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.
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, he could hear a loud whining noise coming from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the rack and pinion was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 80,000.
We had our rack and pinion replaced by Chrysler over a year ago. It would become hard to steer whenever we would go over any puddles/snow. They say they replaced it, but it still does the same thing. Even when we leave it out in the rain over night, the next day it squeals and we can't move the steering wheel. It's the same thing, puddle, rain or snow, squeal and loss of steering anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. There is a definite design defect with this particular model and it will take someone dying because of it for them to recall this van. We also have always had a rubber burning smell from the front left tire side whenever we have a change in the temperature, around 30-40degrees, usually in wet/slush weather conditions. Very strange and nothing has ever been done about it nor can Chrysler tell us what it's coming from.
A loud whine started in the engine compartment and steering became difficult. Dealership stated that the rack of the steering system had leaked and lost the power steering fluid. The dealership stated this was a common problem. The rack and pinion of the steering had to be replaced.
Power steering rack seals failed, fluid leaking from power steering system. Failure was proceeded by long-term low-pitched whining noise coming from power steering system. Fluid drained from system while driving making it very difficult to steer vehicle. Dealer recommends replacing power steering rack, out of warranty, cost $900.
At about 68,000 miles on my 2006 Town and country minivan, the power steering started making a loud whining noise. Turns out the rack is leaking and this wears on the power steering motor. Checked to see if there was a recall, none that I can find. But it appears that there are over 2000 complaints for the same problem. Hope they put in for a recall before anyone gets injured and then the lawsuits would cost Chrysler more than just fixing the original problem.
Returining from trip, car was making whining sound that got louder with acceleration. Took to dealership (Chrysler) - was told rack was dry -no fluid. $1228 for replacement of power steering and rack. Turns out it is a known issue with Chrysler 2006 model -see complaints here -townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F172B27/80 I feel Chrysler should be paying to replace these as it is a manufacturing defect.
When driving in rain through a puddle (1" deep) my power steering went out when I tried to turn making it almost impossible to steer. Mechanic stated that it was likely due to location of the belt which can fail when wet and was a known issue with this model vehicle. Since then, this has occurred 3 times, always in rain. This is extremely dangerous as it makes it almost impossible to steer the vehicle. I was told there is no known fix for the problem.
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Town and country. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph through a large puddle of water when the power steering warning indicator illuminated with a complete loss in steering power. After driving for a few moments, the power steering began to function normally without the illumination of the warning indicator. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. Updated 11/16/11
First noticed that the power steering system whines during a highway trip Michigan to tennesee in 2010. Thought the fluid was low so topped it off. Fast forward one year later and 12,000 miles and the whine occurs more often and louder. By the spring of 2011 had the system flushed ($40). Whining continued. Found on internet blogs that filter/reservoir could be plugged with debri. Tech confirmed this at the second flush($20). This service seemed to work for about a month before whine came back. Third flush ($69) worked for a 1000 mile trip and some, but whine is back at high speed and high temperature days (above 80F). Now, I'm noticing power steering fluid drops on the garage floor. Just under 60000 miles on the vehicle. I fear based on all the other complaints, I will have $1000 rack and pinion repair to look forward to.
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Town and country. While parked, the contact noticed the check engine light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic advised that the fuel exhaust recirculation sensor had failed and would need to be replaced. In addition, the dealer stated that the steering rack assembly also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
While driving during a rain storm I went through a puddle. I lost power steering for about 30 seconds. This has happened twice!!! it is scary and I will never buy another Chrysler.
While driving during a rain storm we went through a puddle. We lost power steering for about a minute. If this had happened on an interstate or mountain road it could have been very dangerous.
Was told by 2 different repair shops, the steering rack and pinion system for my van is seeping fluid. It has not failed yet but is a potential catastrophy in waiting. From research I have found thousands of simular complaints/failure of the steering system for this year and make of Chrysler van.
At 50,000 plus miles the van began making a horrible whining noise. The steering rack and pinion had to be replaced - a total of $1,600. This is ridiculous for a vehicle with only 50,000 miles. After viewing on line complaints, I see that my vehicle is not the only one. Chrysler needs to step up and recall these vehicles and reimburse the people that have been out thousands of dollars due to their mistake.
Power steering leak and failure. Began with whinning noise at around 70,000. Upon inspection, power steering assembly failed and required replacement. Found many other owners complaining of same condition on other websites. Some had two and three rack and pinion racks replaced which seemed to fix the problem for a short while. Concerned about power steering failure at such low mileage and possible safety risk for my daughter who has just begun driving. Appears to be a very common problem at low mileage for this model and have requested a recall from Chrysler.
Steering rack and pins. I own a 2006 Town & Country and took it in for 19 point check up and heard whining when turning on the van. Told that the steering rack was leaking. Informed by dealer this is a major thing going on in these vehicles. Did research on line to find over 2,000 complaints regarding this issue. Cost over $900. This should seriously be looked into and a recall should be made if people are having this many problems.
While my wife and daughter were pulling into the wataburger (fast food joint) off marbauch road at about ten miles per hour, the rack and pinion system of the steering mechanism basically exploded. They had almost no control over the direction the vehicle was going. It has failed but the once, and nearly caused my wife to hit parked automobiles. Vehicle was towed to ipac on loop 410 where the entire R&P unit was replaced with, I hope, new parts.
During the first incident, I lost all power to my engine, most of my gauges, and my power steering while driving 35 mph. I pulled my car over to the side of the road and it wouldn't restart immediately. The dealership had my car for aprox. 5 days and couldn't find anything wrong. About a month later, the car stalled the same as before, except this time it was right after I started the engine and began pulling up the driveway. Aprox. 8 minutes later, it stalled again, with the same problems as in the first incident a month previously; however, this time I was driving 50 mph on wet country roads. I suddenly lost my heating/forced air, my engine, and most of my gauges. I didn't loose my power steering immediately. While I was still moving at 50 mph, I put the car from drive into neutral, restarted the engine, and put the car back into drive. A few seconds later, it stalled again, but I noticeably lost the power steering immediately that time. I was able to safely pull the car over, turn the ignition to off, then restart the car. I drove from there to the dealership without further problems. The dealership has had my vehicle for 10 days so far, and cannot locate or diagnose a problem. In every incident, there was no warning whatsoever. The car didn't make any unusual noises or behave erratically. One moment I had power, and the next I didn't. I simply lost the ability to accelerate my vehicle, lost my power steering, my engine stopped running, and the gauges all dropped to zero. No warning lights of any kind ever came on, and I didn't loose the electricity to my dash, radio, etc. Though I lost the blowing warm air/defroster function that had been turned on.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Combined Locks, WI, USA