into the Subject Tire discovered the existence of a prior 31 December 2024 test result suggesting the Subject Tire may not comply with FMVSS 571.139 S.6.3. These test results were compared with the initial results from 2023 suggesting compliance. Out of an abundance of caution, all available tires in Michelin’s control were blocked and placed on hold immediately. Production was halted from further startup at the factory. The dimension was not currently in production at the factory.
- 17 Apr to 6 May 25 – Michelin conducted a comprehensive review of all existing test results to establish a valid dataset and to evaluate the scope of potentially impacted tires. A review of this analysis confirmed the Subject Tire scope that did not meet the FMVSS 571.139 S.6.3 was DOT week range of 4023-1725.
- 7 May 25 – A determination meeting occurred, and a formal decision of non-compliance was made.
The remedy is currently under development. A Michelin replacement product or equivalent substitute is unavailable and there are no current plans to produce them in the future. A remedy program will be described in more detail in a future amendment including a refund or suitable competitor replacement product. Michelin has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Michelin’s customer service at 1-888-971-3801.
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.
Light Truck Tread Separation Recall from Michelin Tire
Michelin North America is recalling ~7000 Agilis Cross Climate C-Metric tires, size 185/60R15C. This is a an aftermarket replacement all weather tire. If placed into service, the affected tires may not provide the expected performance and could potentially increase the risk of a crash.
“Chunks of tread rubber may detach from the shoulder blocks. As such, these tires fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 139, New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles,” Michelin told the National Highway Traffic Safet Administration in the mandatory safety defect recall filing. NHTSA made the Michelin tire recall public this morning.
Chronology
The remedy is currently under development. A Michelin replacement product or equivalent substitute is unavailable and there are no current plans to produce them in the future. A remedy program will be described in more detail in a future amendment including a refund or suitable competitor replacement product. Michelin has not yet provided a schedule for recall notification. Owners may contact Michelin’s customer service at 1-888-971-3801.
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.