Continental Expected to Announce Tire Recall

Continental General Tire plans to announce a recall today of the 16-inch tire that was standard equipment on the 1998 and 1999 model year Lincoln Navigator. Continental and Ford Motor Co., which makes the Navigator, confirmed that they will brief federal authorities on the tire’s warranty and claims data this morning. A source with knowledge of the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a recall is expected to be announced after the meeting. Lincoln spokesman Jim Cain would not discuss the details of the information that will be shared with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but said it will be released after the meeting. Continental officials could not be reached for comment. NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson said he had no information about what would be discussed at the meeting. Ford and Continental said last week that they were investigating six reports from Saudi Arabia about problems involving Continental tires on Lincoln Navigators. The companies said that the warranty and claims data include no reports of serious accidents, fatalities or serious injuries.