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.
My 2001 Town and country has 46, 000 miles. With no prior warning it suddenly lost power and was unable to accelerate. A loud whining sound was heard. By the time I coasted into my neighborhood I had no power. Vehicle towed to dealership 2 days ago. Warranty up 2 months and 10000 miles ago. Was told probably would need new transmission. $1900 best scenario/$3300 worse case. Will not find out for 2 more days. Why would a car with 46000 miles need a new transmission. Other things that have happened that I haven't even ventured to get fixed due to financial issues include: Back power latch will not work. I sometimes can't even get the hatch open manually. The sliding doors make an ungodly grinding noise when they open and close; my radio was replaced after approximately 11000 miles because it was short circuiting out the electrical components in the dash; I also had to have the front rotors replaced at 11000 miles(they were defective). Also, my front drivers seat power adjustments are broken( god know how much that would cost me to get fixed) my brakes have never felt "right" my husband hates to drive the van because it feels like the brakes are too soft and won't engage when needed. I have had them replaced at a different shop at 36,000 miles though I truly feel it is a mechanical flaw. Despite more times then I care to say of bringing it in to be checked the car still pulls to the right. Nothing has helped this matter. I guess the big thing that gets me is the transmission issues. I am truly discouraged. A 30000 dollar vehicle should not have these problems. I thought I was getting a higher end quality vehicle for $30000 but I guess all I got was an expensive lemon that I am stuck with because I still owe 2 years on it. Obviously by all the reports I have read the transmission is a big problem. Chrysler should own up to these problems and fix them for their customers or soon they won't have any customers left.
Air bag sensor light blinks on and off. A recall was issued on the clock spring, however this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The vehicle had numerous problems such as steering problems, sliding problems, brake and acceleration problems, a strong odor of gas and thefront sway bars and rear shocks were replaced
The check engine light came on on my 2001 Town & Country minivan. The very next day, the transmission failed. I had it towed to my Chrysler dealer, where they told me that the planetary gear had failed causing catastrophic transmission damage, which required $2,700 worth of repairs. The vehicle only had 62,000 miles and had never been used as a tow vehicle. I would like an investigation into why a relatively newer vehicle should have this kind of catastrophic transmission failure at such a relatively low mileage. The vehicle had been dealer serviced.
While traveling at 60 mph on the interstate the vehicle suddenly stopped. The vehicle was towed. The mechanic stated the transmission was defective. The transmission solenoid pack leaked. The consumer started hearing some clanking noise from the engine area.
I purchased the vehicle in November of 2002 used with 47,000 miles. The vehicle would buck when it switched to high gear. I took the vehicle back to the dealership at which time they replaced the torque converter. The vehicle then began a loud rattling noise when the air compressor was engaged. The dealer informed me that I needed a new air compressor, I refused the service noting that my air conditioner, defrost and all other functions were there. After a month, the final solution was a loose bolt holding the alternator. I have had the ignition replaced, this was the 2nd time in a year the vehicle left my family stranded. Now, a year and a half and 60,000 miles later, my transmission has once again failed with the diagnosis a torque converter problem. The repair requires a complete overhaul for a mere $2,500. Most vehicles don't require a transmission be replaced even once, let alone twice or every 50,000 miles.
- Noblesville, IN, USA
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Transmission started shuddering and slipping. Vehicle operation was unsafe. Vehicle taken to dealer and they stated premature failure of lower planetary gear set and torque convertor failure. Stated vehicle not covered under warranty. Dealer invoice states lower reverse planetary gearset "came apart"
While driving 55 to 60 mph, consumer heard a loud unknown sound. Also, transmission indicator light was flashing. While pulling vehicle over consumer noticed vehicle would not accelerate. Vehicle was towed to dealership, and technician determined that transmission failed, and needed to be replaced.
Consumer noticed that after shifting vehicle from park to drive and when accelerator pedal was depressed vehicle would not move forward. Dealership serviced vehicle and noticed that transmission needed to be replaced.
Nar 04/10/2003 the consumer experienced four different occasions where the vehicle was malfunctioning, the check engine would flash on and the vehicle would start shaking, and wouldn't move. The car has been placed in the shop several times and the problem was not identified until after the 4 incident and it was determined that the vehicle needed and entire transmission. The consumer has made repeated inquires to the dealership and still no response, the vehicle is unsafe and cannot be adequately repaired. Please give acceptable solution in repairing vehicle.
While driving and when shifting from first to second gear the entire vehicle vibrated. Dealership overhauled the transmission, and replaced several transmission components, but the problem recurred.
Transmission failed, and the wheels locked up. The problem was caused by a violent bucking of the vehicle as the transmission failed and locking up the front end of the vehicle. The initial bucking up of the vehicle occurred between 15 to 20 mph, and the locking up of the wheel at 5 mph. Vehicle was towed to dealership and service manager that parts for transmission was on back order and will be available at least a week. Consumer decided to tow the vehicle to a different repair facility and was able to acquire the parts over night and repair the transmission. After the repair, the dealer presented the damaged transmission to consumer and it showed damage on the gears with most of it are in the gear's innermost part. Also, the dealer's estimation was the cause of the problem was a bearing failure which led to a chain reaction and resulted to transmission lock-up. After the violent bucking from transmission failure, engine developed problem of misfiring which was caused by a bad fuel injector and coil pack in the number six cylinder. Consumer believed that it was also caused by transmission failure.
Transmission started a whining sound at about 48,000 miles. This sound is just audible when driving around town. However, after 2 hours on the highway at 65mph it becomes very pronounced. If engine is shut off for 10 minutes the loud whine is back to a "normal" level. This appears to affect nothing else in the vehicle's operation. But it certainly can't be considered normal. We fear taking the van on the road since something in the transmission appears ready for self distruction. Other than a failed battery at 2 years (about 46,000 miles) this is the only problem experienced. This T&C lxi with all the options except power tailgate and 52,000 miles (mostly highway) has been an excellent vehicle to date and this obviously coming transmission problem at this early stage is a disappointment to say the least.
At 50,000 miles my transmission went and chrylser will do nothing to help. A transmission sholud not go at this mileage. I was with my two little kids on a highway and we were lucky we didn't get killed. Not only did chrylser refuse to help, I was treated so horribly by thier "customer service" person, I was astounded. Chysler obviously has big transmissions problems and they can't possibly help all of us. They lost my vote.
47,000 on a single owner 2001 Town and country - serviced regularly - fluids checked at oil changes. I also know of another 2001 Town and country owner whose transmission went out at 52,000.
Automatic transmission failure@ 46,500 miles in 2001 chrys Town & Country: Check engine light on steady; dlr said diagnostics indicate tyranny overheating; changed oil & filter. Light came on again one day later; dealer replaced tyranny solenoid pkg for $350. One week later, with no check engine light, car bucked upon stopping @ end of H'wy off-ramp & briefly refused to move in any fwd gear. Took to dealer who kept it two days but said nff, couldn't duplicate symptom. 2-3 days later took the vehicle on a turnpike trip. While cruising @ speed limit under cruise control, vehicle bucked & went into "limp-mode" as evidenced by tach moving from 2K to 3K RPM. Pulled to side of road; vehicle would not move in any gear(no chk engine light). Had car towed 85 miles to same dealer (South hills Chrysler-Jeep) in peters twp, pa. Had to fight hard with dlr and with daimler chrys cust svc, but dealer replaced tyranny; we pd $1100. Poor quality and poorer dealer service integrity. We were happy to get concessions, but the bad taste remains. Seems many others have had similar widespread experiences. Other potential problem symptoms include: Continuing "steering shudder" with no cause, auto rear lift gate will not open or close automatically with no fix after multiple trips & complaints and too-easily-warped front rotors that cause brake pedal pulsation. Letter was written to Chrysler customer service in auburn hills complaining about excessive cost of solenoid replacement and poor service/treatment by dealer. Bitter verbal complaints were made to the dealer service mgr and the general mgr as well. Customer service did assist mediation of the tyranny problem and did offer a concession on the cost of the solenoid. We have not yet rec'd the monetary refund promised, but it's been only three weeks.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Austin, TX, USA