Dean tire recalls

COOPER TIRE IS RECALLING 48,037 LOAD RANGE E TIRES, SIZES LT265/75R16 AND LT235/85R16, PRODUCED BETWEEN DECEMBER 2, 2007 AND FEBRUARY 9, 2008. THESE TIRES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 139, "NEW PNEUMATIC RADIAL TIRES FOR LIGHT VEHICLES." A BULGE CAN OCCUR IN THE LOWER SIDEWALL ON THE WHITE SIDEWALL SIDE WHICH INDICATES THE EXISTENCE OF A SEPARATION BETWEEN TWO LOWER SIDEWALL COMPONENTS.

CERTAIN COOPER TIRES OF VARIOUS MODELS LISTED ABOVE MANUFACTURED BETWEEN AUGUST 6 AND AUGUST 19, 2006 (DOT SERIAL WEEKS 3206 AND 3306.) SOME OF THE SUBJECT TIRES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH NON-CONFORMING BELT WIRE COAT STOCK. IF PLACED IN SERVICE, THE SUBJECT TIRES MAY DEVELOP A BELT SEPARATION DUE TO A REDUCED ABILITY TO PREVENT CORROSION OF THE STEEL WIRES IN AN INSTANCE WHERE MOISTURE REACHES THE STEEL BELT.

EXPOSED TURN-DOWN ENDINGS AT THE BEAD TOE CAN ALLOW AIR TO PERMEATE INTO THE TIRE'S CARCASS CAUSING SEPARATION AND PREMATURE FAILURE.

TIRES MAY NOT MEET MINIMUM ENDURANCE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 109.

SEPARATION IN THE SHOULDER AREA DUE TO LOST ADHESION BETWEEN TREAD AND BELTS CAUSED BY TRAPPED AIR.

POSSIBILITY TIRES MAY DEVELOP SEPARATION IN THE SHOULDER AREA DURING THE ENDURANCE TEST OF FMVSS 109, NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: CONTINUED USE OF THE TIRE MAY CAUSE THE PLY CORDS TO BREAK AND THE TUBELESS LINER TO TEAR AND LOSE THE INFLATING AIR. LOSS OF AIR MIGHT RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WITH POSSIBLE VEHICLE CRASH.

DURING SURVEILLANCE TESTING, TIRES DEVELOPED SEPARATION IN THE SHOULDER AND TREAD AREA WHEN OPERATED IN AN OVERLOADED OR UNDERINFLATED CONDITION.