Faulty Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors. Claims are mounting against car giant, Chrysler, for allegedly faulty Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor units. The TPMS units on specific Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles are constructed with an aluminum alloy valve stem assembly that appears to be vulnerable to corrosion and failure. Corrosion may lead to […]
Faulty Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors. Claims are mounting against car giant, Chrysler, for allegedly faulty Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor units. The TPMS units on specific Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles are constructed with an aluminum alloy valve stem assembly that appears to be vulnerable to corrosion and failure.
Corrosion may lead to failure or damage in the aluminum alloy and involves the nuts or valve stems that secure sensors to the inside of the vehicle’s wheels. When failure or a split occurs, the sensor may loosen and fall into the tire. When this occurs, the tire will abruptly deflate.
Abrupt tire deflation, especially when traveling at typical highway, or even, slower speeds, may lead to loss of control of the vehicle, which may lead to serious, even deadly, crash consequences. If a parked car suffers deflation, the tire will be potentially damaged and may require replacement, and certainly renders the driver and passengers stranded.
The Caravan, Journey, and Ram 1500 appear to be particularly susceptible to this failure. Many of the complaints have been tied to the following models and years:
Consumer complaints have included issues involving heavy deterioration inside and outside the rubber; separation of the rubber exposing the inner metal; uneven tire wear, even with ongoing tire rotations; tire failure at high mileage; corrosion; discoloration; rust; low tire pressure; cracked valve stems; catastrophic tire air loss; dealers refusing to conduct work under warranty; significant vehicle pulling during operation; valve and stem breakage when attempting to fill the tire, and violent shaking of the steering wheel, to name just some.
In addition to the expense of a replacement tire and related labor costs, the replacement price of a TPMS unit is at least $75, per tire when a rubber valve stem is used and assembly has not corroded. In cases in which corrosion occurs on aluminum parts, the cost is higher. Some complaints have indicated consumers having to pay costs of upwards of $100 to $130 for the defective sensor and that, in many cases, multiple sensors fail within short time frames.
If you or a loved one are in possession of a Chrysler vehicle that suffers from a tire sensor defect and if injuries or loss was suffered, you may have valuable legal rights. Fill out our online form or call the Firm at 1-800-YOUR LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).