Tire Company Wins 'Our Unsafe Tires Are Actually Fine' Argument
Published Date: 1/6/2025
Notice
Summary
Transamerica Tire Co. found that about 9,551 of their Transeagle ST tires don’t fully meet a safety rule for big vehicle tires. They asked the government to say this small problem doesn’t affect safety, and the government agreed—so no recalls or fixes are needed. This means truck owners and sellers can keep using these tires without worry or extra costs.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
No Recall for 9,551 Mis‑labeled Tires
NHTSA granted Transamerica's petition for a determination of inconsequential noncompliance for about 9,551 Transeagle ST tires (sizes ST235/85R16, ST235/80R16, ST225/90R16) manufactured between September 23, 2017 and August 10, 2019, so Transamerica is exempted from notifying owners or providing a free remedy for those tires no longer under its control.
Dealers Still Restricted From Selling Affected Tires
Although Transamerica was exempted from owner notification and remedy duties for tires it no longer controlled, tire distributors and dealers remain prohibited from selling, offering for sale, or introducing into interstate commerce any of the noncompliant tires that were under their control after Transamerica notified them that the noncompliance existed.
Possible Civil Penalties for Labeling Violations
NHTSA noted that, while it granted this petition, grants do not relieve entities of obligations under 49 CFR part 574 and that the agency may consider seeking civil penalties in the future for violations of part 574 by tire manufacturers and importers.
Owners Can Register Incorrect TINs for Recalls
Transamerica represented that consumers can register the incorrectly marked Tire Identification Numbers on its website so affected tires with the additional characters can be included in any future safety-related recalls or warranty actions.
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