Double Coin Holdings LLC and and its American subsidiary, China Manufacturers Alliance LLC (CMA), have notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of non-compliant sidewall markings on certain Double Coin branded radial truck and bus tires.
After a full audit in June 2014, CMA notified NHTSA that certain Double Coin tires omitted the Load Range symbol. As confirmed by NHTSA testing, this non-compliance does not pose any safety or performance issues. Furthermore, all Double Coin tires meet FMVSS119 performance and endurance requirements.
The sidewall markings on all Double Coin tires include redundant markings that correspond to Load Range capacities (load index for both single and dual placement, ply rating and maximum Load Rating with corresponding inflation pressure for both single and dual load).
“The important factor is that the tires meet all safety and endurance standards and are neither defective nor performing poorly," says Aaron Murphy, vice president of CMA. "CMA is working with NHTSA and has petitioned NHTSA for an exemption from the recall requirements of the National Highway Traffic Safety Act based on the fact that the non-compliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.”
At this point, no further action is required until NHTSA rules on the petition.
The Double Coin tires in question, approximately 1.7 million units, were manufactured with DOT dates of 2611 to 2514. Many of the Double Coin tires in the market today do comply with sidewall marking requirements, and there have been no field complaints or adjustments with regard to the non-compliant sidewall markings, says Murphy.
"After internal revisions, CMA and Double Coin have placed the additional mark on all sidewalls of Double Coin tires being sold to U.S.-based customers. Customer satisfaction and governmental compliance are our top priorities.”
