Michelin North America (MNA) is recalling some 77,775 medium truck tires in the U.S. and Canada due to possible problems with their casings. The potential sidewall defect can cause them to lose air rapidly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The recall also extends to approximately 37,000 retreaded tires produced using the subject casings, according to an MNA spokesman.
The subject tires are used primarily on city transit buses, MNA said.
The new tires and retreads being recalled include Michelin XZU3 in size 305/85R22.5 Load Range J with DOT date codes 4305 to 3511; Michelin XZU2 in size 12R22.5 LRJ also with DOT date codes 4305 to 3511; and the Michelin XM505 in size 305/85R22.5 LRJ with DOT date codes 1610 to 1810 and 0411 to 0611.
All of the subject tires were produced at MNA’s Spartanburg, S.C., plant, the company said. Retreads produced using those casings were produced at various retreading plants around the country.
MNA would only say that the recall was due to concerns over “casing integrity” that could “lead to rapid air loss.” According to NHTSA, which also announced the recall, “These tires have a casing that may experience a loss of integrity and, in some cases, have rapid air loss.”
Michelin North America Inc, says its lease fleet customers complained that some of the tires had lost air rapidly during use as retreads over the past two years, prompting a company investigation. It did not cite any instances of crashes.
