The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has opened a preliminary evaluation into alleged tire valve failure in 16,397 Dodge Sprinter vans, model years 2003 and 2004.
The agency said it has received five complaints of tire valve failures and resulting sudden deflation on the Sprinters, which are used as 15-passenger and delivery vans.
The deflations occurred between 6,000 and 28,000 miles, and at least three of the vehicles had their original equipment tires and valves, NHTSA said.
A spokesman for DaimlerChrysler told Tire Business there were ``probably a couple different tire manufacturers'' involved as suppliers for the Dodge Sprinter, ``but we don't see this as an incident that would result in a review of our suppliers.''