NHTSA Complaint #10787121 — 2009 DODGE RAM 1500

ON 04-02-2015 I EXPERIENCED A RAPID LOSS IN PRESSURE AND A FLAT REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS. I FOUND THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS MISSING WHEN I WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE. I BROUGHT THE TIRE TO A CHAIN TIRE STORE AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VALVE STEM NUT HAD BROKEN CAUSING THE FAILURE. I WAS FORCED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR TIRES BECAUSE THE SHORT DISTANCE DRIVEN TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC DESTROYED THE FLAT TIRE. THE OTHER NUTS WERE EXAMINED AT THAT TIME AND CORROSION WAS NOTED BUT NO CRACKS WERE OBSERVED. IT IS NOW 10-29-2015 AND I'M NOTICING THAT ONE OF THE OTHER VALVE STEMS IS CRACKED ON THE OLDER TIRES. I NEED TO HAVE THE STEM REPLACED BEFORE IT FAILS CATASTROPHICALLY. I'M ALSO EXPERIENCING A TPMS FAILURE BUT DO NOT KNOW IF IT IS RELATED. THE TIRE REPAIR COST $400+ AND IN READING OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ALL TOO COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FURTHER AND DETERMINE IF A RECALL IS NECESSARY.