Goodyear recalls Wrangler Silent Armor tires

Goodyear said it will recall almost 41,000 light-truck tires over concerns of partial tread separation. Tread separation could lead to vehicle damage if the tread strikes the car, or an accident could occur if the tire fails.

The sizes recalled include:

-- LT235/80R17 LRE

-- LT325/60R18 LRE

-- LT275/70R18 LRE

-- LT265/70R17 LRE

-- LT245/75R17 LRE

-- LT285/70R17 LRD

The affected Wrangler Silent Armor tires were produced from March 31 to May 31, 2009. To find out when the tires were produced, owners can look at the last four digits of the tire-information number on the sidewall. If the number is between 0909 and 2209, then the tires need to be replaced.

Goodyear says it estimates that only a small percentage of the tires are affected.

The company has been inspecting these tires since May 2010, when it observed elevated levels of warranty returns. Goodyear says it found stone drilling damage and other external damage. Goodyear continued to monitor the tires in 2010 and 2011, but the company claims it still found no safety issue.

In the third quarter of last year, Goodyear received an injury claim involving the tires: Two people died in a rollover crash in Texas when a Wrangler Silent Armor tire failed, Goodyear spokesman Scott Baughman told the Chicago Tribune.

Goodyear says customers will be notified by March 22, and the tires will be replaced at no cost to owners.

By Jake Lingeman