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.
Incident #1: rear wheel noisy, sounded like a bad wheel bearing on the passenger side. Took it to a Chrysler 5 star dealer, they said the brake was stuck, needed 2 new rear calipers, pads, rotors, $750. Van had about 30K miles. Incident #2: rear wheel noisy, sounded like a bad wheel bearing. Checked the brakes myself, drivers side brake is stuck. Rotor is worn down, pads worn down to nothing. Fitted new pads, rotors. Van had about 50K miles. Incident #3: rear wheel noisy, sounded like a bad wheel bearing. Drivers side rear brake stuck on, wheel was nuclear hot. Probably needs new pads and rotors again! van has about 70K miles. The dealer stiffed me for expensive new calipers that weren't necessary. This is a pad/frame design problem. The pads stick in the frame and don't retract from the rotor. This is a common problem, although of course the dealer will deny it and upsell you new calipers. New vans have redesigned brakes. This van needs expensive new rear brakes every 20-30K miles due to a dangerous design error. The rear brakes can quickly wear out or get stuck on.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the ABS system engaged independently. The contact shut off, restarted the vehicle and it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the ABS system had failed. The mechanic replaced a serious of unknown sensors but the repair did not remedy the defect. The mechanic advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for a system download. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 90,000.
The first problem we noticed with the van was the brakes. They wear out way to quickly. In the 5 years we have had the van we have replaced the brakes 6 times and rotors 2 times. The next problem was what seems to be a well documented leak of the coolant on to the engine causing smelly smoke. We were forced to by the part from the dealer as it was not available anywhere else and paid over $100 for it. Thankfully my husband was able to replace it. Now at 80000 miles the key and ignition has been having issues. It started with not being able to remove the key fob. The engine will cut off but it will only go into accessory. If left overnight or for sometime it will kill the battery. It started occasionally and has progressed to almost every time you cut the engine off you cannot remove the key fob. It will release but it is after sometime sitting in park. It is very frustrating having to leave your key in the ignition and be forced to leave it sitting in a random parking lot and just hope that when you return the battery is not dead. I have researched this issue and it is very common among this van and other Chrysler vehicles. At this point I am so fed up with it if someone decided to steal it because they saw the key in it I would just wish them good luck. I will never own another Chrysler ! seems like there has to be a fire injury or fatality for them to do anything to satisfy all the unhappy customers they have.
At approx 30,000 miles, I rotated the tires, the front/rear brakes were shot. I replaced everything. I later learned about the recall. Brewbaker Chrysler told me "too bad, I guess you learned a lesson" when I brought them my receipts for the brake parts. Around the same time, I was replacing the wiper blades when I notice the driverside front strut tower was severely rusted. Water is trapped in the "cup" of the strut tower and had eaten quite a bit. Shortly thereafter, I traded the vehicle. I had issues with the sliding rear doors(reopening with nothing in the way and closing too hard, ie safety feature inop), the automatic back door(broken linkage), the "Y" cooling hose broke/split, using a quart of oil every 1,000 miles and locking with the keys inside. Upon trade-in, the van had approx 58,000 miles. I will never buy another Chrysler product again! I've never had one vehicle with so many problems in such a short time. My current vehicle, 02 Chevy S10 4.3L V6 (owned since new, .2 miles) has 119,000+ miles and the only problem I've had was a bad tps, at around 100,000 miles. Chrysler needs to step up their game and fix there vehicles.
Heard loud howling noise right rear, psi up to 39, wheel overheated. Went to dealer, right rear brake caliper seized. I was told had to replace both left and right sides?!! cost me $742.90.
- North Hampton, NH, USA
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My 2008 minivan started going electrically haywire while driving and I immediately drove to a nearby dealer. I pulled into service area with horns blowing, windshield wipers and fluid going full tilt constantly, with all switches in the off position. I had to keep my foot on the brake so the car wouldn't get away from me and plow into some one or thing! after I got into the service area everything stopped. On line and found hundreds of similar incidents from other owners.
I just had my front brake pads and rotors replaced. I had them replaced on 2/14/2012. My rear rotors and pads are ok, but need to be replaced soon. I had them replaced less than a year ago. I have searched on the internet this same issue for my year, make and model, and I found hundreds upon hundreds of complaints. Chrysler needs to recall the brake system...one should not have to replace the brakes and rotors every year.
I was driving down my residential street traveling < 25mph taking my 3 young children to school when I veered to the right around our curved street and the traction control and ABS brakes begin to kick in causing the car to slow to almost a stop without touch the brakes and creating a loud rubbing noice. I proceeded down the street and the same problem kept happening everytime. I tried to turn left or right. This was a huge saftey concern for me and my family as this could have happened while we were driving on the freeway or in front of the children's school. I brought it to a local certified mechanic and they diagnossed the provlem as a clock spring issue. While research clock springs, I found information that stated that a clock spring should not have any funtioning problems in vehicles with less than 70,000 miles.
My 2008 minivan started going electrically haywire while driving and I immediately drove to a nearby dealer. I pulled into service area with horns blowing, windshield wipers and fluid going full tilt constantly, with all switches in the off position. I had to keep my foot on the brake so the car wouldn't get away from me and plow into some one or thing! after I got into the service area everything stopped. In a few minutes one of the managers cranked the car a couple of times and told me that it would be better to have the car brought back when it had the same symptoms again. They said it is easier to find the problem. So I left and went on line and found hundreds of similar incidents from other owners.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, a loud screeching noise emitted from the rear driver's side wheel with an extremely strong burning odor. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who informed the contact that the caliper was defective. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred two years later and the caliper slide was again cleaned by the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle emitted a grinding noise and began vibrating. The vehicle did not come to an immediate stop. The vehicle was not repaired or diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 26,000...updated 09-18-13 the consumer stated the front rotors and pads were replaced.
1.there are times when right after shutting the vehicle off and coming back to the car several minutes later, it will not start. The key turns but there is no power. I have replaced altenator, and battery and starter. The problem appears to be in the ignition. 2. I have replaced the front wheel bearings at 80,000miles, also in the 3 years of owning this vehicle I have had to replace front brakesand rotors 2 times and rear brakes once. 3. oil seems to "disappear" usually 2 quarts in a matter of 1000 or less miles. This vehicle is the most unsafe vehicle I have ever bought. I bought this vehicle on the word of Chrysler that it is a safe and trustworthy van. I have been stranded more times than I choose to count, in parking lots and what not miles away from home, with my 3 small children. It is absolutely [xxx] that I have to have a "survival pack" food and water and strollers and things of that nature in my vehicle at all times in case we get stranded somewhere. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
3 occasions driving my 3 children to school my Town and country became unresponsive. The steering failed, brakes and the car went unresponsive. The electric stability control warning light came on. To remedy, I had to put car in park, and restart vehicle. The last instance when this occurred I rolled into a four way stop as my breaks did not work. An online search has shown many other have experienced this issue with the Dodge Caravan and Town & Country both made by Chrysler. Took van to dealer who said diagnostic test showed nothing (other people report this same experience). They updated the PCM software. I find it hard to believe a software update would render my car safe to drive and be the factor that caused it's whole system, brakes included to shut down. This issue needs to be looked at. Mini van drivers carry children!
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that the brake pads and rotors were wearing prematurely. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred four times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the brake pads and rotors needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,500 and the current mileage was 48,600.
Chrysler dealership said rear brakes were at 3 mils after only 10000 miles of wear now on 4/17/13 I again was told the rear brakes were at 3 mils after only 12000 miles of wear that to me and many brake repair shops is very odd and ridiculous.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted a strong burning rubber odor while at a local mechanic for a routine oil change. The mechanic inspected vehicle and located the failure at the front calipers, which were stuck to the rotors. The calipers, rotors and the brake shoe were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 70,000.
We own a 2008 Town and country. In Sep of 09 the front brakes had to be replaced (21381 miles). Then in July 2010 the front and back brakes had to be replaced (31088 miles) now Nov 2012 they say they need replaced again!! (65409 miles) this is completely unacceptable. The car is 4 years old and already we have had the brakes 3 times on the front and two on the back. Talk about a safety issue. Chrysler is aware of it too...they extended the warranty to 36000 miles. Although that does no good considering the problem is just going to keep happening. The cars need retrofitted with a new braking system not just replaced with the same thing. I have contacted the dealer and gotten nowhere with getting help, the same when contacting Chrysler. For the family vehicle they promoted this car as.....they totally failed. I am afraid to put my family in it. This car has had more recalls, tsb and extended warranties....when is it going to stop.
Vehicle has repeatedly needed to have brake rotors replaced due to severe vehicle shuddering when applying the brakes which is worst at highway speeds causing the steering wheel to oscillate. This also negatively impacts vehicle stopping power. This is most likely due to improperly sized or designed brakes for the weight of this vehicle causing the rotors to overheat and warp. There is no way these parts last through typical driving behavior. There are multiple complaints of similar nature that can be located at www.lemonlaw.com/wordpress/Dodge-Chrysler-brake-problems/.
We have had to replace all 4 brake pads and rotors at 20,000 miles. Now, at 33,000 miles the rear pads and rotors have to be replaced again! yet all I've read is that Chrysler is only paying $100 of the cost and only on the front brakes. There are a myriad of complaints of this very problem all over the internet. Isn't there something NHTSA can do to force Chrysler to back their defective product?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bolton, CT, USA