Tire Valve problems of the 2007 Chevrolet Equinox

Air pressure sensor on rear driver tire indicated 28 pounds. When the mechanic turned the cap to remove it from the valve stem, the stem broke off (due to corrosion). Dealer says the wrong caps were on it it - it should have been metal caps. I bought this vehicle from this dealership but they say they have no responsibility. After getting the sensor and valve stem replaced ($86), I brought the tire back and put it back on. Checked remaining valve stems and another one broke off on the front passenger side. Another $85 and I will eventually have to replace the other two. Dealer is the only one who has checked my air pressure (during oil changes and multi-point inspections) and never mentioned I had the wrong caps on the valve stems. I have contacted general motors with my safety concern. Had I been driving when the valve stem blew out, I could've easily been injured or killed. Gm maintains there is no recall on this issue and will not pursue the issue. I not only feel this should be a recall, but I feel they owe my money back to me. This is the first gm product I've had (Jeep/Chrysler products in the past). I'm disappointed in the excuses the dealership gave me (wrong valve caps, moisture got underneath and caused corrosion) and with gm's response, since it doesn't have a recall on it, we really don't care if you could have been killed. I have already begun telling Equinox and torrent drivers to check their valve stems! shame on you gm.

The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Equinox. In September 2010, the contact discovered that the front driver side tire was flat. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the valve stem had broken off. The rear driver side valve stem had also broken off. The mechanic stated that it was normal for the valve stems to break. The failure mileage was 38,000 and the current mileage was 54,000.