2009 Volkswagen Routan. Consumer writes in regards to replacements of tire valve stems. The consumer stated within the last ten months, she had to replace the valve stems and tire sensors three times due to disintegration of the valve stems, twice on the right front tire. The first time the incident happened, the low tire pressure light illuminated. The consumer stopped and checked the tires. The right front tire appeared to be low. When she attempted to attach the air hose, the tire immediately went flat and the valve stem sucked into the tire. The second time, the low tire light illuminated, she stopped and observed the right front tire was low. The tire was going flat, as she approached the service station. Aaa removed the cap to the valve stem which disintegrated immediately. The slow leak resulted in the consumer having to purchase a new tire, valve and tire sensor. The third time, the tire light illuminated again. It was determined the valve stem was leaking. The consumer was informed the replacement of the valve stems was a frequent occurrence, the metal valve stems were apparently inferior to traditional rubber stems.

- Sanford, ME, USA

The valve stem broke off when I went to put air in it and the tire (front driver side) immediately deflated. The valve stem is metal and apparently corroded. About a month later the rear driver side began to leak and had to be replaced. Then today (3/4/14) the valve stem broke off the passenger front tire when I went to unscrew the cap (I could hear air hissing out before I even touched it). If this had happened while driving, I could have had a serious accident.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

While putting air in my tires, the valve stem broke off of the tire while trying to remove the cap off of the stem and the tire deflated almost instantly. After looking at the broken valve stem, it appears like the cap and stem became corroded and was completely welded together. I still have this cap that broke off if it is needed for an investigation.

- Eldorado, OH, USA

Two tires have blown out on my Routan due to corroded valve stems. The first time, on 3/16/11, I had just pulled into a parking lot when I heard a loud noise and felt my tire go flat. Belle tire told me that the valve stem had corroded and popped off, essentially blowing out my tire. Stupidly, I didn't think anything of it. The second time happened on 12/31/11. My 19-year-old daughter was driving the Routan on an expressway where the speed limit is 70 mph.. she said she heard a loud noise, and then the car started veering. She managed to keep control of the Routan and get it over to the side of the road, where the tire was flat and shredded. Again, belle tire told us that the valve stem had corroded and fell off, blowing out the tire. A third valve stem and nut on the Routan is cracked and corroded. They also told us that General Motors and Ford have switched to rubber valve stems because of this problem. Contacted VW. They looked at the car. The will not fix the problem. This car is an accident waiting to happen.

- Shelby Township, MI, USA