Tire recall 04T003000

The defect

LT265/75R16 LOAD RANGE D STEELTEX RADIAL A/T TIRES, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 1999 AND DECEMBER 2002. MOST OF THESE TIRES WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MY 2000-2003 FORD EXCURSION LARGE SIZE SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. BFS STATED THAT IF THE TIRES ARE OPERATED AT BELOW RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURES OR ABOVE THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. RECOMMENDED LOADS OR AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS, THEY MAY EXPERIENCE RAPID AIR LOSS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

The risk

PERSONAL INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH COULD RESULT IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

The remedy

BFS, IN CONJUNCTION WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. BFS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS BEGAN MARCH 5, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FIRESTONE CUSTOMER AFFAIRS AT 1-800-465-1904.

NHTSA's own wording · initiated by the manufacturer