Dealer Letter
TO: All Ford and Lincoln Mercury DealersSUBJECT:
DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD - Firestone Tire Recall: Certain 1991 through 2000 Explorer, 1997 through 2000 Mountaineer, 2001 MY Explorer Sport Trac and Sport, 1991 through 2000 Ranger, 1991 through 1994 Bronco and 1991 through 1994 F-Series - Replacement of Firestone P235/75 R15 Radial ATX and Certain Wilderness AT Tires.
REFERENCE:
Firestone Recall - Firestone P235/75 R15 Radial ATX and Certain Wilderness AT tires.
AFFECTED TIRES AND VEHICLES
Bridgestone Firestone Tire Company recently announced a Safety Recall on the following:
- All Firestone P235/75 R15 Radial ATX tires produced excluding tires marked "TEMPORARY" on the sidewall - and -
- P235/75 R15 wilderness AT tires produced only at the Decatur plant.
NOTE:
Decatur built tires have a DOT code of VDHL - see Attachment III for details. All other Wilderness AT tires are not affected.
Both original equipment (OE) and replacement tires are affected.
The following vehicles produced with Firestone P235/75 R15 Radial ATX original equipment tires are affected by this recall:
^ Certain 1991 through 1996 Ford Explorer (see chart)
^ Certain 1997 Mercury Mountaineer vehicles
^ Certain 1991 through 2000 Ranger vehicles
^ Certain 1991 through 1994 Bronco vehicles
^ Certain 1991 through 1994 F-Series vehicles
The following vehicles produced with P235/75 R15 Wilderness AT tires as original equipment are affected by this recall:
Certain 1997 through August 7, 2000 Mountaineer vehicles
^ Certain 1997 through August 7, 2000 Explorer vehicles (see chart)
^ Certain 1997 through June 1, 2000 Ranger vehicles
^ Certain 2001 Explorer Sport Trac and Sport vehicles produced through August 7, 2000
These Explorer vehicles produced with either P235/75 R15 Radial ATX or P235/75 R15 Wilderness AT tires as original equipment are affected as shown.
These Explorer vehicles are NOT affected:
IMPORTANT FACTS
^ This is a FIRESTONE recall.
^ FIRESTONE will notify customers of the recall via first class mail.
^ FIRESTONE will communicate recall information to authorized repair sites including Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Around the wheel/Ford Tire Program dealers.
FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY DEALER INVOLVEMENT
As this field action will severely impact the availability of Firestone replacement tires, Ford and Lincoln Mercury Around the Wheel (AtW)/Ford Tire Program dealers will be afforded the opportunity to address this recall utilizing Firestone and non-Firestone tires. This is being done to address immediate needs of our customers.
FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERS ENROLLED IN AROUND THE WHEEL (AtW)
Dealerships enrolled in the AtW/Ford Tire Program are authorized Firestone outlets. If a customer with affected tires contacts an ATW Ford Tire Program dealer, as an authorized Firestone dealer regarding this safety recall, you will be able to replace that customer's tires with Firestone or "approved" non-Firestone tires. Tires that are approved for use as replacement tires under this recall will be posted in a matrix in the Firestone Tire Center in QCDealer.com. This matrix will be amended to add new tire manufactures and models of tires as they are approved. Claiming for reimbursement of tires is outlined on Attachment I.
If the customer requests a replacement Firestone tire, secure the tire through your normal distribution chain and process reimbursement as outlined in Attachment I.
FORD AND LINCOLN MERCURY DEALERS NOT ENROLLED IN AROUND THE WHEEL (AtW)
Dealers not enrolled in the ATW/Ford Tire Program can inspect customer vehicles (see Attachments I & II for claiming instructions & labor operations). These dealers should make individual arrangements with local Firestone outlets for tire replacement, or refer customers to their local Firestone outlet.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
All Firestone P235/75 R15 tires with Radial ATX on the sidewall (excludes Temporary spare tires identified by "Temporary" on the sidewall) must be replaced under this recall.
Firestone P235/75 R15 tires with Wilderness AT on the sidewall will need to be inspected for a DOT code of VDHL to determine if replacement is required. Refer to Attachment III for details.
This service action applies to original equipment and replacement tires that are installed on Ford and Mercury vehicles.
DEMONSTRATION / DELIVERY HOLD FOR VEHICLES AND TIRES IN DEALER INVENTORY
Do not demonstrate or deliver any of the affected vehicles prior to completing the Firestone recall. In addition, Ford and Lincoln Mercury Around the Wheel (AtW)/Ford Tire Program dealers may have affected tires in inventory; these tires should not be sold.
Tires Removed from Vehicles
Tires that are removed from vehicles must immediately be made unusable by either cutting the bead with bolt cutters, drilling a one-inch diameter hole in the sidewall, or cutting the tire completely in half The DOT code should not be defaced or removed. The tire should then be disposed of according to local laws refer to the Tire Administration Guide for further information.
NOTE:
AtW/Ford Tire Program dealers will be independently audited for compliance with the above procedure.
New Inventory Tires
All new Radial ATX or Wilderness AT tires with DOT code VDHL tires (never mounted) in AtW/Ford Tire Program dealer inventory must be returned to Firestone. Dealers must call 1-800-668-0345 to obtain a "Returned Goods Authorization (RGA) number. The RGA is a 6-digit number required to return the tires. Only tires affected by the Firestone recall will be
accepted. Firestone will pay all freight for the return of these tires.
ATTACHMENTS
^ Attachment I
^ Administrative Information
^ Attachment II
^ Labor Allowances
^ Parts Ordering Information
^ Attachment III
^ Technical Information
^ Attachment IV
^ Tire Inspection Aid
^ Attachment V
^ Tire Inflation Guide
CONTACTS
Claims Information: 1-800-423-8851
Other (Dealer Only) Recall Questions: 1-800-325-5621
For Around the Wheel/Ford Tire Program 1-888-353-3251
Questions: