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.
The horn often does not honk when the center of the steering wheel is pushed. Several times, I have tried to honk and was unable to. One has to push hard and then "search" for the spot that will make the horn honk. This is a serious problem for me, but Chrysler has not helped me.
The evaporator heater coil and expansion valve malfunctioned. Prior to this, the air conditioner was not cooling the van. This happened since January 2002. The consumer was told by the manufacturer there was no recall on the above parts. The battery had been replaced on four occasions, the rear brake drums, the serpentine belt and tensioner had been replaced. Also the horn, driver seat rack and grill were replaced.
Began as intermittent horn and cruise control functions, then an airbag light, now all three are continuously inoperative. I diagnosed the problem myself, got a $200 estimate from the dealer to replace the clock spring. Have not yet had vehicle repaired as yet due to cost; am awaiting recall notification from manufacturer.
Air bag light stays on, horn and cruise control doesn't work since light has been on. Dealer wants $500+ to fix. Several other Chrysler owbners have this problem.
- Chicago, IL, USA
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My 'air bag' light flickered for a month and then finally stayed on. I discovered my horn did not work, or the cruise control. I replaced the fuses, and the problem continued. I contacted my repair shop and was told other minivans had the same proble. He referred me to the dealer. The dealer was well aware of the problem and told me it was the "clockswitch". it would cost approximately $250 to repair. He informed me that my air bag does not work, in addition to the cruise control and horn. I researched the web and found many others have the same problem. I contacted Chrysler, they claim it is not a defect and not a reall. This should be a recall since over 124,511 of these parts have been replaced, at the owner's expense, and who knows how many vehicles are out there where the operators are unaware their air bag will not deploy. This is a sfety issue!!!!!! please investigate!!!
Air bag light remains on while driving. Horn and cruise control were inoperative. Dealer notified, and they replaced the clock spring. Feel free to provide any further information.
The airbag warning light came on in June. I contacted the dealer and was told that it was the clockspring without them even looking at it. They also told me that my cruise control and horn would fail next. Sure enough, about a week later the cruise control and horn ceased to function. I have a friend with a 1997 Caravan with the same problem. If the dealer knew what was wrong with it sight unseen, that indicates that this is a common problem. I see that there is an open investigation (NHTSA action#EA01007) into this very problem, and I hope that it results in a recall soon. The dealer wants almost $300 to fix it.
The clock spring controls the air bag system, horn and cruise control system. I was told by the repair technician at the dealership that the part(clock spring) has failed on other vehicals and that Chrysler has recalls on some of these vehicals for the same part.
Brought vehicle to Chrysler dealer in bloomington, mn. They said that this was a common failure in Chrysler mini vans. However, it is not a Chrysler problem, but up to the owner to repair. Estimated at $300 cost. Also called chysler corporate customer service, same ansewer: Too bad, they errored at my expense. This is a family vehicle and I don't consider the horn and airbags frills. Additionally, I understand that Chrysler has already replaced over 124,000 of these parts at owner expense.
Horn is not working. Took vehicle to dealer to check on horn, and found that clock spring was broken. Also, air bags were nor working. This is a safety hazard, and consumer should be notified of this.
The clock spring seems to be a very common safety failure in the 1997 Chrysler Town and country minivan. This clock spring provides power for major safety components including the airbag and horn..
While driving with cruise control activated could not disengage that system by the steering column, and had to apply brakes to stop vehicle. Also, horn has failed to function. Dealership has examined vehicle, and determined that clock spring was the component that needed to be replaced. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- San Francisco, CA, USA