Mazda hubcaps rotate and cut valve stems.

Hi,

Last fall I had the Mazda dealer replace the tires on my 2002 Protege
lease. Shortly after that, I noticed that the front hubcaps had rotated
(ie. turned on the steel wheel) and bent over the valve stems almost 90
dergrees. Fyi, the rear hubcaps are not spinning on the wheel.

The dealer told me there was some kind of warrany due to hub caps
cracking, so they supplied me with a new set that appeared exactly the
same as the old set. Fyi, I inspected the old hubcaps and I could not
see any cracking.

Several months later, I noticed that these new hub caps had rotated and
either cut through or broke the stem at the base. So I had the stem
replaced at the local garage. I have removed the front hubcaps for now
for the obviuos safety concerns.

The only thing I can even think of is that the new tires are that "V"
design that is supposed to great on water and perhaps they are messing
with the air flow around the wheel and somehow turning the hubcaps. But
since these hubcaps go on nice and tight, I find that scenario hard to
believe.

I spoke to Mazda well over a week ago and they told me that thier tech
people would review my complaint and have the dealer call me. Well, no
calls and I'm not surprised somehow.

Has anyone ever heard of something like this hub cap rotation
happening?

I look forward to your replies.

Regards,
Brcobrem