FORT MILLS, S.C.—Continental Tire the Americas is recalling certain ProContact GX AO tires that mainly came as original equipment on Audi A4 and A5 models.
Continental is recalling 146,568 ProContact GX AO tires, size 255/35R19, because excessive heat buildup may cause belt separation.
The design of the tire "allowed for higher flexing in the tread shoulder, causing heat buildup" and possible belt-edge separation, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report. Belt separation can cause a sudden loss of tire air pressure and vehicle control, and increase possibility of a crash.
The affected tires may exhibit localized tread wear in the shoulders, as well as excessive vibration and noise, Conti said.
The ProContact GX AO tires were produced May 9, 2021 to Aug. 17, 2024, at the company's Korbach, Germany, plant. Most of the tires were used as original equipment (OE) on Audi A4 and A5 models, but around 10 percent were sold in the U.S. replacement market, according to the NHTSA report.
The safety report states that from 2021 until March of this year, Conti received nine tire returns for possible belt separation evident by localized tread wear, but in only one case was there actual belt-edge separation. Then in July, Conti received 20 returns suspected of defect and found an additional four that showed separation. From there, Conti started an investigation in issued the recall Aug. 23.
To date, Conti has identified 39 tires with suspected tread/belt separation, and six tires with confirmed separation. The company said it was not aware of any reports of property damage, accidents, injuries or deaths related to the affected tires.
Conti will conduct a safety recall campaign to replace the subject tires that have been sold, either as original equipment tires or sold in the replacement market. The company will cover the tire replacement cost, including any customer who prior to the recall replaced these tires due to the condition described.
All known customers, distributors and dealers will be notified and given instructions on how to identify the subject tires, information regarding removal from service and return or disposal. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 7, 2024.
Conti said it made adjustments to the tire to solve the issue and improve tire endurance, and the new version went into production Aug. 19.
