The tyres in question incorrectly identify the number of plies in the tread as being "3 polyester and 2 stee" rather than their actual "2 polyester and 2 steel" manufacture, an error Goodyear believes to be inconsequential to vehicle safety as the tyres were correctly manufactured with the intended number of plies.

Affected are approximately 82,636 Dunlop SP Sport Signature passenger car tires that were manufactured in the following sizes: 205/55R16 91V, 225/55R16 95V, 205/50R17 93V, 215/55R16 93V, P215/55R17 93V, 205/65R15 94V and P205/60R16 91V.

Goodyear states it discovered the mould labelling error that caused the non-compliance during a routine quality audit. All markings related to tyre service, such as load capacity and inflation pressure, are correct, the company adds. The company contends that all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety performance standards have been met, and points to previous NHTSA exemptions for sidewall marking compliances as grounds for its products to be spared from a costly and inconvenient recall. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)