Defective Firestone Tires Replaced - Tire Defect Recall

Firestone Press Release
Defective Firestone Tires Replaced in Tire Defects Recall

August 15, 2000

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. today announced how it will reimburse customers who incurred costs to replace tires that now are included in the company's voluntary recall. The reimbursement policy spells out how Bridgestone/Firestone customers can be reimbursed for costs related to exchanging the tires that are included in the recall -- the Firestone P235/75R15 Radial ATX and Radial ATX II tires made in North America, and P235/75R15 Wilderness AT tires made at the Decatur, Ill., plant.

"We hope to quickly reimburse customers for costs they may have incurred replacing tires that now have been recalled," said John Lampe, executive vice president, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. "The policy covers Firestone tires as well as competitors' tires that were purchased to replace the recalled tires, and it is retroactive to January 1, 2000. We believe this is a simple and fair way to make things right for our customers."

The policy covers those tires, purchased between January 1, 2000 and August 8, 2000 from a company-owned Firestone Tire and Service Center or authorized Bridgestone/Firestone retailer, that replaced the tires recalled on August 9. Prorated fees paid for the new tires will be reimbursed.

It also covers recalled tires that were replaced with competitors' tires between August 9 (the first day of the voluntary recall) and August 16, at stores other than Firestone Tire and Service Centers or authorized Bridgestone/Firestone retailers. Bridgestone/Firestone will reimburse consumers up to $100 per tire including applicable mounting and balancing charges and taxes.

If there is not a sufficient quantity of Bridgestone or Firestone replacement tires in stock, Firestone Tire and Service Centers and Bridgestone/Firestone retailers are instructed to find equivalent competitors' tires to the customers' satisfaction.

The policy will be explained on Bridgestone/Firestone's Web sites (http://www.bridgestone-firestone.com or firestonetire.com) and in an advertisement that will be published Wednesday in more than 41 major newspapers nationwide.

The advertisement will explain the reimbursement program and help consumers determine whether their tires are included in the voluntary recall.

Consumers may pick up reimbursement forms at Firestone Tire and Service Centers or authorized Bridgestone/Firestone retailers or on the company's web sites (http://www.bridgestone-firestone.com or firestonetire.com), and follow the instructions on the form.

"We are committed to educating consumers about our voluntary recall," said Christine Karbowiak, Vice President, Public Affairs. "By listing this information in major publications throughout the country and making it available in stores and on the website, we're making it simple for consumers to determine if their tires are included in the recall, and we're saving time for Firestone tire owners who are not affected."

SOURCE: Bridgestone/Firestone

Click Here for a Free Tire Defect Case Evaluation