April 18, 2013 at about 4:30 pm, driving on rt 400 expressway South, with my son in the passenger seat, the low tire alarm went off and I proceeded to the nearest exit, and pulled into a parking lot. Upon inspection, my front passenger tire was completely flat. Had tire changed to spare. On following Monday, took tire for repair to my mechanic, where he found the valve stem inside the tire. The threaded collar that goes on the valve stem to help hold it in place was completely gone from corrosion. My mechanic inspected the condition of the other valve stems. He advised I replace other valve stems in the near future. On May 1, I was washing my vehicle and noticed air bubbles forming where the valve stem meets the aluminum rim on the other front tire. I noticed the threaded collar was missing from that valve stem. That same day, I had that valve stem replaced. The replacement part is the same design and material as the original. My mechanic said this will happen again with the replacement parts. I did approach the dealership where I bought the truck and the service manager said there was no recall regarding that problem. He stated later model designs have been modified to correct this.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

Failure of valve stem caused rapid tire deflation. Inspection of remaining valve stems indicated imminent failure. Valve stems integrated with tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensors and can cause TPMS system faults. Numerous complaints for same tire stem issue reported to NHTSA. Coupled with pinion nut failure potential that has yet to be addressed by issuance of recall notification to owners by Chrysler Corp, total loss of directional control of vehicle is a very real and present danger that renders these vehicles inoperable until issues are addressed.

- Choctaw, OK, USA

While driving on highway at highway speed, rapid tire deflation causing loss of control and veering off road, ,,inspection revealed right front valve stem has a dissimilar metal corroded issue, corroded and fell apart allowing valve stem to fall into wheel causing rapid deflation, ,, installed spare traveled down road about 60 miles now the TPMS lamp is on as that rt tire is flat laying in bed of truck, an hour later truck lost control again and I went off road, ,,I went to look at the spare on rt front and it was fine, ,,,the opposite side left rear tire this time went flat and as the TPMS warn lamp already illuminated no warning avail, ,same thing the valve stem fell inside the rim, ,there was a piece of the retainer cap for the TPMS valve stem left and it easily crumbled into an anealed aluminum state, ,,,two tires same thing, ,,,,,I went and looked at the left front valve stem and it also is exploded and corroded twice it's normal size, ,,,,I looked at the remaining rt rear valve stem and it has one crack in it so it is obvious need replacement. All 4 failing at same time is a product issue and due to loss of control this needs addressing as someone will get hurt, ,,it is apparent that Dodge has changed the style on the newer 2012 versions to rubber but it appears the manufacturer needs to address this safety concern, ,,,,I did attempt same with customer service but to no avail.

- Lockport , NY, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. The contact stated that the tire pressure valve monitors malfunctioned due to the close proximity of the metal in the tire rim. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the failure was due to weather conditions and road salt. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 43,000.

- Westerlo, NY, USA

Went to check air pressure in tires. While unscrewing the plastic valve stem cap on one of the front tires, the metal valve stem sheared off in my hand. The point of shearing was about mid way down the metal valve stem. The shearing occurred circumferentially in a smooth even plane. There is no evidence of mechanical/physical damage to the valve stem from hitting a curb, etc. I did not exert lateral pressure on the stem, I just twisted the plastic cap with my fingers. The stem was on a tire sensor unit with label "schrader electronics" with apparent part number "8cbffcb4".

- Stony Brook, NY, USA

I am requesting the NHTSA explore the power train issues affecting the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Driver was on highway driving at 60mph when truck starting making a whining and grinding sound which continued for about 1 mile before truck started to run funny. Driver slowed down and moved to the right lane when there was a big bang and a cloud of black smoke came from back end of truck. At the same time the rear end of the vehicle locked up and truck went skidding off the road. When driver examined car found that the entire drive shaft rod and transfer case were laying underneath of vehicle along with multiple other pieces of hardware. The transmission was also locked up and unable to release even in the neutral position. When the Dodge dealer looked into the incident they stated a " pin fell out of the drive shaft and backed up into the rear causing the pin to jam the transfer case". this incident resulted in a complete rebuild of the entire power train system. We would like to see a guide rail made mandatory for Dodge vehicles as this rod fallout could have resulted in a flipped vehicle. Furthermore less than 4 weeks later while driving same vehicle at 15 mph the truck started to shake violently and had to be towed because of a shredded bolt in the rear stabilizer bar that connects the rear to the axle. Vehicle once again to dealer who claims it is all due to the initial issue.

- Horsham, PA, USA

Had a tire to blowout on me and my wife on I-30 in littlerock ar. And one more tire with a knot on it. Had to buy 4 new tires. The tires on my truck was Goodyear Wrangler hp P-275-60R-20 my truck is a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 laramie 4X4 not happy with Goodyear.

- Jacksonville, AR, USA

The tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) on my wheel has corroded to the point of breaking. This could cause severe bodily harm, up to including death to a person(s)in my vehicle on a rapid air loss of my tire(s). These vehicles valve stems are not suitable for northern territory where salt is used for winter months. Also check faulty hubcaps that trap water in and around valve stem.

- Verona, PA, USA

Aluminum valve stem/TPMS sensors on both front wheels corroded and failed at the same time causing two flat front tires and loss of steering. Proceeded to repair shop to have all (4) valve stems and (2) front tires replaced. Repair personnel informed us that this is an epidemic. According to them, in 2010, manufacturers became aware of this problem and began using rubber valve stem/TPMS sensors.

- New Carlisle, OH, USA

I had the tires rotated at 7000 + miles, when I got the truck back, I noticed a slight vibration. As time went by the vibration got worse. I took the truck back to the dealer, in ft. Pierce six weeks later but because I drive a 1,000 miles per week, it hat 13,000 + miles and they said it was out of warranty. I took the truck to a private shop and they found the rear brake rotors warped so they turned the rotors and balance the tires. It was better but still had a vibration at interstate speeds. I took the truck to the Dodge dealer in vero beach and they spun the tires on the rims and rebalanced the tires. It got a little better but it still has a vibration that is hard to live with.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA