Decoded sidewall size
235/85R16 tire size
235/85R16 in inches: 31.73" overall diameter — 9.25" wide, 7.86" sidewall.
Methodology: dimensions are calculated from standard ETRTO tire-size formulas. Last reviewed June 2026 by the TreadSize editorial team.
Before you fit 235/85R16: verify the vehicle placard, load index, speed rating, wheel offset, and full-lock/full-compression clearance. Nominal dimensions do not guarantee a safe physical fit.
Compare this sizeFull dimensions
| Measurement | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Overall diameter | 805.9 mm | 31.73 in |
| Section width | 235 mm | 9.25 in |
| Sidewall height | 199.75 mm | 7.86 in |
| Rim diameter | 406.4 mm | 16 in |
| Circumference | 2531.8 mm | 99.68 in |
| Revolutions per mile | 635.6 | |
| Aspect ratio | 85% | |
NHTSA safety record for 235/85R16
Drawn from official U.S. government (NHTSA) consumer complaint and recall filings for this exact tire size — not the generic averages you'll find elsewhere.
10 tire recalls on record affecting 235/85R16
- NHTSA 26T006000 · 2026 VEE RUBBER TAIGA A/T Tire separation can cause tire failure and a sudden loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 23T010000 · 2023 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W A loss of air pressure can increase the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 22T001000 · 2022 TRI-ACE PIONEER A/T III Sidewall separation can lead to tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 20T016000 · 2020 DURATURN TRAVIA A/T Tread or innerliner separation could lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 17V561000 · 2017 HIGHLAND RIDGE FW OPEN RANGE 3X If the tire size information is incorrect, the operator may replace the tires with tires that are an incorrect size, increasing the risk of a crash.
- NHTSA 13T002000 · 2013 HERCULES HERCULES ALL TRAC A/T Should a separation occur, the driver could lose control of the vehicle without warning, which could increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
- NHTSA 12T019000 · 2012 UNIROYAL LAREDO HD/H Tread/belt separation of the tire while the vehicle is in use can result in rapid air loss which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
- NHTSA 12T010000 · 2012 DEL-NAT NATIONAL A/S COMMANDO TREAD SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
- NHTSA 12T006000 · 2012 ACHILLES DESERT HAWK A/P THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE BLISTERING ON THEIR SIDEWALL OR TREAD SEPARATION THAT MAY CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF AIR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
- NHTSA 11T006000 · 2011 SHANDONG YONGTAI NEGOTIATOR COMMERCIAL H/T THESE TIRES MAY EXPERIENCE BLISTERING ON THEIR SIDEWALL THAT, WITH EXTENDED USE, COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, THEREBY INCREASING THE POTENTIAL RISK OF PROPERTY DAMAGE, PE
What owners report fails — 235/85R16
- Tread separation 68
- Blowout 50
- Out of round 7
- Blister 4
- Cracking 2
These are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated failure rates, and not adjusted for how many tires of this size are in service. Popular sizes naturally accumulate more reports. Use this as a research signal, not a verdict on any specific tire. Structured-size complaint coverage ends in 2021; the source files were retrieved on 2026-10-04. Recall records are from the post-2010 extract through that retrieval date and require a matching published size. This does not establish VIN or tire DOT-code applicability. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain). Always check the latest recalls at NHTSA.gov and report a tire problem if you have one.
Recall timeline for 235/85R16
NHTSA campaigns affecting this tire size, grouped from the local recall dataset. Exact owner-notification dates are not stored here; open the campaign at NHTSA for current remedy details.
How 235/85R16 compares inside the NHTSA size dataset
This comparison is derived only from tire sizes that have a real NHTSA complaint or recall record in the TreadSize dataset. Source: NHTSA ODI — Consumer Complaints (FLAT_CMPL) + Recalls (FLAT_RCL), U.S. DOT public domain; Official files retrieved 2026-10-04. Structured-size complaints through 2021; newer tire complaints cannot be reliably assigned to a size. Counts are unique ODI numbers per size. Decimal-rim sizes are excluded instead of rounded. Changes from older extracts reflect these corrections, not a change in tire failure risk.
Nearby safety records by complaint volume
Dataset download: JSON or CSV. Latest recall lookup: NHTSA.gov.
Related tire sizes
Frequently asked questions
What is the overall diameter of a 235/85R16 tire?
A 235/85R16 tire has an overall diameter of 31.73 inches (805.9 mm).
How tall is a 235/85R16 tire?
The sidewall height is 199.75 mm (7.86 inches), and the overall diameter from the ground to the top of the tire is 31.73 inches.
How many revolutions per mile does a 235/85R16 tire make?
A 235/85R16 tire makes approximately 636 revolutions per mile. Your speedometer is calibrated to this number.
What rim size does a 235/85R16 tire fit?
A 235/85R16 tire is designed for a 16-inch rim (406.4 mm).
Are there recalls or safety complaints for 235/85R16 tires?
NHTSA has 146 consumer complaints on record for the 235/85R16 size and 10 recalls; the most reported issue is tread separation (68 reports). These are unverified consumer reports, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many tires of this size are in service.
All dimensions calculated using standard ETRTO formulas. Always confirm fitment with your vehicle's door-placard and a qualified tire professional before purchasing.