February 25, 2012 — Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announced that it is recalling 41,000 Wrangler Silent Armor tires over safety concerns. At least two people have died in accidents after treads on the tires suddenly detached, leading to severe roll-over accidents. The tires were produced in 2009, and Goodyear estimates that around 27,000 of the tires are currently on the road. The family of two Texas college students who died in 2011 have filed a lawsuit against Goodyear, alleging that the company should have recalled the tires sooner.
What You Can Do & How a Goodyear Tire Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tire induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tire Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Overview
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tires are advertised as safe, durable tires that can withstand the rigors of off-roading and the punishment of stones drilling into the grooves and damaging the treads. They are specifically marketed toward all-terrain vehicles, including pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans, often for construction or off-road activities.
The tires are manufactured with rubber molded to resist stone and rock drilling, which might damage treads. The “Silent Armor” of the tire is an internal frame of twin, tensile steel belts reinforced by Dupont Kevlar cord to add strength while maintaining comfort. The sidewalls are also protected against scuffing, abrasion. The tires come with rim guards to protect against off-road hazards.
The tires involved in the recall are:
- Six sizes of Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires
- Produced between March and May 2009
- Manufactured in Fayetteville, TX
Accidents Caused by Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tire
Goodyear began receiving an unusual number of warranty claims and property damage claims during a review of Early Warning Data in May 2010. Over the next 12 months, Goodyear continued to see unusually high numbers of warranty claims related to the tires — specifically, six sizes of the Silent Armor tires produced at its Fayetteville plant between March to May 2009. Despite this information, Goodyear did not issue a recall.
On August 1, 2011, Matthew Smith and Kerrybeth Hall were driving southbound on U.S. Highway 67 in Pecos County, Texas. Smith’s 2008 Fort F-150 pickup was equipped with Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor tires. When the left rear tire de-treaded, the truck rolled over. Smith was ejected, and Hall suffered injuries inside the vehicle. Both died in the accident.
Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tire Recall
Nearly seven months after this fatal accident, Goodyear sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, saying, “A small number of tires within this population may experience a partial tread area separation under certain severe usage situations.” They added, “Use of these tires in severe conditions could result in partial tread separation which could lead to vehicle damage or a motor vehicle crash.”
On February 16, 2012, Goodyear decided to recall nearly 41,000 Wrangler Silent Armor tires. The company plans to send notices to customers by March 22, 2012.
Do I have a Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tire Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tire induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been injured by Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tire, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Goodyear Wrangler Silent Armor Tire Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
