Toyo recalls more than 66,000 tires for defect

Toyo Tire said on Wednesday that it is recalling more than 66,000 tires because of a possible defect that could lead to tire failure.

The company will recall the P225/60R-16 Extensa A/S tires that were distributed in the United States from Sept. 20, 2009, to Nov. 6, 2010.

Toyo says some of the tires might have been made with a kink in the bead. The kink could lead to a crack near the bead when the tire is underinflated or during spirited driving. Left unattended, the crack could lead to tire failure, sometimes suddenly.

The tires were manufactured in Georgia and wear a “Made in the USA” label. The company says tires with “Made in Japan” or “Made in China” notations are not affected by the recall.

Toyo told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it will notify owners and replace the tires free of charge. The recall will begin on Feb. 2, but owners can contact Toyo anytime at (800) 442-8696.

Editor's note: The photo accompanying this story has been changed to show the model of tire being recalled. The original photo showed a Toyo Tire model that is not being recalled.

By Jake Lingeman