39 of the
884 complaints about the 2009 Dodge RAM 1500 are about the
tires — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
42,445 miles.
I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TO WORK ONE MORNING. I WAS TRAVELING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 70MPH IN A STRAIGHT STRETCH. ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO WOBBLE AND I HAD THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ON MY DASH. AFTER NO MORE THAN 2 SECONDS THE TRUCK PULLED EXTREMELY HARD TO THE RIGHT. I KNEW THAT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO SAFELY PULL OFF AND AVOID THE TRACTOR TRAILER FROM SLAMMING INTO ME I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE, I NOTICED THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A VALVE STEM IN MY FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. I ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE TIRE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE RAIN BUT BROKE THE CHEAP LUG WRENCH THAT IS SUPPLIED WITH THE VEHICLE. APPARENTLY THE DEALERSHIP OVER TORQUED THE LUG NUTS. I HAD TO GET A RIDE TO WORK, BEING 1.5 HOURS LATE AND LEAVE MY TRUCK ON THE INTERSTATE ALL DAY. MY FATHER IN LAW WORKS FOR A TIRE AND LUBE CENTER. HE PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED IT. THE THREADS COMPLETELY STRIPPED OUT OF THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR AND VALVE STEM. THIS IS WHAT CAUSED IT TO VIOLENTLY EJECT FROM THE WHEEL ITSELF. BY GODS' GOOD GRACES I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER THAT DAY AND NOT CRASH OR DIE DUE TO THE HIGH SPEEDS. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE TRUCK AS WELL THAT I WILL FILE SEPARATE COMPLAINTS ON EACH ISSUE. (TRANSMISSION SHIFT SOLENOID, STAYING IN 4TH GEAR, TIPM ELECTRICAL ISSUES/NO POWER TO ANYTHING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK, REAR POWER DOOR LOCKS NOT UNLOCKING/LOCKING WITH KEY FOB OR FRONT DOOR LOCK CONTROLS) THIS TRUCK IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO MY FAMILIES LIFE AS WELL AS MY OWN.
NHTSA complaint #10930107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesSurry, VA
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS DEFLATED, AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM SENSOR WAS INSIDE THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. BOTH FRONT TIRES AND THE SENSOR WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SENSOR WAS MISPLACED. THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR AND TIRE WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #10780879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesLiverpool, NY
TIRES:VALVE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE VALVE STEM WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 10/19/2017
NHTSA complaint #10723923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 18,300 milesMT. Carmel, PA
TIRES
SYSTEM WARNING WENT OFF THAT WE WERE LOOSING AIR IN THE TIRE. WITHIN SECONDS, WE PULLED OVER AND THE TIRE WAS FLAT. RECEIVED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE SO WE COULD DRIVE THE TRUCK HOME. STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO CHECK THE AIR IN ALL THE TIRES. COULDN'T PUT AIR IN ONE OF THE TIRES BECAUSE THE NUT HOLDING THE TIRE SENSOR ROTTED OFF. WHILE TRYING TO PUT THE AIR IN, THE STEM WAS GETTING PUSHED INTO THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FIRST TIRE (THE NUT ROTTED OFF). HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. WE FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE LOOKED IN TO.
NHTSA complaint #10711777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesBlacksburg, VA
TIRES:VALVE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE VALVES FRACTURED ON TWO OCCASIONS. AS A RESULT, BOTH TIRES BECAME FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER TWICE WHO REPAIRED THE VALVES AND REPLACED THE TIRES, BUT THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE VALVE FRACTURED AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO AGAIN REPLACED THE TIRE AND THE VALVES. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #10702150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesCarver, MA
TIRES:VALVE
VALVE STEM NUT SPLIT AND FELL OFF TIRES. TIRE PARTIALLY DEFLATED. WENT TO PUT AIR IN TIRE, NUT FELL OFF. WENT TO ADD AIR TO ADDITIONAL TIRE, THREADS ON VALVE STEM BROKE OFF. FIRST VALVE STEM FAILED APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO WHILE DRIVING. REPLACED ALL STEMS. SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. POOR QUALITY.
NHTSA complaint #10691113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesDES Moines, IA
TIRES
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE TIRE VALVE STEM AND PRESSURE MONITOR BLEW OUT OF TIRE WHEN NUT BROKE CAUSING IMMEDIATE FLAT. VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND ALMOST WENT INTO DITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10670876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,445 milesPekin, IL
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE VALVE STEMS WERE CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE VALVE STEMS AND THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,445. UPDATED 12/1914*CN UPDATED 9/25/2015
NHTSA complaint #10654348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,445 milesPekin, IL
TIRES:VALVE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE VALVE STEMS WERE CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE VALVE STEMS AND THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,445. UPDATED 12/1914*CN UPDATED 9/25/2015
NHTSA complaint #10654348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesSaugerties, NY
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
GOOD MORNING, MY INCIDENT IS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THE TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM). ON THE ABOVE STATED DATE, I HAD JUST LEFT WORK AT APPROXIMATELY 8:30AM. I WAS DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON A STATE HIGHWAY AND HAD JUST ACCELERATED TO APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN MY TPMS LIGHT FLASHED AND A CATASTROPHIC MALFUNCTION OCCURRED WITH THE VALVE STEM ON THE FROM PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO AVOID COLLISION AS I ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE AND SAFELY COME TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER AFTER MY FRONT TIRE IMMEDIATELY AND INSTANTLY BECAME FLATTENED. UPON EXITING MY VEHICLE, I STARTED TO INVESTIGATE THE REASON FOR THE SUDDEN FLAT TIRE. TO MY SURPRISE, MY VALVE STEM WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I WAS ABLE TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE WHERE THEY REMOVED MY TIRE FROM ITS RIM REVEALING PIECES OF THE SENSOR ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE METAL THAT THE VALVE STEM IS MADE OUT OF APPEARS TO BE SOME TYPE OF CHEAP SOFT METAL THAT HAS OBVIOUSLY BECOME CORRODED AND BRITTLE. IT APPEARED THAT THE METAL SUFFERED SOME TYPE OF OXIDATION, POSSIBLY FROM ROAD SALT HERE IN THE NORTHEAST. I IMMEDIATELY HAD THE GARAGE STAFF REMOVE MY OTHER TIRES AND FOUND THE SAME RESULTS ON THE OTHER 3 TIRES. WHEN THE VALVE WAS REMOVED, I PLACED ALL 3 IN BETWEEN 2 FINGERS AND GENTLY SQUEEZED CAUSING 2 OF THE 3 TO CRUMBLE INTO METAL FRAGMENTS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE TO VEHICLE CONSUMERS AND ALSO A COSTLY REPAIR. I HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 OF MY VALVE STEMS WITH TRADITIONAL RUBBER STEMS UNTIL A SAFER ALTERNATIVE HAS BEEN DEVELOPED.
NHTSA complaint #10654092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 465,000 milesJohnston, RI
TIRES
I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE VALVE STEMS ON THE TRUCK .ONE CRACKED WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN QUICK TIRE DEFLATION THE OTHER YESTERDAY ,WHILE HAVING A TIRE REPAIRED THE VALVE STEM BROKE WHILE TRYING TO INFLATE THE TIRE.I WAS TOLD BY PROFESSIONALS THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH DODGE BECAUSE THEY USE CHEAP METALS IN THEIR VALVE STEMS.THE STEM WHICH ARE PART OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ARE JUST CORRODING AWAY DUE TO SALT OR ROAD CONDITIONS. I`M FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO SEE IF MAYBE DODGE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.THE PART ITSELF IS ABOUT $ 60.00 [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10629966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,932 milesFarmington, MN
TIRES
THE LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 35W AT 70 MILES PER HOUR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE PICKUP TRUCK UNDER CONTROL UNTIL STOPPING ALONG SIDE THE FREEWAY. THE SCHRADER TIRE STEM HAD LOST ITS OUTER LOCKING DEVISE AND THE MONITOR WAS INSIDE THE TIRE. AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE THE MONITOR STYLE STEM WAS LOCATED IN THE TIRE AND WHAT WE FOUND WAS VERY DISTURBING. THE THREADS WHICH HOLD THE STEM IN PLACE WERE TOTALLY FILLED IN WITH CORROSION......NO THREAD LEFT TO HOLD THE STEM IN PLACE. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY CARS ARE SUDDENLY LOSING CONTROL AND GOING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I HAD JUST HAD MY TIRES ROTATED ABOUT 400 MILES AGO OR THE FLAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WITH A FRONT TIRE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I NOW NEED TO REMOVE THE OTHER THREE TIRES AND HAVE THEM INSPECTED AT A COST OF ANOTHER $101.00 EACH WHEEL OR REMOVE THE MONITORS AND TO BACK TO THE SAFE AND PROVEN RUBBER STEMS. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS.
NHTSA complaint #10597021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 31,000 milesWolcott, CT
TIRES
ABOUT A MONTH AGO I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE GAVE OUT. IT RUINED THE TIRE SO I BROUGHT IT TO A TIRE PLACE TO BE REPLACED. AFTER INSPECTION ,THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE NUT CAME OFF THE STEM AND THAT IS WHY THE TIRE GAVE OUT. WHEN I WENT HOME I CHECKED THE OTHER TIRE STEMS AND MUCH TO MY SURPRISE TWO OUT OF THE OTHER THREE TIRE VALVE STEM NUTS ARE BROKEN. I'M CROSSING MY FINGERS THAT NOTHING HAPPENS BEFORE I GET THEM FIXED. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY HAVE NOT HAD A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10587113 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesMarysville, OH
TIRES
WE WERE ON A HIGHWAY GOING SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH AND OUR TRUCK NOTIFICATION SAID LOW TIRE PRESSURE. WE PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AND THE TIRES LOOKED OK. WE PULLED BACK OUT AND WENT LESS THAN HALF A MILE AND THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. THE VALVE STEM COVER NUT HAD SPILT AND BROKE OFF. THE WHOLE PIECE FELL INSIDE THE TIRE, CAUSING IT TO GO FLAT. WE HAD THE TIRE LOOKED AT AND THE VALVE STEM COVER NUTS AND STEM THREADS ARE ALL CORRODED. WE PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON AND THEN AGAIN TODAY (APRIL 25, 2014) IT SAID LOW TIRE PRESSURE AGAIN. ONCE AGAIN A VALVE STEM COVER NUT SPLIT AND BROKE OFF DUE TO CORROSION. WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER SPARE AND WE WERE QUOTED A PRICE OF $75 TO $90 TO REPLACE EACH OF THE VALVE STEM PIECES. THE OTHER TWO TIRES ON THE TRUCK HAVE SPLITS IN THE VALVE STEM COVER NUTS AND ALL HAVE CORROSION TOO. SO NOW I'VE GOTTA REPLACE THESE ON ALL FOUR TIRES AND REPLACE ONE WHOLE TIRE..
NHTSA complaint #10584884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,970 milesPontiac, IL
TIRES
TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON STATE ROUTE 17 IN ILLINOIS. AFTER 40MILES INTO TRIP, NOTICED IN SIDE MIRROR THAT DRIVERS SIDE SEEMED TO BE DOWN IN THE REAR COMPARED TO LAST TIME I CHECKED. VEHICLE BEHIND ME WAS ACCELERATING AS TO CATCH UP TO ME. AT THE SAME TIME FELT SLIGHT VIBRATION AND LOOKING AT DASH SAW LOW TIRE WARNING LIGHT COME ON. CONTINUED TO NEXT INTERSECTION AND TURNED LEFT , STOPPED AND INSPECTED TIRE, FOUND THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS MISSING FROM THE RIM OF WHEEL. CHANGE TO SPARE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE METAL VALVE STEM WAS IN FLAT TIRE AND RIM. 4-9-14 TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THE TIRE WAS SHOT BECAUSE OF SIDE WALL DAMAGE, NOTE DISTANCE TRAVELED 50FT. TIRES WERE NEW 15000 MILES PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE . DEALER CHECKED THREE OTHER VALVE STEMS AND FOUND CRACKS IN RETAINING NUTS? STEMS ARE ALUMINUM. ALL STEMS REPLACED ALONG WITH 1 NEW TIRE. COST OF MOUNTING AND BALANCE AND BREAKING DOWN THREE OTHER TIRES AND REPLACEMENT OF NEW RUBBER STYLE VALVE STEMS. TOTAL$ 376.97. LABOR 42.50 PARTS 310.52 SHOPS SUPPLIES 2.13 SALES TAXES 21.82. A RELATIVE OF MINE OWNS SAME TRUCK AND TOOK TO DEALER AND FOUND HIS STEMS WERE CRACKED ON HIS TRUCK ALSO. THIS WAS AS OF TODAYS DATE 4-10-14. DODGE NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND NOTICE THE THOUSAND'S OF OTHERS WITH SAME EQUIPMENT. THESE TIRES ACTUALLY BLOW OUT, ACCIDENTS WILL MOST LIKELY HAPPEN. PLEASE ADVISE DODGE THAT OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED AND THESE PEOPLE NEED TO BE PAID IN FULL FOR THE TROUBLES THIS HAS CAUSED. THANK YOU FOR PASSING THIS ALONG, THIS IS A VALUABLE SITE FOR THE GOUGED CONSUMER. G M COULD GET A NEW CUSTOMER HERE.
NHTSA complaint #10579052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,345 milesNorth East, MD
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
WHILE DRIVING ON I-95 THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE NEXT DAY AT THE DODGE DEALER SHIP THE CAUSE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR VALVE. THE TIRES HAD ONLY 20K MILES ON THEM AND WERE UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER SAID CAUSE WAS NOT THE TIRE. DEALER STATED THE TIRE STEM VALVE FAILED AND THE ENTIRE STEM AND SENSOR COLLAPSED INTO TIRE CAUSING A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10574192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,500 milesGeneva, OH
TIRES
MY CONCERN IS VALVE STEM FAILURE. THE VALVE STEMS ON MY TRUCK HAVE AIR PRESSURE SENSORS ON THEM AND ARE BOLTED IN THE VALVE STEM HOLE IN THE RIM. THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE VALVE STEM IN PLACE FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED A INSTANT DEFLATION OF THE TIRE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VALVE STEM NUT CRACKING BEFORE. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER DUE TO A CONSTANT TIRE LEAK THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A BAD VALVE STEM. THE VALVE STEM COST $50 AND $80 TO INSTALL. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON A SCHEDULED TIRE ROTATION AND THE TECH NOTICED THE NUT HAD CORROSION AND WAS CRACKED. HE REPLACED IT WITH A NEW NUT. THE THIRD TIME WAS THE BLOW OUT I DESCRIBED FIRST, WHICH ALSO RUINED THE TIRE. ON INSPECTION OF THE FORTH TIRE THE NUT IS ALSO CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10573964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,700 milesPiittstown, NJ
TIRES
NOTICED LOW TIRE PRESSURE WHILE DRIVING. DROVE ABOUT 10 MILE WITH INDICATION. PARKED IN DRIVE WAY. WHEN I UNSCREWED THE VALVE STEM CAB THE VALVE STEM WENT ALMOST COMPLETELY INTO THE TIRE. THE TIRE WENT FLAT IMMEDIATELY. I FOUND THAT THE LOCKING NUT WAS CORRODED AND ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE. I HAD THE TIRE REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SENSOR AND LOCKING NUT ARE ALL ONE UNIT AT A COST OF 70.00. YESTERDAY I CHECK THE PRESSURE IN ALL 4 TIRES AND FOUND THE LOCKING NUT ON THE FRONT TIRE BROKEN MISSING ABOUT 1/3 OF THE METAL.
NHTSA complaint #10567622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,213 milesWoodstock, IL
TIRES
IN JULY OF 2012, I HAD THREE CRACKED METAL PRESSURE SENSING VALVE STEMS. ONE OF THEM BLEW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED, RUINING THE TIRE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THREE STEMS THAT WERE BAD AT THAT TIME BUT NOT THE FOURTH. I ALSO COMPLAINED TO DODGE AND GOT SOME REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRE. NOW A YEAR AND A HALF LATER, I NOTICED THE FOURTH VALVE STEM HAD CRACKED. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $160.00 TO REPLACE IT. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE AGAIN BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.
NHTSA complaint #10555993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,364 milesMT. Clare, WV
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
THE TPMS VALVE CORE HAS CORRODED AND CRACKED CAUSING A SLOW LOSS IN TIRE PRESSURE. THIS CONDITION HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE RAPID TIRE DEFLATION AND CREATES THE SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF INJURY SHOULD THE TIRE AIR VALVE FAIL. CHRYSLER IS WELL AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND HAS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED A DESIGN CHANGE AS THEY KNOW THE AIR VALVES ARE DEFECTIVE. THE REPLACEMENT IS $75 OUT OF POCKET PER TIRE AT MY LOCAL SHOP. THE SERVICE MANAGER AND SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS ARE PLAGUED WITH COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS CONDITION WHICH AFFECTS A LARGE PORTION OF VEHICLES PRODUCED BY CHRYSLER. A LARGE OIL AND GAS COMPANY (EQT) HAS ORDERED ALL EMPLOYEES OPERATING AFFECTED VEHICLES TO HAVE THE AIR VALVES CHANGED REGARDLESS OF CONDITION. I, IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHERS WHOM I PERSONALLY KNOW WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT FEEL THAT THE ITEM SHOULD BE RECALLED AS IT POSSES THE RISK OF SERIOUS POTENTIAL INJURY SHOULD THE AIR VALVE FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
NHTSA complaint #10548466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesTarentum, PA
TIRES
WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 35 MPH, NOTICED I HAD A FLAT TIRE. PULLED OVER TO CHANGE IT AND I NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS MISSING. WHEN I TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO THE PLACE I PURCHASED THEM (LESS THAT ONE YEAR) THEY INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM THAT CHRYSLER IS HAVING WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS IN THE TPMS. HAD TO REPLACE TIRE AND VALVE STEM. WAS TOLD BY MY DODGE DEALER THAT AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE DEFECTIVE PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10525573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,411 milesElgin, IL
TIRES
TIRE VALVE STEMS ----- TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, FRONT PASSENGER GOODYEAR TIRE BLOWS. ENTIRE TREAD FLIES PAST TRUCK INTO THE PATH OF OTHER TRAFFIC & ALMOST HITS THE WINDSHIELD OF CAR BEHIND US. WE PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER. WE GET THE SPARE TIRE PUT ON. ALL THAT WAS LEFT ON THE RIM OF THE BAD TIRE WAS THE SIDE WALLS. NO VALVE STEM W/TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR. 45 MINS LATER, WE CONTINUE ON OUR TRIP. 28 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, WE HEAR A SIMILAR NOISE & SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE. WE PULL OVER AGAIN. WE SEE THE REAR TIRE IS SHREDDED & THE VALVE STEM W/TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR IS MISSING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE STEMS FALL OUT OF PLACE & THE TIRE GOES FLAT. THIS CAUSED VERY UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR US & THE SURROUNDING TRAFFIC. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE, BODILY INJURY, OR DEATH. NOW THAT WE HAVE ALREADY USED OUR SPARE TIRE & WE ARE OUT OF TOWN, WE CAN NOT CALL FAMILY FOR HELP. WE ARE FORCED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE US TO THE NEAREST DISCOUNT TIRE. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE 2 DRIVERS SIDE TIRES, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A 3RD TIRE & VALVE STEM NEEDED REPLACED. THE 4TH TIRE VALVE STEM W/PRESSURE SENSOR WAS ALSO CRACKED AND NEEDED REPLACED WITH A RUBBER VALVE STEM. REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRE BILL & TOW BILL. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, TOOK THE TRUCK TO A DODGE DEALER TO COMPLAIN & REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM DODGE. WHILE AT THE DEALER, NOTICED A TRUCK ON THE USED CAR LOT WHICH HAD A CRACKED VALVE STEM. (HAVE PICTURE) A 2009 JEEP CAME IN ON A TOW TRUCK WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WE HAVE FOUND OUT THERE HAS BEEN COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 2010, BUT STILL NO RECALLS ON THESE 2009 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCKS TO FIX THIS UNSAFE ISSUE. PASSENGER DOES NOT FEEL SAFE USING THESE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS ON A VEHICLE EVER AGAIN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT & A RECALL NOTICE ISSUED.
NHTSA complaint #10524434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,411 milesElgin, IL
TIRES:VALVE
TIRE VALVE STEMS ----- TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE, FRONT PASSENGER GOODYEAR TIRE BLOWS. ENTIRE TREAD FLIES PAST TRUCK INTO THE PATH OF OTHER TRAFFIC & ALMOST HITS THE WINDSHIELD OF CAR BEHIND US. WE PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER. WE GET THE SPARE TIRE PUT ON. ALL THAT WAS LEFT ON THE RIM OF THE BAD TIRE WAS THE SIDE WALLS. NO VALVE STEM W/TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR. 45 MINS LATER, WE CONTINUE ON OUR TRIP. 28 MILES DOWN THE ROAD, WE HEAR A SIMILAR NOISE & SEE SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE. WE PULL OVER AGAIN. WE SEE THE REAR TIRE IS SHREDDED & THE VALVE STEM W/TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR IS MISSING. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE STEMS FALL OUT OF PLACE & THE TIRE GOES FLAT. THIS CAUSED VERY UNSAFE CONDITIONS FOR US & THE SURROUNDING TRAFFIC. THERE COULD HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS, VEHICLE DAMAGE, BODILY INJURY, OR DEATH. NOW THAT WE HAVE ALREADY USED OUR SPARE TIRE & WE ARE OUT OF TOWN, WE CAN NOT CALL FAMILY FOR HELP. WE ARE FORCED TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE US TO THE NEAREST DISCOUNT TIRE. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE 2 DRIVERS SIDE TIRES, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A 3RD TIRE & VALVE STEM NEEDED REPLACED. THE 4TH TIRE VALVE STEM W/PRESSURE SENSOR WAS ALSO CRACKED AND NEEDED REPLACED WITH A RUBBER VALVE STEM. REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE TIRE BILL & TOW BILL. THE FOLLOWING MONDAY, TOOK THE TRUCK TO A DODGE DEALER TO COMPLAIN & REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FROM DODGE. WHILE AT THE DEALER, NOTICED A TRUCK ON THE USED CAR LOT WHICH HAD A CRACKED VALVE STEM. (HAVE PICTURE) A 2009 JEEP CAME IN ON A TOW TRUCK WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WE HAVE FOUND OUT THERE HAS BEEN COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 2010, BUT STILL NO RECALLS ON THESE 2009 DODGE RAM 1500 TRUCKS TO FIX THIS UNSAFE ISSUE. PASSENGER DOES NOT FEEL SAFE USING THESE TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS ON A VEHICLE EVER AGAIN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT & A RECALL NOTICE ISSUED.
NHTSA complaint #10524434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Syracuse, NY
TIRES
VALVE STEM POPPED OUT OF RIM AND TIRE WENT FLAT, HAD TO REPLACE TIRE AND VALVE STEM AND COMPUTER CHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10523179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesHubbardston, MA
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE LOCKING NUTS ON ALL FOUR TIRES WAS CORRODED AND CAUSING THE VALVE STEMS TO FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #10521120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesChesterfiled, MI
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRE WAS CHANGED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRE SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE DUE TO IT BECOMING CORRODED. THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED ONE TIME BEFORE TWO MONTHS PRIOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 07/02/13
NHTSA complaint #10514449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 52,000 milesLancaster, NY
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10510865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesChoctaw, OK
TIRES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10510678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,761 milesCincinnati, OH
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE VALVE STEM WAS CORRODED, CAUSING THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR TO FRACTURE. ALL FOUR ALUMINUM VALVE STEM WERE REPLACED WITH RUBBER VALVE STEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,761. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THAT POINT HE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL WITH THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE OR THE ORIENTATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT THING HE KNEW. HE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN FELT SOMETHING OCCURRING WITH A WHEEL ON THE REAR OF TRUCK. THE TIRE QUICKLY WENT FLAT AS HE WAS SLOWING DOWN . ONCE HE STOPPED, HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS TOTALLY FLAT AND TRUCK WAS SITTING ON THE RIM. THE CONSUMER CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE. THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRE INSPECTED. THE DEALER DISCOVERED WHAT CAUSED THE BLOW OUT. IT WAS NOT ANYTHING THE CONSUMER RAN OVER, OR A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. AS THEY DESCRIBED IT, THE TIRE STEM ACTUALLY BROKE OFF DUE TO OXIDATION OCCURRING BETWEEN THE ALUMINUM STEM AND WHEEL/RIM METAL THUS CAUSING THE STEM TO RUST AND ULTIMATELY BREAK. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, CHRYSLER HAD ISSUES WITH THE ALUMINUM STEMS AND WERE GOING BACK TO USING SYNTHETIC RUBBER BASED SENSOR TIRES. UPDATED 06/04/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE FUEL TANK STRAP RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME CAUSING THE FRONT PART OF THE TANK TO DROPPED. THE STRAP WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT WHENEVER THE TANK SHIFTED CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE. THE STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 06/27/2017
NHTSA complaint #10509702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,761 milesCincinnati, OH
TIRES:VALVE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE VALVE STEM WAS CORRODED, CAUSING THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR TO FRACTURE. ALL FOUR ALUMINUM VALVE STEM WERE REPLACED WITH RUBBER VALVE STEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,761. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THAT POINT HE DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL WITH THE HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE OR THE ORIENTATION OF THE VEHICLE. THE NEXT THING HE KNEW. HE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN FELT SOMETHING OCCURRING WITH A WHEEL ON THE REAR OF TRUCK. THE TIRE QUICKLY WENT FLAT AS HE WAS SLOWING DOWN . ONCE HE STOPPED, HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS TOTALLY FLAT AND TRUCK WAS SITTING ON THE RIM. THE CONSUMER CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND THE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH THE SPARE. THE CONSUMER IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRE INSPECTED. THE DEALER DISCOVERED WHAT CAUSED THE BLOW OUT. IT WAS NOT ANYTHING THE CONSUMER RAN OVER, OR A DEFECT IN THE TIRE. AS THEY DESCRIBED IT, THE TIRE STEM ACTUALLY BROKE OFF DUE TO OXIDATION OCCURRING BETWEEN THE ALUMINUM STEM AND WHEEL/RIM METAL THUS CAUSING THE STEM TO RUST AND ULTIMATELY BREAK. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, CHRYSLER HAD ISSUES WITH THE ALUMINUM STEMS AND WERE GOING BACK TO USING SYNTHETIC RUBBER BASED SENSOR TIRES. UPDATED 06/04/13 THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THE FUEL TANK STRAP RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME CAUSING THE FRONT PART OF THE TANK TO DROPPED. THE STRAP WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT WHENEVER THE TANK SHIFTED CAUSING A GRINDING NOISE. THE STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 06/27/2017
NHTSA complaint #10509702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.