Report: Continental recalling nearly 400,000 tires used on Ford F-Series pickups

Mar 21st 2011 at 5:59PM
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Due to some apparently shoddy rubber, Continental and Ford are recalling 2008-2009 F-250 and F-350 pickup trucks equipped with certain tires. The issue lies with nearly 400,000 Continental tires that are susceptible to uneven wear and, in certain situations, can experience tread belt separation. If that occurs, the risk of an accident will rise substantially.

This recall affects trucks built from May 6th, 2007 through September 20th, 2008. Approximately 390,657 units are faulty and the specific tires in question are:
  • Continental Contitrac LT275/70R18 125/122S (outline white letters, black sidewall)
  • Continental Contitrac TR BSW LT275/70R18 125/122S (black sidewall)
  • Continental Contitrac TR OWL LT275/70R18 125/122S
Click past the jump to read the full NHTSA bulletin. And yes, we clearly are all reminded that this isn't the first foray Ford has had with not-so-great tires...

[Source: NHTSA via Consumer Reports]
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Report Date : March 21, 2011 at 04:31 PM
NHTSA Campaign ID number : 11T002000

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
FORD / F-250 2008-2009
FORD / F-350 2008-2009

Tire Brand Name / Tire Line / Tire Size: Production Dates:
CONTINENTAL / CONTITRAC / LT275/70R18 125/122S MAY 06, 2007 - SEP 20, 2008
CONTINENTAL / CONTITRAC TR BSW / LT275/70R18 125/122S MAY 06, 2007 - SEP 20, 2008
CONTINENTAL / CONTITRAC TR OWL / LT275/70R18 125/122S MAY 06, 2007 - SEP 20, 2008

Manufacturer: CONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS, LLC. Mfr's Report Date: MAR 14, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11T002000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Potential Number of Units Affected: 390,657

Summary:
CONTINENTAL TIRE IS RECALLING CERTAIN CONTITRAC TR TIRES, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S OUTLINE WHITE LETTERS AND BLACK SIDEWALL, AND CONTITRAC, SIZE LT275/70R18 125/122S, BLACK SIDEWALL, PRODUCED FROM MAY 6, 2007, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 20, 2008, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET AND INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON SOME MODEL YEAR 2008 AND 2009 FORD F-250 AND F-350 TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE UNEVEN WEAR, VIBRATION, OR PARTICULARLY UNDER CONDITIONS OF OVERLOADING OR UNDER INFLATION IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE USAGE, SEPARATION BETWEEN THE BELT EDGES.

Consequence:
SEPARATION OF THE BELT EDGES COULD LEAD TO TREAD BELT SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
CONTINENTAL TIRE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CONTINENTAL CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-888-799-2168.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

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