Ford says it urged Bridgestone/Firestone to recall Venezuelan tires

DETROIT (Aug. 29)—Ford Motor Co. urged Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. over last weekend to recall all the 15- and 16-inch Wilderness tires it supplied to Ford Explorers from the Valencia, Venezuela, facility, according to a Ford spokesman. Ford´s concern was based on the tires the auto maker got back from consumers in its action last May to exchange the Wilderness tires with Goodyear Wranglers. The auto maker found the Wilderness tires weren´t speed-rated as promised and also lacked one of three nylon cap plies they were supposed to have. "We did recommend that they take action before INDECU (the Venezuelan consumer protection agency) did," the Ford spokesman said. Bridgestone/Firestone officials could not be reached for comment.