FULLERTON, Calif. (Oct. 6, 2008) — Early warning data posted on a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site are unverified and may be inaccurate, a top executive of Yokohama Tire Corp. said.
Jim MacMaster, executive vice president, Business Division for Yokohama Tire, said the published results, while informative, represent claims that have not been substantiated and that the statistical data pertaining to claims filed against tire manufacturers have been culled from allegations, not corroborated fact.
Under the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act, tire, vehicle and auto parts manufacturers must submit quarterly reports to NHTSA, containing any data that might constitute an early warning of a product defect.
As of Sept. 10, NHTSA began releasing some of this information — including death, injury and property damage claims, light vehicle production data and information on foreign recalls — on its consumer Web site, www.safercar.gov