Tires (Michelin)

NHTSA files this as a safety improvement campaign, not a safety recall.

NHTSA’s records of these campaigns say each is “not a safety recall”, but is “deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency”. What’s wrong and the fix are below, in NHTSA’s words.

• NHTSA’s part: Tires.

• How to reach the firm: SYSTEM: MOTORCYCLE TIRES.TIRE DESCRIPTION: HI TOUR 79X REAR TIRES, SIZE 160/80R16. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THESE TIRES. MICHELIN IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THESE TIRES WITH A NEWER VERSION OF THE HI TOUR 79X REAR TIRE FOR MOTORCYCLES. THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR OVERLOADING A TIRE IN A TOURING BIKE APPLICATION. WHEN A DRIVER, PASSENGER, CARGO AND A TRAILER ARE LOADED ON, THE REAR TIRE CARRIES THE BRUNT OF THE WEIGHT. OVERLOADING OFTHE MOTORCYCLE CAN CAUSE SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE WHICH INCREASES THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THESE TIRES. HOWEVER, MICHELIN HAS DECIDED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. OWNERS CAN CONTACT MICHELIN AT 1-800-637-5527.
• Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

NHTSA counts 1,500 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

• Made by MICHELIN TIRE CORP..

• NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
• Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
• This campaign names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
• How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).

  Released Oct 23, 2026 and checked Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).