NHTSA Complaint #10682375 — 2007 CHRYSLER 300

THE CORROSION ON THE CARS' ALLOY WHEELS IS SUCH THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO ALWAYS CARRY A MANUAL TIRE PUMP SINCE THE CORROSION ALLOWS AIR TO ESCAPE FROM THE TIRE. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS COMMON WITH ALLOY WHEELS WHICH ARE NOW USED TO EFFECT A WEIGHT SAVINGS. ADDITIONALLY, THE LUG NUTS HAVE A METAL (STAINLESS STEEL) PRESSED OVER THE STEEL LUG NUT TO PRESENT A MORE PLEASING APPEARANCE. UNFORTUNATELY, WATER AND ROAD SALT MIGRATE BETWEEN THE TWO METALS AND CORROSION CAUSES THE PRESSED-ON METAL TO EXPAND TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT A TIRE SHOP HAD TO HAMMER AN OVERSIZE SOCKET ON THE LUG NUT TO BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL FROM THE CAR. THIS MEANS THAT A MOTORIST WHO EXPERIENCED ENOUGH OF A AIR LOSS WOULD BE UNABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS-PROVIDED TOOL. *TR