Michelin Tires Slightly Off-Spec? NHTSA to Judge 'No Big Deal'
Published Date: 2/28/2025
Notice
Summary
Michelin North America found that some of their Uniroyal Laredo tires don’t fully meet safety rules but believes this won’t affect your safety. They’ve asked the government to decide if this issue is minor and doesn’t need fixing. If you have thoughts, you can share them by March 31, 2025, but no money or recalls are happening right now.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
251,209 Tires Missing Required Sidewall Markings
Michelin reported that about 251,209 Uniroyal Laredo AT and Laredo HT replacement tires, manufactured between January 15, 2023 and October 29, 2023, are missing the required DOT symbol and the full or partial Tire Identification Number (TIN) on one sidewall. The same tires do contain the DOT symbol and TIN on the opposite sidewall and the issue was caused by a mold marking error affecting 66 tire sizes.
Manufacturer Seeks Exemption From Recall Notices
Michelin petitioned NHTSA on November 28, 2023, asking to be excused from the legal duties to notify owners, purchasers, and dealers and to provide a remedy for this noncompliance under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120. A decision on the petition could determine whether the manufacturer must perform notification and remedy actions for the affected tires that were no longer under its control when the noncompliance was found.
Manufacturer Proposes Easier Recall Acceptance
Michelin proposes that, in the event of a future recall of Laredo AT or Laredo HT tires, it would accept any Laredo AT or Laredo HT tire that is missing the DOT symbol on one sidewall regardless of manufacture date so consumers can determine recall status by a simple outside-sidewall inspection. Michelin says this would remove the need for consumers to inspect inside sidewalls, use a flashlight, or seek garage help to read the TIN.
Dealers Still Prohibited From Selling Noncompliant Tires
NHTSA states that any decision on Michelin's petition does not relieve tire distributors and dealers of the prohibitions on the sale, offer for sale, or introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of the noncompliant tires under their control after Michelin notified them that the noncompliance existed. The petition exemption—if granted—only applies to tires the manufacturer no longer controlled when it discovered the issue.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-19964, The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
The SAFE Vehicles Rule III updates fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031, making sure manufacturers build vehicles that better match what American families want and need. This rule changes how fuel efficiency is measured and sets new deadlines starting November 30, 2026. It aims to save money at the pump and help the environment by encouraging smarter, more affordable vehicle designs.
2026-11072, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214; Side Impact Protection; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 305a; Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electric Powertrain Integrity; Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 307; Fuel System Integrity of Hydrogen Vehicles
Starting July 6, 2026, car makers must follow updated safety rules that clean up old, outdated side-impact protection standards and fix related rules for electric and hydrogen vehicles. These changes make the rules clearer without adding new costs or big changes for manufacturers. If anyone wants to challenge the updates, they have until July 20, 2026, to speak up.
2026-08144, Administrative Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures
The Department of Transportation is bringing back and improving its rules for making new policies, giving guidance, and enforcing laws. This affects anyone involved in transportation regulations, making the process clearer and more consistent. These changes kick in on May 27, 2026, aiming to save time and avoid confusion without adding extra costs.
2026-05024, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 102 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles
NHTSA wants to update a safety rule to help self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or gear shifts. They’re proposing to remove the need for a gear position display in these automated vehicles, cutting costs without hurting safety. If you have thoughts, speak up by April 15, 2026!
2026-05023, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Modernization of FMVSS No. 103 and FMVSS No. 104 To Accommodate ADS-Equipped Vehicles; Incorporation by Reference
NHTSA is updating rules for windshield defrosting, defogging, wiping, and washing to better fit self-driving cars that don’t have steering wheels or pedals. These cars won’t have to follow old rules meant for human drivers, cutting costs and unnecessary requirements without hurting safety. The changes kick in about six months after the final rule, and manufacturers can still add these features if they want.
2025-22674, Public Hearing for Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards: The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicle Rule III for Model Years 2022 to 2031 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
The government is holding a virtual public hearing on January 7, 2026, about new fuel economy rules for cars and light trucks from 2022 to 2031. These rules aim to keep vehicles safer and more affordable while improving fuel efficiency. If you care about how much gas your car uses or how much you pay at the pump, this is your chance to speak up before the rules are finalized.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03299, Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Silver Peak Lithium Mine Amendment to Plan of Operations Project, Esmeralda County, Nevada
The Bureau of Land Management is starting a review to see how changing the Silver Peak Lithium Mine’s plan might affect the environment in Esmeralda County, Nevada. This means local communities, nature, and businesses could see changes, and the public can share their thoughts by March 31, 2025. The review will help decide if the mine’s expansion is safe and smart before any big money or work moves forward.
Next: 2025-03302, Open Commission Meeting Thursday, February 27, 2025
The FCC is gearing up to update rules for auctioning valuable AWS-3 spectrum licenses by June 2026, helping small businesses get a fair shot. They’re also exploring ways to free up more mid-band airwaves to boost new tech and protect national security. Plus, they’ll review improvements to wireless emergency alerts to keep everyone safer and better informed.