Snow Tires Recalled Due to Insufficient Traction: NHTSA

Manufacturer is recalling more than 100 tire models for failing to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Federal highway safety officials have announced a recall of over 500,000 Fortune Tormenta and Prinx Hicountry tires, marketed as snow tires, after determining they fail to meet traction standards for snowy conditions, potentially increasing the risk of an auto accident.

Prinx Chengshan Tire North America, Inc. (PCTNA) Fortune Tormenta and Prinx Hicountry tires are designed for use as replacement tires on light vehicles, including SUVs and trucks. These tires are advertised as providing reliable performance and safety in snowy conditions, making them a popular choice for drivers seeking enhanced traction during winter months.

However, a PCTNA tire recall was announced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on December 16, warning that certain models may lack the necessary traction for safe performance in snowy conditions.

Officials are warning that the traction deficiencies may increase the risk of vehicle crashes, potentially endangering drivers, passengers and bystanders.

The recall affects 541,632 Fortune Tormenta and Prinx Hicountry replacement tires, which were distributed to licensed dealers throughout the United States. A complete list of the 139 impacted tire models is available on the NHTSA website.

PCTNA initiated a voluntary recall of the affected tires on December 3, 2024, after determining they did not comply with federal safety standards. In November 2024, PCTNA engineers found that the recalled tires were likely to fail the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) traction test across all sizes.

While the company is unaware of any injuries or incidents related to the issue, the tires were found to violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 139, “New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles.”

PCTNA stated that customers will begin receiving recall notification letters in February 2025. The remedy for the recall is currently under development.

For more information, owners may contact PCTNA customer service at 1-310-205-8355, ext. 109 or email PCTNA’s contact for this recall, Hensly Guerra, at hensly.guerra1@dot.gov.

Customers may also contact NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.