This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
(I believe this is a safety issue.) I have a 1996 Chrysler Town & Country. The windshield wipers turn on at will. Straight road, right turns, left turns - they just turn on for no reason at all. It is very startling. My local dealership said they're well aware of the problem, have always known about it, but it's my problem which I can take care of at my own expense. I think perhaps it should be looked at as a recall/safety issue. Your form asks for an incident date which I will put down, but this is an on-going *daily* issue. The date I put is the date I purchased the car.
Our problem resides (as we've been told by the local Chrysler dealer and numerous mechanics) within the steering column in the windshield wiper activator switch. I can't tell you how many times the wipers come on (not turned on) all by themselves when you turn the key to start the engine. To compound the problem, they usually don't want to turn off either, despite repeated attempts at turning the switch on & off and even shutting off and re-starting the engine numerous times. Eventually, you can get them to shut off. We have discussed this problem with friends and acquaintences whom also own Chrysler, Dodge and/or Plymouth mini-vans and most of them report the same problem. Every Chrysler dealer service manager and repair shop mechanic I've talked to is well acquainted with this same problem. The problem has now progressed into what I now consider a safety issue. This same electrical snafu in the steering column is now affecting the electronics (I'm guessing) which control the shifting in the automatic transmission. If, while you are driving, it begins to rain, and you turn on the windshield wipers; the transmission will shift down into low gear. This is especially hazardous at highway speeds on wet pavement. It will not shift out of low unless you bring the vehicle to a complete stop; shut off the engine and re-start it. Once again, not a safe maneuver along a busy highway. Beginning again, the vehicle will shift back into low as soon as you achieve sufficient ground speed for the transmission to reach "drive". needless to say, who knows how much damage or strain and wear this is placing on the transmission needlessly. First and foremost, I see this more and more, not just an inconvenience, but a real safety issue with this vehicle. My wife is afraid to drive this mini-van if rain or snow is forecasted for theday. I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts and would appreciate a reply if possible.
When making a turn with air conditioning on vehicle will shut completely down, causing a loss of power. The dealer has been contacted. Condensation from the A/C was falling on the elctrical component causing the vehicle to die this occurs because of the flaw in design. Sliding door sticks. Windshield wipers failed. Hazard device failed. Horn malfunctions. Air bags failed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mount Vernon, WA, USA