Kumho tire recall

[ubiquity0]

Is anyone running these? Looks like Kumho has made it into SCCA's black list:

(from PCA email)
Kumho ECSTA V710 Tire Eligibility Suspended

TOPEKA, Kan. (April 6, 2004) – Kumho Tire has announced the discontinuation and collection of its ECSTA V710 Competition tire.

In a written statement that cited inconsistent test results relating to tread splice and tread area durability as the primary reason for the discontinuation, the tire manufacturer also said that the sale of the V710 would cease immediately and that any tires in the market will be collected from consumers.

Consumers who have purchased the ECSTA V710 Competition Tire are eligible for free tire replacement and have their choice between the Kumho ECSTA V700 or Victoracer tire. The tires may be turned in at the dealer where they were purchased or consumers can call 1-800-445-8646 ext. 342 to arrange for tire return and replacement.

In light of the product’s discontinuation of sales and Kumho’s effort to collect existing product from consumers, SCCA is suspending, immediately, the eligibility of the Kumho ECSTA V710 for use in Club Racing and Solo events until further notice.

Also, until such notice is given, this suspension includes any subsequent, newer-model Kumho tires.

For further information, visit Kumho Tire’s website at Kumhousa.com/V710.asp.

[MotoSook]

This should be x-posted to the racer forum....

[on-ramp]

Last time i buy Kumho tires.

[Ho Hum 74]

There's NOTHING wrong with the Victoracers, great bang for buck.

[JMar]

Originally posted by on-ramp
Last time i buy Kumho tires.

That's the most ridiculous statement I've heard. If you had that attitude for every company that had a recall you would not be able to buy anything.

Even Porsche has had recalls. Honda too.

[singpilot]

I figure that someone that has the gonads (and money) to do a recall these days is doing something right.

I love my 712's on the 911. Incredible bang for the buck.

[Pettybird]

(hijack)
Anyone running the 711's? they're 50-60% cheaper in some sizes...

thanks
doug
(/hijack)

[jpachard]

Kumho was experiencing tread/carcass seperation with these tires in early testing. Apparently they have fixed this for future runs. Check their website for more details.

Cheers, James

[smestas]

Heres a shot of my friends tires that blistered after a few laps.

A thread on another forum talking about the bad tires
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?p=42596

[Reg]

Consumers will be given the choice of a free replacement of the ECSTA V710 with either the ECSTA V700 or Victoracer. They will also be provided a free set of the modified ECSTA V710 upon its arrival.

That sounds like pretty fine customer service to me. They are saying that they will replace the bad 710's with your choice of the v700 or Victoracer tire PLUS give you for FREE a set of the modified 710's when they become available. 2 for 1!

They are even having UPS pick them up at no charge.

[rennch]

The Kumho MX is a *great* compromise between a street and a race tire, if you are looking for something that will last long and still be a good street tire.

[kqw]

Sounds like that age old adage " you get what you pay for"

Advice: When it comes to tires and brakes, do not compromise. Failures in these areas under certain circumstances can result in serious injury.

By the way JMar, I agree with on-ramp.

When recalls involve safety related issues, it says a lot (not a lot) about the product(s).

[rennch]

I don't think there's any reason to abandon Kumho...every single tire manufacturer has had some sort of recall at some time or another. I remember when Hoosier recalled the XS03's for a similar reason. The V 710 is a brand new DOT race tire, and they had a few Delam on them. They probably had a single batch where something went wrong with the manufacturing. (Bad glue or whatever) Kumho decided to recall the whole bunch, and give whoever was affected a *free* set of tires, and a replacement set, for their troubles. They've done everything a good manufacturer should have done. And they make great tires. If you've got the bucks...fine...keep buying Hoosiers. But Kumho offers a lot more bang for the buck, especially to the weekend DE/Autocross warrior.

YMMV....


mike

[porschenut]

Originally posted by on-ramp
Last time i buy Kumho tires.

Remember the Firestone/Explorer fiasco? I guess you won't be buying Bridgestones either....

[ValveFloat]

Originally posted by Pettybird
(hijack)
Anyone running the 711's? they're 50-60% cheaper in some sizes...
(/hijack)

I have 711s on my VW daily driver and sometime autocross car. I am very happy with them. Grippier than I expected on the autocross course, good in the rain, and a decent ride. They are not particularly long wearing, but with 7 autocrosses on them and daily driving I wouldn't expect them to last forever.

[Ho Hum 74]

Joe,

Lovely car you have there - very pretty. What color is that? I'm looking for a yellow for mine (this winter).

Tristan

[kqw]

Let's see..."a bad batch" Sooooo, let's recall every one of those tires that were manufactured..... I'm impressed