NHTSA Investigating Michelin Steer Tire
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary evaluation of a specific Michelin steer tire for use in autohauler rigs that led to six complaints from truck operators who said the tires were involved in seven accidents.
“The tire may fail catastrophically when used on the steer axle,” NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation said in an Oct. 6 report that estimated there are 10,000 of the tires in circulation.
The tire in question is a 2014 Michelin XZA 295/60/R22.5. The numbers stand for tread width in millimeters/sidewall height as a percentage of tread width/ wheel diameter in inches. XZA is one of Michelin’s many model designations.
“Michelin is aware of a preliminary evaluation by NHTSA regarding several complaints,” said Michelin North America spokesman Tony Fouladpour. He added that the company “is cooperating fully with the agency.”
Michelin’s global headquarters are in France, but the North American office is in Greenville, South Carolina.
NHTSA’s Derrell Lyles said the agency does not discuss ongoing investigations, but the agency’s website described it as a preliminary evaluation and not a recall.
The accidents reported did not cause fatalities or injuries, the ODI report said.
Five of the six complaints were from a single fleet, and all five said there was “a loss of vehicle control and subsequent crash.” A police report from one of the crashes listed “tire defect” as a possible cause.
The purpose of the evaluation is “to gather information and assess the frequency and scope of the alleged safety defect,” the ODI report said.
