2003 Dodge Sprinter problems

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 EQUIPPED WITH A PGW WINDSHIELD, TINT-LAMINATED, PART NUMBER DW01488GBNN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS DAMAGED BY A STONE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS DISTORTED AND DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE COMPANY WHO INSTALLED THE WINDSHIELD WHO TOLD HIM TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR A FEW WEEKS AND IF HE WAS STILL NOT SATISFIED, THEY WOULD REPLACE IT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 104,000 UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN UPDATED 03/09/11

NHTSA complaint #10355711 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHRYSLER SPRINTER 2500. ON JULY 29, 2010, THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V418000 - COMPONENT: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS RECALL WAS FOR AN ISSUE WITH CORROSION ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHEN THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP IN REGARDS TO GETTING THE RECALL REMEDY PERFORMED. AT THAT TIME THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE CURRENTLY NOT IN STOCK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TODAY, AUGUST 27, 2010 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE IN STOCK UNTIL SEPTEMBER 23, 2010. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT HANDLING THIS RECALL IN A PROPER MANNER. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #10352243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING CHRYSLER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY RECALL J32-DODGE SPRINTER 03 MANIFOLD/EGR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE SPENT THE PAST WEEK IN REPEATED UNSUCCESSFUL EFFORTS TO ARRANGE THE NECESSARY MODIFICATIONS WITHOUT HAVING TO INCUR UNREASONABLE EXPENSES. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED CHRYSLER WAS MAKING A DELIBERATE EFFORT TO EVADE THE RECALL BY CREATING HARDSHIPS AND OBSTACLES.

NHTSA complaint #10347692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

2003 DODGE SPRINTER. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE INTAKE MANIFOLD. CONSUMER STATES THAT A NOTICE FROM CHRYSLER REGARDING ARRANGEMENTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED *TGW

NHTSA complaint #10328549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DODGE SPRINTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE PEDAL FAILED WHICH MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10315667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:VALVE

I HAVE HAD 3 VALVE STEM FAILURES WHERE THE STEM GOES INTO THE RIM IN APPROX 6 WEEKS OF TIME RESULTING IN FLAT TIRES. LAST ONE WAS WHILE PARKED BUT WAS RAPID DEFLATION TOLD STEMS FROM THE FACTORY WERE NOT THE CORRECT STEMS. REPLACED BY THE DEALER FOR FREE ALL STEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10203695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE INTREPID IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 AND THE CAR RUNS FINE UP UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD GET STUCK IN ONE GEAR AND MY RPM WOULD GO UP INTO THE RED LINE UNLESS I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR. OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GET STUCK AND THEN JERK INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THEN ABOUT FOUR DAYS AGO I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I COULD NOT MOVE IT AND TRAFFIC WAS SPEEDING PAST ME AND A FEW HAD TO SLAM ON BREAKS TO AVOID HITTING ME AND MY TEN MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. I HAD TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE HELP ME TO PUSH IT OFF THE FREEWAY SO THAT I COULD RESTART IT TO MAKE IT BACK HOME. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE NOW ESPECIALLY WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAD THE CODES READ ON THE CAR AND ABOUT SEVEN CAME UP ALL POINTING TO DIFFERENT THINGS. A MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE TRANSMISSION ECM. THE ESTIMATED COST OF FIXING THIS IF IT IS THE PROBLEM IS ABOUT 750.00 DOLLARS.

NHTSA complaint #10200657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

I PURCHASED A 2003 DODGE INTREPID IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 AND THE CAR RUNS FINE UP UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD GET STUCK IN ONE GEAR AND MY RPM WOULD GO UP INTO THE RED LINE UNLESS I PULLED OVER AND RESTARTED THE CAR. OTHER TIMES IT WOULD GET STUCK AND THEN JERK INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THEN ABOUT FOUR DAYS AGO I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND THE WHOLE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. I COULD NOT MOVE IT AND TRAFFIC WAS SPEEDING PAST ME AND A FEW HAD TO SLAM ON BREAKS TO AVOID HITTING ME AND MY TEN MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. I HAD TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE HELP ME TO PUSH IT OFF THE FREEWAY SO THAT I COULD RESTART IT TO MAKE IT BACK HOME. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED TO DRIVE NOW ESPECIALLY WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I HAD THE CODES READ ON THE CAR AND ABOUT SEVEN CAME UP ALL POINTING TO DIFFERENT THINGS. A MECHANIC SUGGESTED THE TRANSMISSION ECM. THE ESTIMATED COST OF FIXING THIS IF IT IS THE PROBLEM IS ABOUT 750.00 DOLLARS.

NHTSA complaint #10200657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

- HAD BRAKES ON 2003 DODGE SPRINTER CHECKED BY LOCAL MECHANIC. SAID THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 40% BRAKE PAD LEFT BUT THE ROTORS WHERE EXTREMELY WORN. I AM WONDERING IF ROTOR LIFE GOES PAST THE BRAKE LIFE AND COULD BE A DANGER. DEALER SAID ROTORS ARE CHANGED EVERYTIME WITH PAD CHANGE!

NHTSA complaint #10139252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WE OPERATE 2 2003 DODGE SPRINTER PASSENGER VANS IN OUR AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUSINESS. ON THURSDAY, MAY 19TH WE HAD A VEHICLE JUST QUIT AFTER START-UP WHEN THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE GAS. SHE RE-STARTED, DROVE A BLOCK, IT QUITS AGAIN. WE HAD 6 PASSENGERS ONBAORD TO GO TO THE AIRPORT. SHE COULD NOT MAKE THE VEHICLE RUN MORE THAN A FEW BLOCKS AND IF SHE STEPPED ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE IT WOULD QUIT. WE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER AND THE NEXT DAY IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A WIRE BUNDLE THAT RUNS FROM THE ECU TO THE ENGINE, WHICH IS TIED WRAPPED TO 2 OTHER WIRE BUNDLES HAD CHAFFED RIGHT THRU THE PROTECTIVE NYLON COVER AND WORN THRU 2 OR 3 WIRES IN THE BUNDLE AND COMPLETELY THUR THE INTERNAL WIRE. THESE WIRES WERE THOSE THAT PROVIDED VOLTAGE TO THE FUEL INJECTORS AND HENCE THE FAILURE OF POWER. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO SPLICE THE WIRES AND PUT ON A HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC WIRE BUNDLE WRAP, SIMILAR TOTHOSE USED ELSEWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS BUNDLE IS TIED WRAPPED TO THE LOWER FRAME OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IS PROBABLY THAT WAY IN EVERY SPRINTER. SINCE OUR SPRINTERS HAVE ABOUT 190,000 MILES IN ONLY A YEAR AND A HALF, WE'VE OBVIOUSLY HAVE MORE TIME AND VIBRATION AND CHAFFING THAN NEARLY ANY IN THE COUNTRY SO WE ARE SEEING HIGH MILEAGE ISSUES THAT A NORMAL CONSUMER WILL PROBABLY NEVER SEE. HOWEVER, THIS INSTANT FAILURE COLD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER WE IF HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MPH INSTEAD OF IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. WE INSPECTED OUR OTHER SPRINTER AND IT HAS THE SAME WIRING CONCEPT BUT FOR SOME REASON THIS MAIN WIRE BUNDLE WAS NOT TIE WRAPPED TO THE FRAME AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CHAFFED. WE ARE HAVING OUR MAINTENANCE PERSON CHECK IT ON MONDAY THE 23RD. THIS IS A TRUE SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD RESULT IN AT LEAST A RECALL FOR INSPECTION OF THE WIRE BUNDLE FOR CHAFFING. IT WAS ABOUT A 3-4 HOUR REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10121827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH FRONT DRIVER/REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND CHANGED THE TIRE. MICHELIN , P275R16. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10113352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V600000 CONCERNING TIRE VALVE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SWAYED SEVERELY ACROSS THE ROAD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROAD, AND NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THEN, CONSUMER CHANGED THE TIRE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS BROTHER IN LAW'S HOME. HE INFLATED THE TIRE WITH AIR, AND NOTICED AIR LEAKING FROM THE VALVE STEM. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE OTHER THREE TIRES REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10109152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:VALVE

RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V600000 CONCERNING TIRE VALVE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE SWAYED SEVERELY ACROSS THE ROAD. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE MAIN ROAD, AND NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT. THEN, CONSUMER CHANGED THE TIRE, AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS BROTHER IN LAW'S HOME. HE INFLATED THE TIRE WITH AIR, AND NOTICED AIR LEAKING FROM THE VALVE STEM. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET THE OTHER THREE TIRES REPAIRED UNDER THIS RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10109152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

I HAVE A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER VAN, MADE BY MERCEDES, AND WHILE ON A TRIP I NOTICED A LOW TIRE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ADD AIR THE VALVE STEM THREADED BRASS PART SEPARATED FROM THE NEOPRENE. I TOOK IT TO A TIRE PLACE AND HAD THE VALVE STEM REPLACED. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, ON THE TRIP BACK TO FLORIDA, I WOKE UP IN THE MORNING TO FIND ANOTHER DIFFERENT TIRE FLAT WITH THE VALVE STEM DELAMINATED AND I CHANGED IT MYSELF. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CONTACTED DODGE FOR HELP GOT A COLD SHOULDER. I THEN HAD ALL 5 DISMOUNTED AND METAL STEMS INSTALLED. I HAVE THE FAILED STEMS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. I AM A MEMBER OF A CHAT GROUP DEVOTED TO THE SPRINTER AND SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM AND COULD RESULT IN A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT WITH SERIOUS RESULTS. *AK PE04066_CAT

NHTSA complaint #10088301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:VALVE

I HAVE A 2003 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER VAN, MADE BY MERCEDES, AND WHILE ON A TRIP I NOTICED A LOW TIRE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ADD AIR THE VALVE STEM THREADED BRASS PART SEPARATED FROM THE NEOPRENE. I TOOK IT TO A TIRE PLACE AND HAD THE VALVE STEM REPLACED. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, ON THE TRIP BACK TO FLORIDA, I WOKE UP IN THE MORNING TO FIND ANOTHER DIFFERENT TIRE FLAT WITH THE VALVE STEM DELAMINATED AND I CHANGED IT MYSELF. WHEN I GOT HOME, I CONTACTED DODGE FOR HELP GOT A COLD SHOULDER. I THEN HAD ALL 5 DISMOUNTED AND METAL STEMS INSTALLED. I HAVE THE FAILED STEMS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. I AM A MEMBER OF A CHAT GROUP DEVOTED TO THE SPRINTER AND SEVERAL OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM AND COULD RESULT IN A HIGHWAY ACCIDENT WITH SERIOUS RESULTS. *AK PE04066_CAT

NHTSA complaint #10088301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

TIRE VALVES SUDDENLY ALLOW AIR TO ESCAPE FROM WHEEL, A COLLISION COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED. FOUND THAT THE VALVE WAS FAULTY, AND FAILED DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY DISC BRAKES.*AK PE04066_CAT

NHTSA complaint #10086391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:VALVE

TIRE VALVES SUDDENLY ALLOW AIR TO ESCAPE FROM WHEEL, A COLLISION COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED. FOUND THAT THE VALVE WAS FAULTY, AND FAILED DUE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES GENERATED BY DISC BRAKES.*AK PE04066_CAT

NHTSA complaint #10086391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS. I'VE LOST THREE TIRE VALVES IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND THE LAST WAS SUDDEN AND VIOLENT. HONESTLY, I THOUGHT I'D DONE SOMETHING WRONG, BUT I'VE USED ONLY MR. CLEAN WASH SYSTEM AND A VERY DILUTE DEGREASER ON THE WHEELS. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TRY TO REMOVE THE STEMS WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGING THE VALVES AT DISCOUNT BUT WE PERFOMRED A LITTLE EXPERIMENT BEFORE DISSEMBLING THE TIRE. WE RAN THE PSI UP TO 80 OFF THE VEHICLE AND WATCHED WHERE THE AIR ESCAPED THE VALVE. THERE IS A RUBBER COLLER THAT RUNS ABOUT 1/2 UP THE METAL VALVE STEM. THE AIR LEAKS FROM THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SEAL WHERE THE RUBBER ENDS AND METAL BEGINS. HOWEVER, ANY SLIGHT PRESSURE OFF-CENTER RESULTS IN AIRFLOW FROM THE JUNCTION OF THE VALVE AND RIM. FURTHER PRESSURE EMPTIES THE TIRE PRETTY QUICK. THE FIRST TWO LEAKS WERE DISCOVERED HISSING IN PARKING LOTS AFTER A TRIP INTO A STORE. THE LAST, I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY, ALL WELL AND GOT ABOUT 1/16 MILE FROM THE HOUSE. THE VAN STARTED SHUDDERING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTOL. I CALLED HOKE AND ASKED MY WIFE TO LOOK IN THE DRIVEWAY. I THOUGHT THAT I'D LOST ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRUCK WAS REALLY FIGHTING. I NURSED THE VAN ALONG FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET AND TURNED INTO A AUTO PARTS STORE. I GOT OUT, POPPPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK FOR A LEAK. I WAS ON THE WAY INTO THE STORE BEFORE I NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. I LAUGHED.*AK I NOW THINK THAT THE MB TRACTION CONTROL HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH A FLAT AND MASKS THE PROBLEM, CONVERTING IT INTO A BIZARRE TRANNY TYPE PROBLEM. IT SOUND MORONIC TO NOT RELALIZE THAT YOU HAVE A FLAT ESPECIALLY AFTER YOU JUST HAD TWO IN THE FRONT, BUT THE REAR IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT. THE ONLY EXPLANATION IS THE TRACTION CONTROL. AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE...THIS IS SCARY. HOW MANY HAVE REPLACED THE VALVES? JP PE04066_CAT

NHTSA complaint #10086373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS. I'VE LOST THREE TIRE VALVES IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND THE LAST WAS SUDDEN AND VIOLENT. HONESTLY, I THOUGHT I'D DONE SOMETHING WRONG, BUT I'VE USED ONLY MR. CLEAN WASH SYSTEM AND A VERY DILUTE DEGREASER ON THE WHEELS. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TRY TO REMOVE THE STEMS WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGING THE VALVES AT DISCOUNT BUT WE PERFOMRED A LITTLE EXPERIMENT BEFORE DISSEMBLING THE TIRE. WE RAN THE PSI UP TO 80 OFF THE VEHICLE AND WATCHED WHERE THE AIR ESCAPED THE VALVE. THERE IS A RUBBER COLLER THAT RUNS ABOUT 1/2 UP THE METAL VALVE STEM. THE AIR LEAKS FROM THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SEAL WHERE THE RUBBER ENDS AND METAL BEGINS. HOWEVER, ANY SLIGHT PRESSURE OFF-CENTER RESULTS IN AIRFLOW FROM THE JUNCTION OF THE VALVE AND RIM. FURTHER PRESSURE EMPTIES THE TIRE PRETTY QUICK. THE FIRST TWO LEAKS WERE DISCOVERED HISSING IN PARKING LOTS AFTER A TRIP INTO A STORE. THE LAST, I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY, ALL WELL AND GOT ABOUT 1/16 MILE FROM THE HOUSE. THE VAN STARTED SHUDDERING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTOL. I CALLED HOKE AND ASKED MY WIFE TO LOOK IN THE DRIVEWAY. I THOUGHT THAT I'D LOST ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRUCK WAS REALLY FIGHTING. I NURSED THE VAN ALONG FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET AND TURNED INTO A AUTO PARTS STORE. I GOT OUT, POPPPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK FOR A LEAK. I WAS ON THE WAY INTO THE STORE BEFORE I NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. I LAUGHED.*AK I NOW THINK THAT THE MB TRACTION CONTROL HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH A FLAT AND MASKS THE PROBLEM, CONVERTING IT INTO A BIZARRE TRANNY TYPE PROBLEM. IT SOUND MORONIC TO NOT RELALIZE THAT YOU HAVE A FLAT ESPECIALLY AFTER YOU JUST HAD TWO IN THE FRONT, BUT THE REAR IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT. THE ONLY EXPLANATION IS THE TRACTION CONTROL. AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE...THIS IS SCARY. HOW MANY HAVE REPLACED THE VALVES? JP PE04066_CAT

NHTSA complaint #10086373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:VALVE

THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS. I'VE LOST THREE TIRE VALVES IN LESS THAN 1000 MILES AND THE LAST WAS SUDDEN AND VIOLENT. HONESTLY, I THOUGHT I'D DONE SOMETHING WRONG, BUT I'VE USED ONLY MR. CLEAN WASH SYSTEM AND A VERY DILUTE DEGREASER ON THE WHEELS. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TRY TO REMOVE THE STEMS WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGING THE VALVES AT DISCOUNT BUT WE PERFOMRED A LITTLE EXPERIMENT BEFORE DISSEMBLING THE TIRE. WE RAN THE PSI UP TO 80 OFF THE VEHICLE AND WATCHED WHERE THE AIR ESCAPED THE VALVE. THERE IS A RUBBER COLLER THAT RUNS ABOUT 1/2 UP THE METAL VALVE STEM. THE AIR LEAKS FROM THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE SEAL WHERE THE RUBBER ENDS AND METAL BEGINS. HOWEVER, ANY SLIGHT PRESSURE OFF-CENTER RESULTS IN AIRFLOW FROM THE JUNCTION OF THE VALVE AND RIM. FURTHER PRESSURE EMPTIES THE TIRE PRETTY QUICK. THE FIRST TWO LEAKS WERE DISCOVERED HISSING IN PARKING LOTS AFTER A TRIP INTO A STORE. THE LAST, I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY, ALL WELL AND GOT ABOUT 1/16 MILE FROM THE HOUSE. THE VAN STARTED SHUDDERING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTOL. I CALLED HOKE AND ASKED MY WIFE TO LOOK IN THE DRIVEWAY. I THOUGHT THAT I'D LOST ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRUCK WAS REALLY FIGHTING. I NURSED THE VAN ALONG FOR APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET AND TURNED INTO A AUTO PARTS STORE. I GOT OUT, POPPPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK FOR A LEAK. I WAS ON THE WAY INTO THE STORE BEFORE I NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. I LAUGHED.*AK I NOW THINK THAT THE MB TRACTION CONTROL HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH A FLAT AND MASKS THE PROBLEM, CONVERTING IT INTO A BIZARRE TRANNY TYPE PROBLEM. IT SOUND MORONIC TO NOT RELALIZE THAT YOU HAVE A FLAT ESPECIALLY AFTER YOU JUST HAD TWO IN THE FRONT, BUT THE REAR IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT. THE ONLY EXPLANATION IS THE TRACTION CONTROL. AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE...THIS IS SCARY. HOW MANY HAVE REPLACED THE VALVES? JP PE04066_CAT

NHTSA complaint #10086373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

WHILE STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. CFONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT TIRE FLAT. AAA WAS CALLED, WHO INDICATED THAT THE VALVE STEM BLEW OUT. THE NEXT DAY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY THE VALVE STEM BLEW OUT AGAIN AT ANOTHER ANOTHER TIRE. *AK *TS PE04066_CAT

NHTSA complaint #10081729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.