Attorney General Issues Consumer Alert for Replacements of Bridgestone/Firestone Tires on NHTSA Advisory

October 16, 2000
00-130
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(SAN FRANCISCO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today issued an advisory to alert California consumers about their rights to obtain replacements for the Firestone tires listed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Consumer Advisory dated September 1, 2000.

“While there has been much attention on replacement tires for products listed by Firestone, Californians may not be aware of their consumer rights regarding the tires on the NHTSA advisory,” Lockyer said. “Consumers basically may obtain replacement tires from authorized dealers or a credit of up to $140 per tire replaced by another company.”

For products listed in the advisory of the NHTSA, consumers may obtain:

FREE REPLACEMENT TIRES VIA BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE AUTHORIZED DEALERS. Consumers who have tires on the NHTSA list may obtain replacements free of charge by going to a Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. authorized dealer. You can locate an authorized dealer by going to the store locator section of the Bridgestone/Firestone web page (http://www.firestone.com). Your tires will be replaced regardless of use and condition. They will be replaced without a pro rata payment. The consumer advisory tires can be replaced even if they are not currently on a vehicle.

Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. will replace consumer advisory tires for individuals or companies. If you previously had a road hazard warranty or insurance, Bridgestone/Firestone will replace that warranty free of charge when the replacement tire is installed. You will not be charged for mounting, balancing, valve stem, sales tax or disposal fees for the replacement of consumer advisory tires at the Bridgestone/Firestone authorized dealer. Bridgestone/Firestone will select the brand and type of tires used as a replacement under this option. Under this option, the replacement of the tire should be absolutely free to the consumer.

$140.00 REIMBURSEMENT OPTION FOR COMPETITORS TIRES. If a consumer does not want to go to an authorized Bridgestone/Firestone dealer for replacement tires or prefers to replace the consumer advisory tires with their choice of competitor tires, Bridgestone/Firestone will reimburse the consumer up to $140.00 per tire for any tire purchased to replace a tire that is listed on the consumer advisory.

If electing this option, a consumer must return the listed tires to an authorized Bridgestone/Firestone retailer and obtain a reimbursement form. The consumer will need to attach an original receipt for the tires purchased to replace the Firestone tires. Actual reimbursements from Bridgestone/Firestone may take 4-6 weeks. The consumer may elect this option regardless of the use or condition of the tire. The $140.00 reimbursement includes mounting, balancing, valve stem, sales tax and tire disposal fees. If the consumer previously had a road hazard warranty, Bridgestone/Firestone will pay to replace the warranty on the new tires.

NO WAIVER OF RIGHTS. Bridgestone/Firestone has removed any release language from reimbursement forms. Consumers do not have to waive legal rights they may have to take advantage of any of the Bridgestone/Firestone tire replacement options. Bridgestone/Firestone has agreed not to enforce any “releases” previously signed by consumers.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration List