OFFICIAL: Bent/Cracked Wheels – Reporting to NHTSA (Merged w/previous thread)
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
I have cited numerous case reports of bent and cracked wheels earlier in this thread. Check them all out - they represent just a small representation of instances of wheel issues here. You have offered up nothing to show this problem does not exist.
Also, go back and read my posts and tell me where I said the problem doesn't exist. You won't find that.
You seem to inject a lot of hidden meaning to my statements that I didn't say nor that I meant. I think that's the source of your confusion WRT this topic.
According to published reports, scientific date was obtained from both the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and they conducted the investigations that eventually led to the charges you referred to.
These 2 agencies are government agencies (state & local). It was the hard work of people within these agencies that led to the charges and subsequent discovery of a software cheat device that Volkswagen employed to defeat emission testing. The upshot of that scandal was a federal district court appointed former FBI Director Robert Mueller as a mediator to oversee the negotiations between claimants, regulators, and Volkswagen, to produce a final "consent decree" by late June 2016 which results in stiff penalties and substantial compensation for affected owners against VW.
What is important to know in both these cases you cited were that it took very large government agencies to conduct exhaustive investigations that led to substantial judgements and penalties to these 2 cars companies.
Both companies initially denied the claims against them but much later in the investigation admitted culpability. Does that surprise you?
You think they would have voluntarily offered up any evidence showing any engineering safety defects if you just had asked them?
Read through the case histories of both the Ford and VW cases you cite. I am not sure who you would suggest would qualify as being worthy of conducting an independent investigation in these cases but you will see it took the government to intercede on behalf of the public otherwise nothing would have happened in these cases.
Large corporations can and do sometimes do bad things. Can you say Erin Brockovich? It is the role of government, to protect it's citizens from the abuses of the powerful.
And do you often argue against yourself?
The problem can be verified. That is why people here are requesting the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration get involved.
This can only be done by owners affected go to their website and file a formal complaint.
They have the resources and the authority to conduct an investigation of this scope and magnitude and get these answers.
While the issue with OEM Corvette wheels and other issues on this forum such as the A8 Shudder and differential Warble problems are nowhere as large in scope as the Ford and VW issue above, there are literally hundreds of smaller issues like these that can be found on the NHTSA's website if you go and read their monthly reports. How do you think vehicle recalls ever get started?
No single entity on this forum has the authority or financially wherewithal to conduct an independent investigation to obtain real answers many forum members here demand.
It is the NHTSA's role to conduct these investigations to see if these cases merit further study - not you or me.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 1,650
I find all your points to be trite and do nothing to further the goal of the OP's thread. You are having difficulty understanding what is actual data, where it originates from, and lack a basic understanding of how government agencies conduct scientific investigations. Arguing for the sake of arguing ends this discussion.
Last edited by MMD; Dec 27, 2018 at 09:51 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 1,209
From: Phoenix, Arizona
I find all your points to be trite and do nothing to further the goal of the OP's thread. You are having difficulty understanding what is actual data, where it originates from, and lack a basic understanding of how government agencies conduct scientific investigations. Arguing for the sake of arguing ends this discussion.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 160
Likes: 105
As some of you know, I’ve had 5 bent and 1 cracked OEM chrome rims on a 2019 GS.
2 rims at 700 miles was filed on my car insurance policy... then I had a back one crack in the seam of where it was put together (warranteed that one) so I felt I was plagued with the rims that had issues after reading on the forum...so I sent Mary Barra a email and someone called me and opened a case. GM changed vendors and I waited 13 weeks on my front rims. 3 days before I got my new rims GM offered us a wheel and tire insurance at no cost to us til 2023... we gladly took it and 6 days after I got my new rims for the front we ran over something and had a flat. Ironic that the GM executive advisor called as we were sitting on the side of the road with the flat. Whatever we ran over punctured the tire and it was still in it. GM person got roadside assistance on the phone and they dispatched a tow truck. 3 hrs later I called back because no one showed up, even after a text I got saying a tow truck was enroute. It was the day before Thanksgiving and had food headed to the beach so our friends drove 1.5 hrs to get us. Ended up leaving the car at a business til Monday. Drove there an met tow truck and he got it to the dealership and they racked the car and guess what? 3 more bent rims!
So this new “wheel and tire insurance” paid for my new tire, straightened one rim and the two that wasn’t repairable are on order. I got my issues resolved and I’m moving on.
So IMO GM knows these rims are issues... are they gonna recall them for a negligent
Manufacturer or design defects? Not until someone is hurt....product liability is what it’s called. That’s all I’m gonna say about that!
2 rims at 700 miles was filed on my car insurance policy... then I had a back one crack in the seam of where it was put together (warranteed that one) so I felt I was plagued with the rims that had issues after reading on the forum...so I sent Mary Barra a email and someone called me and opened a case. GM changed vendors and I waited 13 weeks on my front rims. 3 days before I got my new rims GM offered us a wheel and tire insurance at no cost to us til 2023... we gladly took it and 6 days after I got my new rims for the front we ran over something and had a flat. Ironic that the GM executive advisor called as we were sitting on the side of the road with the flat. Whatever we ran over punctured the tire and it was still in it. GM person got roadside assistance on the phone and they dispatched a tow truck. 3 hrs later I called back because no one showed up, even after a text I got saying a tow truck was enroute. It was the day before Thanksgiving and had food headed to the beach so our friends drove 1.5 hrs to get us. Ended up leaving the car at a business til Monday. Drove there an met tow truck and he got it to the dealership and they racked the car and guess what? 3 more bent rims!
So this new “wheel and tire insurance” paid for my new tire, straightened one rim and the two that wasn’t repairable are on order. I got my issues resolved and I’m moving on.
So IMO GM knows these rims are issues... are they gonna recall them for a negligent
Manufacturer or design defects? Not until someone is hurt....product liability is what it’s called. That’s all I’m gonna say about that!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 120
Likes: 26
From: DC
I agree. This happens enough that I see the complaints everywhere. I will file a complaint too. I am concerned that my OEM tires are part of the problem and I hopeful that by buying the new All Season Michelin's, which are a bit thicker, I can avoid this issue.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 48
This thread is really pretty disturbing. So I bought a 2019 GS vert this past September. Being in New York I got very few miles in before I put it up for winter. Really looking forward to some serious traveling come spring. But roads in the spring can be pretty rough, winter frost heaves and the like. Reading this makes me leary of going anywhere, will I have issues with bent or cracked wheels. I have had 5 previous Corvettes with no issues. Not a good feeling to read about these wheel issues. Makes me wonder if this purchase will be a good choice. Not about to purchase a new set of wheels, I spent enough already. Just reading the above makes me think a full recall is the only acceptable option. I realize that not everyone has issues, but there are enough reports that it will always be in the back of my mind.
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 1,972
Likes: 1,098
From: Texas Hill Country Texas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,800
Likes: 2,653
From: Down south in Dixie
This thread is really pretty disturbing. So I bought a 2019 GS vert this past September. Being in New York I got very few miles in before I put it up for winter. Really looking forward to some serious traveling come spring. But roads in the spring can be pretty rough, winter frost heaves and the like. Reading this makes me leary of going anywhere, will I have issues with bent or cracked wheels. I have had 5 previous Corvettes with no issues. Not a good feeling to read about these wheel issues. Makes me wonder if this purchase will be a good choice. Not about to purchase a new set of wheels, I spent enough already. Just reading the above makes me think a full recall is the only acceptable option. I realize that not everyone has issues, but there are enough reports that it will always be in the back of my mind.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 1,650
This thread is really pretty disturbing. So I bought a 2019 GS vert this past September. Being in New York I got very few miles in before I put it up for winter. Really looking forward to some serious traveling come spring. But roads in the spring can be pretty rough, winter frost heaves and the like. Reading this makes me leary of going anywhere, will I have issues with bent or cracked wheels. I have had 5 previous Corvettes with no issues. Not a good feeling to read about these wheel issues. Makes me wonder if this purchase will be a good choice. Not about to purchase a new set of wheels, I spent enough already. Just reading the above makes me think a full recall is the only acceptable option. I realize that not everyone has issues, but there are enough reports that it will always be in the back of my mind.
My advice is to monitor the air pressure in you tires using your DIC looking for pressure changes out of the norm. Corvette is recommending 30 psi. If in a week 1 tire loses 3-5 pounds and the others are good you need to take a look. I also recommend that whenever you have time, or if you are getting ready to go on a trip put the car up on a set of jacks, or race ramps, or whatever you use. Cracks, when they occur, typically occur in the inside barrel at the lip with the tire. Run your finger along the entire inside tire/rims interface and see if you detect any rough surface or cracks occuring. Also, feel the tire on the inside edge where it meets with the rim and see if you feel any unusual bumps occuring on the tire. From all the pictures I have seen where cracking occured with the wheel these defects were present. As far as bending of the wheels, this may be a little more difficult to detect. I would suggest drive the vehicle on a flat roadway in tour mode. Quiet you exhaust system and turn off the radio. Drive at a constant speed and see if you feel any minor vibrations that seem to change with variations with speed changes. If you do notice anything unusual, you better bring the vehice in for further inspection. Hope this is of some help and good luck.
Last edited by MMD; Dec 28, 2018 at 02:58 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,599
Likes: 12,856
From: Virginia
This thread is really pretty disturbing. So I bought a 2019 GS vert this past September. Being in New York I got very few miles in before I put it up for winter. Really looking forward to some serious traveling come spring. But roads in the spring can be pretty rough, winter frost heaves and the like. Reading this makes me leary of going anywhere, will I have issues with bent or cracked wheels. I have had 5 previous Corvettes with no issues. Not a good feeling to read about these wheel issues. Makes me wonder if this purchase will be a good choice. Not about to purchase a new set of wheels, I spent enough already. Just reading the above makes me think a full recall is the only acceptable option. I realize that not everyone has issues, but there are enough reports that it will always be in the back of my mind.
I believe I'm just going to take Rebel's advise below and not let it worry me until or if it happens. Life is short.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 120
Likes: 26
From: DC
I agree.
Quick question, is there a way to know if your rims are cracked/bent other than going to the stealership? I hit a decent pothole on the highway and am worried. I have overinflated by tires to 33 PSI cold, to try and prevent rim damage. I don't really detect sound or vibration from my wheels so far.
Quick question, is there a way to know if your rims are cracked/bent other than going to the stealership? I hit a decent pothole on the highway and am worried. I have overinflated by tires to 33 PSI cold, to try and prevent rim damage. I don't really detect sound or vibration from my wheels so far.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 1,650
I agree.
Quick question, is there a way to know if your rims are cracked/bent other than going to the stealership? I hit a decent pothole on the highway and am worried. I have overinflated by tires to 33 PSI cold, to try and prevent rim damage. I don't really detect sound or vibration from my wheels so far.
Quick question, is there a way to know if your rims are cracked/bent other than going to the stealership? I hit a decent pothole on the highway and am worried. I have overinflated by tires to 33 PSI cold, to try and prevent rim damage. I don't really detect sound or vibration from my wheels so far.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 546
Likes: 89
As some of you know, I’ve had 5 bent and 1 cracked OEM chrome rims on a 2019 GS.
2 rims at 700 miles was filed on my car insurance policy... then I had a back one crack in the seam of where it was put together (warranteed that one) so I felt I was plagued with the rims that had issues after reading on the forum...so I sent Mary Barra a email and someone called me and opened a case. GM changed vendors and I waited 13 weeks on my front rims. 3 days before I got my new rims GM offered us a wheel and tire insurance at no cost to us til 2023... we gladly took it and 6 days after I got my new rims for the front we ran over something and had a flat. Ironic that the GM executive advisor called as we were sitting on the side of the road with the flat. Whatever we ran over punctured the tire and it was still in it. GM person got roadside assistance on the phone and they dispatched a tow truck. 3 hrs later I called back because no one showed up, even after a text I got saying a tow truck was enroute. It was the day before Thanksgiving and had food headed to the beach so our friends drove 1.5 hrs to get us. Ended up leaving the car at a business til Monday. Drove there an met tow truck and he got it to the dealership and they racked the car and guess what? 3 more bent rims!
So this new “wheel and tire insurance” paid for my new tire, straightened one rim and the two that wasn’t repairable are on order. I got my issues resolved and I’m moving on.
So IMO GM knows these rims are issues... are they gonna recall them for a negligent
Manufacturer or design defects? Not until someone is hurt....product liability is what it’s called. That’s all I’m gonna say about that!
2 rims at 700 miles was filed on my car insurance policy... then I had a back one crack in the seam of where it was put together (warranteed that one) so I felt I was plagued with the rims that had issues after reading on the forum...so I sent Mary Barra a email and someone called me and opened a case. GM changed vendors and I waited 13 weeks on my front rims. 3 days before I got my new rims GM offered us a wheel and tire insurance at no cost to us til 2023... we gladly took it and 6 days after I got my new rims for the front we ran over something and had a flat. Ironic that the GM executive advisor called as we were sitting on the side of the road with the flat. Whatever we ran over punctured the tire and it was still in it. GM person got roadside assistance on the phone and they dispatched a tow truck. 3 hrs later I called back because no one showed up, even after a text I got saying a tow truck was enroute. It was the day before Thanksgiving and had food headed to the beach so our friends drove 1.5 hrs to get us. Ended up leaving the car at a business til Monday. Drove there an met tow truck and he got it to the dealership and they racked the car and guess what? 3 more bent rims!
So this new “wheel and tire insurance” paid for my new tire, straightened one rim and the two that wasn’t repairable are on order. I got my issues resolved and I’m moving on.
So IMO GM knows these rims are issues... are they gonna recall them for a negligent
Manufacturer or design defects? Not until someone is hurt....product liability is what it’s called. That’s all I’m gonna say about that!
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,496
Likes: 856
From: Walhalla South Carolina
I agree.
Quick question, is there a way to know if your rims are cracked/bent other than going to the stealership? I hit a decent pothole on the highway and am worried. I have overinflated by tires to 33 PSI cold, to try and prevent rim damage. I don't really detect sound or vibration from my wheels so far.
Quick question, is there a way to know if your rims are cracked/bent other than going to the stealership? I hit a decent pothole on the highway and am worried. I have overinflated by tires to 33 PSI cold, to try and prevent rim damage. I don't really detect sound or vibration from my wheels so far.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 1,650
she has run flats (ZP->Zero Pressure) see jen's post #1:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-tires-3.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-tires-3.html
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,041
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
I've read many of the posts on this subject and some of the threads on the C7 forum. Just a comment about contacting NHTSA. Moving forward with this complaint may yield results, but I'd be surprised if it did. Have there been any accidents where it was determined a bent rim caused the wreck? Where there any serious injuries? I can tell you that there will be no action by the NHTSA unless there are accidents with confirmation that the bent rims in question caused the wreck and that said accidents caused or reasonably could cause serious injuries or death.
I've followed up on three instances where NHTSA took action. In each case there were serious injuries and/or death.
Also everyone should be aware that NHTSA can not make a company take action. They can only tell the firm they will take the issue to court. Depending on how serious the issue is will determine the type of action they seek within the legal system. In two of the instances that I followed up on, the corrective action was less expensive than fighting the NHTSA in court and, the NHTSA had slam/dunk type evidence that the problem would re-occur with the expectation of personal injury.
The third instance, some of you may be familiar with. Jeep Grand Cherokees had a problem with the placement of the gas tank. When these vehicles were hit in the rear, the tank could split leading to a possible fire and/or explosion. Deaths had resulted directly from the fire directly traced to the gas tanks leaking following a wreck. After several deaths, NHTSA took action. They issued their expected corrective action to Chrysler. They (Chrysler) said "No, see you in court". The NHTSA again threatened court action, Chrysler basically said, OK, see you in court. After much negotiation, the NHTSA agreed to a corrective action that involved less than half of the cars they originally wanted corrected and the "action" taken by Chrysler cost a fraction of what NHTSA originally wanted and the action provided less protection than what NHTSA wanted. But NHTSA realized that with that minimal corrective action, they probably would lose in a court fight, so they agreed to the Chrysler proposal.
It has already been mentioned that C6 owners took leaking gas tanks to NHTSA, with multiple instances submitted and nothing was done. I don't recall anyone being injured or killed by these gas tank leaks. Bent wheels may not measure up to what NHTSA thinks is serious enough to take action.
My point is, even if you are successful in getting NHTSA attention, even if they decide the issue is serious enough to take back to GM, there's no guarantee that GM will agree or that any final action will satisfy what many here expect. I don't want to discourage anyone from taking action by filing with NHTSA, but I would recommend seeking other means to obtain action from GM in addition to contacting NHTSA.
I've followed up on three instances where NHTSA took action. In each case there were serious injuries and/or death.
Also everyone should be aware that NHTSA can not make a company take action. They can only tell the firm they will take the issue to court. Depending on how serious the issue is will determine the type of action they seek within the legal system. In two of the instances that I followed up on, the corrective action was less expensive than fighting the NHTSA in court and, the NHTSA had slam/dunk type evidence that the problem would re-occur with the expectation of personal injury.
The third instance, some of you may be familiar with. Jeep Grand Cherokees had a problem with the placement of the gas tank. When these vehicles were hit in the rear, the tank could split leading to a possible fire and/or explosion. Deaths had resulted directly from the fire directly traced to the gas tanks leaking following a wreck. After several deaths, NHTSA took action. They issued their expected corrective action to Chrysler. They (Chrysler) said "No, see you in court". The NHTSA again threatened court action, Chrysler basically said, OK, see you in court. After much negotiation, the NHTSA agreed to a corrective action that involved less than half of the cars they originally wanted corrected and the "action" taken by Chrysler cost a fraction of what NHTSA originally wanted and the action provided less protection than what NHTSA wanted. But NHTSA realized that with that minimal corrective action, they probably would lose in a court fight, so they agreed to the Chrysler proposal.
It has already been mentioned that C6 owners took leaking gas tanks to NHTSA, with multiple instances submitted and nothing was done. I don't recall anyone being injured or killed by these gas tank leaks. Bent wheels may not measure up to what NHTSA thinks is serious enough to take action.
My point is, even if you are successful in getting NHTSA attention, even if they decide the issue is serious enough to take back to GM, there's no guarantee that GM will agree or that any final action will satisfy what many here expect. I don't want to discourage anyone from taking action by filing with NHTSA, but I would recommend seeking other means to obtain action from GM in addition to contacting NHTSA.
Last edited by roadbike56; Jan 2, 2019 at 12:08 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 4,754
Likes: 1,650
Fyi nhtsa
I've read many of the posts on this subject and some of the threads on the C7 forum. Just a comment about contacting NHTSA. Moving forward with this complaint may yield results, but I'd be surprised if it did. Have there been any accidents where it was determined a bent rim caused the wreck? Where there any serious injuries? I can tell you that there will be no action by the NHTSA unless there are accidents with confirmation that the bent rims in question caused the wreck and that said accidents caused or reasonably could cause serious injuries or death.
Also everyone should be aware that NHTSA can not make a company take action. They can only tell the firm they will take the issue to court. Depending on how serious the issue is will determine the type of action they seek within the legal system. In two of the instances that I followed up on, the corrective action was less expensive than fighting the NHTSA in court and, the NHTSA had slam/dunk type evidence that the problem would re-occur with the expectation of personal injury.
My point is, even if you are successful in getting NHTSA attention, even if they decide the issue is serious enough to take back to GM, there's no guarantee that GM will agree or that any final action will satisfy what many here expect. I don't want to discourage anyone from taking action by filing with NHTSA, but I would recommend seeking other means to obtain action from GM in addition to contacting NHTSA.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.do...lls_808795.pdf
Information presented in this brochure contradicts your post. This brochure states on page 1: "The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act gives NHTSA the authority to issue vehicle safety standards and to require manufacturers to recall vehicles that have safety-related defects or do not meet Federal safety standards."
The brochure goes on "Manufacturers voluntarily initiate many of these recalls, while others are either influenced by NHTSA investigations or ordered by NHTSA via the courts . If a safety defect is discovered, the manufacturer must notify NHTSA, as well as vehicle or equipment owners, dealers, and distributors. The manufacturer is then required to remedy the problem at no charge to the owner." These statements counter your claims regarding what the NHTSA cannot do.
Bent wheels may not measure up to what NHTSA thinks is serious enough to take action.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,934
Likes: 4,257
From: NC
Interesting....I hit a pothole the other week that damaged the sidewall of my front tire and it had to be replaced. The wheel was fine. 2014 base Corvette with 18/19 wheels.
All these bent wheel threads seem to be started by new members....
All these bent wheel threads seem to be started by new members....
Last edited by jimmyb; Jan 3, 2019 at 10:31 PM.