Bridgestone Firestone Announces Safety Campaign

Bridgestone/Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) announced that it is initiating a voluntary safety campaign in Canada to replace approximately 1,400 Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires in size LT285/75R16 LR D (Load Range D). The subject tires were manufactured in Japan by Bridgestone Corporation and imported into Canada by BFCA for sale in the replacement tire market primarily by its channel of independent dealers. In a related action, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) intends to replace approximately 25,600 of these tires in the United States replacement market that were sold through BFNT’s network of independent
dealers as well as the retail stores operated by its affiliated company, BFS Retail & Commercial Operations, LLC (BFRC).
Canadian consumers should contact an authorized participating Bridgestone retailer for replacement. Recent data reviewed as part of the company’s early warning system suggests that a small percentage of these tires may experience belt detachment, especially if they have been operated below recommended inflation pressures for the load carried by the tire or above recommended loads. A belt detachment of this kind can, in rare instances, lead to a loss of control of a vehicle and a possible crash. In order to avoid any future problems, BFNT and BFCA will replace these tires to enhance safety and to ensure customer satisfaction. The performance of these tires differs from other Dueler tires, including those of the same size and type which were manufactured after July 31, 2002, which continue to perform well in the field.
“Safety is the first priority in our company, and to that end we actively monitor our tires’ performance in the field with an advanced early warning system,” according to Mike Kane, vice president quality assurance, BFNT. “We
noticed that this specific size and type of tire was not performing up to our company’s expectations, so we decided to remove the remaining tires from service to avoid the potential of any future problems.”
The tires were manufactured in Tosu, Japan, beginning in July 1, 1998 through July 31, 2002. BFNT and BFCA will replace these tires at no charge to consumers with Bridgestone or other brands of tires manufactured by BFNT or its affiliated companies such as Firestone, Dayton and Widetrack. Replacement tires may include (at the consumer’s option) tires of the same size as those
which were fitted as original equipment on the consumer’s vehicle.
For questions and additional information about how to identify the tires covered under this program and where to get free replacements, consumers may contact BFCA and BFNT toll free at: 1-800-465-1904.
The company declares that every effort will be made to identify customers who have purchased tires covered by this program in order to advise them of the campaign by mail. However, consumers need not wait to receive a letter in order to have the tires inspected, and replaced, if they are a part of this action. Canadian consumers should contact an authorized participating Bridgestone retailer. Information about how to identify and replace the tires covered by this campaign as well as frequently asked questions can be found at www.bridgestonetire.com .