Cooper Recalls Various Tires

Your Safety at Risk

Cooper Tire and Rubber Company, specializing in the manufacture and sale of tires, is recalling approximately 430,000 tires. These come from brands such as “Discoverer, Evolution, Courser, Deegan, Adventurer, Hercules, Back Country, Multi-Mile Wild Country, and Big O Brand.[1]

The risk adherent to these tires common in steel belted radial tires is that they may develop a bulge or separation. Tire separations generally may occur during high speed or in hot weather.[2] Driving with a bulge on one’s tire could lead to a blowout. This would make the driver lose control of the vehicle and risk the safety of themselves and others around them.[3] It is advised to drive slowly if you think you may have a bubble, and to get it fixed immediately at your nearest auto repair shop, or on-site.

Defects

A bubble in the sidewall of the tire is indicative of damage to the inner liner. More importantly, air can escape, which could mean your tire may deflate at any moment if enough pressure is packed inside. The structural failure of these Cooper tires is mainly because the interior of the tires has failed.[4] It can be exacerbated by potholes, curbs, rocks, speed bumps, railroad crossings, construction areas, and loose debris.[5]

Sometimes the bump in the tire may occur before the tread separation occurs. A separation in the tire may occur when the tread of the tire detaches itself from the casing or body of the tire. A manufacturer’s defect is a common cause of tread separation.[6]

Replacing the Cooper tire should be covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.

Maintaining Your Tires

Regular maintenance of one’s tires should solve any issues that may arise, such as:

• Checking tire pressure weekly.
• Rotating your tires every 3,000-5,000 miles so that the wear and tear on the tires is more uniform.[7]
• Being careful not to overinflate or underinflate your tires.[8]
• Replacing tires should not be done singularly; replace tires in pairs, or all four if need be.
• Carrying a spare tire could save you time and expenses if a tire happens to deflate on the road.
• Continually inspect your tires for any oddities or damage, which include:[9]
  • Cracking lines or cuts in tire’s sidewall.
  • Uneven wear and tear on the tread.[10]
  • A wavy pattern in a certain spot.[11]
  • Noticeable and exaggerated vibrations while driving, which can best be observed at 10-40 miles per hour.[12]
  • Extreme wear and tear on the tread, which occurs when its past the mark of 1/16 inch depth.[13]

What to Do If You’ve Been Through an Accident

Many working men and women use these tires for their daily commutes, and some use them while working. If you have been through an accident due to faulty Cooper tires while working on the job it is advised that you contact an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. You may be file to file a claim.

[1] Limbach, James. “Tire Recalls.” ConsumerAffairs, Consumers Unified LLC., 9 Mar. 2021, www.consumeraffairs.com/tire-recalls.

[2] “Tire Tread Separation Causes and Prevention.” Chalik & Chalik, Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, 10 Oct. 2020, www.chaliklaw.com/blog/tire-tread-separation-causes-and-prevention/.

[3] “Side Bubble in Tire: What It Means and Safety Concerns: Tire America.” Tire America.com, Your Tires, Your Way, Tire America, LLC., www.tireamerica.com/resource/side-bubble-in-tire#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20a%20bubble,and%20others’%20lives%20at%20risk.

[4] Horvath, Doc. “What Does a Bubble in the Sidewall Mean?” Tire Rack, Tire Rack, 31 May 2013, blog.tirerack.com/blog/docs-advice-on-tires/what-does-a-bubble-in-the-sidewall-mean.

[5] Tires-Easy. “Pop! Don’t Blow the [Tire] Bubbles .” Tires-Easy.com, Tires-Easy, 26 Apr. 2018, www.tires-easy.com/blog/pop-dont-blow-the-tire-bubble/.

[6] “TEXAS TIRE SALES.” Texas Tire Sales, Texas Tire Sales, 12 Mar. 2013, txtire.com/blog/view/what-is-tire-separation.

[7] Tires-Easy. “Pop! Don’t Blow the [Tire] Bubbles .” Tires-Easy.com, Tires-Easy, 26 Apr. 2018, www.tires-easy.com/blog/pop-dont-blow-the-tire-bubble/.

[8] “Tire Tread Separation Causes and Prevention.” Chalik & Chalik, Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, 10 Oct. 2020, www.chaliklaw.com/blog/tire-tread-separation-causes-and-prevention/.

[9] Tires-Easy. “Pop! Don’t Blow the [Tire] Bubbles .” Tires-Easy.com, Tires-Easy, 26 Apr. 2018, www.tires-easy.com/blog/pop-dont-blow-the-tire-bubble/.

[10] “Tire Tread Separation Causes and Prevention.” Chalik & Chalik, Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, 10 Oct. 2020, www.chaliklaw.com/blog/tire-tread-separation-causes-and-prevention/.

[11] “TEXAS TIRE SALES.” Texas Tire Sales, Texas Tire Sales, 12 Mar. 2013, txtire.com/blog/view/what-is-tire-separation.

[12] Ibid.

[13] “Tire Tread Separation Causes and Prevention.” Chalik & Chalik, Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, 10 Oct. 2020, www.chaliklaw.com/blog/tire-tread-separation-causes-and-prevention/.