We get a LOT of correspondence from consumers, most of whom find stories on our website while they are searching for answers to tire and vehicle service questions. And since we first started asking hard questions about TPMS corrosion problems, dozens of consumers have shared their horror stories of valve stem units that literally crumbled when they tried to remove the cap to add air.
Crumbled.
And, as you might, they wondered what the result would have been if they were driving on the freeway at the time.
Like this gentleman:
I came across your article for Tire Review here: https://www.tirereview.com/Article/106377/weigh_in_is_oe_tpms_sensor_failure_a_hidden_problem.aspx
I am an owner of a 2009 Dodge Journey and it’s funny I came across this article because I was actually looking to see if there was a recall on these TPMS sensors for Dodge/Chrysler vehicles. I bought my car in 2008 and after two winters in Pittsburgh, Pa., I went to fill a tire with air and the valve stem literally split right under the plastic valve cap right as I took the cap off. My tire was flat in about five seconds. Thankfully I wasn’t driving it!
I took it to the dealer and, of course, they said it wasn’t covered under my warranty and it cost me $180 to get it fixed. Not a week later I checked my other three valve stems and saw ALL THREE were corroded to the point that I wouldn’t touch them.
Again…Dodge said it was not covered. After speaking to a manager and showing him all three valves they said they would cover it under my "Dodge Service Contract" warranty with a deductible (which cost me thousands of dollars when I bought the car).
I asked them if they had any other problems with other cars and they said no. I find out on the Dodge/Chrysler forums that people all over the nation are having my exact same problem with their cars … 100% Dodge/Chrysler vehicles.
Thinking I was in the clear with new valves I moved on. Just the other day my low tire pressure light came on (it’s almost always on in Dodge vehicles!!!) so I checked my tires and presto!! My tire valve stems are all corroded and one is cracked right below where the valve cap ends.
Thus my search on the Internet for a recall.
I’m not sure where your article went after writing it but this is still a major issue and if this happens while someone is driving…I don’t want to wish that on anyone. Do they need someone to wreck their car or die while on the road before they will admit this is an issue?
I have to take my car to the dealer (Monroeville Dodge…not recommended as their customer service is less then friendly) tomorrow to get this fixed. I’m assuming this will be another round of "This is not covered" but I’m hoping that your article stirred up enough people with this issue to make some noise.
If you’ve uncovered anything new I’d be interested in hearing it as someone will eventually be not so lucky as me and I would hate for it to come to that before this issue is fixed.
Sincerely,
Kevin Susko
OK, dealers, what do you think? Are Chrysler vehicles, as Mr. Susko and many others have described, particularly prone to TPMS corrosion issues? Is Chrysler turning a blind eye to the problem? Are any of our industry association aware of the problem and what are they doing about it?
Send your comments and ideas….we need to sort this out before someone does get hurt.
