Tire Label Goof Gets Official Pass: No Recall Needed
Published Date: 11/28/2025
Notice
Summary
Continental Tire the Americas found that about 419 VanContact A/S tires made between May 2020 and May 2021 had a small labeling mistake—they missed the "LT" prefix on their sidewalls. After checking, the government agreed this slip-up doesn’t affect safety, so no recalls or fixes are needed. This means drivers and the company can keep rolling without extra costs or hassle.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
No Owner Notification or Remedy Required
NHTSA granted Continental Tire the Americas' petition finding the missing "LT" marking inconsequential for approximately 419 VanContact A/S tires manufactured between May 31, 2020 and May 22, 2021. As a result, Continental is exempted from the legal duties to notify owners or provide a free remedy under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 for those affected tires.
Dealers Still Barred from Selling Noncompliant Tires
Although Continental is exempt from owner notifications and remedies for the subject tires, NHTSA's decision does not relieve tire distributors and dealers of the legal prohibitions against selling, offering for sale, or introducing into interstate commerce the noncompliant tires that remain under their control after Continental notified them of the noncompliance.
Manufacturer Will Scrap Remaining Inventory
Continental states that all remaining inventory of the subject tires will be scrapped and that no additional tires will be manufactured or sold with the missing "LT" marking. This applies to the Continental VanContact A/S tires size LT245/70R17 119/116 Q produced May 31, 2020 to May 22, 2021.
Tires Were Only on Pre-Serial Test Vehicles
Continental confirmed that the affected tires were installed on pre-serial production vehicles that were not sold to end consumers and that none of the subject tires were sold into the replacement tire market. The tires were used in prototype testing (owned by Rivian and sent to Toyota Arizona Proving Grounds).
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
2026-11072, 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.
2026-05023, 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.
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!
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.
2026-16983, Allwin Powersports Corp., Receipt of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Allwin Powersports found that some of their LS2 Rapid II helmets don’t fully meet safety rules. They asked the government to decide if this issue is minor and won’t affect rider safety. People have until September 21, 2026, to share their thoughts, and no money changes hands right now.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-21525, Vee Rubber Corporation Ltd. and American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Grant of Petitions for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Vee Rubber and Honda found that some tires on 2019-2021 Honda Monkey motorcycles don’t fully meet safety rules, but they asked the government to say this issue doesn’t really affect safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration agreed, so no recalls or fixes are needed, saving time and money. If you own one of these motorcycles, you’re good to go without any hassle!
Next: 2025-21527, Michelin North America, Inc., Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance
Michelin found a small problem with about 7,153 of their LTX A/T2 tires made early 2023, but it doesn’t affect safety. The government agreed this issue is minor, so no recalls or fixes are needed. If you have these tires, you’re good to go—no costs or actions required!