NHTSA has approved Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.’s petition to make subject noncompliance for a recall of 1,350 Weather Master S/T2 tires “inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.”
The affected tires include size 215/70R15 manufactured between April 26, 2015 and May 29, 2015, and feature an incorrect manufacturer’s identification code.
The recalled tires’ inboard sidewalls are labeled with the manufacturer’s identification mark U8 instead of the correct U9, and therefore the tires do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) identification requirements. Cooper said it corrected the tire mold with the incorrect code on May 29, 2015.
In Cooper’s petition, the tiremaker states the recall noncompliance is “inconsequential to motor vehicle safety” because the affected tires still include the full and correct tire code, which includes the correct manufacturer’s identification mark, is on the outboard sidewall. The tiremaker also stated that the tire meets all performance requirements and other labeling markings.
To ensure proper registration of the affected tires, Cooper has informed internal personnel responsible for processing tire registration cards about the ‘‘U” and that the marking will be accepted and properly processed when the correct information identifies tire; Cooper is also modifying its database and working with CIMS so make sure registration cards with the incorrect code are not rejected.
For consumers, Cooper will provide a response card to those seeking more information.
