Bad struts bad brakes

- Fort Mill, SC, USA

I had a tire blow on the highway when the TPMS came loose because of corrosion.

- Erie, PA, USA

Thanks to bad engineering...I had a tire pressure sensor break apart from my wheel and caused a brand new tire to blow on the highway. The threads on the pressure sensor are made of aluminum and the wheel is a steel one. So, in essence, a part made for my safety caused an accident. Yikes!!! this is not right.

- Erie, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caravan. While driving 70 mph, the tire pressure warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle drove abnormally. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over safely. When the contact exited the vehicle, she observed that the front passenger tire failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the tire pressure sensor, which was connected to the stem fractured, and caused a fast flat. The tire was replaced. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 45,400. Consumer stated 2 tires have lost the collars around the valve stem due to corrosion. One tire has collar on valve stem (it is cracked) updated

- Ottumwa, IA, USA

Van was parked in the driveway, started washing the back drivers side tire rim on the van and the valve stem popped off and the tire completely deflated from just barely touching it with a rag!! second tire that has done this. Two weeks ago another tire was low on air, stopped at a gas station to fill it up with air and the valve stem broke off as soon as he tried to fill it and completely deflated. We had to put a rubber valve stem into that tire. This is our family vehicle with a 9, 6, and 5 year old riding in this car. If the valve stem broke that easily it could've happened while driving down the road and we could've been in an accident where my children could've gotten hurt!

- Chester, VT, USA

While my wife was traveling in a highway at approximately 50 mph the spare wheel suspender cable broke. That caused a loud noise and a very rough ride because the spare wheel was stuck under the minivan. After dragging the spare wheel and the steel tray that support it under the minivan for approximately 200 meters, the wheel and tray eventually got loose and ended up in the middle of the highway. Incredibly as it may sound there were no other vehicles in the highway in same direction as my wife at that time and she was able to back up the minivan to a safe place, walk to the middle of the highway pick up the wheel and save it inside the minivan. Afterwards my wives continued to her destination were she parked on a very uneven street. At that moment a plastic protective cover fell off from where the spare tire used to be under the minivan. When I inspected the minivan I could not find any trace of the steel cable that suspends the wheel under the minivan. Upon turning bolt that is used to lower the spare tire the broken cable showed up under the minivan. I would suspect that the steel cable broke at the end terminal because that exact failure mode had already occurred with the parking brake steel cable and I had to replace it. The plastic cover that had fallen was part of the assembly were the spare tire is sandwiched between that cover and a metal tray. The spare tire was in the steel carrier and never got loose even when it was stuck under the minivan.

- Santa Isabel, PR, USA

On September 8, 2015, we were travelling to our local beach and I noticed a low tire pressure indicator on the vans dashboard. I was lucky to know this particular part of the bronx, so we immediately got off of the highway and stopped at a local garage. Thinking that it was just a slow leak, we pulled over to the pay-for-air kiosk and I went to fill the front, passengers side tire, which appeared low. The tire was not flat, just low. To may complete amazement, when I applied the required pressure onto the valve stem with the tire inflator, the valve stem disappeared into the rim! this immediately deflated the tire. The kids immediately started complaining that this was going to ruin the beach trip, but I assured them that since the gas station we were luckily disabled in front of would be of immediate assistance. I entered the garage and found the sole mechanic turned with his back to me, working on a vehicle. He didnt see us come in and didnt know I was there until I excused myself and told him about this crazy thing that had just happened to me. Let me guess, its a Chrysler, right? to make a long story short, he told me that the threads on the Chrysler/Dodge valve stems are made of such shoddy materials that they, in his words, turn to dust. When he finally got the valve stem out of my tire, it was indeed nearly completely oxidized. The next day, I brought the van to our local tire repair shop to have all of the valves replaced with good, old fashioned rubber ones. The remaining were all in similar, terrible condition. With the exception of the aftermarket sensor we had purchased last year. The tire shop said that it was a common occurrence among Dodge and Chrysler vehicles. I feel this same condition caused the blowout we had experienced the year before as well.

- New Rochelle, NY, USA

The following has happened on three of the van's four wheels: *** incident 1 (10/7/12) *** before leaving for a road trip I stopped at a gas station to fill up and check my tire pressure (I was driving 50 mph just prior). When I applied the tire pressure gauge, the threaded part of my TPMS valve stem cracked and tire deflated in less than one minute. *** incident 2 (1/12/15) *** my rear tire was found flat in my driveway. When I attempted to inflate the tire the threaded part of my TPMS valve stem broke off in my hand. The tire had no defect. The valve stem was the lone cause of the deflation. *** incident 3 (9/4/15) *** while driving 74 mph the low tire pressure trouble light came on. I immediately pulled off the road. My tires did not visually appear to be low on air. Due to traffic noise I could not hear the hissing noise described in incident one. I started to check the pressure of my tires. When I attempted to remove the plastic valve stem cap the threaded part of the valve stem broke off. The tire deflated in roughly 30 seconds. I fear the danger presented by a rapid deflation at highway speeds. We were fortunate during our most recent incident, but I have one more original TPMS valve stem. I am not sure which one is still the original due to the many tire rotations we have had since October 2012.

- Dexter, MI, USA

Driving on NY state thruway at 1 am Friday night and tire sensor light went on but no indication anything other than low tire pressure. Soon after the car makes noise we pull over to safe side of the road and see the tire is flat. This is the second time this has happened. Luckily no one was hurt and no crash. Brought car to monro as before when this happened before. Can check with them when. So the tensor broke off as before and went into the tire. Shredded the tire on the inside as before. I have to get a new tire again and new sensor. Will cost me a lot of money for inferior design and materials for the sensor. Needs to be recalled and stronger material should be used. Also a new design feature like Subaru to have a flashing light if there is a serious issue other than just low tire pressure. The Dodge just has a stay on light warning. So have to pay for new sensor new tire and had to pay for roadside assistance. Called Dodge and found out there have been many reports of this already. The woman kim, will report this to Dodge.

- Glenville, NY, USA

The tire valve stem cracked, causing the tire to deflate. This is the second time within a year, different wheel the first incident. I am going to replace all stems. Both tire stems were found cracked and leaking air while parked. Many on line complaints. No recall by Dodge yet, this is a real danger to the public. If the stems should fail at high speeds could lead to accident.

- Milford, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 mph, the tire deflated and the low tire warning light illuminated. The failure recurred on three different occasions where a different tire deflated each time. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the valve stem needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 09/09/14

- Bruceton Mills, WV, USA

Car was in the shop for brake work. Mechanic informed me of cracks, splitting and corrosion of the collar that holds the valve stem and sensor in place on both rear wheels. Both valve assemblies were replaced. Approximately one year ago I had the drivers side front wheel vale assembly fail while I was on the road. The warning light came on and within seconds the tire was flat. Upon inspection it was found that the collar had failed ! the valve assemblies appear to be made of aluminum and are prone to corrosion. This is a very dangerous situation ! the replacement assemblies appear to be made of the same materials. This means they are prone to failure as well. Very unsafe!

- North Kingsville, OH, USA

I have three toms sensors nuts corrode and fall off my vehicle. I have paid out hundreds and have been lucky to not be going down a highway when it happens. Can't believe something has not been done thru Dodge to fix this issue.

- Fulton, NY, USA

Driving on local road, in Chicago when I discover a tire is flat. I notice that the valve is badly corroded and that the nut that should be holding it in place is missing. While changing the tire the valve stem (TPMS unit) falls into tire. The sudden flat was caused by corrosion of the TPMS unit which caused it to be loose and tire pressure to drop. Research has shown this to be a common problem, existing for many years, that both Dodge and its assistant, the NHTSA, are ignoring.

- Chicago, IL, USA

TL- the contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the valve stem broke causing an instant flat tire. The failure occurred on several separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and current mileage was 76,000.

- Glendsfalls , NY, USA

The stem for the TPMS had corroded through causing flat tire. Warning signaled low tire pressure went to remove the plastic cap and the stem had broken in half and was only held together with 1 thread of plastic cap.

- Pablo, MT, USA

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Caravan. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph the tire sensor indicator warning light illuminated. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the front driver's side tire was flat because the aluminum tire pressure sensor was fractured due to corrosion. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 46,000.

- Dunkirk, NY, USA

Twice in the past two months the aluminum valve stems that hold the TPMS sensors on our Grand Caravan have broken off. 1st incident in April while vehicle was parked in driveway and second while my wife and children, age 5 and 4 years, were traveling at highway speeds. The second incident stranded my wife and children in 100+ degree F heat for close to an hour while they had to wait for aaa to arrive and change the spare for them. Thankfully it was a rear tire that blew out and not a front. Could have ended much worse. Upon inspection noticed that tire sidewall had excessive wear from loosing air at highway speeds and being driven to safe stopping position. Decided to go ahead and purchase four new tires because wife and children will be taking an extended driving trip soon. Noticed that the 2011 and 2012 models now have the much more reliable rubber valve stems and sensors instead of the failing aluminum stems. A little research shows that they will interchange directly. Asked dealer if they would replace all four with more reliable stem at time of tire change. Said yes, but only if I pay for them. Amount" close to $400 why should the customer pay for a part that is poorly designed and known for failure. A little research of the NHTSA website for multiple model years of Dodge and Chrysler vehicle shows that this has been an issue for a number of years now and has amassed a large number of complaints. Are we just waiting until some person gets seriously injured or killed before this gets addressed" luckily my wife and children were not injured, I just hope everyone else is just as lucky.

- Pleasant Hill, MO, USA

Rear passenger wheel gets extremely hot while driving. It appears that the caliper may be locking up. The rear wheel on the driver side also makes a high pitched whine, which is intermittent and usually goes away by tapping the brake pedal. We took it to the dealer and they said we needed a rear brake job. However, I believe this is due to defective calipers which are not releasing the pads from the rotors. The rear brakes on every car I have owned always last significantly longer than the front. The fact that the rear pads are worn excessively while front are not indicates a defect in the rear brake assembly. The ignition was repaired as part of a recall. However, after starting the car, the key does not return to the "on" position. This allows the car to run and be driven, however none of my lights or directionals work. I can wiggle the key to get it into the correct position, but sometimes it is not obvious that the key is in the wrong position. This results in me driving without headlights in the rain and thinking that I am signaling properly in turns when in fact everything is off.

- Webster, NY, USA