Tire valve and TPMS popped off

[sileung]

I was driving on the highway today and noticed the low tire pressure indicator light had come on so I had slowed down and tried to take the nearest exit possible to fill up the tires with more air. Before I had a chance to exit the highway, the tire had already gone flat. I pulled over on the shoulder and took a look at the flat tire and realized that the valve stem had come off completely.

This is the second time that this has happened to me with the first time occurring about 2 weeks earlier on a different tire. Everything is stock and I have never tempered with anything.

Has anyone experienced this problem? I don't think it's normal for the valve stem and TPMS to fall into the tire. Any suggestions on what I can do or ask from the dealer? I do not want to keep going to the dealer every few weeks to have the same problem occur.

[philipa_240sx]

This is very unusual. No one else here has reported a similar problem... you are the first.

I would have the dealer inspect ALL of the TPMS sensors to ensure they are properly fastened.

[sileung]

I have read on several forums and Ford owners experience a similar problem except it's that their valves are cracking (valves are made from rubber). This problem has also caused them to lose air from the tire very rapidly.

I have called Nissan Canada but they haven't reported any recalls on these valves. I will be taking my tire and car in to get this problem checked and hopefully I'll get a detailed answer as to why this is happening on a new car.

[sileung]

UPDATE!

I brought my car into the dealer to get the flat tire fixed. They told me that it was going to cost $55 for the repairs because they said that someone probably tempered with the valve causing it to get loose.

I wasn't willing to pay the $55 knowing that this was a manufacturers defect and requested them to do some further investigation. After checking the other tires on my car, they have found that my front drivers side wheel has also been damaged. The nut that holds the valve on the outside to the rim had a severe crack and when the mechanic when to touch it, it just fell off.

Luckily I had brought my car to the dealer just in time or I would have most likely gotten a flat on that tire as well. So in the end, I wasn't charged for the service and all the nuts on the tires have been changed.

My advice is to regularly check the nuts on the valve stem for cracks so you don't run into the same problem as I did (this happened twice on different wheels on separate occasions).

[llouie]

I was driving on the highway last week and suddenly the passenger rear tire went flat. The low pressure tire indicator came on when the flat occurred. I got the car towed to the nearest service station to have my spare put on. While changing the tire with my spare the mechanic noticed that the stem and nut on the valve were missing and the valve was inside the rim/tire. The tire had also been damaged. He checked the other tires and the front passenger tire had the same problem. The nut and valve sleave were both cracked. The next day I brought the car and tire into a Nissan dealership for repair and inspection.They replaced the cracked nut and valve on the front tire as a warranty repair; but charged me $68.33 to tranfer the old TPMS with a new nut and valve onto my spare tire and use the damaged tire as my spare. They also indicated that without the missing parts that flew off the car on the highway, this would not be covered by the warranty. Could you please let me know what dealership you went too so I can ask mine to compare notes with them and get a credit for these charges, and perhaps have my damaged tire replaced since it was a direct result of the valve failure.This is a serious defect and a valve failure and resulting flat could lead to an accident.

Sincerely,Lena

[sileung]

Hi Lena, It’s unfortunate that you had the same problem happen to you. I understand your frustration as I had this happen to me twice on separate wheels.

I took mine into Woodchester Nissan which is located in Mississauga. The first time I brought it in, there were no issues with service and everything was covered under warranty, however, on my second visit, they were going to charge me $55 (which I wasn’t willing to pay) to have the service done because they said that someone has tempered with the nut. Nonetheless, with further inspection on the other wheels, they found my other valves had the same issue with the nut cracking (the nut actually fell off as the mechanic went to touch it, that’s how badly damaged it was).

You should take it to Woodchester and report this problem and see what they say, because when I went, the service advisor (Ramesh Nathwani – ask for him) told me that “he’s never heard of a problem like this before”. I wonder what he will say when you bring your car in.

I think this is a manufacturer’s defect, and if it’s not them who make these, then the problem is with their supplier. I’m considering about reporting this to Nissan Canada and also to see if I will be compensated in any way. I have called them about this issue inquiring about any recalls but they told me they have never heard of any problems.

Since your tire has been damaged due to the faulty valve and nut, I think you should speak to the dealer to see if they will replace the tire for you. Having a damaged tire as a spare is still dangerous.

Keep me updated! Thanks!

Simon

[2009 Indigo Blue]

I've had my Rogue for 4 mos & for the 1st time last week, I got that low tire pressure warning light too. I know nothing about cars. My dad takes care of all that, so he checked it out immediately & I have no idea what he did, but the warning light doesn't come on anymore.

[sileung]

Any updates with the dealership and how they handled the issue?