If you drive a car, light truck, SUV or mini-van, there is a good possibility your tires are steel belted radial tires. The most common defect in this type of tire is tread separation, which occurs when the tread becomes separated from the casing. This situation elevates the risk of a tire blowout, potentially causing the vehicle to crash.
Bridgestone/Firestone North America Tire (Bridgestone) recently announced a recall of 2900 replacement passenger car tires due to a manufacturing error they believe could result in separation of tire treads.
Steel belted radial tires are made of specific rubber compounds reinforced by plies of fabric cords and metal wires. The cords and wires resist stretching of the rubber and maintain the shape of the tire. These materials are strongly bonded together using specialized adhesives, however, when the strength of the bond is weakened, the treads can separate.
The most common cause of tread separation is a manufacturing defect, although the incidence of such cases is statistically quite low. Typically, the root of the issue is in the curing process, causing inadequate bonding. When a company, such as Bridgestone, becomes aware of a possible defect, they will generally issue a recall as consumer safety is customarily a top priority. Other causes of tire tread separation include over-inflation of the tire, hitting a pothole, incorrect repair of a flat tire, and exceeding the life of the tire (excessive wear and tear).
Signs that your tire(s) may have tread separation:
- Slight vibration while driving
- Vehicle feels like it is “off-balance” while driving
- Bumps or blisters forming on the treads
How to check your tires:
- Inspect your tires by looking and feeling for signs of deformities or irregularities
- Look for other signs of failure such as sidewall cracks, treads that are worn unevenly or thinly
- If you are unsure, you should have a licensed mechanic inspect your tires
Blisters or bumps on a tire will continue to grow until the tire fails, which can be a potentially dangerous situation. If you suspect tire tread separation, the only solution is to replace the tire.
The affected Bridgestone tires are Firestone FR710 tires size 205/65R16, and Champion Fuel Fighter tires size 205/65R15 and 205/70R15, manufactured between March 27 and April 9, 2016. They are being recalled due to suspicion of inconsistent rubber coverage over the steel plies. Bridgestone will be notifying owners of the voluntary recall and dealers will replace the tires free of charge. For further information, owners can contact Bridgestone customer service at 1-800-847-3272.
If you, a loved one, friend, neighbor, colleague or client has been injured or killed as a result of a tire manufacturing error, please contact our firm at 561-655-1990 or chat with us at www.ForYourRights.com. We are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.
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About Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath
Conveniently located in West Palm Beach for 27 years, Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, LLP concentrates in Personal Injury, Wrongful death, Medical Malpractice, Product Liability and Auto accidents. At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we specialize in helping victims and their families get fair compensation for injuries caused by the negligence or recklessness of others. Our main areas of practice include personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, product liability, medical malpractice, and premise liability. We provide each client with the highest quality representation from a top Florida accident and injury lawyer.
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