Cooper recalls passenger, light truck tyres

Findlay, Ohio -- Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced in February that it was voluntarily recalling about 288 000 replacement tyres in three separate actions because of problems found in passenger and light truck tyres.

On the passenger side, Cooper is recalling 101 582 passenger tyres under the lines Dean Alpha 365 A/S, Mastercraft A/S IV, Starfire Flite-Line IV and Trendsetter SE as well as 3,164 Cooper Zeon 2XS (sizes 235/35R19XL and 245/40R20) and Mastercraft Avenger ZHP high-performance tyres (size 235/35R19XL).

The Dean, Mastercraft, Starfire and Trendsetter tyres were made in China by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd. between Nov. 21, 2004, and July 30, 2005, under an off-take manufacturing agreement. In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Cooper said the tyres may contain an "unauthorised material'' in the upper sidewall that could create small voids, which could result in air leaks.

The high-performance tyres were built in Findlay between 25 April 2004, and 12 Feb. 2005, a spokeswoman said. The tyres may develop a scattered compression cracking in the innerliner stock, Cooper said. If this happens, a tyre can have a reduction in its ability to retain proper air pressure.

The Findlay-based tyre maker also is recalling 183 602 light truck tyres under the lines Cooper Discoverer S/T, Dean Mud Terrain Radial SXT, Durango Radial XTR, Mastercraft Courser C/T, Dick Cepek Radial F-C II, Mesa C/T (sold by TBC Corp.) and Tempra Trailcutter Radial RT Pro (sold by Treadways Corp.) in size LT285/75R16 and Comp Xtreme A/T (sold by Transamerican Auto Parts) in size 38.50X4.50R20LT.

These tyres were made at Cooper's Albany, Georgia, plant between 1 Feb. 2004, and 21 Jan. 2006.

In the NHTSA documents, Cooper said the tyres may not have adequate rubber coverage of the belt edge because of low tread gauge in the shoulder slot area. The condition eventually may cause cracking at the base of the shoulder slots, resulting in exposed belt wire and ultimately a possible separation.

For all three recalls, Cooper said it will notify owners and replace the tires free of charge.

The Cooper spokeswoman said the recalled tyres represent a small portion of the nearly 40 million tyres Cooper produces each year. "We acted quickly to identify the issue and recall the tyres," she said.

From Rubber & Plastics News (A Crain publication)