Potentially Hazardous Tires Sold In Oklahoma

Friday, August 3rd 2007, 3:30 pm

By: News On 6

Before you head out on your summer trip youâ€™ll need to check your tires. Some tires sold in Oklahoma are missing gum strips, a component that prevents the tire tread from separating. More than 1,000 of the affected tires are believed to have been sold in Oklahoma.

The tires were manufactured in China and distributed in the United States by Foreign Tire Sales, Inc. They were sold under the brand names Westlake, Compass and YKS from 2004 to 2006.

Foreign Tire Sales reported the possible defect to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The tires have not been recalled, but are being investigated by the NHTSA as well as a group of more than two dozen state attorney general offices.

â€œIt is likely that these tires will soon be recalled,â€ Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson said. â€œIn the meantime, consumers should check their tires, and if they are riding around on these particular tires they should have a dealer inspect the tires for tread separation.â€

Edmondson is also urging people to keep their driving at a minimum until the potentially hazardous tires can be professionally inspected.

â€œWeak tires on hot asphalt can be a dangerous, if not deadly, combination,â€ Edmondson said. â€œIt is imperative that consumers check their tires for these potential defects.â€

If you have the tires call the Consumer Protection Unit at 405-521-2029. You can also register the affected tires on FTSâ€™s website, www.foreigntire.com, and consumer complaint forms can downloaded from the Attorney Generalâ€™s website, www.oag.ok.gov.