U.S. Probes Light-Truck Tires Made by Goodyear
A federal safety agency on Tuesday opened a preliminary investigation into Goodyear light-truck tires that could experience “sudden and catastrophic” failure on the road.
The investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration involves about 27 million Load Range E tires manufactured from 1991 to 1999, about half of which are still on the road, according to Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. The tires were sold under different brands and sizes for large sport-utility vehicles and vans, trailers and even some small buses.
A preliminary evaluation is the first step for NHTSA in deciding whether a recall is necessary.
The agency’s investigation comes in the wake of recent reports in The Times that the Goodyear Load Range E tires had tread-separation failures similar to those that led to the recall of 6.5 million Firestone tires this summer. Moreover, Goodyear has been quietly replacing thousands of failed tires for more than four years at no charge for customers who complain, The Times reported.
Tread-separation failures, particularly at highway speeds, are dangerous because they can cause a driver to lose control. Instinctive responses, such as applying the brakes, can worsen the situation. When an SUV experiences tire failure, hard braking or steering can actually precipitate a rollover.
A NHTSA spokesman said Tuesday that the agency has not asked Goodyear to begin a recall. “We are not at that point yet,” said the official. “Goodyear is cooperating with us. We have gotten a fair amount of information already and we will be seeking more.” Goodyear has maintained there is nothing wrong with the tires. Company spokesman Chris Aked said Goodyear is not considering a voluntary recall.
Included in data that Goodyear previously submitted to NHTSA are details on 30 crashes, 15 deaths and 125 injuries blamed on the tires. That far exceeds the seven complaints NHTSA has independently received from consumers, which include one crash and four injuries.
However, NHTSA said it would not make public the information provided by Goodyear, pending a review of the company’s request for confidentiality. An agency spokesman also said he could not immediately release the seven consumer complaints NHTSA has received independently.
Arthur Bryant, executive director of the nonprofit Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, said NHTSA should make the information available to consumers. “The public interest is not going to be served by a secret NHTSA investigation,” Bryant said.
Despite the concern about secrecy, Rosemary Shahan, director of Sacramento-based Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, said she was encouraged by NHTSA’s decision to begin an investigation. “This is a good first step,” she said.
In a statement, Goodyear said it stands by its tires. “All of Goodyear’s Load Range E tires on the road today have excellent durability and performance,” the company said.
Goodyear said it noticed a pattern of customer “inquiries” about the tires in 1995 and began an internal investigation.
“Three teams of Goodyear engineers spent almost two years looking into every aspect of the materials, design and manufacture of these tires,” the firm said. “After testing and retesting every possible scenario, they found nothing wrong.”
However, Goodyear changed the design by adding an additional nylon ply to make tires more durable when carrying heavy loads. By last spring, all new Load Range E tires had the improved design.
Goodyear said the change was not due to any problem, but a recognition of the fact that the tires were being used on ever-larger vehicles carrying heavier loads.
The Times reported that Goodyear had received more than 3,000 claims about its light-truck tires since 1995. A majority of those claims have been settled, with consumers receiving replacements and reimbursement for any damage to their vehicles. The tire failures also have led to some two dozen lawsuits around the country.
