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.
Pulsating brakes due to warped rotors. Dealer replaced front pads and rotors twice, also replaced rear rotors. Vehicle now has 55,374 miles and I just had fourth set of front pads and rotors installed. Rear brakes are on third set of pads.
The primary issue occurs whenever the brake pedal is depressed, emergency situation or just reducing speed, from around 70 mph to a slower speed around 55 mph. During this phase of speed reduction the vehicle exhibits an almost uncontrollable instability where the front end and the steering wheel must be held with two hands in order to control the vehicles direction. This defensive act is very tiring. Prior to pressing the brake there is no indication of tire problems of any kind. Speed can be increased after releasing the brake and no problem is detected until the brakes are activated again. This is a serious safety issue. The required repair is to replace the rotors. The repair station stated that this is both a common and a serious issue with Chrysler because the rotors are manufactured to thin and those thin rotors warp after about 30000 miles. Also it was stated that this is a known problem at Chrysler but there is no recall to correct it. Chrysler states that if this problem occurs within the warranty period (36 mos/36000 miles) that the rotors may be replaced at no charge. The subject vehicle has 30800 miles but is outside the 36 month period. Regardless of the warranty period this should be classified as a manufacturing/design problem and Chrysler is allowing the customer to test the quality of the product and allowing the customer to assume the risk of vehicle failure. Chrysler should be required to issue a safety recall of all affected vehicles.
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 40 mph attempting to engaged the brakes, the brakes made a loud noise. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was not able to replicate or diagnose the failure. The VIN was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available.
Van shakes and makes grinding noises when brakes are pressed. Brought it to dealer told me that front brakes and back brakes and rotors need replacement for $765. The car has 27000 miles on it the brakes and rotors should not have gone this quickly. This car is less than 3 years old. It was brand new when I got it. Chrysler needs to step up and be responsible for all these brake problems.
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated while at a complete stop, a strong burning odor emitted from the brakes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was contributed to both rear brakes sticking. The rear brakes and calipers were replaced. In addition, there was a leak in the rear air conditioner evaporator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.
- Waterville, OH, USA
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Exiting freeway ramp, made a sharp right turn, alerted by vehicle passing by that my rear brakes were visibly on fire. Pulled over exited the vehicle where rear brakes where still smoking. Car towed to service station where the vehicle was deemed non-drivable due to the complete searing of the rear brake pads, calipers, rotors, and rear tires. This was an extremely frightening experience as I thought that the Town and country was labeled as one of the safest mini vans.
Brake pads replaced at 44,000 miles. At 46,000 miles the brakes started vibrating the entire car (like ABS pulsating X10) regardless of speed. Dealer found locked caliper pins which had warped the rotors on the left side. This is a common problem. So common that Chrysler decided to post a bulletin, instead of a recall because they haven't put enough thought into the issue to find an effective fix. Meanwhile, my family's safety is in jeopardy.
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that the rear driver" side brake was making a loud abnormal sound. The contact stated that he replaced the calipers on the same wheel several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 32,000 and the current mileage was 55,000. Updated 8/19/14 updated 08/23/2017
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that the ABS brake sensor illuminated intermittently. The brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle began to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the front brakes, the rear brakes, the rotors and the brake pads needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,460.
After about 4 months of purchasing the vehicle, I had issues with the brakes, system had being replaced already 4 times (in less than 2 years), I had pay out of pocket for the work, still having issues. There is a noisy from the engine every time you change either from parking to drive or drive to reverse. Had it checked already 3 times. My power window and lock control is always having issues and get's pretty warm. Summarizing my experience with this vehicle it had being a complete nightmare, I don't feel safe driving the vehicle and had spend more money out of pocket than my previous mini-vans. Another issue is that sometimes the side doors open by themselves, without us even touching the controls, or they open half way and we must place in park the van, turn it off and start it again in order to close the side doors.
On 8/3/13 (or within a day or two of that date), I took the car to the dealership. The car had less than 36,000 miles on it. It needed the rear brakes replaced, and there was uneven wear between the R & L brakes. Dealership replaced brakes and calipers on both rear wheels. Have felt some pulsing when breaking, have been getting a horrid burning smell when driving, can feel extreme heat from lr wheel after driving. Took to dealer. 4/28/14 rear brakes again have uneven wear (L 6mm; R 8mm) lr outboard brake pad backing clip dislodged and contacting rotor. Lip is damaged. Removed lr caliper and found pads frozen in caliper bracket. Approximately 8 months since both were replaced by dealership; and apx. 12,000 miles put on the car. Rotors were damaged as well and had to be replaced. Had to put new adapter brackets on the van, because the oem ones were causing brakes to seize up - per dealership. Dealership all for fixing problem, and so is Chrysler, as long as you are willing to pay for the repairs for their defective and design flawed brakes.
While braking, there is a lot of shuddering and clicking from the rear brakes. Conclusion is that this is a warped rotor. Chrysler dealer says it is normal, but the van has less than 50,000 miles. While researching online, found that this is a common complaint. Some have replaced rotors several times with less than 50,000 miles. These should be replaced with better parts at the dealer, for free; however, they refuse to honor their customers.
At 23,430 miles, brake rotors (all 4) excessively out of round. Vehicle shuddered upon braking, especially at highway speeds. All 4 rotors were resurfaced at Chrysler dealer. Again, at 28,630 miles, same vehicle, brake pads down to 15% and had to replace all 4 brake pads and machine all 4 rotors again at same Chrysler dealer. Vehicle shuddered slightly upon braking once again, especially at highway speeds. These incidences are only 4,200 miles and 4 months apart, and $1,000 out of my pocket and not covered by warranty, as are said to be "normal wear and tear." Really? hmmm...
Have heard unexplained noises in back/rear brake area of car since new. Brought to dealer twice and they could find nothing wrong. Next time I brought to be serviced it needed all new brakes! this is absurd. At 20,000 miles brakes shot!
Began to experience a loud, frequently occurring squeak and squeals associated with the rear brakes while car was moving. Would appear randomly at anytime or any speed and would last for hours or days. Have had problem over one year. A slight touch of the brake pedal would cause noise to immediately cease. Had dealer remove rear wheels on two different occasions over the last year and they reported no problem observed. Issue never went away. In for oil change today and told dealer to look at rear wheels and brakes again....... they told me rear brakes were metal to metal and completely worn down and want $450 to turn rotors and replace brake pads. Car has 23,500 miles of normal driving. To me, this is quite out of the ordinary and clearly there is a manufacturing error here. It's crazy to expect $450 every 23 K miles to repair rear brakes on a practically new car that I bought new and have owned for only 2 years ! have seen a litany of similar complaints-----is there any recourse ?
Like many others, my car began to shudder when the brakes were applied. This went on for a few months & got worse. I saw the many other complaints on this website of premature brake wear, and brought it to the attention of the dealer when I brought my vehicle in. I knew the finding was going to be warped rotors & that was indeed the case. Yes, they gave me the extended warranty to replace the front brake rotors & pads and only charged the $100 copay. They offered to replace the rear rotors for $300 or resurface for $130. I went with the resurfacing. As with the others, I don't see why warping of the rotors prematurely isn't a defect and a safety hazard!
At the time of incident was driving on a freeway were some vibrations when I pressed the brakes from 60-65 mph. While I exit and to check out I felt some pulsation on the brake pedals in about 10-15 mph. I brought the minivan at the dealer and they said front rotors are warped and brake pads are not usable. They replaced the front rotors and the pads as part of they extended warranty. I think Chrysler knew that's there's issue that's why they extend the warranty. They tested and after that they said there's pulsation and found out that my rear rotors were bad as well and needed machining to my expense @$300 because the extended warranty is only for front brakes. After about 4,000 miles during the regular oil they recommended me that on next visit I have to change my rear brakes as well to my expense. I think this issue has not been fixed. We drive as normal, we don't drag brakes but within 15,000 miles I think premature brake wear on both sides is not normal. This is a safety concern. I do not trust this issue this should be a safety concern. Chrysler do not give me a definite answer, they just said it's normal and how we drive. Also transmission have hesitations on some uphill freeways and shudders when backing up.
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the brake pedal traveled to the floor board and the vehicle failed to stop. The contact mentioned that the failure was recurring. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that the heat capacity was not sufficient for the vehicle and caused the brake pads to overheat when the contact was driving downhill. As a result, the technician recommended replacing part of the braking system with ceramic braking parts. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 25,465 and the current mileage was 35,000.
In November of 2012, with approximately 31000 miles on my van, I had to replace front and back brakes and rotors, January 2013, replaced brakes and rotors again with approximately 33000 miles, may of 2013 replaced brakes and rotors a third time with approximately 35000 miles on vehicle, now with almost 41000 miles my brakes and rotors need replacing a fourth time. Four times in about 10000 miles is absurd, I have replaced the brakes and rotors with the correct pads and rotors from autozone, since I am trying to maintain my vehicle on a budget, called Chrysler to file a complaint and was told unless I go to a dealer to address the problem, there is nothing they can or will do, I paid 94000 dollars for 3 2011 Town and country vans, the other two vans have not gone through brakes or rotors like the one I drive daily, there has been no recall, or service bulletin issued, I have read hundreds and hundreds of complaints about the braking systems in the redesigned Chrysler and Dodge vans, to me and all the other people who are having this issue, it I a serious one for us, we have all paid good money for our vehicles, just to have the vehicle nickel and dime us like an old used car, Chrysler and Dodge need to address these issues, like myself, people are on budgets, and most cant afford to keep replacing the same part over and over and over again, please do something, it is a safety issue, who knows why the brakes are getting used up so quickly, or when or if they will completely fail and cause serious injuries or fatalities.
I had to replace the front rotors and pads on a vehicle with only 15000 miles on it. I have been driving for 45 years and have never had a vehicle that had to have this kind of work done. After bringing the T&C in because of front end shimmy when breaking, I was told the rotors were bad/warped. 15000 miles! I was also told that Chrysler has had problems with breaks previously and a recall was performed but it ended on the 2010 and did not cover my T&C; but they would be nice and just charge me $100, because I had the extended warranty and that was my deductible. This T&C is still under the 3 year 36 mile warranty but it does not cover rotors or pads. (how convenient) my big concern is that this vehicle has many reported braking issues, even Chrysler acknowledges this. They did have a recall notice but does not cover 2011 T&C's. when will Chrysler step up and fix their brakes?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ft. Thomas, KY, USA