Tires (Cooper)
Tire recall 02T-016. NHTSA received COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO.’s report on Dec 3, 2002.
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The short answer
NHTSA received COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO.’s report on Dec 3, 2002. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
IF THIS CONDITION IS NOT DETECTED, CONTINUED USE MAY CAUSE THE PLY CORDS TO BREAK AND THE TUBELESS LINER TO TEAR AND LOSE THE INFLATING AIR. LOSS OF AIR COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
COOPER DURANGO RADIAL XTR AND MASTERCRAFT COUSER C/T TIRES SIZE LT235/85R16 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 15 AND SEPTEMBER 21, 2002.
THESE TIRES MAY NOT HAVE ADEQUATE RUBBER COVERAGE OF THE BELT EDGE DUE TO LOW THREAD GAUGE UNDER THE SHOULDER SLOTS.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Tires.
What should you do?
COOPER IS NOTIFYING ITS CUSTOMERS TO HAVE THEIR TIRES REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 2, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT COOPER’S CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 800-854-6288.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 261 tires potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Cooper LT21585R16Built from Sep 15, 2002 to Sep 21, 2002
Who is recalling it?
- Made by COOPER TIRE & RUBBER CO..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Which tires, by their DOT codes: the range is in the recall’s report on NHTSA’s site, not in this file. Check the code on your tire’s sidewall against it.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.