NHTSA Complaint #10760892 — 2008 FREIGHTLINER SPRINTER 3500

APPROX. 6:00AM MONDAY MORNING JULY 6TH OF 2015 I HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN I WENT TO GET IN MY TRUCK FOR WORK. UPON INSPECTION THE LEAK WAS SEEPING THRU THE STEEL INNER SURFACE OF THE RIM. APPROX. 2 INCHES AWAY FROM VALVE STEM AREA. FOR THE TIME BEING I DECIDED TO HAVE THE LIKE NEW TIRE JUST PUT ONTO MY OEM SPARE (WHEEL & TIRE) AND JUST USED THAT TO CARRY ON WITH BUSINESS. THE TIRE STORE SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN A FACTORY STEEL WHEEL JUST LEAK AIR WITHOUT A OBVIOUS REASON. THE ONLY ANSWER TO CONTINUE TO USE THE WHEEL WAS TO HAVE A INNER-TUBE PUT IN IT. SO I HAD A KR-16 INNER TUBE PUT IN. APPROX. 6:00AM FRIDAY JULY 10TH I HAD A VERY SOFT TIRE ON DRIVERS SIDE FRONT. I PUMPED AIR INTO IT HERE AT MY HOUSE FROM MY COMPRESSOR AND WENT BACK TO MY TIRE STORE. THIS STORE IS THE ONLY PLACE TO EVER PUT TIRES ON MY TRUCK. THE GUY SAID AFTER USING SOME SOAPY WATER AND SHOWING ME AIR BUBBLES A COUPLE INCHES OVER FROM VALVE STEM THAT I HAD SAME PROBLEM AND THAT OBVIOUSLY I HAVE DEFECTIVE RIMS. HE PLACED A INNER-TUBE IN THIS WHEEL FOR ME AND I RETURN TO MY TRUCK AND CARRY ON. ON AUGUST THE 17TH 2015 I AM IN ROUTE TO CARY,NC ON US1 NORTH BOUND FROM MY HOME. I WAS IN THE DEEP RIVER AREA RUNNING 75MPH IN THE INSIDE/PASSING LANE WHEN OUT OF NOWHERE OR WARNING MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE EXPLODES. VERY NEARLY GOING INTO GUARD RAILS OR OFF INTO THE RIVER. THANKFULLY I MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND GOT IT OFF THE ROAD WITH MIN. DAMAGE. USED OEM BOTTLE JACK KIT TO PUT MY SPARE ON; WHICH ALSO CONTAINS A TUBE. I GET IT ON AND LOSS DAY OF WORK AGAIN TO TIRE STORE. UPON THE TIRE BEING REMOVED THE STEEL OF THE OEM WHEEL HAS AN APPROXIMATELY 8" SPLIT/CRACK. HAD TO BUY NEW WHEEL. CUSTOMER CARE BRUSHING ME OFF. NOW, A 3RD FLAT THIS WEEK. ANOTHER WHEEL LEAKING AIR THRU THE STEEL. SAME AREA! SCARY AND UNSAFE. HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER NEW WHEEL ON TODAY! PLZ HELP!