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.
Purchased a 2008 Chrysler Town and country touring brand new in May 2008. Within the first 12,000 miles we've had multiple problems with this van. As far as the safety problems specifically, the brake system has been a nightmare. The parking brake cable snapped in two and became dangerous when I couldn't park on a hill without it. This was fixed under warranty through the dealership. The next safety related issue was that the brakes on the van started to squeal and were quickly metal on metal. I brought the van into our local tire place to have a regular brake job done and was told that the rotors and pads were completely shot and cost over $300 to have replaced. The manager said I was one of 12 other customers in the last few months with 2008 Dodge/Chrysler minivans having this problem. He said that he spoke with someone from Chrysler to see about having this repair covered under warranty and said that the person at Chrysler that he spoke with casually mentioned that "of course this happened, they used cheap parts" on these vans. I still have the original rotors and pads if anyone needs them for investigation. An entire chunk of metal had chipped off of one rotor!! the tech. At the repair shop said they were the cheapest made things they've seen on a new vehicle. No vehicle driven under normal, carpooling circumstances should ever have rotors and pads wear out at 12,000 miles. I would like to see this looked into as to why this is happening with this year van through this make. Thanks.
July 2009 I took the car in for an oil change and check up before leaving town for vacation. Brakes were squeaking so I asked to have those checked as well. I didn't expect anything much to come of the brakes since the car only had about 12,000 miles on it at the time. They said I had to have the brakes done which I did. Brakes started squeaking the next day while on the trip and the car would shake when braking (not subtly but enough to spill drinks and to feel like we were riding a bucking Bronco). Called the dealership who said it was safe to drive until we returned to town and could take it back to the dealership. I took the car back in immediately when we returned and had the problem repaired. That lasted a few days and the brakes started to squeak and then grind. Car has been in again and still no relief from the problem. This is the 4th Chrysler Town and country I have had and the first time I have had any problems. I am going back to the dealership again which will make it at least 5 times in as many months. I am concerned that the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
My wife purchased a 2008 Chrysler Town and country in May 2008.this van was in need of new front rotors and brakes at 13000 miles ( which was out of warranty and we had to pay for) the repair was completed by the Chrysler dealership where the van was purchased. The an now has 19000 miles and is in need of another front brake job. It is also pulsating from the rear which means that the rotors and brakes are gone on the rear as well. In 30 years of owning vehicles I have never seen brakes and rotors that will be worn out at such low mileage. I have a friend and a sister in law who are experiencing similar problems with their 2008 T&C's. something must be done.
I have a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country van with just 22,000 miles on it and have been told I need new brakes and rotors. I have never had to replace brake pads at this low of mileage. I have heard from others that this is a problem with these vans due to the rotors and brake pads being to small. I feel that Chrysler should be made to recall these vehicles and put adequate brakes on them.
I have had major brake problems with my Town and country 2008 van. I first need new rotors and pads at 11,000. Chrysler covered that under warranty. Then again at about 23,000 miles my pads needed to be replaced and rotors refinished. The second job I had done at midas, they had to replace the front brake pads and resurface the rotors two more times (in the last two months) because they keep glazing. Bottom line in conversations that I have had, it sounds like the rotors they put on this vehicle are not large enough to handle the weight of the van. I am concerned about this issue and it is creating much anxiety in me. I am always listening to the brakes and wonder how soon I am going to have to take them to be repaired again. I also worry that this can be a dangerous issue. I found forums on-line where thousands of people are having the same issue.
- La Quinta, CA, USA
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This complaint involves a 2008 Chrysler Town and country mini van. The vehicle was returned to the dealer to inspect brake system. Mileage was 27, 904. I was informed that the front disc pads and rotors needed replacement and the rear brakes were in good shape. This concerned me since I have never had to replace this early on a new vehicle. My previous vehicle was a 2001 Town and country, which was traded for the 2008. The 2001 had over 95,000 miles and I was told after inspection of the brakes that there was approximately 25% of the pads left. I also own a 1995 Dodge Ram pickup and had the pads replaced at 75,000 miles and still had pads left. I had the pads replaced on the 2008. Less than 1,000 miles later I had to replace the rear pads and rotors after being told they were ok. Something is wrong with this scenerio. This condition could have lead to a serious accident since the dealership gave me sense of assurance that the brake system was in good condition and I should have been able to gotten more mileage on the rear pads than a 1,000 miles. I feel that there may be a design flaw in the brake system since my driving habits have not changed in the last 50 years.
I purchased a 2008 Chrysler town & county and had to have brake pads replaced at 15000 miles. The dealership and Chrysler seems to think this is normal for this vehicle. I believe the brake system installed on these vehicle is not safe. No one buying this vehicle would expect to have to replace brakes at 15000 miles thus creating a safety conditions for those who do purchase them. I feel they should be recalled and replaced with proper pads and rotor.
2008 Chrysler Town & Country - front brake pads needed replacing after only 16,700 miles and 1 1/2 years. Left front brake pad had gone slightly askew and made a groove in the rotor, which needed replacement. Dealer attributed it to "normal wear and tear" and would not cover it under warranty. Never have I had to replace brakes on a brand new car!
Faulty brake components, rotors and pads needing replacement after 12,000 miles on a new vehicle. I complained to the dealer, and notice that there seems to be a large number of people complaining online about front and rear brakes needing replacement on 2008 Chrysler Town & Country vans under 20,000 miles.
Chrysler Town & Country with 21,000 miles only presents excessive wear of brake pads. Symptoms of the problem were noise, vibration and lately difficulty in braking: Car did not stop with brake pedal full down. Dealer service reports states that front brake pads have only 5% life remaining and pads and rotors had to be replaced for a total cost of $335 at owner expense. Chrysler has issued a service bulletin no. 05-006-08 on 12.09.2008 stating that "front brake pads may exhibit excessive noise, squeal/shudder/vibration and/or lining life complaints." But has not issued a recall even if this is a major safety issue. Chrysler customer service did not refund the expense for pads and rotors replacement stating that brakes are a wear component and wear out in different ways. An internet search shows that this is a major problem of this vehicle and many customers have filed complaints: www.edmunds.com/Chrysler/townandcountry/2008/consumerreview.html, www.fixya.com/cars/T2122925-early_wear_front_brakes_rotors_2008_town, etc. According to many customers, pads and rotors have to be replaced in this van every 15,000 miles to ensure the safety of the occupants.
1. brakes/rotors on 2008 Chrysler Town & Country need to be replaced at 12,000 miles; 2. had to replace front brakes again at 20,000 miles and rear at 27,000 which is unheard of (I have been driving a dozen different vehicles since 1983). 3. Chrysler covered the first job since the vehicle had under 12,000 miles on it. I have since spent over $600 and based on this frequency, will be spending again soon. Keep in mind this is a $42,000 vehicle - this should not be happening. I called Chrysler (both the dealer and the main corporate office) and they informed me that they will not cover this item.
2008 Town and country mini van - complete transmission rebuilt at 13,000 miles, had to replace front brakes at 20,000 miles, shifter cable damaged and had to replace.
At 16,000 had to replace front brake pads dealer said possibly rotors as well 2008 Chrysler T&C touring van. Rotors did not need changed but 16,000 miles are ridiculous for a brake pad change. Dealer said this is normal and had seen pad changes as early as 12,000 miles...you've got to be kidding!
2008 Town & Country Chrysler mini-van needed complete front brake replacement including rotors. Shop repairing brakes said they had seen this on several other vans of the same year and with similar low mileage. I owned a Toyota highlander for over 3 years and never needed to do any brake work. Why would the brakes need to be completely replaced in little over a year of use and with less than 24K miles?
After only 3000 miles I took it to the dealership (jan09) because I noticed that the front left rotor had abnormal grooves on it- I know a smooth rotor, and that one was not! right front rotor was smooth. Dealership returned vehicle saying all conditions normal- they didn't tell me about this huge problem- I had to find out about it myself! later, at 16,000 miles brakes squeaked under all braking conditions. Later, at 21,000 miles of normal city & highway driving & not harsh braking, I read about these multiple complaints and went to my local service station- yup, replace front pads & rotors for $350. Rotors were 1.075 and 1.079 (min spec 1.040); pads were 90% worn. I then called Chrysler customer service rep and senior resolution team- no luck. I went to a different dealership- no luck. Luckily for me based on my own intuition and research, I found out about the problem before my wife & kids were harmed by unsafe brakes. 21K miles for new brakes- you've got to be kidding me! I currently hold the failed parts. Pls help me & others.
Brakes on 2008 Chrysler Town and country prematurely worn at 23,000 miles. Brakes were inspected by an authorized dealer at 19,200 miles during a routine tire rotation and no notification of worn brake pads was given. At approximately 22,000 miles we began to hear a light grinding in the front right wheel during braking. We took the vehicle into an authorized dealer at 23,600 miles for inspection of the grinding, which had gotten significantly worse. I was notified that the brakes were down to metal on metal and the rotors were too far gone to resurface. Authorized dealer replaced the rotors, brake pads, and flushed and replaced the brake fluid at the owner's expense of $575. This appears to be premature for pads to go to metal on metal at only 23,600 miles with no prior notification. There was no warning of worn brake pads such as a wear sensor or indicator which causes a squealing in the brakes on most vehicles. First indication that the pads were worn was when the metal on metal sound was heard.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA