AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROX 70 MPH MY LEFT REAR TIRE INSTANTLY WENT FLAT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A LOW TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR. WHEN I STOPPED MY CAR TO CHECK THE FLAT I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE VALVE (TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR WHEEL SENSOR) WAS GONE. WHEN I CHANGED THE TIRE I REALIZED THE PRESSURE SENSOR FELL INTO THE WHEEL BECAUSE THE THREADED NUT THAT HOLDS THE SENSOR IN PLACE FAILED AND BROKE IN TWO CAUSING THE TIRE TO LOOSE ALL ITS AIR AT ONCE. I CHECKED THE RETAINING NUTS ON THE REMAINING WHEELS TO DISCOVER THEY WERE ALL CRACKED BADLY AND COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. I LATER LEARNED FROM THE DEALER THAT CHRYSLER HAS UPDATED THE PART NUMBER TO A NEW RUBBER VALVE SENSOR, AND THE SENSOR I HAVE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT TO MY SURPRISE HAS NOT ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OR A RECALL. WHAT IF IT HAD BEEN A FRONT TIRE THAT WENT FLAT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE? I'VE CALLED CHRYSLER CUST ASSISTANCE AND AM WORKING IT OUT WITH THEM CURRENTLY. BUT FROM WHAT I'VE GATHERED SO FAR THEY DON'T SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. TO ME THIS IS A HUGE LIABILITY ISSUE, AND AN EVEN BIGGER SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SECURED A CHILD IN THE REAR SEATING AND SHUT THE DOORS. THE DRIVER THEN REALIZED THAT SHE LEFT THE KEY FOB INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DOORS WERE LOCKED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED IN A MANNER IN WHICH THE DOORS WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO LOCK UNLESS SOMEONE WAS SEATED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE DRIVER HAD TO BREAK THE DRIVER'S WINDOW TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE BROKEN WINDOW WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 05/15/12 * BF UPDATED 05/25/12
