Check your TPMS

[Mojo88]

I have a 2009 Dodge Charger that I purchased new 3 years ago. I was in a hurry the other day and took my car to a Valvoline instant oil change for service. After inspection one of the techs noticed that all my TPMS units were cracked. This happened since the last oil change which was 3500 miles ago. I took my car to the tire center and was told by the service manager who I trust, that if I had driven much further 3 tires could have gone flat without warning .All units need replaced.

I contacted Dodge and the response was, " Your car is out of warranty and nothing can be done" I thought this would be the outcome, but I wanted to hear it from them. I know mileage at 120,000 is high, but there is no mention that TPMS units are a wear item and for all four to fail tells me something is wrong beyond normal wear. I have experience with defective products and contacted our attorney general.

If you have a Dodge or Chrysler product I would advise you to check those units. I don't want to sound dramatic, but this could be a matter of serious injury or death if a tire goes at a high rate of speed.

I am hoping my case is isolated, but I tend to think this has the potential to be a serious problem.

 

[cb91710]

Have them removed, replaced with standard valve stems, and find a shop who knows how to disable the TPMS computer.

Just check your air when you get gas like we have for the last 100 years.

 

[Mojo88]

Have them removed, replaced with standard valve stems, and find a shop who knows how to disable the TPMS computer.

Just check your air when you get gas like we have for the last 100 years.

I asked if it could be done , but it is against the law..Violates a standard by some government agency.

 

[Wullie]

Have them removed, replaced with standard valve stems, and find a shop who knows how to disable the TPMS computer.

Just check your air when you get gas like we have for the last 100 years.

I agree. What a waste of time and money. USELESS ***'s.

 

[auk1124]

It's not just Dodge/Chrysler. My wife's 2009 Kia has had multiple TPMS stems replaced under warranty. Currently has 30,000 miles. First stem crapped out at less than 10,000 miles.

When the car warranty runs out we are going to treat the TPMS warning light the old fashioned way: ignore it until the bulb hopefully burns out.

 

[roklein]

My friend's Sebring had the same problem and not covered under anything. On a slightly different note but also w/TPMS stems, make sure the valve caps are plastic as aftermarket valve caps will weld themselves to the stem and it is impossible to remove w/o breakage. I had this happen to my Toyota. Cost $400.00 to replace and reprogram the sensors. Lessons learned there. I wanted to go the replace w/ rubber stems route, but same outcome that it was against the law. You can thank the Ford Explorer and Firestone tires for the federal mandate.

 

[cb91710]

When the car warranty runs out we are going to treat the TPMS warning light the old fashioned way: ignore it until the bulb hopefully burns out.

No such luck here.

My 2008 Tacoma's cluster is 100% LED.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

As a mechanic, I can say that there is very little on a modern auto that is not a wear item, especially any electrical component.

 

[auk1124]

No such luck here.

My 2008 Tacoma's cluster is 100% LED.

Curses, foiled again. If I suffer the same fate, Plan B might be a piece of strategically-placed black tape on the cluster panel.

 

[mretzloff]

You drive 40,000 miles a year? That is a lot!

 

[cb91710]

You drive 40,000 miles a year? That is a lot!

My highest was around 52k in one year on my '03 Tundra.
Had a few 35-40k years on my '94 Toyota pickup... traded that one on the Tundra with 230k on it.
Got the Tundra in November '02, traded it on a Duramax in August '05... had 125k on it.

 

[BallisticBurrito]

The TPMS in my 09 Pontiac G5 are still going strong..I love the things to be honest..has saved me a lot of time and headaches.

EDIT: Should add that it has a bit over 19,000 and has the original tires.

Also I change my own oil...like a man~