NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Bridgestone Americas Inc. and Bridgestone Canada have issued a voluntary recall to recover eight tires that may malfunction.
The tires, manufactured at Bridgestone's passenger tire plant in Aiken, S.C., between July 11 and 17, 2021, may have sustained a small pinhole in the outward-facing sidewall during manufacturing.
If left unaddressed, Bridgestone said, this slow leak could affect tire performance and, depending on the vehicle and other circumstances, increase the risk of a crash.
The tire products/brands include:
- Bridgestone Dueler H/L 422 Ecopia tires in size P245/60R18 with DOT TIN Code 7X VD 423 2821;
- Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza tires in size 275/55R20 with DOT TIN Code 7X Y1 DH7 2821;
- Bridgestone Turanza EL440 tires in size 235/60R18 with DOT TIN Code 7X 45 JB2 2821;
- Bridgestone Ecopia H/L 422 Plus tires in size 235/55R20 with DOT TIN Code 7X 8A EC1 2821; and
- Firestone Destination LE3 tires in size 225/65R17 with DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) Code 17X 2Y LE32 2821.
Bridgestone said there have been no known accidents or injuries involving these tires. However, the company said these tires may not comply with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard and/or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard performance requirements.
Bridgestone said the pinhole in the affected tires is visible in the tire's outward-facing sidewall near the first digit of the TIN date code. Should the pinhole penetrate the tire's inner liner, a slow air loss may occur.
The tire maker has determined only eight affected tires remain in the market, but it has extended the recall to include 21,513 tires manufactured on impacted equipment at the company's Aiken passenger tire plant within the compromised DOT Date Code week.
Bridgestone said this wide approach is "consistent with Bridgestone's longstanding commitment to quality, safety and customer satisfaction."
The tires were distributed through Bridgestone's company-owned retail stores in the U.S., original equipment manufacturers, tire retailers, dealers and distributors in the U.S. and Canada.
Bridgestone said it has notified regulatory agencies in the U.S. and Canada in accordance with applicable laws.
Customers, distributors and dealers will receive notification of the recall.
Bridgestone suggests consumers take their vehicle to a Bridgestone company-owned retail store or a Bridgestone/Firestone authorized retail location for inspection to determine if a pinhole is present in the outward-facing sidewall near the first digit of the TIN date code.
Bridgestone will replace affected tires with a comparable Bridgestone or Firestone brand tire or other suitable replacement at no charge.