Every year, there are a handful of tire recalls that affect thousands of vehicles; unfortunately, most drivers have no idea what tires have been recalled. In fact, 10 different types of tires have been recalled in the last four months alone. They include:
- Cooper 17T019000 (Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.)
- El Dorado 17T019000 (Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.)
- Vanderbilt 17T019000 (Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.)
- Starfire 17T019000 (Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.)
- Futura 17T019000 (Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.)
- Cornell 17T019000 (Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.)
- Mastercraft 17T019000 (Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.)
- Antares 17T018000 (Zhaoqing Junhong Co., Ltd.)
- Far East 17T017000 (Harbor Freight Tools)
- Innova 17T017000 (Harbor Freight Tools)
You can find out if there is an open recall on your tires using the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) online search.
There are many more defective tires on the nation’s roads than most realize. In addition to the recalls, car accident victims and other consumers file a myriad of complaints about tire failures each year.
There are countless tire recalls each year.
Taking Action to Replace Your Recalled Tires
If you learn there is an open recall on your tires, you should replace them as soon as possible. A defective tire has an increased risk of failure. The most common type of failure, tread separation, could cause a rollover or other violent crash if it occurs at highway speeds. It is imperative that you get new tires on your vehicle after a recall, to protect the health and safety of your family and other passengers.
You should be able to get a free set of tires to replace the recalled tires from your point of purchase. If the tires came on the vehicle, you may be able to contact your auto dealership for a free replacement or more information. If they are replacement tires, your tire dealer should offer you a free replacement. The recall notice should also include the manufacturer’s contact information for any questions or concerns you might have.
Why Do Manufacturers Recall Tires?
All manufacturers of consumer products have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe and reliable before putting them on the market. They must have rigorous quality control protocols in place and conduct testing to uncover any dangers or defects. If they find any problems, they need to get to the bottom of the issue and recall products if consumers may suffer injuries.
In the 1990s, a tire manufacturer received hundreds of complaints about tire failures, more than 100 people died, and several thousand suffered injuries before it notified the NHTSA and issued a recall in August of 2000. In response to this delay in the Bridgestone/Firestone recall, lawmakers passed the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act.
Under TREAD, tire companies must report any possible defect in a tire discovered through quality control measures or consumer complaints to both the NHTSA and the company’s network of distributors.
Liability for an Accident Caused by a Defective or Recalled Tire
Accidents caused by tire defects continue to occur every day. A few defects will lead to recalls, but many more will not. However, a recall is not a necessity to hold a tire manufacturer liable for your accident and injuries. If you can establish the tire was defective — and that the defect caused your crash — you may be entitled to compensation. There are a couple ways we help our clients hold tire companies accountable for their dangerous products:
- File a claim based on the company’s liability policy
- File a strict liability lawsuit against them
We can help you understand more about your options and the best way to get the compensation you need and deserve in our free consultation. We can explain the strength of your case, and help you decide whether you want to hold the manufacturer liable or not. If you enlist our help to handle your case, we will go to work building a solid case against the tire manufacturer on your behalf. This includes:
- Sending a survey team to gather evidence and document the accident site
- Consulting engineers to help us understand how and why the tire failed
- Using accident reconstruction experts to explain how the tire failure led to your crash and injuries
- Identifying any and all potentially liable parties, including the tire company, automaker, dealership, and/or the service provider who installed your tires
- Collecting documentation of your accident-related expenses and losses, to maximize the damages we can recover for you
Talk to an Attorney About Your Recalled or Defective Tires Today
If you have questions or concerns about recalled tires, or if a defective tire caused your car accident injuries, we can help you understand your rights. We offer free case reviews and can answer your questions about how you can hold a tire manufacturer liable for its defective products.
Call us today to get started: 888-261-5614.