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.
I got into my vehicle the morning of 6/5/12, at approximately 7:45am after dropping my daughter off at daycare to find my vehicle had no radio, air/heat, windows, blinkers brake lights or any other electrical features. I drove it less than a half mile from the daycare to my office, where I shut it off, got out and called my dealership who suggested I should bring it in immediately. After setting up the service call, I got back into the vehicle after less than 30 minutes and everything appeared to work. Upon arriving at the dealership about 15 minutes later, I left it with the service department to review. About 1 day later, it was determined that the tipm (totally integrated power module) was faulty and a new one would need to be put in. Now 9 days later, it is still at the dealership in the service department because no one knows when the part will be available, there appears to be a back order with the supplier and no one at the dealership or so far the mfg. Can get me answers. I did file a complaint/case with Chrysler on 6/12/12 to document my concerns as I have no been without a vehicle for 9 days and need a vehicle in order to function with my day to day activities including work which is approximately a 25 mile commute one way. It was suggested I file a complaint with the NHTSA for it to be on record.
On May 2, the van would not start after coming out from a restaurant. The interesting thing is that the wipers had been going and the wiper fluid was empty and wiper fluid was all over the windshield and car. The battery was jumped as a short-term fix, but within a few miles (while going approximately 65mph), the car started honking its horn and wipers were going while driving. I quickly exited the highway and pulled into a nearby gas station. At that time, I put the vehicle into park and took the key out. Even after the key was taken out, the vehicle continued to run, honk, and run the wipers. This continued for approximately 3 minutes before it quit by itself. The vehicle was towed to a nearby Firestone center and the battery was replaced. This was unfortunately not the solution because another incident (same symptoms) occurred just 3 days later while driving. Again, my wife got the vehicle to a safe place, but this time, she could not even get the van into the "park? position. She was able to get the key out, but the car continued to run. She had to hold her foot on the brake and finally inserted the metal part of the key to get the engine to turn off and allow her to move it to the ?park? position and safely exit the vehicle.. as you can imagine, this was an expensive incident, but more importantly, it presented a safety issue to me and my family because of the vehicle?S inability to stop and put into ?park" position. It also presented a safety concern driving with the car while it was not in an electronically stable condition and was hazardous to other drivers. I have researched this issue on the internet and see similar complaints.
Initially when I turned the vehicle on the entire instrument panel lit up and I had no gauges, nor could I open my windows or unlock my doors. I disconnected the battery and reconnected it and all the lights went off. A couple of weeks later, on June 1st, June 2nd and again on June 3rd, the instrument panel began lighting up, the wipers went on, the gauge turned off and the windows and doors would not work. This happened continuously the entire time I was driving the car. On June 2nd I again disconnected the battery in the hopes of resetting the computer and it seem to work again until June 3rd when it did it again. This time I was on the road with only my son and was not able to do anything. I hoped that it would stop on its own and it did. I has not happened today, yet. I contacted the dealer and have an appointment set for tomorrow. I am afraid to drive this vehicle, especially with my children in it, since this happens so randomly and from what I am reading it is happening to alot of other consumers, and some are complaining that the car totally shuts down and they have no power. This is a real safety concern!!!
On 3 different occasions I experienced an engine shut down while easing foot off accelerator pedal to make a turn or slow down to stop. I experienced a bump and instrument dash lights came on. Once the sound of a bell rang as if the key is left in the ignition. However, when I depressed the accelerator while the vehicle was still moving the engine restarted. I have had a mechanic from a reputable repair shop test drive and run a computer diagnostic check and nothing appeared to be wrong. This problem is definitely a safety problem and need to be corrected by the Chrysler Corp. I have read of other similar complaints/problems.
Windshield wipers going without being turned on; washer fluid continually spewing out; horn honking continually; lights flashing on and off; doors locked. While driving to the dealership, van stalled in traffic. Finally was able to get it there with the engine running and the key off. Could be a very dangerous situation if vehicle caught fire due to electrical problems and I am unable to get out because the doors are locked and the knobs are down in the door so you can't pull them up to escape. It was like the vehicle was possessed. I purchased this vehicle for my mother to drive and I am afraid for her to use it. The dealership kept it for a day and said it would need a tipm, but it was on back order and wouldn't be in until possibly 1-3 months. Ridiculous! they can make several vehicles in one day and can't a part for 1-3 months. They said we probably shouldn't drive it. That's certainly inconvenient for us since we don't have extra vehicles. While the vehicle was sitting in my driveway, all of the same things happened again-horn honking, windshield wipers going, washer fluid spilling out, doors locked-while it was just sitting in my drive. We were told to unhook the negative battery cable. Something needs to be done about this issue because apparently I am not the only one with this problem as noted in other entries listed. We have not had a crash, fire or injury/fatality as of yet, but I want the problem resolved before that happens!!!
- Madisonville, KY, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated whenever accessing the driver's side sliding door it would open partially and then close immediately. The vehicle was repaired previously for a recall under NHTSA campaign id number 10V235000 (electrical system: Wiring). The failure recurred one year after the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent malfunction. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 22,000.
I was driving the van home going about 45 mph, when all of the lights on the dash flashed on and the gauges all shot up. I lost my power steering, and realized that the van was no longer running. I tried my best to pull it off of the road, but it was difficult without power steering. The dash lights were all still on at this point. Once I was semi-safely off the road, I put the car in park and shut the ignition off. I immediately turned the ignition back on, and it seemed fine. I continued home. This has happened to me on several different occasions. After about the 3rd time, I had a local store service it. We did not have a Chrysler dealership at the time. They could get no error code in the diagnostics, but told me the throttle plate sensor (?) needed to be cleaned, and perhaps that would help. It did not. It continues to do this, and there is never any warning. So far, it has only happened to me going 45 or so. I've contacted Chrysler about this, and of course they have no record of this type of problem. I told her all she had to do was google it. That's what I did. Their advice was to either hand it over to the dealership to see if they could get it to malfunction (but since it could be weeks or months before it happens, that's really not an option, is it?) or the next time it does that, document everything that happens (as I've done here and reported to them) and take it to the dealership. I stressed that the van always restarts, and the chances that they'd find a code to explain what had already happened and was now over was pretty minimal. It seems that they just don't care to dig deeper, or research possible causes, or even take a vehicle that's having this issue and study it under a microscope. Looks like they're just keeping their fingers crossed that no one actually dies as a result of this issue.
Drove vehicle successfully to location, then came back to vehicle to open doors with remote. Pressed open sliding door on remote, the vehicle instantly started a continuous honk and the windshield wipers and fluid started to go off. I was unable to unlock vehicle until it finally stopped 5 minutes later. I was able to turn it on and drive home. Then it occurred again in the afternoon but this time my kids were locked inside in the heat. Finally able to unlock and get kids out, neighbor got the hood open and disconnected battery. Very scared that they could be locked in there again in this heat. I did call Chrysler and awaiting a resolution.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that the driver was driving 40 mph when the air conditioning unit stopped functioning. The driver then attempted to open the windows, but the windows would not respond. The turn signals also did not function and the instrument panel lighting stopped illuminating. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the electronic control module needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the parts necessary to perform the repairs were on back order. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they were unable to provide a time frame as to when the parts would become available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000.
The windshield wipers both front and back, the washer fluid and horn all turn on randomly while driving or parked with the ignition off, the doors refuse to unlock or lock, the headlights turn on and off randomly while driving or parked. The dashboard gauges stop working all together or all of the warning lights turn on and off and the radio/navigation will turn on and off. All of the mentioned symptoms occur regardless of whether the ignition is on or not and randomly with no notification or predictability. The dealer wants in excess of $1000 to repair but offers no guarantee that it will not reoccur.
Our 2008 Chrysler Town & Country leaked water from a manufacturer defect in the ac drain tube, rotted the carpet and underlay, filled the wiring harness under the passenger carpet with water. The drain tube was replaced under a recall. The ac started to blow hot air.the dealer said it was the ac compressor so we had it replaced. $ 800. This did not fix the problem so they said it needed the ac pressure switch and harness so we replaced it. $400. This still did not fix the problem so the Chrysler dealer then diagnosed the tipm. After $ 1200 we still have no ac. We have another $ 500 to pay if we can ever get the part. The whole problem is from the water from the defective drain tube shorting the electrical system and Chrysler know it. The dealer said the tipm was on back order and there were 600 others ahead of us. We contacted Chrysler but they are just giving us the run around. We bought Chrysler to support american jobs. What a grave mistake.
2008 Chrysler Town and country. Consumer writes in regards to safety recall LO1, problem with vehicle replacement parts not being distributed in a timely fashion. The consumer stated the engine shut off while in the midst of driving. The consumer referenced recall # 14V373000. Updated 03/25/15.
Van stalls wherever and whenever it wants without warning. Very dangerous!. happens on freeways or back roads. With loss of steering and brakes its not easy to stop. I have read plenty of online forums and allot of T&C owners have the same issue. Why is Chrysler not recalling these?? it happens almost everyday now. Dealer says bring it in but wont really be able to fix it until it happens again. The forums I read aren't very promising. People have brought the van back multiple times and some are still stalling.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated there was a leak in the air conditioning discharge host that was leaking freon. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000.
While driving down the interstate at 45 mph the traction control light indicator flashed and all the gauges zeroed out and the van lost power and steering control making it extremely difficult and unsafe to remove from highway. This has happened on three occasions in the past 3 weeks since I have purchased it from dealership as used car. Putting the vehicle in park then restarting it seems to fix the problem temporarily, although I am concerned driving it on the road with me and my children in the van. Now the engine light came on and had diagnostics run. Code P0406 - showing ECM has detected the egr position sensor voltage was too high, probable causes could be: Failed egr position sensor, open or short circuit condition, failed egr valve, failed egr pressure sensor where applicable, or failed egr position sensor where applicable.
Wireless ignition module was replaced after repeated failures - van would unexpectedly stall while driving - the key would move from the run position to the accessory position. After 6-8 weeks and many visits to the dealership the module was replaced. Within the past month the same symptoms have occurred an additional three times - aprox 11 months after the first occurrence - van is now out of warranty and has 47K miles. I noticed there may be a similar problem in 2010 model year vans and a 1/4 of a million were recalled. What the issue addressed but Chrysler says it is out of warranty.
Description of the complaint: My 2008 Chrysler Town and country, just stopped working last night. Drove it around all day and it was fine. Went in to work, and when I came out that night to go home, the lights were all working, and the power doors and windows worked. However, the radio stopped working, the power windows no longer work, and the car will not start. It will not try to turn over. You can turn the key and nothing happens. The starter does not click, the motor doesn't do anything at all. Since we can't put it in gear due to the security lockout, we have towed it to a repair shop. This is a major issue considering it is the only vehicle my family has, and now we have no way to get our kids to the doctor or to school. They said it was a fuse box which has to bee ordered but will take a while since there has been a shortage of these items. They said the dealers were out, probably because of a manufactures defect. They said there was not a recall as of yet.
On Sept. 7, 2011 we experienced a second incident where the vehicle totally shut down while in motion. Took it to the Chrysler dealer and they performed a software update, tsb 18-003-09, and they said this should correct the problem. We performed a dealership battery replacement on 8-1-11. On Dec. 14th, 2011 the problem re-occurred, while leaving a parking lot traveling under 10 mph. Now with out power steering assistance, I was barely able to manually maneuver the vehicle to a open parking spot, stop, put the vehicle in park and it restarted. On Dec. 22, 2011 the problem re-occurred, while backing out of my driveway traveling under 10 mph. Stopped vehicle, placed it into park and it restarted. I called the same Chrysler dealership whom performed the above stated repair, the earliest appointment date they were able to give was Dec. 27, 2011. This is incident is extremely dangerous and alarming to the safety of a family of six. We have google'd this type of incident and have read a lot of similar occurrences. We would like to recommend to the ntsb to conduct a full investigation into this type of incident and issue a safety recall recommendation to Chrysler in order to proactively avoid loss of life's due to this total system failure in which Chrysler has been made aware of.
The contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and country. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the headlights and the lights on the instrument panel shut off. The vehicle was stopped and shut off. Upon restart, the vehicle functioned normally. The contact also stated while the vehicle was not in motion the windshield wipers engaged, the horn began to blow, and the door locks engaged and disengaged involuntarily. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that an electrical system module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 54,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Milwaukee, WI, USA