CarComplaints.com Notes: What the heck happened here? A year after getting our "seal of pretty good" for the 2004, Chrysler turns around and delivers this crapwagon.
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.
This problem has happened multiple times of the prior 2-3 years. We bought the van used and the problem has happened multiple times since purchased. In the rain or when there is standing water on the road, the power steering will fail. This usually happens at lower speeds, and often while lowing down or turning. The power steering will stop temporarily and you lose all control of the vehicle. This has happened to my wife twice while she was turning in traffic. The power steering will start working again usually in less than a minute. It is very dangerous, as you have no control. It only happens when there is standing water in the road during or just after moderate to heavy rain. There have been multiple reports of this problem on the Chrysler forums. We took our van to a mechanic and they replaced the rack and pinion, but the problem has persisted. I have read O N the Chrysler forum where others have replaced the power steering pump, pulleys, belts, etc. And still have the same problem.
When raining or driving through a small puddle, the power steering locks up and I have no control over vehicle. This may last up to 30 seconds before returning to normal. Very dangerous!
I had just started the van to start to exit a parking lot. I was traveling about 5 mph. As I rounded a corner to the exit, the van's engine just shut off. I couldn't steer and the brakes didn't work. I had to coast until the van stopped to the gear in park and attempt a restart. After I was at a complete standstill I was able to change the gear to park and restart the van. After that it didn't stall at all on the ride home.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced brake failure numerous times. The most recent failure occurred while driving through an intersection at approximately 25 mph and the brakes failed to engage. The contact was able to coast the vehicle into a parking area and was able to stop buy engaging the emergency brake. The brake pad and tires were replaced at 18,000 miles, the strut was replaced at 5,000 miles, and the rotors were replaced at 28,000 miles however, the failure was not corrected. The steering wheel made a grinding noise and was hard to turn. In addition, the doors could not be unlocked automatically or manually and sometimes the doors opened independently while driving. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and stated that the brake master cylinder exhibited oil consumption therefore, the vehicle was unsafe to drive and they could not complete the vehicle inspection. The failure mileage was 5,000 and the current mileage was 48,800.
Steering makes noises and rack and pinion is leaking on both sides after 89K miles. Vehicle does not pass state inspection because of that. Chrysler does not cover the repair although it seems to be a manufacturer defect judging from the number of incidents that can be found here or elsewhere on the internet.
- West Chester, PA, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that there was a humming noise coming from the steering area. A local mechanic diagnosed that the power steering pump and line would need to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 128,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that he would hear a noise coming from the steering column while driving approximately 15 mph. The contact replaced the power steering pump himself, but the failure continued. The contact also stated that the noise had become louder over time. In addition, the steering wheel momentarily seized on one occasion. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that a loud whining noise emitted from the steering column while driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who performed a diagnostic test. The failure was located at the power steering pump. The dealer replaced the power steering pump, but the failure continued. The dealer performed a second diagnostic test that located the failure at the rack and pinion. The rack a pinion was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 138,000.
Van was making horrible noise when turning. Took vehicle to the mechanic. Had to replace rack and pinion. Had power steering pump replaced also. This van has been nothing but a money pit. I see many others with this complaint. I also filed a complaint a while back having major electrical issues. I see the rack and pinion is a major issue also. It was very expensive to fix as well as my electrical problems. Recall on anything"??"
My 69 year old mother's 2005 Town and country has been whining for over a year. Twice she took it to the dealer in raleigh where she bought it. They said they couldn't reproduce the whine. Last week, she was in a town an hour away and had to pull over and have it towed. Mechanic replaced power steering pump, but it didn't correct the problem. He says entire rack and pinion system needs replacing. Her van has 52K miles.
2005 Chrysler Town and country. While vehicle was under warranty, brought it to the dealer multiple times for a noise heard when steering. Dealership told us that there was no problems. Now, car is making a much louder noise and we are being told that the power steering rack needs to be replaced at a cost of $1300. After researching online, it is a definite problem with this model year and a recall should be issued by Chrysler and these faulty steering columns should be acknowledged and replaced by them. I have three small children and do not have $1300 to put into this lemon of a car that Chrysler should have fixed when I initially complained about the problem when the car was new.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph when the steering column fractured and the vehicle crashed into a snow bank. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the bolts that attached the steering column together were replaced. The failure mileage was 87,958.
I own a 2005 T/C about a year ago whining noise noticed when cold go away after warming up did not think much of it. Started up again this winter check the power steering low filled up improved steering, then noticed leak in driveway went to garage told have to replace rack power steering about a $800 job. Checked out online and found a lot of similar complaints so my question is when is Chrysler going to step up to the plate with the recall.
Own a 2005 chyrsler Town & Country touring van, w/93K miles. In the past 2 years, the power steering fails w/O warning when the van travels over water. The dealer thinks it's a weak tension bar on a power belt, but he can't be certain. The power steering loss lasts about 15-30 seconds and severely compromises maneuverability and control of the vehicle. It also appears to short out the alternator because the battery warning light goes on. Is there anything in your data base about this? I can find no recalls for this year or model.
We own a 2005T own & country touring, with 52,000 original miles. Took it in for scheduled maintenance and an oil change this morning (it's last service was about 4 mos. Ago at around 43,000 miles). The service manager said the technician noticed the power steering fluid level was low and upon inspecting the bushings noted a leak which he attributed to the (rack and pinion steering assembly). The service manager said that the rack and pinion assembly will have to be completely replaced, estimated cost $800 parts and labor. I've done some research and apparently this is a problem most owners are having.I was alarmed to learn that there was a several month back order on these assemblies with in Chrysler. I smell a rat, there's either an impending recall or perhaps a class action lawsuit brewing here. They have people waiting for this part (back order) because is such a huge problem. Go to [townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F172B27/0] so you can see some of the people with this problem. Please advise [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
2005 Town and country steering problem. Pump is leaking and the dealership says rack needs to be replaced. Dealership said this is a known faulty issue with this years model and it must be done or could lead to a crash.
Leaking steering rack causing abnormal grinding sounds in the power steering reservoir and potentially damaging the power steering pump. This low level of power steering fluid could result in loss of ability to steer the vehicle effectively.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the steering column made a loud whining sound. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the problem was common but there was no remedy for it. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mountville, SC, USA