Consumer Attorneys Urge Firestone and Retail Dealers To Immediately Replace Tires
10 August 2000
Consumer Attorneys Urge Firestone and Retail Dealers To Immediately Replace Tires
ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 9 Attorneys representing families
affected by tire failures are expressing concern that Firestone might not be
able to provide immediate safe replacement tires for the defective ATX and
Wilderness AT tires. "We urge car dealers and tire retailers to provide safe
and appropriate replacement tires -- regardless of brand -- immediately," said
consumer attorneys Tab Turner of Little Rock, Arkansas and Taras Kick of Los
Angeles.
The majority of the tire failures have been reported on 1991 through
current model year Ford Explorers. The Explorer is designed with severe tire
restrictions due to the increased tendency of the vehicle to roll over in
ordinary turning maneuvers. Any modification of the tires may make the
vehicle even more prone to rolling over under these driving conditions.
Consumers need to be fully informed about the implications of any modification
in the tire type, including tread pattern. Both attorneys are "Attorney of
Record" for tires on Safetyforum.com.
They pointed out that Firestone's offer of a visual inspection does
nothing but lull owners into a false sense of safety and security. "These
structural failures are internal to the tire and can not be detected or
predicted by visual inspection," they said.
It is unreasonable to expect consumers and their families to ride on
defective tires while Firestone produces an adequate number of replacements.
It is also unreasonable for Firestone to expect their customers to buy
replacement tires, paying twice for Firestone's mistake. Firestone and retail
tire dealers should provide adequate replacement tires immediately at no
charge to their customers.
"Although the free inspections that Firestone is offering may be
productive in locating cosmetic problems with a tire, a visual inspection is
worthless insofar as problems inside of the tire are concerned. Firestone's
offer of a free inspection does nothing but create a false sense of action,
safety and security. The consumer should have the right to demand a full and
immediate remedy, not a cosmetic assurance that the tire looks okay," the
attorneys said.
In an effort to help consumers with Firestone dealers, Safetyforum.com is
posting a form and letter to assist in getting their tires replaced. The
forms and letters ensure that Firestone, tire retailers, vehicle manufacturers
and their dealers have notice that they will be held accountable for injuries
occurring if the problem is not remedied by dealers. Consumers should make
sure their Firestone dealer completes and signs the form following the free
inspection. A copy of the form and the accompanying letter should be sent to
Firestone, Ford and other manufacturers who use Firestone ATX and Wilderness
AT tires.
Turner and Kick are Safetyforum.com "Attorneys of Record" for tires. "We
became Safetyforum.com 'Attorney's of Record' because we've seen how tire
failures can cause crashes and tear families apart. Our goal is to help
educate the public about these hazards and put pressure on manufacturers to do
a better job. Participating in Safetyforum.com is an important part of doing
that." Turner and Kick said.
The attorneys have drafted model letters and forms to assist consumers
with Firestone, Ford and other tire retailers who have sold these tires.
Consumers should:
1. Print out letters and forms available at Safetyforum.com.
2. Take their car, truck or SUV to where ever they bought the tires and
request an immediate replacement at no charge.
3. If the dealer or retailer refuses to replace the tires immediately,
insist that they fill out and sign the Safetyforum.com forms. Send a
copy of the form to Firestone and to the vehicle manufacturer, if the
tires were on the vehicle when it was purchased new.
4. Immediately contact Ford Motor Company to determine what tire is
safe and appropriate for the Explorer as a replacement for the
defective tires to ensure that the vehicle's rollover resistance is
not further impaired by the application of incorrect or unsafe tire
sizes and types.
