CarComplaints.com Notes: Chances are you didn't want to have to buy a used minivan, but chances are you _also_ didn't realize how much stuff you need to travel with kids. When it comes to hauling around piles of diaper bags and coolers full of snacks, you could do worse than the 2004 Town & Country. Especially when you compare it to the 2005.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,258 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2004 Chrysler Town & Country steering problems

steering problem

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2004 Chrysler Town & Country Owner Comments

problem #12

Sep 292018

Town & Country

  • 242,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

In September 2018 I notice smoke coming underneath the hood and upon opening the hood my friend said that I had a fire in the engine compartment and put the fire out.after calling my insurance company and them towing it to a garage I was informed that a power steering hose had busted that they said caused the fire.I then later online looked up more information and found out that there was a NHTSA campaign:04V386000 concerning the upper power steering hose that may split that can cause a fluid leak that in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood fire like want happen to me.I see there was never a recall on my vehicle but should have been.my van was in my friend's driveway when it happened on a Saturday.

- White Post, VA, USA

problem #11

Oct 162012

Town & Country

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Town and country. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver left or right. The ABS and engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would overheat. The vehicle was taken to boyd Chrysler Jeep of South hill (200 w danville St, South hill, va 23970), but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the diagnostic and repair fees. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000. Consumer stated in the last few months the van has had problems. Smoke comes out of the engine and it has holes in the gas tank and by that it doesn't pass the inspection. Updated 7/26/18

- Brodnax, VA, USA

problem #10

Jun 012016

Town & Country

  • 168,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Town and country. While attempting to make a left or right turn, the contact exerted force to turn the steering wheel. The power steering started to make a whining noise. Once the contact was able to check under the hood of the vehicle, he noticed that there was no power steering fluid left in the power steering canister. The contact had to constantly replace the power steering fluid every couple of days. The contact experienced identical failures as indicated in NHTSA campaign number: 04V386000 (power steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 168,000.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #9

May 022013

Town & Country 6-cyl

  • 128,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This vehicle turns off when driving and there is no power to the car at all, no brakes, steering, headlights and the car can not be restarted, you cant even unlock it too get out or get the windows down. The dash lights go out, check engine light cant be reset, fan and A/C controls never turn off if the car is running and dings and beeps went it wants to like its crying for help.

- Woodbine, MD, USA

problem #8

Aug 282012

Town & Country

  • 69,889 miles
About 3 min after filling up vehicle stalled after pulling out of station. Power steering failed and could not move out of lane. Took a couple of tries to restart and move to safety. Second time this problem has happened. This will cause an accident!!!

- Essex Junction , VT, USA

problem #7

Jan 122010

Town & Country

  • 74,718 miles
My wife was driving our 2004 Chrysler Town and country. She was unable to turn the steering wheel to the left. Luckily she was in a parking lot at low speed and was able to stop. I drove the van around some and the problem would come and go. Took to dealer for repair. $1300 to replace steering rack, pump, etc. I've read that this is a very common problem with this model. Manager at the dealer was in agreement. Told me that the replacement rack should hold up because it was an improvement over the original equipment. Chrysler must realize this is a defect. Hope no one gets killed.

- Eden, NC, USA

problem #6

Feb 152008

Town & Country

  • 16,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We had to get our steering rack replaced (under warranty) at about 16,000 miles because it was groaning and hard to steer. About 16 months after that at about 42,000 miles the van was in for something else and the dealer told me the steering rack was leaking and needed to be replaced for $1100. They did not even warranty the replacement part itself which did not last.

- Morristown, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jan 252009

Town & Country

  • 101,695 miles
Power steering pump was replaced, then started making noise. Turned out to be a leaking upper power steering hose. There was a recall on this vehicle for this hose but our VIN was not included in the recall. We paid to get the hose replaced, and we are wondering if this is a continuing problem with this power steering hose that may affect more vehicles than originally were recalled. I do have the old power steering hose.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #4

Apr 102007

Town & Country

  • 50,000 miles
I have an '04 T and C which I bought a year and a half ago...great vehicle except for the steering whine...brought it in to the dealership and had it filled and bled (to remove supposed air bubbles) more than once...would seem to be improved then go back to same old thing...the noise would start when I started the car in the morning and would be worse in cold weather...was told to turn the wheel while I warmed up the car in the driveway..this seemed to get the groaning under control...one morning I was in a particularly bad mood and turned the wheel pretty violently and as I backed out I saw a puddle of red steering fluid on the ground...all the fluid just gushed out...had to have it towed to the dealership where they found one or more loose clamps in the steering system hoses...the clamps were replaced and the steering fluid filled and no more problem!!! that was several months ago (winter time) and the problem has not resurfaced...but had to go through an awful lot to get to this point...looks like there are a lot of other owners dealing with this problem as well.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #3

Jun 032008

Town & Country 6-cyl

  • 59,000 miles
Rack and pinion steering on my 2004 Chrysler Town and country LX needs to be replaced for a cost of $1,000 per the dealer. My vehicle has only 59,000 miles. Leaks power steering fluid, makes noises when turning, and feels like steering will lock up. Numerous similar complaints have been filed.

- Langhorne, PA, USA

problem #2

Dec 012006

Town & Country 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles
The front bushings on my 2004 Chrysler Town & Country keep failing. I had them repaired under warranty. At that time, the technician reported that this was a common problem, and that an improved bushing would be used. Since, it is again having problems, and the dealer is saying that it needs to be replaced, again. This is a design defect. It seems unreasonable that this part needs continued repair and replacement. Is there a danger involved" do I have to replace it? what happens if I don't replace it" there is nothing about this in the owner's manual, or scheduled maintenance.

- Kensington, MD, USA

problem #1

May 112005

Town & Country 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Town and country. The contact states there is a steering problem. All the dealership that he has taken vehicle to have replaced the rack and pinion. One of the dealership replaced the pump, rack, pinion, and the hoses. But problem recurred. The steering vibrates the entire car when turning. Chrysler tried to repair the car four times. The first time dealer said it was normal, . second time they said it was not normal, and they replaced the rack and pinion. Chrysler told contact to put a 2005 rack and pinion in the vehicle, but it did not fit. They had to go back and put a 2004 but that still did not solve the problem. One week later, they replaced the power steering pump, and still it did not take care of the problem. The zone manager told contact to take the car to another dealership. Car was kept for one week and all they did was replace rack and pinion. However, problem recurred.. one of the dealership planned to advise contact of the lemon law. But they have not contacted him yet. Dealership told him that if someone wanted to fix vehicle to tell him to do so because they had another vehicle. The dealership told him to put a smaller power steering pulley which would increase the speed of the pump which would, in turn, increase the pressure of the pump because the pressure was slow.

- Dallas, TX, USA

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