Car steers by itself and have a high humming sound when it take offs

- Walterboro, SC, USA

Vehicle was parked in driveway on 5/22/13. Very loud bang was heard approx 7pm but the source of the bang could not be identified or even confirmed that it was vehicle-related. No abnormal physical appearance of vehicle was detected at that time. Next morning, 5/23/13, drove vehicle out of driveway and noticed a rubbing vibration in front end, then smelled rubber burning. Turned vehicle around and drove it back to driveway and parked the vehicle for a total distance driven of about 1000 feet. As vehicle was parked, clouds of billowing white smoke from right front wheelwell appeared. Inspected outside of tire. No apparent problem. Opened hood. No apparent reason for white smoke. Then boom, and right front tire blew out and tire rested on wheel rim. Called tow truck and when vehicle was lifted on the tow mechanism, the problem was evident. The right front coil spring had broken in half and uncoiled itself. The spring had uncoiled itself into the inside of the tire and was responsible for the rubbing vibration, burning rubber smell and smoke, and the blowout. This failure could have easily have happened while driving which would have resulted in a sudden blowout and likely loss of control of the vehicle. The last 25 miles driven prior to the coil spring failure were freeway miles, and the failure could have happened an hour earlier on 5/22/13 at 60 to 70 mph with the likely outcome that the vehicle would have become uncontrollable and run off the road and rolled over. Dealer said that in his 30 years, he has not heard of this happening. Failed parts have been retained by owner. Pictures are available if requested.

- Huron, OH, USA

Upon hearing a noise while driving, I checked under the car and noticed a lubrication seal was no longer performing its function. My local mechanic inspected the control arm and related ball joints and informed me the control system was good at this time, but the steering rack was leaking and would require replacement soon. Since I only had about 64,000 miles on my 2005 Town & Country, I was surprised especially since I had not had this type of failure in the 40 plus years of car ownership, exceeding 100,000 miles on each car. Rich in Chrysler customer assistance informed me the Town & Country does not have an historical problem with the power steering rack & pinion; thus a recall to fix the problem is not necessary. All that is required to show the stance Chrysler is taking is false is a simple internet search and a search on the NHTSA website. There are numerous complaints regarding this very serious problem. Chrysler should have recalled all Town & Country's for the problems with the power steering. They should not be waiting for the 'Toyota rug under the accelerator' issues.

- Playa Vista, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. While driving approximately 35 mph making left and right turns, he heard a metal rubbing and popping sound coming underneath the vehicle. The failure has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 34000.

- Brownville, NY, USA

We use our 2005 Chrysler Town & Country for 2.5 years. We purchased the van used with roughly 25000 miles on it in July of 2006. We now have 77000 miles on it and now the front end makes a clanking noise while going over bumps and the is a whining grinding like sound underneath the hood close to the dash. It is worse with cold weather and when the stirring wheel is turned completely in either direction. I did an internet search and found a blog forum at townhall-talk.com. Everyone one on this particular blog had T&C vans and had the same problem I have experienced and dealers have said the rack and pinion needing replacement for roughly$850 plus. I have not had the problem assessed (will be today). Our warranty is expired and now we are having problems. Sounds typical right? if Chrysler T&C vans all seemed to have the same problem with the stirring system. I read about many different dealer saying that they replace many of those racks and the parts are on back order. If the parts are on back order that should be a sign that there is an issue across the board and there should be a recall. In these trying economic times people don't have money to spend on crappy made parts and Chrysler cant afford anymore negative publicity either. Something needs to be done!

- Pace, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and country. In December of 2007, the contact heard a clicking noise while turning the vehicle at 35 mph. She took the vehicle to the dealer, but they did not make any repairs. She returned to the dealer in January of 2008, but the dealer still could not find any failure. Most recently, the dealer stated that the power steering rack was leaking. The dealer recommended that she replace the power steering gear at the cost of approximately $800. The current mileage is 62,020 and failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Updated 06/16/08

- Delmar, NY, USA

We own a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country touring van. At approximately 16000 we had a problem with the rack & pinion and ball joints. It was taken to a dealer that was suppose to have fixed the problem -- we have had problems with items in that area since then. We have enjoyed our vehicle except for this problem -- the latest incident is the tie rod end needs to be replaced and we were told that it would not be covered under the warranty. The vehicle has approximately 51,000 miles on it at this time.

- Great Valley, NY, USA

Purchased 2005 Town and country short wheel base in March of 2004. In February 2006, with less than 24,000 miles started hearing clunking noise in left front end and on cold start there was a squealing noise from engine. Took to dealer, identified squealing noise as a leaking rack and pinion gear - said leak was inside since I saw no evidence outside - dealer replaced the rack and pinion under warranty - service writer stated they had similar problems on other T&cs. Clunking noise attributed to worn front sway bar cushion - replaced under warranty. Service writer said they had similar problems, and thought it was maybe a design flaw. Will hold on to the paperwork.

- Columbus, OH, USA

Vibration and in brake petal and/ or steering wheel. When turning sharply to left makes a grinding noise also has a bumping feeling like something is loose. Service department checked and had warped rotors and needed front disk brakes for the vibration, the grinding and the bumping noise was loose suspension sway links front brakes were replaced and rotors were resurfaced- I had to pay for the brake and rotor repair; the suspension loose sway bar links were replace listed was replaced front sway bar link and a link-sway eliminator. Driver seat feels like it has lost its cushion sometimes feels like there is a hard knot of something in the tail bone area of the anatomy. The A/C vents are unable to adjust for cooling the front and side windows. The floor vents do not line up with the openings in the floor console causing any air to be moved toward the front and under the dash. Was told the seat and A/C was all in normal operation.

- Bulverde, TX, USA