Bridgestone/Firestone Agrees to Extend Recall

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21, 2000 -- Bridgestone/Firestone has agreed to replace an additional 1.4 million tires beyond the 6.5 million AT, ATX II and specific Wilderness tires covered in a recall ordered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The action resulted from an agreement with the Attorneys General of 48 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

The additional tires have been identified as having high tread separation rates. Included are 24 tire models, including additional sizes of the ATX and specific tires from the Firehawk, ATX 23 Degree, Widetrack Radial Baja, Wilderness AT and Wilderness HT lines.

Consumers should go to an authorized Bridgestone/Firestone dealer to obtain reimbursement forms. Consumers will receive up to $140 per tire for any competitor's tire they purchase to replace one of the tires listed under the recall. Bridgestone/Firestone has also agreed to transfer any road hazard warranty or insurance to the new tire, free of charge. It will take four to six weeks for the reimbursement check to arrive.

Additionally, the Attorneys General requested -- and Bridgestone/Firestone agreed -- that consumers will no longer have to sign a release waiving their legal rights as a condition of participating in the recall program. Any such waivers that were signed prior to the agreement will not be enforced.