What Should I Do If I Receive Defective Tires?

If you receive or discover defective tires, stop using them if the defect could affect safe operation. Check the tire identification number, manufacturer, model and size against any recall notice, and contact the manufacturer or authorised dealer for instructions. Defects can include tread separation, sidewall failures, manufacturing problems or other conditions that increase the risk of a blowout or loss of control. Keep receipts, photographs, recall communications and other documentation. If a tire has already failed, preserve the tire and related components when reasonably possible rather than immediately discarding them, particularly if the failure caused a crash or injury. The physical tire can become important evidence in a product-liability investigation. Report safety-related defects to the appropriate vehicle-safety authority and follow the manufacturer’s recall or replacement procedure. If a defective tire caused injuries or property damage, medical records, accident photographs, repair documents and the tire itself may all be relevant to determining whether a legal claim exists.