Between 2000 and 2005, tires manufactured by Cooper Tires have been the subject of several recalls and the focus of hundreds of injury lawsuits regarding defective design and manufacturing. These defects have resulted in tire blowouts, tread separation, sidewall failure, loose belts, and other incidents of tire failure that have lead to loss of control of a vehicle.

Cooper Tire and Rubber Company

The Cooper Tire and Rubber Company is headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, and is well known throughout the world, as its annual output is approximately 40 million tires. The company is involved in the design and manufacturing of various kinds of tires including those for passenger cars, light and medium trucks, and motorcycles. Cooper Tire and Rubber Company also manufactures tire-related products like tread rubber.

Defective Manufacturing Practices at Cooper Tire

Behind the façade of a successful all-American company, however, lies a sordid network of shoddy design practices and poor manufacturing standards; some have been confirmed by company employees. In the summer of 2000, three former employees of the company's Texarkana and Tupelo plants testified that the company regularly made use of unsafe manufacturing practices in order to cut costs. The employees' testimony came during a lawsuit hearing against Cooper Tire and was shocking in its revelations.

The workers testified that manufacturing malpractice during the production process included mixing plastic, cans, and chicken bones into the tires. Also, employees regularly used hand tools to pop air bubbles that formed in tire rubber rather than properly discarding the tires. Such practices compromise the tire's integrity, but were considered routine manufacturing practices at the company. Employees also testified against the company regarding the regular, incorrect use of solvents during the manufacturing process. Cooper Tire was aware that incorrect use of solvents could contribute to a disintegration of the tire, but encouraged it anyway. Other manufacturing defects included the production of tires from old rubber parts. Outdated rubber stock would be held in storage for long periods of time during which it would dry out. The dried rubber would not take curing well and the treads would not hold together. According to employees' testimony, management at Cooper encouraged employees to continue production using the old stock. Further, the company's plant at Tupelo had a leaky roof in the first stage of the tire production area.  Moisture compromising the integrity of tires is a serious concern. When water is introduced to the tire during the manufacturing process it can contribute to tread separation. Cooper management, however, refused to stop tire production and the faulty production practices proceeded.

Quality and safety flaws at Cooper Tires allowed for increased production and higher profits as the company continued to cut corners in its manufacturing practices. Between 2000 and 2005, the company's tires were responsible for more than 200 fatalities. Cooper has recalled dozens of makes of its tires and continues to face lawsuits from consumers who suffered injuries in accidents caused by the defective tires.