TPMS valve stem broke while we were servicing a vehicle...updated 10/02/15 updated 12/28/2015

- Pleasanton, CA, USA

Tire pressure sensor modules have been failing repeatedly. Nothing wrong with the tires, but these things are made of ceramic (apparently), get full of salt and/or other road detritus, and then fall apart, causing a flat tire plus additional expense to replace the fancy things. Instead of reporting a problem, which is supposedly what they are for, they are the problem. I've had to replace three so far; I've taken to buying them online in multiples; god only knows what a dealership would charge me for one plus the installation. This is going to be the ruination of my very nice tires, as I never know when one is going to fail again, but it's a lead pipe certainty that this is going to continue. I'm considering simply replacing them as they fail with ordinary valve stems, and covering the dashboard light with a bit of electricians' tape. Not quite the intended outcome, I'm thinking.....

- Wheelock , VT, USA

The tire pressure monitoring system seems to be oversensitive the warning light stays on even when the tires are properly inflated.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

TPMS failure. The light constantly keeps going on and off. One of my tires was very low overnight. I went to a gas station to get air, and the valve was missing. Completely off. I have read other reports on the same problem with same make and year. 2008 Mazda 3. this should be recalled.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

2008 Mazda 3 4-door - tire pressure monitor valve is corroded and split. A number of complaints on-line about this serious safety issue. Will check if warranty covers replacement tpm, but from reading other complaints, probably not! I am afraid to drive the car on the freeway now. The warning light goes on because it appears air is leaking from the valve stem. Mazda should recall all these poor quality tpm's.

- Aurora, OH, USA

Own a 2008 Mazda 3. purchased used, but was sold new and serviced locally to original owner. TPMS indicated low tire. When tried to put air in the tire, valve and sensor broke/corroded and all the air came out of tire. Flatbedded to dealership out of town where I was located.. new valve installed and tire fixed. Part was $120 for valve sensor piece. Called my local Mazda place to see if this could possibly be right for such a small piece and to see if it should be under warranty. They confirmed no warranty and average price. Now a second tire indicated low, and tried to check pressure and as soon as the tire valve cap was turned and removed stem/sensor broke again in this different tire and now has lost air. Now needs replacing. Afraid this will be the same issue for the remaining 2 tires. Need to still get snows off, but don't want to pay for the stem/sensors at $120 a piece! have read numerous complaints online of this issue!! a recall needs to be done... this is unsafe if it happens when driving as many have mentioned!! Mazda dealers told me I must have hit a curb or from potholes in the winter. This is not the case... not for all 4 to have this happen.

- Johnstown, NY, USA

Tire valve stem corrosion on 2008 Mazda 3. on 5/27/2011 TPMS indicator came on while driving on the highway. I pulled into a gas station and attempted to put air into the front driver side tire that was flat and the stem valve went into the tire. After seeing that, I checked the remaining valves and all are corroded. The front passenger tire valve is about to go into the tire and the back tires valves are cracked. I now have to have my car put on a flat bed because my half spare is on the front driver side and to avoid an accident and not having another spare tire, this car is now a death trap and is very unsafe. I also noticed that other owners have filed complaints online with www.aboutautomobile.com with the same problem with the same year and make. This needs to be investigated as my other tires could go flat at anytime now which makes it a hazard to myself and others.

- Highland Lakes, NJ, USA

On 4/19/2011 I was driving when my TPMS went off. I pulled into a gas station to put air in my tire. As I put the air pump to the valve, the valve simply disappeared and the tire went completely flat. I called aaa and took the car to a repair shop. They said the tire was perfectly fine and replaced it (without the TPMS). I eventually replaced the TPMS, which was not covered under warranty. On 4/25/2011, I was driving on the highway when the TPMS went off again. This time another tire had gone completely flat. When aaa arrived, the serviceman found the broken parts of the piece that holds the valve stem (and the TPMS) in the wheel. Without this piece, the valve was able to slip into the wheel (which is what had happened to me on 4/19). The pieces were completely corroded and had cracked in 3 places. The dealer replaced the TPMS (which was not, again, covered under warranty). Only after I insisted did they replace the remaining two valve stems which also had clear signs of cracking. This will most likely happen again in the future as the two metals of the valve stem and the piece holding it on begin to corrode. Updated IVOQ 06/28/11

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

On April 8th 2011, I was driving my 2008 Mazda 3 when the TPMS light came on. I stopped at the first gas station to put air in the tire. As soon as the filling hose came in contact with the valve stem, the valve stem fell out into the tire, resulting in sudden loss of air pressure. After bringing the tire to get repaired, I was informed that the TPMS sensor was no good because the valve stem is corroded. It was also pointed out the 3 other wheels have corroded valve stems and the nuts that hold them in place are all cracked and that if these nuts crack off the valve stem can fall off resulting in sudden loss of air. It seems to be an issue with the aluminum cap corroding to the valve stem from road salt. The dealer said "it just happens" and that the parts are not covered under any warranty. The sensors are made by siemens vdo. I am just glad I wasn't on the highway when this happened because it could have been serious! Nissan had a similar problem that turned into a recall.

- New Bedford, MA, USA

TPMS valve stem broke while checking tire pressure.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

2008 Mazda 3 5 door hatchback. I am the original owner, vehicle was purchased new from dealer. The nut that holds the valve stem to the tire became corroded and cracked and fell off. This resulted in a rapid deflation of the tire while traveling at highway speeds. After inspecting the other 3 tires, I noticed that 2 of the remaining 3 nuts were also severely corroded and cracked all the way through. This occurred after I have owned the vehicle for 20 months. When taken to the Mazda dealer, they replaced the valve stem where the nut had fallen off, but not the other 2 stems that were corroded and cracked.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

Tire pressure sensor constantly turning off on randomly. Dealer says they are constantly getting complaints. No recall. So when there is an actual tire problem, you may not take the warning light seriously. Because it turns on all the time for no reason.

- Oro Valley, AZ, USA