Bridgestone-Firestone To Recall 62,000 Tires in Venezuela

Venezuela joined the growing list of countries demanding the recall of allegedly defective tires made by Bridgestone-Firestone, and used primarily on Ford sport utility vehicles, with the announcement that the company would recall 62,000 tires made in its Venezuelan plant.

Following the recall of similar tires in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan, Venezuela’s Indecu consumer group brought pressure on the company to follow suit. A spokesmen said the tires, which Ford began replacing last May for free, were subject to severe tread loss and blowouts, and were responsible for a number of accidents and deaths.

Venezuela’s attorney-general also began an investigation of Bridgestone-Firestone and Ford in an attempt to determine if criminal negligence is involved; if established, heavy fines and compensation payments could be assessed against the companies, and criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for any officials found guilty.