Recall of Chinese tires tip of iceberg

In June 2007, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) threatened fines of up to $16 million against a New Jersey importer if the company did not comply with a request to recall 450,000 tires it had imported from China. Foreign Tire Sales of Union, NJ at first said that they could not afford to conduct a massive recall of this scale. The company estimates the recall costs to be between $60 and $80 million, a figure that would force Foreign Tire Sales to declare bankruptcy, the company stated.

Foreign Tire Sales has imported four lines of tires from a Chinese manufacturer, Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber, since 2001: Westlake, Telluride, Compass and YKS. They were marketed in the United States as replacement tires for larger passenger vehicles including SUVs and minivans. However at some point during that timeline, possibly as early as 2002, the importer stated that the Chinese company stopped using gum strips used to hold the tires together, though they were not notified of the design change.

Firestone had a similar problem in 2000 when it faced a massive recall and lawsuits due to tread separation. In this latest case, at least one fatal accident in Pennsylvania has been linked to these defective tires in a pending lawsuit against Foreign Tire Sales.

But defective tires from China are just the tip of the iceberg. Within a six-month period, several Chinese products were recalled due to serious and potentially deadly problems. Melamine found in pet food resulted in the deaths of hundreds of pets, and eventually found its way into the human food chain. Children’s Thomas & Friends trains were recalled due to high lead content in the paint. Toothpaste made in China was recalled when it was found to have an ingredient normally found in antifreeze. And a seasoning additive made in China for Robert’s American Gourmet line of children’s snacks was found to be contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria.

So who is in charge of protecting the public? The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) both are charged with food safety. The NTHSA and the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) are both charged with regulating products that enter our country. But, as Nicole Nason, president of the NHTSA states, ultimately it is the importer who is responsible for the products they bring into the country. “They should be aware of their obligations,” Nason said, referring to Foreign Tire Sales and the company’s reluctance to accept blame for their defective tires. “If you're importing, then you are the manufacturer. We have no exceptions.”

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident and you suspect that defective tires may have been at least part of the cause, contact Jim S. Adler & Associates. We can help you determine your best course of action, and decide whether or not it is in your best interest to pursue a lawsuit. And if so, a Jim S. Adler & Associates personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights and secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries and mental anguish. Call Jim S. Adler & Associates right now, or fill out the form on this page with the details of your defective tires, and we’ll get back to you with a free case review.

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