Wanli Tire Recalls APTANY ECO SENDERO M/T2 Tires Due to Sidewall Separation Risk

Wanli Tire Corporation has announced a recall of approximately 638 APTANY ECO SENDERO M/T2 tires, identified by the size LT265/75R16 123/120 Q, manufactured between August 21, 2021, and July 8, 2022. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these tires do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 139. The defect identified could lead to sidewall separation, posing a significant safety risk to drivers.

The recall stems from testing where the subject tires exhibited sidewall separation during the endurance portion of the FMVSS 139 test. This failure means the tires do not meet the performance requirements that prevent visual evidence of separation, chunking, or other structural damage. The potential cause has been attributed to the tires being designed for vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) exceeding 10,000 pounds, which would typically necessitate compliance with FMVSS 119. However, the tread depth of these tires, measuring 15.5/32 inches, mandates adherence to the more stringent FMVSS 139.

The safety risk associated with this defect is a potential for sidewall cracking, which can occur under normal operating conditions. If a tire experiences sidewall cracking and is continued to be used, it could lead to a loss of tire pressure. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of a vehicle collision. Wanli Tire is advising consumers with the affected tires to avoid driving their vehicles and to park them outside until the recall remedy can be implemented.

Wanli Tire Corporation, based in Guangzhou, China, will be working with its authorized distributors in the United States to address the recall. Consumers who possess the recalled APTANY ECO SENDERO M/T2 tires are eligible for compensation. Upon providing proof of purchase and the recalled tires, customers will be reimbursed for the original purchase price of the tires. Additionally, they will be reimbursed for any installation costs incurred when replacing the recalled tires with tires from other brands. The cost of purchasing the replacement tires from other brands will not be covered. All recalled tires are to be scrapped and disposed of properly by the distributors.

The recall process will involve a phased approach for owners. Wanli Tire does not have its own subsidiaries or offices in the United States, making the collaboration with distributors crucial for the remedy’s execution. Consumers seeking reimbursement and replacement are encouraged to contact their local authorized tire distributors who are participating in the recall program. The specific details regarding the remedy program and the timeline for owner notification were not fully elaborated in the provided information. However, the manufacturer’s recall number is not specified, and the NHTSA recall number is 26T001. The tires in question were sold into the replacement market through ECONOMY TIRE Inc.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from Wanli Tire Corporation

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