WASHINGTON—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has granted tire-related petitions for findings of inconsequential noncompliance to three auto makers.
These NHTSA decisions mean the auto makers will not have to conduct formal recalls to correct the safety problems.
BMW of North America L.L.C. asked for a finding of inconsequential noncompliance for 364 model year 2012 BMW X6M SAV multipurpose passenger vehicles manufactured between April 1, 2011 and March 23, 2012.
The tire placards on the vehicles said the rear seating capacity was two passengers and the total seating capacity was four, when in fact three passengers could fit in the back seat and five passengers in all. The error was inconsequential, BMW argued, because the back seats had three sets of seat belts and the tire pressure value on the placard was correct.
American Honda Motor Co. Inc. asked for inconsequential noncompliance for 212 model year 2011-12 Acura TSX passenger cars equipped with 18-inch wheels.
The tire pressure monitoring systems on these vehicles were inadvertently set for 17-inch wheels, Honda told NHTSA. But even at the lower TPMS threshold, the tires retain adequate load capacity, the auto maker said.
Honda also said it conducted dynamic testing to confirm that the handling and stability of the vehicles were not adversely affected, NHTSA said.
Mercedes-Benz USA, L.L.C. asked for inconsequential noncompliance for 1,479 model year 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-class vehicles manufactured between March and August 2011.
The vehicles' tire placards incorrectly identify the tire size designation of the spare tire, Mercedes told NHTSA. But the recommended cold tire inflation pressure for the spare is listed correctly, as is all other information involving tire maintenance and replacement, the auto maker said.