Missouri AG Nixon Announces Recall Of Chinese Tires

August 9, 2007 -- Jefferson City, Mo. — Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon announced a formal nationwide recall beginning today of 255,000 light truck radial tires manufactured by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co., Ltd. of Hangzhou, China between early 2004 and mid-2006 and imported by Foreign Tire Sales (FTS) Inc. of Union, New Jersey.

Nixon says the brands subject to recall are Westlake, Compass and YKS. According to FTS, the tires lack a “gum strip” – a rubber strip between the steel belts – making them susceptible to premature tread separation, which can cause serious accidents.

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Nixon estimates at least several thousand of the tires were sold in Missouri and an unknown number may be on vehicles brought into the state.

Consumers should check their tires and return them as soon as possible to a retailer for free replacements. To return the tires, consumers must fill out a claim form and bring them to a dealer. Once confirmed that the tires are subject to a recall, the retailer will provide free replacements. FTS will reimburse retailers for replacement tires and related costs.

“These tires are prone to premature, potentially deadly blowouts, so consumers should err on the side of caution – check your tires immediately and return them to retailers for free replacements if they are recalled,” Nixon said. “If motorists are unsure, they should drive to a tire dealer for an inspection. The faster consumers and retailers act, the faster these dangerously defective tires will be off our roads.”

“Our multistate investigation is active and ongoing. Our three goals remain to recover money for consumer victims, remove these tires from the road and to stop illegal practices.

Consumers can download the claims form from the FTS web site, www.foreigntire.com. They can also call a toll free number, 1-888-899-9293, and have the form mailed to them. Retailers will use the same toll free number to confirm tires brought to them are subject to recall and arrange for reimbursement.

Source: Missouri Attorney General