U.S. Department of Transportation Requires Massive Recall of Dangerous Chinese Tires

As many as one million tires believed to be defective could be on vehicles driven by families across the U.S. Department of Transportation officials have required a recall, and everyone should check their cars to make sure they are not driving on recalled tires.

Brand names for the tires are Westlake, Telluride, Compass and YKS tires. They are made by a company in China, but were imported by Foreign Tire Sales, Inc. out of New Jersey. The U.S. company could face millions of dollars in fines if it fails to properly remedy the situation. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sent FTS a letter stating that it is legally responsible for the recall and faces penalties of up to $6,000 per violation, with a maximum of nearly $16.4 million for any series of related violations. The government gave Foreign Tire Sales until July 2nd to respond to the letter.

The company sent the highway safety agency a letter earlier this month that said up to 450,000 light truck radials imported from China-based Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. could suffer tread separation because they were made without a safety feature that helps bind the belts of a tire. They're reportedly missing a "gum strip" which prevents belt separation. FTS said it does not have the financial resources for a full recall and would be forced to file for bankruptcy if required to conduct one.  Most of these tires were manufactured to be put on light trucks and SUV's. 

For more information regarding the recall please go to www.nhtsa.gov