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 1999 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that the heated passenger side seat caught fire. The vehicle sustained approximately $10,000 worth of damages. The failure began while the contact was driving at an unknown speed, and the seat began smoking. He pulled off the road and the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department arrived at the scene. A police report was filed. Chrysler stated that there were no defects and the failure was due to how the vehicle was driven by the owner. There were no injuries. The current and failure mileages were 178,000.
1999 Chrysler Town & Country limited: Problem(s) worsening - becoming more frequent over last 3 yrs: Start van, runs 5-10 secs, then shuts off, disconnect battery-wait 3 mins, cranked in beginning, now only 50/50: Security system activates and shut system down 24 hrs, disconnect battery but no startl 24 hours, had new key made at dealership use VIN, problems persists: Rear vent windows stopped working, changed motors and switches, problem continues: Heater in seats recalled, dealer replaced; heaters on recall but would not replace bottom cover(leather)has hole from where heater burning through, now heaters come on/off at will: Gauges go off with engine running, back on when they get ready: Radio and power windows intermittent: Transmission will not shift from first when exiting interstate after traveling in od for 100 miles, happened 3-4 times, not continuous: Alarm sounds in middle of night and when standing in street 25ft+ behind the van; manufactured on 4/17/98 so 1999 has mostly 1998 parts, real problematic when purchasing parts: Note: Have two 1999 T&C limiteds, one having these problems the other (red) only paint clear coat peeling; had to tow van several times. Now having the instrument cluster and lock switch in driver's door replace. Next step change BCM: I am throwing $1S at van, dealerships (more than one) say no idea causation. Dealer has replaced battery, cables, belt, maintenance on transmission +). your url from chat rooms and forums. Many others having same or similar problems. No luck with their local dealerships either. Have owned many Chrysler and Dodge products, these may be last! thank you. Pastor steve randall
My 1999 Chrysler Town and country limited mini van driver seat caught fire when the seat warmer was on. The seat got very hot about 1 minute before and then smoke came up in front of me while I was driving and I looked down and saw flames. I put it out and turned off the seat. We purchased the vehicle in 2001. At the time of the purchase, the driver's seat warmer was not working and as part of our sale the dealership replaced the entire seat with a brand new one to correct the problem. Also, at the time of incident my passenger sliding door will not open from the inside. So, had the fire spread my passengers in the back would not have been able to open the door from the inside of the car. Someone would have had to let them out from the outside of the car. We have had the locks replaced in the past 2 years due to the car locking itself and locks not working from both outside and inside.
Our 1999 Chrysler Town & Country's heated driver's seat developed a hot spot last winter. I took it to the dealership 6/23/04 to have a number of problems addressed, including the heated seat. They told us it checked out ok and that they couldn't find a hot spot, even though we knew there was. They said it was safe and that anyway the seat wasn't a warranted part. Because they said it would cost approx. $900 to replace, we decided not to do it. Also, because they said it was safe, I started using the heater again when the weather turned cold, although I had to keep turning it off when it got too hot. On January 18, 2005, I drove about 20 miles on the freeway, and when I got out of the car I noticed a burn hole in the seat--about 3/8" across--just in the location that had always felt too hot. I felt lucky that it hadn't burst into flames while I was on the freeway! I was really upset and took it into the dealership. They told me that there was no problem with these seats, but they offered to "share" the cost of replacement. The cost of the seat has now gone up to $1100, and they want us to pay $700 of that. I'm going to get the seat replaced because it's a safety issue, but I don't think we should have to pay for a faulty part. After the most recent incident, we started to do some research and discovered that quite a few other complaints have been made to NHTSA. I downloaded report #PE00-034 which was quite informative. I contacted Chrysler's recall department today and was told that the "situation is under investigation." Then I spoke to customer assistance, where I was told that they couldn't do any better that the $700 "co-pay." Chrysler should not get away with not addressing this problem, just because there haven't been major injuries yet. Also, it does not seem right that customers should have to pay to replace what is quite obviously a defective component. I will ask the dealership to give me the burned seat when they replace it.
Complaint received via E-mail."the driver side front heater seat malfunctioned and burned a 3/8 diameter hole in the center of the bottom cushion. Never been smoked in. " the consumer was told by the dealer a notice had been received from the manufacturer but a recall was never issued.
- Garner, NC, USA
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I have a 1999 Chrysler Town and country van. It has all the options and I puchased this vehicle brand new. I have taken excellent care of it. The problem is that the drivers seat, leather with heat, is overheating in one area. It gets so hot that it burns the back of my leg. If I leave the heat on for more than 1 minute, I can smell burning leather. I know that if I left it on, it would probably catch fire. I can see a small spot on the seat where the leather has actually burned. Unfortunately, I cannot use this feature anymore. It is too dangerous. I am courious as to other incidents of this same thing hppening.
After the vehicle started up driver's automatic seat heater overheated, causing driver to sustain minor burns. Consumer was able to drive vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not determine the cause of the problem.
The heated seats continue to get hot after turning the temperature down. Consumer stated it made it hard to drive when the seat continued to get hot. Consumer could turn them off altogether, but could not use the seat heater.....
1) use of heated seat. 2) twice, heated seat overheated. Each time it burnt a hole through the leather, and the last time it was smoldering. 3) contacted Chrysler, but safety from possible fire was not their concern. They were not interested in dealing with this problem because of the the age and milage of the vechile. They responded that my concern, especially in light of the expense and inconvience involved in this issue, was understnadable, but that my request for considerationin this matter must be declined. Imagine that... expense and inconvience (their's of course) outweighs in their minds the issue of safety. As I review other complaints to the NHTSA I recognize a common thread with there heated seats. It obviously takes more than burning someone, or even burning a hole in the seat and then smoldering to address the issue of this fire hazard. I certainly hope that someone doesn't have to die from a car fire before action is taken.
On two separate occasions driver's seat heater burned through the seat. Dealer replaced the seat on the first occasion. Currently, the problem has recurred. The dealer was notified again. Dealer informed consumer that the seat will be replaced at consumer's expense.
The vehicle was equipped with heated seats. The owner took the vehicle to the dealer to have the seats checked. The problem was not detected. Now, the passenger seats are over heating also. The owner had the seats replaced on two seperate occassions. Provide further details. The consumer stated that all four seats failed. Both front seats had burn holes in them. The consumer heard a noise coming from the front of the vehicle when going over bumps. The consumer was told that the strut tower went bad and had it replaced. The consumer complained that a vibration is felt while driving as if the vehicle drove on four flat tires. The consumer heard a whining noise when using the am radio which only happed when using the brake.
Last year while I was driving the driver's seat went on fire. It burned a small hole in the seat and caused a severe blister on my leg before I switched it off. The dealer said it would be over $1100 to fix it. I today read all the reports on line about this problem, so I am now reporting it. I do not understand why something as dangerous as this is not the subject of a recall.
While driving with the seat heater on consumer saw that the seat heater had burned a hole through the bottom of the passenger seat. When the consumer touched the seat it was very hot and smelled of noxious fumes.
Driver side heated seat would become very hot after 3 to 4 min. I would often have to suddenly locate the switch while driving to prevent being burned. On 1/25/04 I had just started driving with the seat heater on but got out of the car to talk to my sister. After about ten minutes I returned to my car (still running) to find it full of smoke. I also noticed a hole burned through the leather seat and a smoking wire showing through. This area is at a seam near the middle of the seat. I feel that this is a major safety hazard. The heat switch is located on the side of the seat and is often knocked on without my knowledge. I fear the passenger seat may also burn up since it is often not occupied but in the on position. I noticed in my 2003 version of the same van, the seat heat switches are on the dash instead. The Chrysler parts dept. Tells me it will be over $800 each just for the seat cover/heater unit. I have read about similar seat fires in other 1999 Town & Country vans.
Re: 1999 Chrysler minivan seat heater overheat failure. VIN: [xxx]. on 11/28/03, the subject passenger seat heater overheated, producing smoke and significant odor. As soon as it was evident that the seat heater was the cause, the heater was manually switched off before the heater failure had an opportunity to reach its' natural conclusion. Afterwards, a burn hole was visibly evident in the top center portion of the seat cushion, approx. 10mm in size. Damage internal to the seat was not examined by myself. Upon contacting service at siemens car service and purchase point for the vehicle 11/28/03 and 12/1/03 (bridgman, Michigan), I was referred to Chrysler Corp. Upon contacting Chrysler Corp 12/1/03 (ph. 800-992-1997, spoke with emelia, complaint no. [xxx]) I was told that, because the vehicle was beyond its' warranty period, there is nothing Chrysler would do regarding the overheat failure; they simply documented my concern. My family (wife [xxx] and three children), present during the overheat failure, were signficantly concerned by the smoke and odor. Updated 07/30/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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- Houston, PA, USA