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Detroit • U.S. safety regulators are investigating reports that some Michelin heavy truck tires can fail and cause crashes.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has six complaints and a police report about seven crashes involving the 2014 model of Michelin XZA tires.
The agency says in documents posted Friday that about 10,000 of the 22.5-inch diameter tires are in use. It was unclear whether the crashes caused any injuries.
Documents say the tires could fail catastrophically when used on the front steering axle.
Five reports came from the same fleet. All reports involved auto-hauling tractor-trailers.
The agency says it opened the probe to figure out how often the problem happens and how many tires it affects. It could seek a recall.
Messages were left seeking comment from Michelin.