I don't know about you all, but I for one am getting MIGHTY tired of having to replace not just tires, but entire sets of rims because Chrysler can't figure out how to make a proper chrome-clad rim.
Earlier this evening I got a flat while headed home from work. Side of the road inspection found no visible object strike, but the valve stem didn't look good. I managed to get the van into a CostCo tire shop before they closed and had the gentlemen there take a look given the tires are still under warranty. Sure enough, the valve stem failed. When the guy removed the tire from the rim he came back with some really bad news: my rims are starting to corrode from the inside out right along the edge where it's supposed to create a seal.
Sound familiar?
Those of you who may own a Limited Edition early year Chrysler PT Cruiser probably know what I'm referring to. My father's 2001 PT Cruiser Limited Edition, purchased brand-new and properly maintained, literally had the chrome rims rot off the car in no time. The problem began while the car was still under warranty. As to be expected Chrysler couldn't care less and refused to act. They stalled just long enough for the warranty to expire on the PT Cruiser and then claimed the vehicle was no longer under warranty, so "too bad." The rims rotted everywhere. On the face, from the back from the inside- it got to the point where the Cruiser sat idle for months because we were afraid it was a safety hazard. $1,000 on a new set of aftermarket rims and the PT was fine.
To make matters worse, the tech brought out a photo album he's put together showcasing the rims of over 20+ Chrysler vehicles that have come through his shop ALL with the same problem. The scary thing is many of them are from 2005 and newer. He went on to tell me that Chrysler is widely known for having this problem the worst out of all other vehicle manufacturers... something I am now beginning to whole-heartedly believe.
The damage is done. I now have to go decide whether or not I want steelies with hub caps, or plain aluminum alloys. Either way, I will have to purchase a set of rims in order to prevent myself from being plagued with flats in the future. Even if it is a "supplier problem" that doesn't explain why Chrysler still never resolved the problem by the time the later 2000's models came 'round.
Simply, absurd.