Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIRES | |||
| 08/20/2010 | 36000 | ||
| The tire valve stem made of a single piece of aluminum corrodes at the base of the threads at the end of the plastic cap. this leads to the sudden release of air and can happen while driving orwhen handling the tire valve, e.g. when adding air to the tire. this has now happened to me twice, once while i was driving, and once soon after adding air to the tire. the tire was damaged in the first incident and had to be replaced. the second time i found the valve piece hanging inside the cap a week after i had added air to the tires. upon continued inspection of these valve stems i have found another one that is cracked. i am an engineer and up till recently was in the automotive industry. the design of the valve and material selection or manufacturing is flawed. this vehicle is used by my wife to carry my kids and their friends. i will not replace this flawed design with another equally flawed replacement and have gone to using non-tpms valves that utilize a flexible rubber stem and threaded brass end. i am willing to go back to a tpms valve if the design is corrected. the best thing would be to have chrysler recall and repair the vehicle but it seems they are either waiting for a solution to fall form the sky or for nhtsa to force this on them. i have an old part that is available. | |||
| TIRES - PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS | |||
| 05/25/2012 | 54800 | 1 | |
| The tipm module (totally integrated power module) is defective, and intermittently draws the battery down. after keeping the van for several days, our local dealership (bluebonnet motors) in new braunfels, tx, determined that the battery is fine, but the problem is with the tipm. the manufacturer has no units available for replacement at this time (several hundred are on backorder, and none scheduled for production). chrysler has not offered to cover this under recall, and we are told it is not covered under our extended warranty. after researching on the internet we read many other people have tipm problems, including: wipers starting by themselves; windshield sprayers spraying without warning; horn will start honking out of control: lights flashing uncontrollably (all of these while driving); and even one unit that caught fire. our dealership has indicated that the system indicates that at least six vehicles have been flagged as completely unusable. we feel that we are driving a rolling time bomb, with the potential to either leave us stranded, or cause hazardous driving distractions at any time, or both. *tr | |||
| 07/18/2009 | 61900 | ||
| Tire pressure sensor failured. simply broke off completely while washing car. possibly effected by roadsalt. only 3 yrs old made from aluminum? never saw a metal schrader valve holder fail. luckily failed while not moving. but should not have failed. | |||
| 03/08/2011 | 57076 | ||
| March 8, 2011; vehicle was at dealer for service,while performing the service the right rear tire, pressure sensor fell apart.this was replaced with a new sensor. other sensors in the other three tires were not checked at that time. june 5, 2011; computer warned of low tire pressure, i attempted to put air into left front tire, took the cap off, put the air nozzle on and the valve stem broke off. needless to say, i found out how to change a flat tire. june 6, 2011; i went to a local tire dealer, snow tires removed, to be replaced with summer tires. the technicians reported that two of the sensors, valve stem assembly came apart. i requested standard value stems to put in 3 of the tires.i feel this is safer, seeing that the valve stem is now, a one piece unit. not something that two pieces of metal that are adhered together and don't stand a chance in our climate. this is a 3 year old vehicle, value stems are 3 years old, i feel this is a safety issue for all concerned. i have contacted the compliant department at chrysler dodge in michigan, as what will be done, don't know yet. | |||
| 11/01/2009 | 60000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that while having the tires changed, the tire pressure sensor fractured from the vehicle. the contact stated that the failure recurred several times. the vehicle was taken to local repair shop where the contact was advised that the tire pressure sensors were defective and would need to be replaced. the manufacturer was contacted who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 109,000. | |||
| 12/02/2010 | 59000 | ||
| When checking tire pressure on vehicle, the rear passenger valve stem broke in half in the middle of the threads. upon examination, the cause of the break was corrosion of the metal valve stem. the three other valve stems are also corroded. chrysler customer service was contacted, but no help was given. the valve stem and tire pressure monitor are a one piece unit so changing the valve stems at the tire change is not practical ($50-75 per tire). due to the corrosion and resulting safety concern, all four valve stems and tire pressure monitor will be replaced at a cost of approximately $200. the corroded valve stem is available for examination. if this would have happened on the highway, a major accident could have resulted. | |||
| 12/02/2010 | 33000 | ||
| The tire valve stem tips (the end metal part), which are integral with the tpms, break off leading to a sudden and complete loss of air from the tire. this has happened twice on two different tires on our 2008 dodge grand caravan. once at about 25k and the second time at 33k. the dodge dealership says this is a common occurance but will not cover it under warrantee. | |||
| 12/02/2010 | 59000 | ||
| When checking tire pressure on vehicle, the rear passenger valve stem broke in half in the middle of the threads. upon examination, the cause of the break was corrosion of the metal valve stem. the three other valve stems are also corroded. chrysler customer service was contacted, but no help was given. the valve stem and tire pressure monitor are a one piece unit so changing the valve stems at the tire change is not practical ($50-75 per tire). due to the corrosion and resulting safety concern, all four valve stems and tire pressure monitor will be replaced at a cost of approximately $200. the corroded valve stem is available for examination. if this would have happened on the highway, a major accident could have resulted. | |||
| 12/02/2010 | 33000 | ||
| The tire valve stem tips (the end metal part), which are integral with the tpms, break off leading to a sudden and complete loss of air from the tire. this has happened twice on two different tires on our 2008 dodge grand caravan. once at about 25k and the second time at 33k. the dodge dealership says this is a common occurance but will not cover it under warrantee. | |||
| 08/20/2010 | 36000 | ||
| The tire valve stem made of a single piece of aluminum corrodes at the base of the threads at the end of the plastic cap. this leads to the sudden release of air and can happen while driving orwhen handling the tire valve, e.g. when adding air to the tire. this has now happened to me twice, once while i was driving, and once soon after adding air to the tire. the tire was damaged in the first incident and had to be replaced. the second time i found the valve piece hanging inside the cap a week after i had added air to the tires. upon continued inspection of these valve stems i have found another one that is cracked. i am an engineer and up till recently was in the automotive industry. the design of the valve and material selection or manufacturing is flawed. this vehicle is used by my wife to carry my kids and their friends. i will not replace this flawed design with another equally flawed replacement and have gone to using non-tpms valves that utilize a flexible rubber stem and threaded brass end. i am willing to go back to a tpms valve if the design is corrected. the best thing would be to have chrysler recall and repair the vehicle but it seems they are either waiting for a solution to fall form the sky or for nhtsa to force this on them. i have an old part that is available. | |||
| 12/02/2010 | 59000 | ||
| When checking tire pressure on vehicle, the rear passenger valve stem broke in half in the middle of the threads. upon examination, the cause of the break was corrosion of the metal valve stem. the three other valve stems are also corroded. chrysler customer service was contacted, but no help was given. the valve stem and tire pressure monitor are a one piece unit so changing the valve stems at the tire change is not practical ($50-75 per tire). due to the corrosion and resulting safety concern, all four valve stems and tire pressure monitor will be replaced at a cost of approximately $200. the corroded valve stem is available for examination. if this would have happened on the highway, a major accident could have resulted. | |||
| 12/02/2010 | 33000 | ||
| The tire valve stem tips (the end metal part), which are integral with the tpms, break off leading to a sudden and complete loss of air from the tire. this has happened twice on two different tires on our 2008 dodge grand caravan. once at about 25k and the second time at 33k. the dodge dealership says this is a common occurance but will not cover it under warrantee. | |||
| 08/20/2010 | 36000 | ||
| The tire valve stem made of a single piece of aluminum corrodes at the base of the threads at the end of the plastic cap. this leads to the sudden release of air and can happen while driving orwhen handling the tire valve, e.g. when adding air to the tire. this has now happened to me twice, once while i was driving, and once soon after adding air to the tire. the tire was damaged in the first incident and had to be replaced. the second time i found the valve piece hanging inside the cap a week after i had added air to the tires. upon continued inspection of these valve stems i have found another one that is cracked. i am an engineer and up till recently was in the automotive industry. the design of the valve and material selection or manufacturing is flawed. this vehicle is used by my wife to carry my kids and their friends. i will not replace this flawed design with another equally flawed replacement and have gone to using non-tpms valves that utilize a flexible rubber stem and threaded brass end. i am willing to go back to a tpms valve if the design is corrected. the best thing would be to have chrysler recall and repair the vehicle but it seems they are either waiting for a solution to fall form the sky or for nhtsa to force this on them. i have an old part that is available. | |||
| 12/02/2010 | 33000 | ||
| The tire valve stem tips (the end metal part), which are integral with the tpms, break off leading to a sudden and complete loss of air from the tire. this has happened twice on two different tires on our 2008 dodge grand caravan. once at about 25k and the second time at 33k. the dodge dealership says this is a common occurance but will not cover it under warrantee. | |||
| 08/20/2010 | 36000 | ||
| The tire valve stem made of a single piece of aluminum corrodes at the base of the threads at the end of the plastic cap. this leads to the sudden release of air and can happen while driving orwhen handling the tire valve, e.g. when adding air to the tire. this has now happened to me twice, once while i was driving, and once soon after adding air to the tire. the tire was damaged in the first incident and had to be replaced. the second time i found the valve piece hanging inside the cap a week after i had added air to the tires. upon continued inspection of these valve stems i have found another one that is cracked. i am an engineer and up till recently was in the automotive industry. the design of the valve and material selection or manufacturing is flawed. this vehicle is used by my wife to carry my kids and their friends. i will not replace this flawed design with another equally flawed replacement and have gone to using non-tpms valves that utilize a flexible rubber stem and threaded brass end. i am willing to go back to a tpms valve if the design is corrected. the best thing would be to have chrysler recall and repair the vehicle but it seems they are either waiting for a solution to fall form the sky or for nhtsa to force this on them. i have an old part that is available. | |||
| 11/07/2010 | 43097 | ||
| Last sunday, 11/7/10, we were returning from vacation (200 miles from home) and noticed the air pressure was low in our l front tire of our 2008 grand caravan sxt (vehicle is equipped with tpms air sensors). we stopped at a nj gas station to fill the tire when the valve stem snapped off - instantly releasing all the air from the tire. we had to put on the spare and proceeded to look for a place to replace the broken valve stem. we did find one service station open on the nj turnpike, but they stated that they could not put in a standard valve stem as it would require a chrysler part. (as i mentioned earlier, it was sunday am.) to our dismay, we had to limp home on the donut which entailed travelling on several major interstates. our concern is the safety factor. we have now noticed on the internet forums that this is a common issue with these aluminum valve stems as there are multiple reports of this occurring at approximately 25k-40k miles. (our vehicle has 43k.) after returning home, i contacted a local dodge dealer and they are also aware of this problem and had to order the part. thursday, 11/11/10, i had the broken valve stem/sensor replaced ($92.34) and asked for the broken valve stem/sensor which was given to us. when asked, the service person said that the replacement part has not been modified to keep this from occurring again - except for a plastic cap (which, by the way, the first one had). | |||
| 10/31/2010 | 59354 | ||
| 2008 dodge caravan tire valve stem failure, valve stem broke off during adding air to tire. told by dealership this is a common problem with these tire pressure sensor valve stems on dodge caravans. in my entire history of owning vehicles i have never encountered this problem. to me looks like either a design or material problem that caused the valve stem to crack. | |||
| 09/06/2010 | 25000 | ||
| Tire pressure monitoring sensor/valve stem 2008 dodge grand caravan...valve broke off in my hands today. it is a $100 valve stem? it is corroded, and only has 25000 miles! this is a joke! | |||
| 08/26/2010 | 44794 | ||
| Valve stem broke causing the tire to deflate and warning light to come on in car | |||
| 02/26/2010 | 2856 | ||
| 1 tpms sensor broke allowing tire to deflate instantly. sensor stem broke while tire pressure was being taken | |||
| 02/01/2010 | 12954 | ||
| 1 tpms sensor failed causing tire to deflate immediately. sensor broke at stem while tire pressure was being checked. | |||
| 01/19/2010 | 20879 | ||
| 1 tpms sensor failed (stem broke) causing tire to go flat instantly. stem broke while pressure was being checked. | |||
| 10/15/2009 | 23987 | 2 | |
| Three of the four tire pressure monitoring sensors (tpms) valve stems have failed on my 2008 dodge grand caravan. two of them failed in october 2009 and one in january 2010, all while attempting to add air. all tires immediately lost all air. the valve stem housing (threaded portion) snapped off. the three tpmss were replaced by the local dodge dealership. because i believed this was a safety issue, i requested that the forth tpms be replaced, however, the local dealership and chrysler hq customer service adamantly refused to replace the remaining one. if the valve stem were to break off while the vehicle is in motion, the results could be disastrous, as the tire would rapidly deflate. *tr | |||
| 01/19/2010 | 2781 | 1 | |
| Tire pressure monitor sensor failures in three 2008 & 2009 dodge grand caravans. the valve stem on the tpms snaps off at the threaded portion, causing a rapid deflation of the tire. this occurs when driving on snowy or slushy roads, or when attempting to remove the valve stem cover. this has occurred on three fleet vehicles over the last two months. all three vehicles required purchase of new oem tpms and reprogramming of the new tpms by the dealer. two vehicles required towing due to unsafe location at time of failure. one vehicle also required replacement of brand new tire that was destroyed at time of rapid deflation. *tr | |||
| 01/25/2010 | 60000 | 3 | |
| I am a mechanic of 25 years experience and feel the need to report a possible defect that exists on 2008 dodge caravans. during the last five months i have replaced three tire pressure monitor system pressure sensors. what make this problem alarming is that all three failed in the same manor. the failure occurs when the portion of the sensor called the valve stem fractures and detaches from the rest of the sensor causing a sudden loss of air pressure in the tire. i have photographs and have saved two of the sensors that have failed. i believe the problem is either a corrosion issue or a weak material used in the manufacture of the product causing it to fracture easily in ice and snow. *tr | |||
| TIRES - VALVE | |||
| 01/03/2010 | 32000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge grand caravan. the contact stated that two valve stems have failed; the shaft of the valve stem broke off. the first time, he was alerted by a tire shop when he was having tires installed. in february 2010, when he checked the tire pressure, a valve stem popped off and the passenger front tire became flat within minutes. he was unsure of what tire the first stem came off of. the tire shop informed him that the valve stem failure may have been due to corrosion. after the latest failure, he took the vehicle to another tire shop and it was reiterated that the valve stems were corroded. the contact had the two valve stems replaced. he called the dealer and manufacturer who stated that since the repair was made that they could not assist help because they could not see the failure. he was also told that they could not repair the other two stems because they had not failed at that point. the current mileage was approximately 35,000. the failure mileage was approximately 32,000. | |||