Valve stem broke when removing cap to check pressure

- Green Cove Springs, FL, USA

I was driving our van on vacation in out of state on the expressway at 70 mph. My low tire sensor came on, along with the yellow exclamation point light in the dash. I was close to my exit, pulled off and into a gas station where there was an air pump, looking to asses the situation. When I tried to put air into the front driver side tire, which was now really looking flat, I pushed the air nozzle against the valve stem which pushed right inside the rim. I had to call my insurance to have a wrecker come, they put my doughnut tire on. I went and had a tire place put in a regular valve stem. The original valve stem is stuck to the inside of the rim, and apparently had come lose because whatever had held it there failed. When I got home, I had the valve stem replaced with a new valve stem with a pressure sensor. I feel this is unsafe, because losing any of your tires pressure at the rate of speed we were driving, could have made us lose control of the vehicle, harming ourselves or others driving near us.

- Ionia, MI, USA

While driving the TPMS warning light came on. At our earliest convenience we stopped at a service station to check the tires. I checked and/or added air to 3 of the tires, when I went to remove the valve stem cap on the 4th tire, the end of the valve stem broke off in my hand. Thankfully the break occurred on the outer portion of the stem so the needle valve is still in place and the tire still holds air. However I'm no longer able to check or add air to this tire. The metal on the valve stem appeared to be very corroded. Keep in mind this is on a van that is parked in a garage most of the time and not exposed to the elements as much as most other vehicles.

- Brookhaven, PA, USA

While operating our 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SE at approximately 30 mph the rear drivers side tire's valve stem on the tire failed (occurred approximately 45 seconds after concluding highway driving). The nut holding the valve stem on appears to have broken causing the sensor to fall into the tire and resulted in the tire deflating immediately. This is the third sensor failure on the vehicle. Fortunately the first two occurred when the vehicle was stationary - airing up tires caused the stems to break in half. A call to the general Dodge customer service stated that they had never heard of this issue occurring. A call to my dealership stated that they replace the TPMS sensors "everyday" due to failures and then proceeded to quote me $200+ for a sensor replacement which included "programming" the sensor which isn't even necessary on this vehicle. Dodge dealership had stated that several other vehicles in their lineup have switched over to TPMS sensors using rubber valve stems. These are not available for our year Grand Caravan.

- West Boylston, MA, USA

On two occasions in past three weeks. The TPMS valve stems snapped off, resulting in the immediate deflation of a tire. Both incidents occurred while vehicle was being operated at low speeds (under 10 miles/hour).

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

Low tire pressure light came on while driving 70 mph pulled over to check tire while checking the tire pressure in tire the TPMS sensor/valve stem broke causing all of the air to escape from the tire.

- Marion, IA, USA

On July 2, 2013 the tire pressure light went on. I went to put air in the driver's side front tire. The valve stem broke off resulting in a flat tire. I had the valve stem replaced at a cost of $140. On August 20, 2013 the light came back on again. I took it back to good year. They told me the two valve stems on the passenger wheels, front/back were very corroded. They did manage to fill both tires for me. The light went off. Two days later, the light came on again. I went to fill the tires and the one valve stem broke off, another flat tire! put on the spare, drove home, called around and had to take it in to be fixed again. $700 later, 4 new tires, another TPMS replaced, and an alignment. Two valve stem are still iffy, but they said they sealed okay........ I am nervous about allowing my wife and three small children to ride in this car with two more corroded valve stems. Who knows if they will pop off and cause an accident. I'm seeing other people have had the same problems. I believe a recall should be made to have this problem corrected. ~thank you

- Penfield, NY, USA

Valve stem broke on front drivers side tire after parking it in the driveway. Tire went flat and had to replace valve stem, 1 month later the passenger front valve stem broke driving on the highway causing the tire to immediately go flat. Resulting in replacing tire and valve stem.

- Stewartstown, PA, USA

Nut came loose from valve stem and tire deflated on 2 different occasions while vehicle was moving.

- Albion, MI, USA

Tpm was on. Stopped to check tire pressure. When went to unscrew cap on rear passenger tire, air started shooting out and tire went flat in seconds. Valve stem assembly had corroded and broke off in cap. If I were driving, my four children and I could be dead. This would have been a very serious accident. Something has to be done. Dodge is using faulty valve stems, endangering people's lives.

- Kingsville, OH, USA

Left rear TPMS valve stem corroded and failed while driving on highway. Tire quickly deflated. Tire dealer replaced tire, but valve stem was too corroded, so a regular valve stem was used. Two days later, the right front valve stem failed, again while driving on highway. While at tire dealer, I had them replace the other two TPMS sensors that hadn't failed (yet).

- Pittston, ME, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that the tire pressure warning light illuminated. In addition, the rear passenger tire would continuously deflate. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, where the contact was advised that the valve stem locking nut was corroded, cracked and disintegrated. The contact was advised that the valve stems needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 49,000.

- Forest Hill, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that all four of the tire pressure monitor valves became fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the tire stem. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 36,000 and the current mileage was 46,000.

- Pittsburg, PA, USA

I was coming up to speed on the highway and my TPMS light came on, 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT, and I could feel a shake of a front tire going flat. I pulled over and the tire was indeed flat, put on the spare and returned home. I pumped the tire back up, or attempted to and noticed air coming out the side of the metal valve stem. I contact Chrysler customer affairs number and got a song and dance that required me to go to a dealer to get it inspected but not repaired, then to recontact Chrysler to see if they are going to do anything. Dealership said it's not a warranty item and needs to be replaced, and that I should do all 4 tire stems as this is a common problem...hello, $600 for 4 tire stems, are you nuts? this is a safety issue, I have read many pages of complaints about total failure of these metal valve stems leading to crashes and severely damaged tires due to sudden and unexpected failure of the poorly designed valve stems. This should be a recall. I see Chrysler changed the design in mid 2010 to a more reliable rubber design...hmm, perhaps this was due to all the complaints. Unfortunately there will need to be more injuries or deaths due to this flaw before someone does something about it. Vehicle is extremely well cared for and has 22,300 miles.

- Alexandria, VA, USA

Almost to work in my 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan which is approximately a one hour drive and light sensor came on in car. Once got to work noticed rear driver side tire air low. At lunch tried to fill with air but could not because the was valve going into the tire. Took to tire repair shop where they informed me that tire sensor cap was missing. They could not tell me why or how that would happen. They had to replace entire sensor at a cost of $130. Then 3 days later tire light came on again and this time front passenger tire was low. Looked at tire sensor cap and notice it was cracked, corroded and piece missing from cap. Looked at other two caps and they are both cracked and corroded. So that explains why first cap was missing - it corroded and fell off. So now remaining 3 sensors need to be replaced. Took to dealer but was told not covered under my extended warranty. Seems to me if all 4 sensor caps are cracked, corroded and falling off there is a defect and a recall should be done. Luckily I did not have the air leak quickly from the tire nor did it cause an accident but it easily could have.

- Middletown, NY, USA

TL the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving, the tire went flat instantly. The contact changed the tire and drove the vehicle to the mechanic for inspection. The mechanic stated that the valve stem needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they would open a case on the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

- Badaxe, MI, USA

Tire pressure sensor was on. Tire pressure was fine. One tire started a slow leak, brought it to mechanic. Values have corroded, one fell in the tire. All the sensors had to be replaced.

- Herndon, VA, USA

At only 61,000 miles, the front wheel bearings on my vehicle have had to be replaced. The bearings were making loud noise and I was concerned that they would fail. Had bearings replaced at a dealership.

- Oakdale, CT, USA

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan. All 4 tire valves are corroding. One broke off and fell inside tire. Other broke off when trying to unscrew of cap. Both passenger tires went flat.

- Windsor, 00, USA

2009 Dodge Grand Caravan front wheel bearing failure. Dealer told me they would notify me when the new bearings arrive. They are on a national back order because of all the reported failures.

- Syracuse, NY, USA