Thousands of Tires Recalled Due to Potential Safety Defects, is Your Vehicle Affected?

In separate actions, two tire manufacturers are initiating recalls for specific tire models due to identified safety concerns, according to information submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recalls involve potential issues that could compromise tire integrity and increase the risk of accidents.

General Rubber (Thailand) Co., Ltd. is recalling approximately 65 tires of the Xcellent Roadbreaker A/T model in size LT305/65R17. These tires were manufactured between October 21, 2024, and October 27, 2024. The recall stems from compliance testing conducted by NHTSA, which revealed cracking in the tread shoulder grooves, inner liner separation, and air loss during durability testing. The issue is attributed to insufficient rubber in the shoulder and sidewall areas during the vulcanization process, followed by inadequate compression when rubber patches were applied. This resulted in trapped air that expanded during testing, leading to structural compromise and potential air leakage. The safety risk associated with this defect includes a decreased tire pressure, which can elevate the risk of a crash. Consumers who have purchased these tires are advised not to drive on them and to park them outside. General Rubber plans to offer a full refund upon presentation of the purchase receipt and the tire itself at an authorized dealer. Recalled tires will be collected for disposal. Consumers who may have replaced these tires prior to the recall notification may be eligible for reimbursement and should contact Gremax Industrial Inc. for further information. The period for reimbursement claims will extend until September 1, 2026.

In a separate recall, PT. Elangperdana Tyre Industry is recalling 5,125 Vizzoni Dreamliner A/T tires in size LT265/75R16. The production dates for these tires range from January 29, 2019, to October 14, 2025. This recall was initiated after NHTSA testing identified a sidewall separation, which may indicate a noncompliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 139. While the manufacturer states that internal testing has not revealed this issue, and no consumer complaints related to this defect have been reported, PT. Elangperdana Tyre Industry is issuing the recall out of an abundance of caution. The company’s investigation into the cause has not definitively identified a defect, suggesting a possibility of a slight, undetected fluctuation in the specific tires tested by NHTSA or improper storage of those sampled tires. A sidewall separation could lead to a premature end of tire service life under extreme conditions. Consumers with these tires are advised not to drive on them and to park them outside. The remedy program details are still being finalized, but owners will be notified within 60 days.

For consumers who have purchased the recalled Xcellent tires, the immediate action required is to present the tire and proof of purchase to an authorized dealer for a full refund. Those who have already replaced these tires before receiving recall notifications should gather supporting documentation, such as invoices or receipts, and submit them for reimbursement to Gremax Industrial Inc. by September 1, 2026. Owners of the Vizzoni tires will be notified by mail with instructions on the remedy program.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Reports 26T008 and 26T007.

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