NHTSA Complaint #10785405 — 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TIRE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATOR BLINKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 SECONDS AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CALLED, BUT COULD NOT REPAIR THE TIRE AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A NEW TIRE AND TIRE VALVE WERE PLACED ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TPMS WHEEL VALVE SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATE 01/13/16 MA CONSUMER STATED TPMS TIRE VALVES ARE THE CAUSE OF THE TIRE BLOWOUT, VALVES CORRODED VERY EASILY DUE TO ROAD SALT AND HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS. UPDATE 05/21/18*JB