Ford Tired of Troubles, Denies Chinese Valve Stems Are a Problem

News has broken that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation to examine allegations that Chinese-made tire valve stems on up to 1 million 2007 model Ford vehicles may crack and leak air. Given Ford's history with tire troubles, you'd think that an over-the-top response might be in the offing from the Blue Oval. Ah, but that's where you'd be wrong. Ford maintains that its valves were made in a different part of the plant, with different materials, than where the defective parts were made and that if customers are really worried they can go see their dealer. Ford does admit that it has received some complaints from its customers regarding the stems, but that there have been no injuries.

Let's say that Ford is correct. The bad batches of valve stems were never sent to Ford and its customers are completely safe driving around on these tires. I'm just not sure that enough has been done to reassure drivers. Undoubtedly there will be folks who become alarmed at this investigation and when they go their local dealer, chances are there will be varying levels of responsiveness from service departments. Wouldn't it be nice if Ford had prepped a document for dealers to use, perhaps showing pictures of the parts in question and outlining how Ford's valve stems are made of different materials that have not failed in large numbers? You say the words 'Ford' and 'tires' and people already have bad associations. Ford should not leave it to chance that its dealers are going to know how to handle this situation. With professionally prepared documentation and a small crisis management team in place, Ford can make sure this whole issue blows over without blowing any tires.


source: detroit news