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.
2001 Chrysler Town & Country limited 3.8L V6. I have had suspension problems from the start. Knocking noises, etc. Replaced tie rods, sway bars, lower control arms and bushings, but done it piecemeal. Many of these items have been repeatedly replaced. Now it has gotten worse--from strictly annoying to downright dangerous. The van jerks approx 6-8 feet left and right into another lane or shoulder in a second. Replaced the lower control arms and reduced the jerks to only 6-8 inches but still drifts. I am again replacing rack & pinion, inner and outter tie rods along with the new control arms. Hopefully this will alleviate the problem--but this repeated repairs has cost more than the van is worth. Not to mention the rapid wear of tires (seem to replace every 10K miles).
I own a 2001 Chrysler Town and country minivan and recently took it to a mechanic for inspection to see what work needed to be done in order to take the vehicle on a 1,000 mile vacation. The mechanic pointed out that the minivan has a rusted strut tower. It is the tower located on the driver's side. After searching on the internet I see that this is and has been a common failure for Chrysler, Dodge and Pontiac vans. I have been told by several mechanics and body shops that this is a known defect on these vehicles and the failure happens frequently.
I had a thumping noise in the front right side of my 2001 T&C with about 68000 miles. I took it to the mechanic and he changed the sway bar links, driver side idler arm, both struts, both strut bearings. 8 months latter I was back to the same mechanic to fix the noise which had gotten much worse. He changed the ball joints. I drove it for about another 6 months and noticed that the noise had not totally been illuminated and the strut bearings were creaking. I returned to the mechanic and he finally found the noise. He changed the A-arm and bushings on the passenger side. Problem fixed. One year later and it sounds like the drivers side may need replaced. A-arms and bushings are $350. Total repairs: New A-arm and bushings, new struts and strut bearings twice, new ball joints twice, new sway bar links, new idler arms, and 3 front end alignments. There is no recall on any of these repairs and I would like to know why. Total cost of all repairs was about $1900. The second time around on the struts and bearings, ball joints was free. Woo! hoo!
I have a 2001 Chrysler Town and country. I have had it for 7 months. From the time I brought it home we heard a knocking/rattling noise in the front and the steering wheel was whining. We took it back where they supposedly replaced the alternator, water pump, both bushings and the rack and pinion. The noise was still there after, and the mechanic told us that it was a 500 mile break-in period. Then approximately 5 to 6 months later my heat goes out and still the previous problems from before are there. We took it back where they replaced steering pump and ball joints. They were supposed to put 2 new lines on for the heat when instead they put 2 one foot pieces of black rubber hose on and clapped it on both ends covering the leak. On top of that they put the wrong antifreeze in. I have heat whenever it wants to work. Now the dash light works whenever it wants to work and I still have a knocking noise on the front passenger side along with the whining in the steering wheel. We took it back where I purchased it and the mechanic told us that they saw that some kind of ball bearing had a little bit of play in it but they didn't replace it, then because we called the van a lemon we were told to get out and they refused to fix anything else. I have 3 small children under the age of 5 who are with me most of the time. I feel that this van is a danger to myself and my children.
Constant klunking from front end when ever going over bumps, have replace sway bars, on both sides tie rods, cv joints, everything has been replaced on this front end and still makes a klunking noise my sister had the same problem with her Dodge Grand Caravan. Have talked to numerous people that own or have owned Chrysler minivans numerous years and makes and models, with the same problem.
- Plainfield, CT, USA
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The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler Town and country. The contact often hears a lot of rattling noises underneath the vehicle. The failure was heard while driving 5 mph, but occurs at any speed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice for the same failure. The dealer stated that the failure was caused by the front suspension and they replaced the bolts. Within six months, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 70,000. Updated 03/13/08. The sway bar links and bushings were replaced. The consumer stated when she made a turn the steering wheel would become stiff. The dealer replaced the power steering pump and rack as well as the power steering reservoir. The fuel pump was replaced.
2001 Chrysler Town and country experiencing failures with steering, instrument panel, airbags, seat belt wiring harness and transmission. Consumer stated I've had nothing but serious problems with this vehicle since new. Eight front-end and steering failures, 6 instrument panel electronic failures, 4 air bag and seat wiring harness failures and now it seems, a serious transmission problem.
The clock spring was detective. The vehicle was under an extended warranty. However, the dealer would not honor the warranty or make the repairs unless the owner pays out of pocket. There were noise in the front end when turning.
While driving at any speed, the vehicle will not come out of low gear. The dealer replaced the tcm module on the vehicle. Also while driving at any speed, there will be a noise coming from the front wheels. The dealer needed to replace the sway bar bushings. The automatic lift gate on the vehicle would no move up or down on command and needed replacement. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem.
Consumer state that the vehicle veer to the right and she took it to the dealer to look at it and the dealer said it's normal to dift, the vehicle also vibrates while driving, the dealer is aware of this problem but has not fixed it.
There's a very loud whine or growling noise coming from front of the vehicle. Noise is so intense that people are looking at the vehicle as it passes. When sitting at a light and turning steering wheel to left or right noise gets louder with every turn.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ewa Beach, HI, USA