The Continental Tire company’s General brand line of tires have been in the midst of an extensive recall for over a decade now. We have already mentioned their negligence in offering defective products in an earlier post on Continental tire recalls. Since 2002, their General tire products have been popping up in news stories for their catastrophic equipment failures.
Boca Raton’s Sun Sentinel reported in 2004 that a Ford Expedition using General Grabber AW tires that were supposed to have been recalled lost control and crashed into a bus for the local First Baptist Church. The bus careened into a canal, killing three children.
Despite the dire consequences of these tire’s failures, potentially hundreds or even thousands remain on the roads. Anyone who has been the victim of an accident that was been caused by defective tires manufactured by Continental under the General Tire brand name could be entitled to damages for their injuries. Read on to find if your vehicle or tires were affected, and what you may be able to do about it.
Which Tires and Vehicle Models Were Affected?
Continental’s General Tire line was extremely popular in the early 2000s as the standard manufacturer or replacement tire for many trucks and SUVs. The specific tire models affected by product safety recalls included:
- General Grabber AW Tires
- General Grabber TR BSW Tires
- General Ameri Trac Tires
Vehicle models affected include:
- 2000-2001 Ford Expedition two-wheel drive model
- 200-2001 Lincoln Navigator two-wheel drive model
If you suspect that you own any of these tire or vehicle models, you can view more specific information about recalls from 2005 and 2002.
Find a Personal Injury Lawyer, Near Me
(855) 529-0269Reasons for Tire Failure
The recall affects a wide variety of products manufactured between 2000 and 2005.
Earlier recalls in 2002 were in response to persistent complaints about uneven tire wear, vibrations and tread detachment in Contitrac AW and General Grabber AW tires sized P275/60R17. According to the manufacturer’s statements, the rubber gauges used between the tire’s belt edges were lower than specified. As a result, the tread would become loose and potentially detach from the tire belts while it was in motion, causing many drivers to lose control of their vehicle.
The 2005 recall affected Contitrac TR OWL, Contitrac TR BSW, Contitrac BSW and General Grabber TR BSW tire models manufactured between May and June of 2005. Continental General Tire Company declined to specify in this instance the specific reasons for the tire recall, instead simply citing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 119, which declares minimum endurance testing standards for motor vehicle tires.
A third issue seems to be present with General’s Ameri Trac line of tires, although no formal recalls have been issued. Consumers have been reporting vibration, tread separation, tire bulging and blowouts similar to the Grabber models. Consumer complaints regarding the models can be viewed here or here.
How to Potentially Claim Damages Following an Accident Caused by Defective General Tires
Safety recalls attempt to remedy poorly manufactured products that slip through the cracks, but they are often not enough. Like the bus crash in 2004 and a similar one before it in 2002, the consequences of having these tires on the road can be horrifically fatal.
Anyone who owns a vehicle with General Grabber tires should check the links above or visit the NHTSA’s Safercar.gov site to see if their models are affected. Waiting a single day longer can be enough to put yourself, your passengers and everyone else on the road at risk.
If you have or someone close to you has sustained injuries in an accident as a result of recalled General Tire products, you may be entitled to damages pursuant to Florida consumer protection laws. Defective product liability laws outlined in Florida Statutes Section 768.81(d) state that injuries that are made worse than they would have been by defective products could make parties eligible for legal recourse.
Let Chalik & Chalik help you navigate the complex process of demonstrating negligence on the part of Continental’s General Tire brand. Get started by calling us today at 855-529-0269, and get your life back on track.
Call or text Chalik & Chalik
(855) 529-0269
9 Alarming Facts about Spare Tires
Taking good care of your tires is an important part of safe driving. However, in the event that a flat tire does occur, you’ll need to know how to replace the flat tire with a spare tire. Here are nine facts about spare tires you might not know. 1. You Can’t Drive Spare Tires as...
Recent Tire Recalls
Tire recalls are a serious matter, and families in Florida and across the country need to be aware of these recalls to protect themselves. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that the agency recalled more than 60 million tires since its inception. These defective tires can cause car crashes and serious injuries. Although...
I-75 Church Van Accident in South Florida – Were The Tires The Cause?
The Florida Highway Patrol is working to determine the cause of a fatal van accident. The crash took place on Saturday, September 14, just south of Fort Myers on Interstate 75 in the northbound lanes. Initial reports indicate a tire blowout preceded the accident. The Sun-Sentinel reports three people died as a result of the...
New Tire Tread Separation
When purchasing a new set of tires, consumers typically assume they will get a high-quality product that is free from manufacturing or design defects and that will ensure their safety while driving on the road. And in most cases, the tires perform well and do so without leading to accidents. Unfortunately though, some new tires,...