Michelin Tire Recall Issued Due to Tread Separation, Sudden Air Loss

Roughly 1.2 million Michelin tires have been recalled after the manufacturer recognized the potential for the tire treads to separate, which could lead to a blowout and auto accident.  

The Michelin tire recall was announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on December 12, following almost 200 customer complaints in the United States that suggested the tires may experience tread separated, causing them to lose air.

Although no injuries have been reported to date, at least 20 reports have property damage have been associated with the Michelin tire tread separation problems.

The recall impacts Michelin LTX M/S tires with size codes LT225/75R16 and 115/112R LRE manufactured by Michelin North America Inc. from January 10, 2012 through June 23, 2012. The tires were originally supplied to Ford dealers on certain models as well as replacement tires for various other commercial light trucks, full size vans, small RV’s, and some large pickup trucks.

In 2009, Michelin was ordered to pay $12 million in damages stemming from similar tire tread separation problems. That case stemmed from a 2006 New Year’s Eve accident outside Matamoros, Mexico, where a 12 year old boy suffered extensive injuries that left him paralyzed when the Michelin tire on his family’s 2002 Ford F-250 blew out, sending the vehicle careening into an oncoming Chevrolet Suburban. Ten others were killed in the accident. According to allegations raised at that trial, the tire tread separated due to leaks in the roof of a Michelin plant in Alabama, which caused machines to create defective tire that had a propensity to fail.

This latest recall involves tires from the company’s Bridgewater, Nova Scotia facility in Canada.

Michelin indicates that the recall is scheduled to begin on January 6, 2014, and all known owners will be notified immediately so the vehicles can be repaired for free at a local dealer. Customers may contact Michelin Customer Care department at 1-800-231-5893. Customers are also encouraged to report any related problems to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-8888-327-4236 or by visiting them online at www.safecar.gov