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 contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Town and country. While driving in rainy weather conditions approximately 40 mph, there was a loss of power steering without warning and the illumination of the battery warning indicator. The contact drove to the side of the road and the engine was turned off. Upon inspecting the vehicle she noticed the serpentine belt detached which was reconnected. The vehicle resumed normally and was taken to an independent mechanic where the serpentine belt, tensioner pulley and idler pulley were replaced. The alternator and water pump were replaced at different times because the technician assumed the components contributed to the malfunction; however the problem continued after the repairs. The faulty serpentine belt caused the failure and would occur whenever driving in the rain. The serpentine belt had been replaced four different times. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Town and country. The contact was driving approximately 40 mph the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contacts place of resident. A local mechanic performed a diagnostic on the vehicle and no failure codes displayed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 151,000.
Engine spontaneously started on fire and fire destroyed the entire vehicle. Owner just purchased the vehicle 1 week prior to this occurring from a dealership. All of a sudden, there was smoke everywhere while driving on the interstate, and within 3-4 minutes of pulling to the side of the road due to smoke occurring, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The owner is 9 months pregnant, and there were 3 young children also in the vehicle when this occurred. Fire fighters told the owners that if they had continued to drive the vehicle another 100 feet, the vehicle would have blown up with all occupants still inside. The vehicle/all engine parts are completely destroyed. The pregnant owner suffered severe smoke inhalation and barely escaped fetal death due to severe smoke inhalation.
The contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that one year ago upon starting his vehicle he noticed that it would start and then it would shut off. The alarm system on the vehicle armed itself when the ignition was turned off and the vehicle would not start until it was reset. The contact stated that the reset option failed to function. A diagnostic test was being performed by a Chrysler dealer for repairs. The dealer informed the contact that the body control module needed to be replaced at the owners expense for approximately $1100. The owner stated that Chrysler was aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The current mileage was 156,000.
1998 Town and country will stop right after starts. After 3 times it will longer start. Have replaced the engine module for $250. This has fixed the problem for atleast 2 years. When it started again I replaced the module again. It is still working after 14 months. Cheaper than taking to dealer and easy to replace.
- Half Moon Bay, CA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I have a 1998 Chrysler Town & Country van. The fan belt slipped off during a rain storm, stranding me and my two small children. I was told by the auto mechanic that it is a common problem with the Chrysler Town & Country models 1996-2000. I had to buy a "gates" fan belt kit to fix the problem. Two years later and six kits later the fan belt is still giving me problems. Chrysler should fix this known defect.
When going through average size puddle, serpentine belt came off. This disables all steering control and alternator/coolant system, etc. This is definitely a safety issue. Have replaced belt myself numerous times. Failure of tensioner and 2 other pulleys eventually needed at cost of $300+. waiting for it to happen again... I see this is an ongoing problem.
The contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that the vehicle fails to start sometimes and has been towed twice. While the engine is running, the gauges will go to zero and the instrument panel lights dim. When idling, the vehicle will shut off and several warning indicator lights will illuminate. The mechanic and the dealer were unable to determine the cause of failure. The current mileage is 121,000 and failure mileage was 119,900.
- the contact owns a 1993 Chrysler Town and country. While driving 10 miles or more and accelerating the vehicle shook. The contact stated it was not related to the steering. The front axle was replaced 3 times, new tires were installed, the wheels were rotated to ensure they weren't bent, and new motor mounts were installed and the failure continued to occur. This failure had occurred for over 2 years. The dealer and the transmission mechanic were unable to diagnose the vehicle. The ABS and brake warning lights illuminated each time the engine was turned on and stayed on for a 1/4 of a mile. This failure occurred for more than one year. The dealer stated that the failure was due to the ABS pump. The current and failure mileage was 130,000.
While driving 30-35 mph the vehicle caught fire under the hood. The consumer was able to pull over until the local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. How the fire got started was not determined.
First problem occurred three days after we purchased this used. Transmission locked into neutral and would not disengage. This happened while driving. Vehicle had to be towed. Rebuilt transmission cost $1500. Got it back and 4 days later the fan to cool the engine went out. In the shop another 2 days costing an additional $180. Feel like I am hemmorhaging money on this car. Left drivers window switch doesn't work at times and window gets stuck in the open position.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Orlando , FL, USA