CHICAGO, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire LLC said on Thursday it will replace 25,600 Bridgestone Dueler A/T tires imported into the United States from Japan after data suggested a small percentage could suffer belt detachment.

The Nashville, Tennessee, unit of Japan's Bridgestone Corp. (Tokyo:5108.T - News) said the Dueler A/T 693 tires size LT285/75R16 load range D were made from July 1, 1998, through July 31, 2002, and imported as replacement tires mainly for large light trucks sold mostly through independent dealers and affiliated stores.

The data suggested a small percentage of the tires may experience belt detachment, especially if they have been under-inflated for the load carried or have been carrying heavier than recommended loads, Bridgestone said.

Bridgestone Firestone Canada plans to replace about 1,400 of the tires sold through independent dealers in Canada.

Other Dueler tires, including those of the same size and type made after July 31, 2002, are not affected, it said.

U.S. consumers can receive free replacement tires through company-owned stores and Canadian consumers should call authorized Bridgestone retailers.

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