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| Wilson’s Tough Talk on Firestone Tire Recall Yields 6,000 New Tires for New Mexico |
September 20, 2000 |
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| Ford Motor Company informed Wilson this afternoon that they have shipped 6,000 tires to New Mexico in response to concerns she voiced in a committee hearing earlier this month.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson was pleased to announce this afternoon that in response to her criticism of the decision by Firestone Tire Company to leave New Mexico off the priority list for replacement tires, Ford Motor Company has shipped 6,000 tires to New Mexico. This extraordinary move by Ford will send enough replacement tires to New Mexico to take care of all Ford owners currently on the waiting list for new tires. The relief for New Mexico was confirmed during a phone conversation between Wilson and Ford Motor Co. executive John Rimanaki earlier today.
“Help is on the way,” said Wilson. “This is great news for New Mexicans. I was astounded that despite the fact that there had been nine fatalities in New Mexico linked to the faulty tires we were not a top priority on Firestone’s recall plan. Thankfully Ford has stepped up to the plate and rather than having to wait months for replacement tires, hundreds of New Mexicans will receive new tires shortly.”
After the Firestone hearing at which the Congresswoman criticized the Firestone recall plan for leaving out New Mexico, Ford contacted the Congresswoman to find out how they could help get some tires to New Mexico. She suggested they work with their dealers. Ford contacted all of their dealers in New Mexico to determine the size of the waiting list. There are currently 4,600 tires needed in New Mexico. Last week, Ford shipped 6,000 tires to dealers across New Mexico. Any Ford owner with the Firestone tires that have been recalled can go to anyone of New Mexico Ford dealers to have their tires replaced.
“I appreciate Ford’s responsiveness to our problem in New Mexico and I’m glad they have pitched in to help,” Wilson said.
Congresswoman Wilson is part of a bi-partisan group of House Commerce Committee members that recently introduced the Transportation Reporting Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act, or, TREAD act; a bill aimed at improving communication and consumer protection measures between the auto industry, tire manufacturers and the federal government.
The bill requires auto and tire manufacturers to report any defects on American tires or automobiles sold in foreign countries. During the hearing earlier this month, the Subcommittee found that Firestone was concerned about recalling tires sold overseas for fear of having to notify federal regulators. Additionally, the bill requires tire manufacturers to periodically report claims data to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), increases the time period under which tire manufacturers must repair or replace faulty products, substantially increases penalties for noncompliance and directs NHTSA to update its tire safety standards which has not been updated since 1968. The bill also authorizes additional funds for NHTSA’s Office of Defects and Investigations to handle the potential increased workload.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there have been 10 accidents in New Mexico allegedly caused by the tires and they resulted in at least 13 injuries and 9 fatalities. NHTSA estimates 250 injuries in more than 1,400 complaints filed with the agency. Many of the complaints involve accidents in which the tread separated from the tires, which came as standard equipment on many Ford Explorers and pickups. Ford has stated that the accidents in question occurred when vehicles were traveling at high speeds after long exposure to hot temperatures and in predominantly southern and southwestern states.
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