Some Canadian farmers will be affected by a tire recall from one of the world’s largest suppliers of truck and sport utility vehicle tires.
Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. is recalling all Firestone Radial ATX and Radial ATX II tires in size P235/75R15 and Wilderness AT tires in the same size produced at the Decatur, Illinois plant.
Owners of vehicles equipped with those tires, regardless of whether they are original or replacement tires, should contact their local authorized Bridgestone/Firestone Canada dealer.
The tires will be replaced with new Wilderness AT or other appropriate Bridgestone/Firestone tires. If replacement tires are not immediately available, customers will be placed on a list and contacted once they arrive.
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The recall stems from a series of accidents involving the tires that have occurred primarily in four southern U.S. states.
Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. executive vice-president Gary Crigger said the company has “not determined what, if any, problem there may be with these tires,” but said the data shows the number of accidents involving the P235/75R15 Radial ATX and ATX II tires is higher than with other sizes in that line.
He also said the Decatur plant is over-represented in accident claims compared to other plants and that the majority of the accidents involving the three types of tires occurred in four southern U.S. states, indicating a correlation between heat and tire performance.
“From a Canadian perspective, we want to emphasize that vehicle manufacturers here in Canada who use our tires as original equipment have reported few, if any, incidents involving these voluntarily recalled tires and that’s supported by Transport Canada,” said Bridgestone/Firestone Canada spokesperson Jerry Priddle.
Transport Canada spokesperson Robert Greenslade said there were no complaints about the tires before the recall announcement, but the federal government agency is investigating three cases that have arisen since the Aug. 9 announcement.
The vehicles that have these tires as original equipment are Ford Explorers, Ford Ranger light trucks, Ford 150 light trucks, Mercury Mountaineers, Mazda Navajo and Mazda B light trucks.
The recall involves an estimated 6.5 million tires and will be completed in three phases. Canada is part of the third phase.
Vehicle owners are encouraged to maintain the proper inflation levels on their tires and should report any accidents involving the tires to Transport Canada.
