NHTSA Complaint #11217281 — 2017 RAM 3500

RECENTLY, I DEPARTED FROM HOME IN MY TRUCK TO HEAD OUT ON ERRANDS. I FOUND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. REALIZING IT FELT LIKE A FLAT FRONT TIRE, I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND FOUND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE WAS FLAT. AT NO TIME DID I RECEIVE ANY WARNING FROM THE FACTORY INSTALLED TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. LOOKING AT THE TPMS, THE PRESSURE INDICATED 14 PSI, THEN LATER 11 PSI. AT NO TIME DID I RECEIVE AN AUDIBLE OR VISUAL ALARM FROM THE TRUCK. LATER I HAD THE NEARBY DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATE THIS, AND THEY REPORTED THE SYSTEM IS WORKING AS DESIGNED, BUT THEY CAN'T/WON'T SHOW ME IN WRITING WHEN THE ALARMS ARE SUPPOSED TO ACTIVATE. I HAVE AN OPEN CASE WITH RAM CUSTOMER CARE, BUT THE MANAGER CONTINUES TO POINT TOWARDS THE DEALERSHIP'S VERBAL ANSWER. ANOTHER PERSON I KNOW WAS RECENTLY DRIVING TOWING A HEAVY RIG WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER POINTED OUT TO THEM THAT THEY HAD A FLAT TIRE ON THE TRUCK. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY WARNING FROM THE TPMS. AS YOU KNOW, THE RISK OF A TIRE OVERHEATING AND BLOWING IS WHAT TPMS IS SUPPOSED TO HELP DRIVERS AVOID. A TPMS THAT IS NOT WARNING DRIVERS AFTER ABOUT 10-20% LOSS OF PRESSURE IS CREATING A RISK FOR OPERATORS AND OTHER VEHICLES AND PASSENGERS.