A Popular All-Terrain Tire is Recalled and What It Means to You

Today many models of pickup trucks and SUVs are equipped with four-wheel drive. As such, this means that if your model did not come with AWD tires, then at some point you have bought or will buy AWD tires during your next tire purchase.

Related article: Consumer Reports Car Experts Explain and Compare 2WD vs. AWD vs. 4WD

But what if there is a recall on those expensive all-terrain tires you bought? Or you heard about a recall and now have mixed feelings about buying from that brand…EVER?

What does the mean to you?!

POPULAR ALL-TERRAIN TIRE RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT

The type of All-Terrain tires many consumers buy are those designed for gentle to moderate off-road use and performance that still provides what is described as “civilized behavior on the street.” We are talking about models that despite their advertisement ads, are best suited for grass soccer fields, dirt and gravel roads, and the occasional park trek off-road where rocks and potholes do not exceed the vehicle’s ground clearance.

The flip side of tire use when it comes to all-terrain tires are those consumers who own AWD vehicles designed for the rougher stuff outdoors and depend on the best affordable tires they can shod their workhorse vehicle with for their weekend adventures.

One popular all-terrain tire brand are the AMP Terrain Attack A/T styled performance tires that are designed to meet the best of both consumer off-road worlds providing comfort on the highway, yet with traction, handling, good braking, and cornering performance needed for serious off-roading.

But if there is one factor AWD vehicle owners from both camps share in their tire choice is that of the requirement of seeing that three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on their tires’ sidewall―specifically, the mountain and snowflake symbols guaranteeing that the tires are designed with (among other features) a specialized tread compound that helps the rubber stay pliable in the cold with numerous biting edges for gripping snow and ice.

However, recent news and a tweet announce that there is a voluntary recall in effect for the AMP tire brand. According to the NHTSA and Consumer Reports:

“Wheel Group Holdings is recalling more than half a million all-terrain tires from its AMP brand that have a three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the sidewall but do not conform to the required snow traction performance standards.

Impacted models include the Terrain Attack R/T, Terrain Attack A/T, and Terrain Pro A/T sold between 2019 and the first quarter of 2024. This impacts all sizes and fitments for those models. Factoring in tires sold in Canada, the total number of recalled tires is more than 600,000,” stated CR automotive experts.

THE MAIN POINTS OF THE TIRE RECALL

1. The three-peak mountain snowflake symbol went into use in 1999 by AMP to help consumers easily identify tires that are designed to handle snow.
2. NHTSA and Transport Canada require 3PMSF (three-peak mountain snowflake ) tires sold in both markets to undergo and pass a private third-party lab testing focused on determining traction and acceleration of the tires in medium-packed snow.
3. The problem lies with three all-terrain tire models from AMP that are labeled as snow tires, but they do not meet the above said requirements to have the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on their sidewalls.
4. Tires recalled this far include AMP Terrain Attack R/T, Terrain Attack A/T, and Terrain Pro A/T.
5. The solution is an ambiguous “remedy” that “…is currently under development.”

WHAT IF MY AWD VEHICLE HAS THE RECALLED TIRES?

Are the recalled tires defective? Not necessarily, only that they do not meet the testing standard set by the NHTSA. According to the NHTSA there have been no reported cases of accident or injury related to the recalled tires. The NHTSA only states that “Tires that do not provide sufficient traction in snow can increase the risk of a crash.”

What the NHTSA Reports:

Wheel Group Holding, LLC (WGH) is recalling certain AMP Terrain Attack R/T, Terrain Attack A/T, and Terrain Pro A/T tires with load ranges SL, XL, C, D, E, and F. The tires are labeled as snow tires, but do not have sufficient traction to perform in all snow weather conditions. As such, these tires fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 139, "New Pneumatic Radial Tires for Light Vehicles."

However, technically, the tires did pass safety standards for snow―only under European requirements and testing.

According to the NHTSA On the Tire Tests:

These tires meet the TUV SUD UNECE R-117 testing standard necessary to designate the tires as all-weather tires and display the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol in the European Union. However, they do not meet the snow traction testing standards required by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or Transport Canada and, therefore, cannot display the 3PMSF symbol in U.S. and Canadian markets. The AMP Terrain Attack M/T tires are exempt from this action as they are not marked with the 3PMSF symbol.

Will I Get a Refund?

A full refund is not likely. According to the NHTSA “…the remedy is currently under development. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed by May 20, 2024. A second notice will be sent once the remedy has been finalized. Owners may contact WGH customer service at 1-626-363-1666 and/or [email protected].

A search of what to do during tire recalls reveals that refunds are more likely when the tires have a physical defect that has led to accident and/or injury. According to the NHTSA there have been no reported cases of accident or injury related to the recalled tires.

However, the NHTSA does point out that, “Under 49 U.S.C. § 30112(a), it is illegal for anyone, including a manufacturer, distributor, dealer, or retailer to sell an item of equipment or vehicle that fails to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.”

Therefore, the legal system being what it is a lawsuit is always possible. The best course is to wait and see what Wheel Group Holding, LLC will offer consumers regarding compensation following the aforementioned owner notification letters expected by May 20, 2024.

A press release from the AMP Terrain Attack R/T brand parent company reassures consumers by stating:

“We take our commitment to providing high-quality tires and products to our customers seriously,” said The Wheel Group CEO Dave Albert. “Upon discovering the mistakenly marked AMP tires, we proactively took action to suspend sales immediately. We are working on a way to resolve the issue on existing inventory and appreciate the support of our customers and distributors as we work diligently to rectify this issue.”

How Does Consumer Reports Rate AMP Terrain Attack A/T Tires?

According to Consumer Reports:

“Consumer Reports has not tested tires from AMP. However, we currently have 18 tested all-terrain truck tires in our ratings. As with most tire categories, our all-terrain tests include snow traction and ice braking evaluations.”

Where Should I Shop for Snow Tires that Consumer Reports Recommends?

For 2024, the good folks at Consumer Reports released this summarized list of snow tires for AWD they personally tested and recommend:

Best SUV and Truck Tires of 2024

1. Best All-Season Tire: The Michelin Defender T+H---CR's top choice for larger SUVs and trucks due to its superior dry surface braking, road handling and resistance to hydroplaning performance.

Priced at $179 per tire, this all-season tire provides a good overall blend of the aforementioned tire qualities during testing including a projected tread life of a remarkable 85,000 miles.

For a less expensive cost-saving alternative in this category, they also recommend the General Altimax RT43 as a solid performance tire with a projected tread life of 70,000 miles.

2. Best All-Season SUV Tire: Michelin CrossClimate2---Especially notable for its range of sizes to cover many popular SUV models, this tire impressed the analysts that despite having excellent snow-gripping traction, it also did very well on cleared roads without losing any of its traction abilities.

Priced at $254.00 per tire, it’s a reasonable buy; especially with its increased estimated tread life of 95,000 miles.

For a less expensive cost-saving alternative in this category CR analysts recommend the Vredestein HiTrac---a well-rounded tire, delivering a good balance of all-weather grip and handling, and 60,000 miles of predicted tread life. It particularly shines for snow traction and noise reduction but rates lower when it comes to riding comfort. The Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 is also another recommended alternative tire.

3. Best All-Season Truck Tire: Continental’s TerrainContact H/T---This one is CR’s choice based on its high performing all-weather grip in snow traction and long-lasting wear at an impressive 70,000 miles. Priced at $213.99, it came out on top over other similar brands of tires such as the number two spot General Grabber HTS60 which is recommended as an alternative to the Continental.

4. Best All-Terrain Truck Tire: The Continental TerrainContact A/T---Engineered for a mix of some off-road and paved-road use for all-terrain capable trucks, CR analyst rate it high as providing a good blend of grip.

Consumer Reports analysts found that the Continental TerrainContact A/T was surprisingly quiet for an all-terrain tire and earned average or better scores in all test categories and is expected to last up to 65,000 miles. At $122.99 per tire, it’s a good choice.

For a less expensive cost-saving alternative in this category, they also recommend The Michelin LTX A/T 2, “It’s louder, but it’s projected to have a tread life of 80,000 miles, and our tests show that it has excellent hydroplaning resistance.”

5. Best Winter/Snow Tire: The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90---It rates best with its excellent snow traction abilities as well as its above average dry braking, resistance to hydroplaning, and ride comfort performance qualities.

Because it is a winter/snow tire, it has extra deep tread that is formulated to stay pliable at freezing temperatures which allows a vehicle to handle snow significantly better than an all-season tire, and therefore does not qualify for an accurate comparison when discussing expected tread life against other tire types. At a cost of $131.00 per tire, it is another reasonable tire purchase.

An alternative tire is the Michelin X-Ice Snow that tied with Bridgestone’s Overall Score; however, its handling score tested below average, and it is a more expensive tire.

6. Best Winter/Snow Truck Tire: Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5 SUV---Although a pricey winter/snow tire at a cost of $246 per tire with an expected limited lifespan, the Nokian is a clear winner as an all-season tire.

“This is a category that combines the strength and durability of a truck tire with the temperature resilience and grip needed for enhanced winter traction. We don’t test treadwear on winter/snow tires because they have a limited life and are used just seasonally.” An alternative tire is the less expensive GT Radial IcePro SUV 3, which has “…has similar scores to the Nokian, even besting it for wet braking, making it a smart, value choice,” states CR analysts with this recommendation.

For additional articles related to tires, here are three for your consideration:

• Everything You Need to Know About Buying Car and Truck Tires
• Best Tire Brands of 2024 You Should Be Buying This Year
• Consumer Reports Best Car Tires of 2024

Timothy Boyer is an automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on  “Zen and the Art of DIY Car Repair” website, the Zen Mechanic blog and on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites  and Facebook for daily news and topics related to new and used cars and trucks.

COMING UP NEXT: The Truth About Oil Change Intervals and Analysis from Experts in the Field

Image source: Deposit Photos