Bridgestone/Firestone to Complete Tire Recall

Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. plans to complete the recall of 6.5 million tires Aug. 29, a move Ford Motor Co. called premature because U.S. regulators are still investigating the recall.

The unit of Japan’s Bridgestone Corp. said it has replaced 6.3 million, or 97%, of the tires included in the recall announced Aug. 9. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating 203 highway deaths involving Firestone tires, most of which were mounted on Ford Explorers, the best-selling sport-utility.

A Firestone spokeswoman said the company consulted with the safety agency before making its announcement.

There are adequate supplies at 8,500 Firestone retailers to replace the tires from last year’s recall, Firestone said. For customers who have the tires replaced at non-Firestone outlets, the tire maker plans to honor reimbursement requests that are postmarked by Aug. 29.