Michelin Tires Get a Pass: Tiny Flaw Deemed Harmless by Feds
Published Date: 11/28/2025
Notice
Summary
Michelin found a small problem with about 160 of their X Multi D+ truck tires made in 2019 that don’t fully meet a safety rule. They asked the government to say this issue doesn’t really affect safety, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration agreed. No recalls or fixes are needed, so drivers and businesses can keep rolling without worry or extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
No recall for ~160 Michelin truck tires
NHTSA granted Michelin's petition for about 160 Michelin X Multi D+ 11R22.5 replacement tires manufactured between May 26, 2019 and June 29, 2019, so Michelin is exempted from notifying owners or providing a free remedy under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120. That means owners and businesses that already have those tires will not receive a recall or free repair/replacement for the missing load range letter.
Dealers cannot sell noncompliant tires under control
Although Michelin is exempt from notifying owners and providing remedies, the decision does not relieve tire distributors and dealers of the legal prohibitions; dealers and distributors cannot sell, offer for sale, or introduce into interstate commerce the noncompliant tires that remain under their control after Michelin notified them the noncompliance existed. This restriction affects dealers and distributors who still hold any of the subject tires.
Other markings allow safe tire identification
NHTSA found that, despite the missing load range letter 'H', the subject tires are marked with maximum single load (3,150 kg / 6,940 lb at 830 kPa / 120 psi), maximum dual load (2,900 kg / 6,395 lb at 830 kPa / 120 psi), and load indices, and that these markings provide enough information for dealers and consumers to select and use the tires properly. NHTSA also concluded the tires meet FMVSS No. 119 performance requirements.
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