Firestone To Import Tires From Japan

Aug. 22, 2000 -- A class-action lawsuit filed by a Cincinnatiattorney says a recall of 6.5 million Firestone tires isintentionally confusing and risks lives because it discouragesmotorists from seeking replacements.

The lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. and Nashville, Tenn.-basedBridgestone/Firestone Inc. was filed Friday in Hamilton CountyCommon Pleas Court by attorney Stanley Chesley.

“Everybody is getting some sort of runaround,” Chesley said inan interview published Saturday in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Bridgestone/Firestone announced a rolling recall Aug. 9 of 6.5million P235/75R15 size radial ATX and ATX II brands, as well asWilderness AT tires of the same size made at a plant in Decatur,Ill. The tires are mostly on Ford trucks and sport utilityvehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration isinvestigating 62 deaths and 100 injuries that could be linked tothe tires. Investigators say 80 percent of the accidents occurredwhen the tire treads came apart, causing the vehicles to roll overor spin out of control.

Doing All They Can

Both companies claim they are working as quickly as they can toget the tires replaced, but Chesley’s lawsuit claims the companiesare not doing enough.

The suit accuses the companies of restricting the availabilityof replacement tires and limiting the number of customers eligibleto receive them.

Chesley said the companies apparently want the recall process tobe difficult so customers don’t bother getting new tires. He saidthe companies save about $500 in tires and labor every time acustomer decides not to take part in the recall.

“They are discouraging people from coming in,” Chesley said.

But Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone said Saturday that they aredoing all they can to get the new tires to their customers.

“We’ve seen a few class action attorneys trying to capitalizeon this situation after the” recall, Ford spokeswoman Susan Kruselsaid Saturday. “But right now, Ford is helping Firestone. We’reworking around the clock. Our No. 1 priority right now is toresolve this issue for our customers.”

“We want to make sure the tires get replaced as quickly aspossible and we’re taking extraordinary steps to make sure thathappens,” said Ken Fields, a spokesman for Bridgestone/Firestonein St. Louis.

He said the company has doubled production of tires in theUnited States, increased imports and is reimbursing customers forbuying competitors’ tires.

Chesley’s lawsuit claims that a court order to improve therecall process is the only way to protect motorists’ lives.

“Ohio residents cannot rely on either Ford or Firestone toprotect the interests of Ohio drivers,” the lawsuit states.

The suit also asks for unspecified money damages.

Chesley said he will work with attorneys in Ohio, Kentucky andWest Virginia to expand his class-action suit. Eventually, it maybe linked to similar suits in other states, he said.

Messages seeking additional comment from Chesley were left athis home and office on Saturday.