NHTSA Complaint #11397144 — 2021 TOYOTA RAV4

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2021 TOYOTA RAV4. THE FIRST WEEK I OWNED IT I EXPERIENCED A FLAT TIRE. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO AIR IT UP THE VALVE STEM BROKE AND THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT. THE VALVE STEM IS ONE UNIT AND CONNECTED TO THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. I LEARNED THAT THE STEMS ARE MADE OF ALUMINUM AND SUBJECT TO BREAKING DUE TO THE SOFT METAL. TOYOTA REFUSED TO COVER THE EXPENSE SAYING IT WAS DRIVER ERROR. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE SHOP WHERE THE TIRE WAS PLUGGED TOLD ME THIS HAPPENS QUITE A BIT. I WAS SHOCKED THAT TOYOTA WOULD INSTALL SUCH CHEAP METAL ON THEIR CARS. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD AND CAN EASILY LEAVE ONE STRANDED. MY COST WAS NEARLY $300. THE BREAKAGE WAS NOT MY FAULT. IT WAS A PROBLEM OF SOFT ALUMINUM. I BELIEVE THESE STEMS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED WITH HIGH QUALITY STEEL. THANK YOU.