NHTSA Complaint #10758763 — 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

I WAS DRIVING OUR VAN ON VACATION IN OUT OF STATE ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH. MY LOW TIRE SENSOR CAME ON, ALONG WITH THE YELLOW EXCLAMATION POINT LIGHT IN THE DASH. I WAS CLOSE TO MY EXIT, PULLED OFF AND INTO A GAS STATION WHERE THERE WAS AN AIR PUMP, LOOKING TO ASSES THE SITUATION. WHEN I TRIED TO PUT AIR INTO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE, WHICH WAS NOW REALLY LOOKING FLAT, I PUSHED THE AIR NOZZLE AGAINST THE VALVE STEM WHICH PUSHED RIGHT INSIDE THE RIM. I HAD TO CALL MY INSURANCE TO HAVE A WRECKER COME, THEY PUT MY DOUGHNUT TIRE ON. I WENT AND HAD A TIRE PLACE PUT IN A REGULAR VALVE STEM. THE ORIGINAL VALVE STEM IS STUCK TO THE INSIDE OF THE RIM, AND APPARENTLY HAD COME LOSE BECAUSE WHATEVER HAD HELD IT THERE FAILED. WHEN I GOT HOME, I HAD THE VALVE STEM REPLACED WITH A NEW VALVE STEM WITH A PRESSURE SENSOR. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE, BECAUSE LOSING ANY OF YOUR TIRES PRESSURE AT THE RATE OF SPEED WE WERE DRIVING, COULD HAVE MADE US LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, HARMING OURSELVES OR OTHERS DRIVING NEAR US.