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.
I purchased a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country touring edition brand new in July of 2005. During December of 2007, I noticed a slight hum under the hood during startup. This sound eventually kept getting louder and lasting longer. This sound is more drastic during turning of the steering wheel. I had the vehicle inspected by a Chrysler dealership service center. They said it was due to a leak in the rack of the rack and pinion system. They said that the whole rack and pinion assembly needs to be replaced ($800+). they also said that is the system fails further, it could result in loss of steering (during driving!). I have seen a lot of complaints for the same exact issue. My vehicle has 37,000 miles on it (warranty expired at 36,000). This is definitively a recall issue. Steering systems should not need replacement in less than 3 years and 37,000 miles.
The 2005 Chrysler Town & Country made a whirring noise at start up and lasted for several minutes until the vehicle warmed up. Asked dealer service rep to check out the noise. I was told there was a steering fluid leak in the rack component of the rack (steering component) and it needed to be replaced at about $800. Service rep stated that it was a common problem but there was no recall on the part. Service rep said that if it was not fixed it could result in a steering failure and needed to be replaced. I authorized the dealer to complete the work. This has been a one owner vehicle with regular service and only about 70,000 miles.
Steering rack and pinion system failed. Began leak ng profusely. Chrysler would not offer assistance as problem was out of warranty. Second failure - unit had between replaced under warranty on 30 Mar 06.
I started to hear a low roar (not unlike turning the starter while the car is running) coming out of the right front of the van, usually upon starting, usually intermittent, but sometimes briefly while driving or turning, and sometimes when starting the van, the noise would continue until the engine was shut off. Took it to the mechanic who diagnosed it as a rack and pinion failure, with fluid leaking out, which he says they would not usually see in this "young" a vehicle. Mileage = 53,000. He wanted me to call the dealer to see if they knew about the problem, or if the repair would be covered. The dealer claimed to have no knowledge of this issue at all. I have researched and now see that this has been a recurring problem for this van, and Chrysler should own up to it and repair. This van is not even four years old, has not been in any accident or driven abusively, and this kind of a failure must indicate a defect in design or materials. I am now looking at a very expensive repair bill.
My 2005 Town & Country had been making a whining noise for last month. The noise will increase as the accelerator was pushed, but noise disappeared after the car had been driven for 5 - 10 minutes. Mechanic found that the power steering fluid was really low, filling the fluid to the correct level fixed the noise problem. Upon inspection, it was found that the rack has a leak. It seems like this is a common occurrence in these vans, I believe this should be investigated and possibly a recall should be done as this is an expensive repair.
- Mason, MI, USA
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Rack & pinion on 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. A noise when turning steering. Was told by dealer it was a problem with the 2005 vans and was not being covered. Was told it would be around $750 plus tax to fix. If there are this many problems with the vans, Chrysler should fix them as a recall. Was told by another mechanic to put an additive in the power steering and it has slowed down the loss of power steering fluid but keep wondering how safe I am driving it on the highway at high speeds.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that she has had to replace the rack and pinion, tie rods, water pump, rear windshield wiper motor, passenger side window motor, and the egr valve. Currently, the axle is failing. The dealer could not determine the cause of the failures; however, they were all covered due to an extended warranty. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The failure mileage was 51,000 and current mileage was 55,450.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. The contact had her vehicle inspected. All the fuel levels were checked and she was informed that there was a leak in the rack and pinion steering system. The dealer stated that the parts were on a national back order. The contact assumed that because the parts were in such high demand, many other vehicles must have experienced the same failure. Chrysler stated that nothing could be done and referred her to NHTSA. The current mileage was 43,283 and failure mileage was 43,001. Updated 05/05/08
It started actually quite some time ago. It seemed that every once in a while I would lose my power steering. Once it almost caused me to run off the road and into a cement curb. Luckily, I was able to work the wheel around and after about five minutes of trying to control the van, the power steering came back. There has been a noise at the front of the vehicle for quite some time and then I noticed the van was leaking something. I took it to the dealer and they said there was a leak in the steering gear assembly and that it needed to be replaced. They also said that they are replacing so many of them that the part was backordered and they were unsure when they would get one. That was in Nov. 2007. It is now April 2008 and I am still waiting. In Feb of 2008 I was told they had one for me and I took my van in and then was told that it never arrived and that they told their parts dealer that they needed it immediately because the power steering fluid is leaking onto other parts and can cause problems. It's still been two months since then and nothing. The whole front of my van feels and sounds like its going to fall off at any moment. I have had to refill my power steering fluid every 2-3 days since Nov 07 and it isn't getting any better. Unfortunately, this is not the only problem I have had with this van. The right cv joint had to be replaced after only 2 years, the air bag sensors went bad and only after I paid to have it checked out to the tune of $70 were they recalled, there was a recall on the rear heating/cooling tubes because of cold weather conditions, the driver side sliding door no longer works as well as the front passenger window. During a terrible rain storm, I had to go through a large puddle and the spare tire was ripped from the undercarriage because it was never sealed properly and the part was defective. Both sets of brakes have had to be replaced, rotors redone and the tires have been replaced twice.
Power steering noise found to be leaking/fault steering rack. Upon inquire to dealer for repair/replacement found that 13,000 were on back order!!! many similar problems found posted. Some individuals have had multiple replacements. Chrysler should recall due to negligence, danger to human life and the sheer volume of defects.
I bought a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country with 48,000 miles on June 29,2007. In January 2008 while driving my van I had a loud squeal coming from the steering, upon checking I found that I was losing power steering fluid, I set an appointment up with the dealership to have the problem checked. On 01/29/2008 I was told by the dealership that the rack and pinion was leaking. The dealership also told me that there was alot of problems with the rack and pinion in my year van, and that there is a 6 month back order on the rack and pinion, the new ones have been redesigned to stop the problem. I contacted Chrysler about this they would only state that it was my problem, and they would not discuss anything but my vehicle, or about the back order of the rack and pinion. I also contacted other dealerships asking about this problem, they stated there is a back order on the rack and pinion, and they have had several problems with the rack and pinion in the 2005 Town and country's.
I have a Chrysler Town & Country van 2005. I heard a sound when driving the car. I took it to the mechanics and I was told that the rack & pinion needed to be replace. $550 dollars. After doing some research on line noticed thousands of complaints about the same. Please help!! the rack & pinion is broken and needs replacement. $550 dollars.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. When the vehicle was driven approximately five times, the contact noticed that the steering wheel became difficult to steer and began making loud, squeaking noises. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they discovered that the rack and pinion was failing and needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 67,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 02/15/08.
Having purchased a new Chrysler, Town & Country minivan, in less than 3 years of ownership, I've had to make numerous repairs that I've never had to make on previously owned vehicles in the same lifespan of a vehicle. The quality of this van has been extremely disappointing.
- the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. The vehicle started making a grinding and clicking noise when turning at 40 mph. The contact could smell the engine running hot. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing a new power steering rack. The dealer paid for the part. However, the contact had to pay for labor charges. The failure mileage was 38,723. The contact has the repair invoice. The current mileage was 39,330.
Steering made a clunking noise and pulled to the right. Had vehicle checked three times while under warranty and was told the alignment was the issue. Aligned and tires balanced each time, but problem continued. Took car in with a copy of the NHTSA bulletin and they replaced rack & pinion at my cost. Vehicle steering is now tight and pulling to right is gone. I don't feel I should have had to pay for this repair.
1-reported vibration in steering wheel between 20-50 mph [2-possible exhaust leak, I was getting sleepy after 20-30 min drive time, I use recycle mode on A/C due to having asthma [ 3-reported noise from the muffler/exhaust area[4- A/C compressor makes a laboring noise [5-vibration and a growling noise in rear suspension, axle or transmission[6-transmission seems to slip or jerk into and out of gear between 15-45 mph. Service department could not duplicate any of my concerns but by the same token my mileage out was the same as my mileage in so I'm not sure it was even driven. Three[3] days later I came in and ask for someone to drive with me and the technician was able to hear the noise before we had gone a mile, at that time he thought is was just a loose spare tire but when I came back that afternoon I was told it was the catalytic converter but there was not one in town and as soon as it came in it would be repaired. It was supposedly order on Thursday Jan 19,2006 and received on Jan 26,2006. Catalytic converter was replaced on Jan 27,2006 as well as exhaust manifold gasket. [7-on this date I also reported on Jan 26,2006, when I was braking to slow down to turn right the car engine surged forward and almost lost control of car-nothing was listed on the service copy as cause or what was tested for the engine surging when braking.[8-rear brakes have crystallized and need to be replaced at my cost. Am getting other prices at this time.
Rack & pinion defective in 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. System is on back order for 2-3 weeks and dealership (eastside Chrysler & Jeep) have informed that this car is safe to drive and I will only completely destroy the system, which is "being replaced anyway".
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Revloc, PA, USA