Editorial: Recall could have been handled better

Friday, Aug. 11, 2000 | 9:34 a.m.

Firestone has agreed to recall 6.5 million tires, but it's disturbing it took so long for an acknowledgement that there may be a problem. Consumer safety advocates say the tires are unusually prone to flying apart at highway speeds. At least 46 deaths and 80 injuries in the past three years have been blamed on three sets of Firestone tires designed for sport utility vehicles, especially those made for Ford.

Critics contend that as far back as the early 1990s Ford and Firestone were aware of the danger. There have been some reported cases of tires flying apart on SUVs made by other manufacturers, but most attention has centered on Ford SUVs. So it's possible that either Ford or Firestone, or both, could be responsible. It is troubling that a straight answer on the proper tire pressure -- which, when linked to hot weather, can be a contributing factor to blowouts -- couldn't even be provided on the day the recall was announced. Ford suggested a proper inflation rate between 26-30 pounds per square inch, while Firestone recommended 30.

It could take a year to replace all of the tires with newer Firestone versions, so the recall will go in stages, with warm-weather states going first. Despite Nevada's hot climate it isn't included in the first group of states -- Nevadans are eligible in the second stage, which should begin sometime this fall. But because of the scarcity of Firestone tires, the company should reimburse customers who want to get their tires replaced by other makers as long as they buy a similar type. No one should have to wait a year if there is a genuine fear that the lives of drivers and their passengers could be endangered.