TPMS learn issue leads to Chrysler recall in the US

Crysler Group LLC is recalling 21,042 2014-model year Ram ProMaster vehicles in the US due to a Tyre Press Monitoring System (TPMS) fault. The problem is that in the affected vehicles, the TPMS may fail to learn the locations of the individual sensors while the vehicle is being driven. As a result, the low tyre pressure warning light will light-up irrespective of the tyre pressure.

The secondary effect of this is likely to have been the main reason for the recall, as the documents says: “Should one of the tyres lose air pressure, the driver would not be notified of the change in air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138…”

Of course the danger is that if the TPMS light illuminates because the sensors cannot be located it could mask an actual deflation. And this in turn could potentially result in tyre failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

According to documents filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on 7 October and published on 30 October, the affected models were manufactured between 23 April 2013 and 22 August2014.

Chrysler reports that it will notify owners and dealers will update the TPMS module with new software, which suggests the fault is software-based. The recall began
At the start of November 2014.