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NEWARK
- Attorney General Anne Milgram and Acting
Consumer Affairs Director Stephen B. Nolan
announced that a New Jersey-based importer
of Chinese-made tires that is under investigation
by state authorities is recalling 255,000
defective light truck tires nationwide.
Foreign
Tire Sales, Inc. (FTS) of Union is recalling
Westlake, Compass and YKS brand steel-belted
radial tires that were manufactured by Hangzhou
Zhongce Rubber Co., Ltd of Hangzhou China.
FTS sold these tires for SUVs, pickups and
vans from early 2004 to mid-2006. According
to FTS, these tires lack a gum strip which
makes them susceptible to tread or belt
separation.
“We
are concerned about how the public’s
safety came to be put at risk in this matter,”
Attorney General Milgram said. “We’re
continuing our investigation and our staff
is coordinating its efforts with other states
and the federal government.”
New
Jersey in late June issued a subpoena to
FTS that sought information regarding the
locations to which these tires were shipped,
the identity of consumers who might be using
them and FTS’s knowledge that the
tires might be defective. An estimated 14,000
of these tires may have been sold in New
Jersey.
“Consumers
who purchased these tires should return
them and file a claim as soon as possible
to protect their safety.” Acting Director
Nolan said. “The FTS website has helpful
video and text information that will assist
consumers in determining whether their tires
are subject to the recall.”
To
return the tires, consumers must fill out
a claim form and bring the tires to a dealer.
After confirming the tires are subject to
the recall, the retailer will provide replacements.
FTS will reimburse retailers for replacement
tires and related costs.
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