Tyre alert extends to NZ

By CHRIS DANIELS consumer reporter

A global safety recall of tyres linked to deaths in the United States has brought a warning that some four-wheel-drive owners in New Zealand should have their tyres checked.

Bridgestone/Firestone has announced the safety recall of 6.5 million tyres, many of them fitted to one of the most popular four-wheel-drives in the United States, the Ford Explorer.

More than 750 of the vehicles were imported into New Zealand from the United States in 1996 and 1997, and 2000 of the tyres were sold here between 1996 and 1998.

Bridgestone/Firestone has denied there is any design flaw or fault in the product, but there have been 270 complaints to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The complaints allege that the tyres peeled off their casings, sometimes while the light trucks or four-wheel-drives were travelling at high speeds.

The cases include 46 deaths and 80 injuries.

In New Zealand, concerns relate only to the 15-inch Wilderness AT tyre.

A Ford spokeswoman said it was likely that the New Zealand Explorers in question would have had their tyres replaced by now.

Bridgestone/Firestone New Zealand has set up a business-hours freephone number for tyre owners: 0800 529 3400.

Free inspections are available from Firestone Direct stores.

Both Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone stressed yesterday that no complaints had been received in New Zealand.

All the tyres involved were made in the one Illinois factory. More than 14 million were manufactured, but only around 6.5 million are thought to be still in use.

The Automobile Association yesterday urged any motorist with Wilderness 4x4 tyres to ring Firestone and get the free inspection.

"We certainly don't want to unnecessarily alarm motorists," said AA public affairs director George Fairbairn.

"However, this is an important issue and motorists who may be affected should seek confirmation that their tyres are sound."