A
statewide shortage of Firestone tires increases the risk of tire
failure for Colorado residents. A shortage in all tire brands across
the state makes a bad situation worse for consumers with recalled
tires. Consumers should know about the dangers of continued use of
recalled tires, and how to replace them.
A
CoPIRG survey of 10 tire dealers found that consumers are waiting two
months or even longer for replacement tires, and that independent tire
dealers have experienced a shortage of all tires that can replace the
recalled Firestone tires. Dealers report that at times up to four of
the seven tire warehouses in Colorado have sold out of tires that could
replace those that are recalled.
"Consumers
with dangerous recalled tires are stranded. They are stuck in gridlock,
waiting for relief," said Emily Hoopes, CoPIRG Consumer Advocate.
On
Wednesday, August 9, 2000, Bridgestone/Firestone and Ford announced
jointly that Firestone would be recalling approximately 14.4 million
tires that have a safety-related defect. The remedy is to replace
defective tires with new Wilderness AT tires. All owners should receive
replacement tires at Firestone/Bridgestone tire and service centers,
and participating Bridgestone/Firestone retail stores. Owners who wish
to purchase competitors' tires will be reimbursed up to $100 per tire,
including mounting and balancing charges and taxes.
CoPIRG
found that consumers are burdened by a confusing and complicated
replacement process. There are four scenarios which consumers can have
their recalled tires replaced:
1.
If the recalled tires are on your Ford vehicle: You may go to a Ford
dealership to have your tires replaced. If the dealership has Firestone
tires, it will replace them free of charge. There are waiting lists at
many Ford dealerships for new Firestone tires.
2.
If you go to a Firestone/ Bridgestone tire and service center:
Consumers must first go in to verify that their tires are recalled
tires. If tires are on the recall list, consumers are put on a waiting
list. Many of these waiting lists are two months or longer. Consumers'
recalled tires are replaced as Firestone tire shipments are received.
3.
If you go to an independent tire dealer who is participating in the
recall: Consumer can get on a waiting list of about two months for
Firestone replacements, or can pay up front for competitors' tires.
Independent tire dealers have stated that they are having trouble
keeping competitors tires stocked. Tire dealers participating in the
recall will have all the reimbursement paperwork for consumers and will
take recalled Firestone tires for verification.
4.
If you go to an independent tire dealer who is not participating in the
recall: In this situation, consumers replace the tires with their own
money and must then take the Firestone tires to a Firestone tire and
service center, and complete the paperwork there for reimbursement.
Consumers must pay for competitors' tires or for Firestone tires,
however, there are shortages of both and often waiting lists.
Consumers
should be clear as to how long replacement will take, and be very
careful to fulfill the requirements for reimbursement.
