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The car industry has been rocked by a recent recall. Selecting the appropriate tires is already challenging. The Altimax RT45 tire from General Tire has formally announced that 542 tires will no longer be available for purchase. Why? They run the risk of experiencing an abrupt loss of air or possibly having a portion of the tread separate.Only two units have been found to contain the fault, according to the data they sent the NHTSA (the U.S. road safety regulator), but they will nevertheless recall every one made between August 4 and August 10, 2024. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
What happened with the Altimax RT45 tires?
Let’s dissect it. The NHTSA received a notification from Continental Tire The Americas last month that some of their tires were exhibiting an unusual behavior.
Overcuring during the production process is the cause of the problem at hand. This may result in the tire’s sidewall casing breaking or the tread separating. We all know how dangerous it can be to blow out while driving, which is the worst-case situation.
Which model is being recalled?
Be aware that it is the General Altimax RT45 size 235/60 R18 107H, which was produced from August 4 to August 10, 2024.
What is the company going to do?
Continental claims that the problem will be communicated to workshops and dealerships within hours and that the impacted owners will start receiving notices between August 25 and 29, 2025.
How do you know if you ve got one of these tires?
First, look for any oddities on the tread or any bulges on the tire’s shoulder or bead. The best course of action if you’re not sure is to look up the tire’s identifying number, or TIN.
The ones that are impacted include the following codes: size 0F, code BHW4, plant 1CP, and M3124 on the ends of the number. Although there haven’t been any recorded accidents or injuries as a result of this flaw, it’s still advisable to be cautious. To prevent any damage, check as soon as you can.
Other similar cases
Defects of this kind are not new. In fact, it brings to mind the Firestone and Ford Explorer case, one of the largest safety scandals of the early 2000s. Many of those SUVs rolled over back then because of faulty manufacturer tires. Quite frightening. In addition to the vehicle’s already unsteady construction, the tires featured a significant defect: the tread would peel off. A high failure rate and a ticking time bomb.
What happened back then?
The story was looked at in great detail. It all came down to a procedure known as pelletizing, in which lubricant was combined with rubber granules, ABC News said. The tire’s interior layers eventually separated as a result of the lubricant’s chemical deterioration. A time bomb in real life.
Why don t these types of news always get attention?
Because tire failures can be just as fatal as brake or airbag failures, they rarely make the news, despite the fact that they should. If you’re not prepared, which you typically aren’t, a blowout at 120 km/h might be lethal. This is why it’s important to pay attention and see if your car is impacted when a recall like this occurs.
The issue is that tire recalls frequently go unreported; they don’t hit the front pages or the news. They’re serious, though. Such a failure could be fatal. Therefore, don’t ignore it if your tires match the recall data. Visit the NHTSA website to see if your car is impacted.
Key Data
- Affected brand: Continental Tire The Americas
- Recalled model: General Altimax RT45
- Size: 235/60 R18 107H
- Identification codes (TIN):
- Plant: 1CP
- Size: 0F
- Optional code: BHW4
- Week/Year: 3124
