40,000 Tires Recalled Over Flawed Tread — Are Yours on the List?

Tires aren’t cheap, and when something goes wrong with them, it’s rarely a quick or painless fix. So news of a Toyo tire recall from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week likely caused some groans. Nearly 40,000 tires may have tread defects that can make vehicles harder to control. Here’s how to check whether yours are part of the recall and what to do next.

Why Did Toyo Pull These Tires?

According to the NHTSA summary, the recall stems from potential tread separation — a failure that “can cause vehicle instability, increasing the risk of a crash.” Investigators found that “contamination during production” might have weakened the bond that keeps the tread securely attached.

Tread plays a crucial role in tire safety. It’s the textured surface that grips the road. Everyday road tires have shallow grooves, while all-terrain or off-road versions feature deeper cuts and pronounced patterns to help them latch onto uneven ground and keep the vehicle steady.

Drivers are always urged to monitor tread depth, since worn-down tires lose their ability to maintain traction. But in this case, the issue isn’t wear — it’s that the tread on affected Toyo tires may detach even when the tire is still in good shape.

Which Tires Are Included?

Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas, Inc. reports that nearly 40,000 tires may be impacted. The recall covers the following models:

• Open Country A/T III
• Open Country R/T Trail
• Open Country M/T
• Open Country H/T II
• Crosstek 2
• Dura Grappler Highway Terrain
• Exo Grappler AWT
• Mud Grappler Extreme Terrain
• Recon Grappler A/T
• Ridge Grappler
• Terra Grappler G3 A/T
• Trail Grappler M/T

What Should You Do?

NHTSA states that “dealers will replace the tires, free of charge.” If you own any of the models listed, keep an eye out for a notification letter, which is expected to go out in mid-December 2025. Once you confirm your tires are part of the recall, schedule a replacement as soon as possible — driving on compromised tread isn’t worth the risk.

For questions or assistance, Toyo’s customer service can be reached at 800-442-8696, while Nitto customers can call 888-529-8200. The NHTSA recall number is 25T018000.