RoadVitals

1996 Chrysler Town And Country Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
77
Latest Jun 20, 2007
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 938 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
7
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Chrysler Town And Country submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 77 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 77, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE APPLIED, THE CONTACT HEARD A POP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE HOSES WERE NOT STANDARD PARTS DUE TO THE MODIFICATION OF THE BRAKES FOR MEDICAL HANDICAP PURPOSES. THERE WERE TWO HOLES IN THE HOSES BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT STANDARD, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,000.

NHTSA ID
10193859
Incident
Jun 18, 2007
Mileage
75,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 16, 2005

FAILURE OF BOTH REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINES CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID MAKING EMERGENCY BRAKE ONLY OPERABLE STOPPING DEVICE. SAVED OLD LINES. BOTH LINES APPEAR TO HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANIC BELIEVES PROBLEM IS WITH DESIGN IN HOW LINES ARE ROUTED ABOVE GAS TANK APPROXIMATELY TWO FEET AHEAD OF LEFT REAR WHEEL. THE POSITION OF THE LINES ALLOWS ROAD SALT AND OTHER CORROSIVES TO BE COLLECTED ON THE STEEL SURFACE OF THE HYDRAULIC LINES, THUS LEADING TO THEIR EMINENT FAILURE. PLEASE NOTE LOW MILEAGE OF VEHICLE. MECHANIC REPAIRED VEHICLE BY INSTALLING NEW LINES, BUT ROUTED THEM IN A POSITION LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO CORROSION. FAILURE WAS PRECEDED BY NOTICEABLE LEAKING OF BRAKE FLUID ON GARAGE FLOOR. ULTIMATE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR. LINES BURST WHEN MECHANIC TESTED BRAKES BY PRESSING HARD ON BRAKE PEDAL WHILE IT WAS PARKED. BRAKE FLUID SPILLED OUT ALL OVER SERVICE FLOOR. ACTUAL REPAIR COST: $289.02.*JB *NM

NHTSA ID
10132671
Incident
Aug 11, 2005
Mileage
81,285 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 20, 2004

CONTINUALLY WEAK BRAKES, CAUSING DANGEROUSLY LONG STOPPING DISTANCES, INTERMITTENT PEDAL GOING TO FLOOR, OUTER FRONT DISC BRAKE PAD WEARS OUT BETWEEN 10000 AND 15000 MILES INNER PAD ALWAYS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. REPLACED CALIPERS AND ATTACHMENT HARDWARE, BLEED BRAKES. SIMILAR COMMENTS BY OTHER OWNERS IN WEB SEARCHES. OLD PARTS INSTALLED PROBLEM NOT RECTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10104116
Incident
Dec 18, 2004
Mileage
114,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesHeating & air conditioning+7 more
Filed Jul 26, 2004

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE HORN AIRBAG AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE AT 45% BUT THE REAR BRAKES WERE AT 70%. THE DEALER CLEANED AND ADJUSTED THE BRAKES. THE A/C FAILED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN MODULE. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE CD PLAYER DOESN'T WORK. THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHT THEREFORE THE CONSUMER HAS TO LEAVE THE HIGH BEAMS ON TO SEE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CHECKED THREE TIMES BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY SEEM CORRECT. THE PASSENGER SEAT BROKE. THE STARTER FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE STEERING PUMP FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME TIGHT WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE REAR HEATER LINES WERE LEAKING. THE WATER PUMP LEAKED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10079478
Incident
Jun 10, 2004
Mileage
131,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 5, 2004

OUTSIDE BRAKE DISC PADS PREMATURELY WORN, INSIDE PADS VIRTUALLY UNTOUCHED. REPLACED ALL PADS, ONE DISC, AND TURNED OTHER DISC. THE ACTUAL PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY EXTREMELY POORLY DESIGNED CALIPERS. OUTSIDE PAD IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH DISK. RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL DOES NOT REMOVE PAD AWAY FROM DISK. THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM IS NOT CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTIONING PART, AS FAR AS I CAN SEE. THE ENTIRE CALIPER DESIGN APPEARS TO BE FLAWED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10080375
Incident
Jul 3, 2004
BrakesExterior lightingTransmission+1 more
Filed Apr 29, 2004

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED USUALLY AFTER A TURN WAS COMPLETED. THIS AFFECTED VISIBILITY OF OTHER VEHICLES. ALSO BRAKES AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. DEALER REPLACED FOUR TIMES THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH/ BRAKE PADS/ ROTORS, AND DRUMS; TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, ALL AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10071803
Incident
Apr 29, 2004
Brakes
Filed Jan 14, 2004

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND DEACTIVATED INTERMITTENTLY. ABS LIGHT FLASHED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE SENSOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
10054063
Incident
Jan 14, 2004
Brakes
Filed Oct 6, 2003

CONSUMER STATES BRAKES WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. WHEN BRAKES ARE REPLACED AN ODOR IS PRODUCED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10042334
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
BrakesTires & wheels
Filed Jul 28, 2003
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING THE REAR BRAKES CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE TO CATCH ON FIRE. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE ROADWAY AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY RECOMMENDED A SHOP TO MAKE REPAIRS. THE SHOP ONLY REPLACED THE BRAKES AND FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE TWO REAR TIRES WERE ALSO BURNED IN THE FIRE. *AK *CB *NLM

NHTSA ID
10026789
Incident
Jul 8, 2003
Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 2003

WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM UNDERNEATH THE VAN AND THEN THE WHEELS LOCKED UP, WHICH PREVENTED THE VAN FROM MOVING. AFTER THE TECHNICIAN LOOKED OVER THE VAN, HE IDENTIFIED THE "PARKING MECHANISM" AS THE CAUSE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10015625
Brakes
Filed Mar 31, 2003

THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS WHILE PARKED ON A HILL WITH THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10014777
Incident
Mar 31, 2003
Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2003

WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB

NHTSA ID
10009273
Brakes
Filed Nov 25, 2002

CONSUMER NOTICE AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WENT INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICE TECHNICIAN NOTICE BRAKE LINE HAD BLOWN OUT AND WAS CORROSION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA ID
8023229
Brakes
Filed Oct 25, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH BRAKE LINES RUSTED CAUSING EXTENED STOPPING. TS

NHTSA ID
8021628
Incident
Oct 11, 2002
Body & structureBrakesSteering
Filed Aug 14, 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED CONSUMER CAN HEAR CLUNKING NOISES IN STEERING COLUMN. IT COULD CAUSE CONSUMER TO HAVE STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT STEERING WHEEL MAKES GROWLING NOISE WHEN TURNING DUE TO RACK AND PINON FAILURE. STEERING MAKES SCHRUCHING NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND DEALER LUBERCATE STEERING SHAFT. THE REAR BRAKES MADE A NOISE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS HARD TO CLOSE. THE LEFT SLIDING DOOR WAS RUBBING ON THE BODY WHEN SHUT*YH

NHTSA ID
8016316
Incident
Jul 13, 2002
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 14, 2002

WE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH ABS LIGHT ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING, CHRYSLER CHANGED THE CLOCK SPRING, NOW EVERYTHING IS OK. *AK

NHTSA ID
759347
Incident
Feb 1, 2002
BrakesFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 21, 2002

BRAKES SQUEAKED, TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND THE TRANSMISSION PUMP IS LEAKING, SOMETIME DO NOT SHIFT INTO HIGH GEAR, INSPECT ENGINE AND DISCOVERED EXCESSIVE DRIPPING FROM THE VICINITY OF THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM. INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET WAS LEAKING/REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
9006471
Incident
Dec 1, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2002

WHEN DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH COULD STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE WILL KEEP ROLLING, AND PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8001725
Incident
Jan 7, 2002
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Jul 4, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
747772
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 26, 2001

THE CONSUMER LOST THE POWER STEERING WHILE STARTING TO DRIVE DUE TO SLIPPING OFF OF THE VEHICLE'S MAIN BELT FROM THE PULLEY. THE VEHICLE HAD A COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING DUE TO BELT AND TENSIONER FAILURES. *YH

NHTSA ID
561765
Incident
Jan 29, 1999
Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2001
Crash reported

BRAKE FAILURE APPROACHING INTERSECTION WENT THROUGH RED LIGHT AVOIDED COLLISION WITH TRAFFIC JUMPED CURB ENTERED PARKING LOT AND SIDESWIPED POLE IN DRIVE THROUGH BEFORE FINALLY STOPPING. COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE OR MYSELF AND WIFE. WIFE WAS DRIVING. DEALER AND CHRYSLER SPECIAL INVESTGATOR COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES!! POLICE REPORT ON FILE # 420920 EVANSVILLE IN. DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT IN DRIVING THIS VECHICLE UNTIL CAUSE IS DETERMINED AND FIXED!!! *AK

NHTSA ID
747113
Incident
Jun 14, 2001
BrakesFuel systemTransmission
Filed Mar 25, 2001

MULTIPLE FAILURES IN OTHER AREAS OF THE VEHICLE NOT LISTED. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
743008
Brakes
Filed Oct 14, 2000
Crash reported

MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES ON THE FREEWAY. AS SHE WAS EXITING THE FREEWAY, SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE TO SLOW DOWN NORMALLY. SHE FELT PRESSURE FROM THE PEDDLE, BUT THEN THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH NO EFFECT. SHE PUMPED THE PEDDLE AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME, BUT AGAIN IT WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH NO EFFECT. SHE THEN HAD TO CONCETRATE ON AVOIDING OTHER CARS, BUT FINALLY REAR ENDED A TRUCK. AFTER THE MINIVAN WAS REPAIRED, WE HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED BY TWO SERVICE CENTERS. THE SECOND SERVICE CENTER IS THE ONE LISTED IN THE REPORT AND IS THE ONE THAT REGULARLY SERVICES OUR MINIVAN. WE ARE WONDERING WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS TYPE OF BRAKE FAILURE AND IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENCES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED?

NHTSA ID
734287
Incident
Aug 30, 2000
BrakesHeating & air conditioningInterior & seats+2 more
Filed Oct 12, 2000

TRANSMISSION FAILED,A/C FAILED, WIPERS WOULDN'T SHUT OFF, SPORADIC ELECTRICAL FAILURES

NHTSA ID
734113
Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2000

MY MECHANIC INFORMS ME THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ARE RUSTED AND DEEPLY PITTED. HE THOUGHT THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED. THE OUTSIDES ARE OK.

NHTSA ID
733528
Incident
Sep 27, 2000

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .