Lawsuit Investigation: Dunlop D402 Motorcycle Tires
Last Updated on August 4, 2021
Important Information
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer investigating this matter. The information here is for reference only. A list of open investigations and lawsuits can be viewed here.
Case Update
- August 4, 2021 – Investigation Closed
- Thank you to everyone who reached out to us in regard to their motorcycle tires. At this point, attorneys working with ClassAction.org have decided to close their investigation into this matter, meaning they no longer need to hear from people who had issues with their tires. If you have questions regarding your legal rights, please reach out to an attorney in your area. Most offer free consultations.
To view our open list of investigations, visit this page. The information below was posted when the investigation began and remains for reference only.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who had issues with Dunlop D402 Harley Davidson tires.
- What’s Going On?
- Attorneys are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed in light of reports from riders of unexpected blowouts, tread chunking and other problems.
- How Could a Class Action Help?
- A successful case could order the manufacturer to recall, replace or fix the affected tires. It could also compensate riders who’ve already had their tires replaced or repaired.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak to anyone who had problems with their Dunlop D402 motorcycle tires.
These tires have been linked to nearly two dozen injuries, as well as several fatalities, and now attorneys are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed.
What Problems Have Been Reported?
A number of online news stories have outlined the dangers of the Dunlop D402 Harley Davidson tires and highlighted the apparent harm they’ve caused.
For instance, Revealnews.org reported that in 2008 a man and his wife were riding on the highway when their tire blew out and the bike zigzagged and ran off the road. The woman was killed and the man suffered a concussion and several broken bones. A similar incident occurred in April 2016 when a woman and man were “catapulted” off their motorcycle after their back Dunlop tire blew out. The man was thrown into a post and died, while the woman suffered multiple fractures.
Goodyear, which makes and sells the tires, is said to be blaming the blowouts on riders, claiming that they overinflated the tires or put too much weight on the bike.
Harley Davidson riders have also posted complaints online about Dunlop D402 tires and mentioned problems such as “tread chunking,” deflated tires and tread separation. A few of these complaints can be read below [sic throughout]:
My 2005 Ultra Classic's original OEM Dunlops went 17k when I noticed a crack or split in the tread about 3-4 inches long. I pulled them and installed a new set of 402's, now they have about 11k on them, tread depth looks okay, but as I had the bike on my lift scrubbing the nasty Wide Whitewalls, I noticed not one but 3 areas that look like a split running parallel with the tread.”
— 05ChromeUltra, V-TwinForum.com
I knew there was something wrong. I recently replaced my rear tire a few weekends ago. Tire was a Dunlop D402, had 16k miles on it, tread depth was 1/16" (recommended replacement per SM at 1/32"). It was manufactured in 31st week of 2007. After I took the wheel off, I noticed a crack in the tread. Had I continued to ride it to the recommended replacement tread depth, I probably would've had my own lawsuit thing going. I suggest everyone with D402's to go and check their tires. This might be something big, if it isn't already.”
— MichaelHarley, Tapatalk.com
I have run Dunlop 402s on my 02 Ultra since new, and get 7,000 miles out of rear tires and 10,000 on the front. I backed the bike out of the garage the other day and found that the rear was flat. I aired it up to see where the puncture was, and discovered that the tread was getting dangerously thin. No puncture was found, but noticed the cracking as described. I called and availed myself of the dealer's free pick up service, not gonna ride on a tire like that. This is the first one I've had do this in all the ones I've gone through in 54,000 miles.”
— ShovelMike, V-TwinForum.com
Has There Ever Been a Recall?
Not for the Dunlop D402 tires specifically. Other types of Dunlop tires have been recalled, including the SportMaxQ3+ motorcycle tires and the Dunlop SP50 tires, size P205/70R15 95T. Both recalls were issued over problems that could potentially result in “tread chunking” and increase the rider’s risk of a crash.
Goodyear has insisted that its Dunlop D402 tires are safe, and despite reports of at least five related deaths and 22 injuries, neither the company nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a recall.
How a Class Action Lawsuit Can Help
If filed and successful, a class action could require that Goodyear recall the Dunlop tires and offer replacements or a fix for the alleged defect. It could also compensate Harley Davidson riders for money already spent on new tires.
Goodyear has faced nearly a dozen personal injury lawsuits over the tires, and now attorneys think a class action is possible.
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