WASHINGTON—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has granted a petition of inconsequential noncompliance to Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., and also received a tire-related petition for a grant of inconsequential noncompliance from Volkswagen Group of America.
Cooper's petition involved approximately 1,350 Cooper Weather-Master S/T2 tires, size 215/70R15, manufactured between April 26 and May 29, 2015. The inboard sidewalls of the tires bear an incorrect manufacturer's identification mark, Cooper told NHTSA.
In its petition, Cooper argued that the noncompliance was inconsequential because both the outboard sidewall identification and the brand name are unmistakably Cooper's.
The Volkswagen petition involves 4,985 Volkswagen e-Golf passenger vehicles manufactured between May 21, 2014 and Nov. 14, 2015, and also 4,618 Volkswagen Golf R cars made between Oct. 24, 2014 and Nov. 14, 2015.
According to Volkswagen, the tire placards on these vehicles are misprinted and do not contain the word “none” in the area reserved for the spare tire as required by NHTSA standards.
Volkswagen argued that the noncompliance is inconsequential because the error is applicable to a component that is not on the vehicle. The error does not affect drivability, safety or tire wear; has not generated any complaints; and has been corrected, VW said.
The Cooper notice appeared in the March 4 Federal Register, and can be found here. The Volkswagen notice appeared in the March 1 FR, and can be found here.