Tires manufactured by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd in China from 2002 to 2006 for small trucks, sports utility vehicles and vans have been deemed defective, according to North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem.
The tires were imported into the United States by Foreign Tire Sales Inc. and distributed under the names Westlake, YKS and Compass.
On June 11, FTS filed a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration detailing that the tires could be unsafe because as many as 270,000 tires may be missing an important component needed for prevention of thread separation, according to a news release.
"These defective tires have the potential to cause an accident resulting in death of serious bodily injury," Stenehjem said in the release.
Customers are encouraged to check their tires for the brand name, size, model and DOT number. If FTS is included in the number, the tire could be recalled, according to the release.
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"If you think the tires on your vehicle may fall under this warning, you should contact the dealer about a tire safety inspection," Stenehjem said. "Unless the NHTSA issues a recall notice, however, a dealer is not required to perform a free tire safety inspection. You should not drive your vehicle for long distances, particularly on hot roads, until the tires have been checked."
According to the release, specific numbers and sizes affected by the warning are: LT225/75R 16 CR 861, LT235/75R 15 CR861 CR857, LT235/85 16 CR 860 CR861 CF857, LT245/75R 16 CR860 CR861 CR857, LT265/75R 16 CR860 CR861 CR857 and LT310X10.5 15 CR861 CR857.
Consumers should keep receipts for any charges.
NHTSA can be contacted at (888) 327-4236. No official recall has been made.
