Recall of 4x4s after tyre problems

Hundreds of four wheel drive vehicle-owners in New Zealand are being advised to check their tyres.

Bridgestone Firestone New Zealand says all vehicles fitted with US-made Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tyres should be checked.

The tread has been found to be coming away from these tyres in America.

Firestone said it had sold 14.4 million of the suspect tyres in the US, of which 6.5 million are thought to be still in use.

In New Zealand, 757 Ford Explorers were imported with these tyres three years ago.

Since then a further 2000 of the tyres have been sold.

The company says there have been no reports of separation problems here, but owners should contact the company for a free tyre inspection.