Tires: tread/belt (Metzeler)
Tire recall 03T-003. NHTSA received METZELER MOTORCYCLE TIRE’s report on Oct 30, 2003.
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.
The short answer
NHTSA received METZELER MOTORCYCLE TIRE’s report on Oct 30, 2003. 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?
AS A RESULT, THE TIRE MAY CHANGE SHAPE AND A BUBBLE MAY APPEAR IN THE TREAD AREA CAUSING THE FRONT TIRE OF THE MOTORCYCLE TO VIBRATE. SUDDEN VIBRATION OF THE FRONT END COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL, POSSIBLE RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
METZELER SPORTEC 120/17 ZR17 M-1 P MOTORCYCLE TIRE.
DURING PRODUCTION, AN EXCESSIVE BELT TENSION WAS USED CAUSING HIGH COMPRESSION BETWEEN THE BELT AND CARCASS.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Tires: tread/belt.
What should you do?
METZELER WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 1, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR MOTORCYCLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT METZELER AT 706-368-5426.
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 53 tires potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.
- Metzeler Sportec M-1 PBuilt from Jan 26, 2003 to Feb 8, 2003
Who is recalling it?
- Made by METZELER MOTORCYCLE TIRE.
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
-
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.