RoadVitals

1997 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.
48
Latest Jul 13, 2017
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.
12%
of 388 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.
12
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
8

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 1997 Chrysler Town And Country submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 48 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 48, in the owner's own words

BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 13, 2017

VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO CONTROL OF THE GAS OR BREAKS.

NHTSA ID
11005156
Incident
Jul 12, 2017
Mileage
15 mi
AirbagsBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 15, 2012

I WENT TO DMV TO HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED AND WAS GIVEN A REPORT THAT STATED SEVERAL PARTS ON MY VEHICLE WERE RECALLED. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF VEHICLE CAN BE SERVICED FOR FREE FROM DEALER BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTS OR WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM? PARTS LISTED UNDER RECALL WERE RC-J25-09 EMISSIONS RECALL J25 MOPAR VALUE LINE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS MY CAR FAILED FOR EMISSIONS PROBLEMS B24-CLOCKSPRING SAFETY RECALL - LIFETIME WARRANTY 895- SAFETY RECALL FUEL RAIL SEALS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10475511
Incident
Sep 14, 2012
Mileage
195,045 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 20, 2008

HARD APPLICATION OF BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10252347
Incident
Dec 19, 2008
Mileage
150,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A GRATING SOUND. SHE COULD FEEL AND HEAR A POPPING SOUND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED. SHE BELIEVES THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 111,501.

NHTSA ID
10233971
Incident
Jun 14, 2008
Mileage
111,501 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 24, 2005
Fire reported

AS HEAD OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT AT TEMIC AUTOMOTIVE, N.A., NOW OWNED BY CONTINENTAL TEVES, I WAS INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO HUNDREDS OF CASES OF 'THERMAL INCIDENTS' ON ABS CONTROLLERS ON NEARLY EVERY PROGRAM. THE INCIDENCE WAS HIGHEST, ON THOSE VEHICLES WITH THE GREATEST EXPOSURE OF THE CONNECTOR TO THE ELEMENTS. OUR INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT A DIRECT BATTERY TO GROUND SHORT WOULD DEVELOP IN THE PRESENCE OF MOISTURE AND CONTAMINATION, AND EVEN A 'SEALED' CONNECTOR DESIGN WOULD NOT PREVENT THIS. THE HIGHEST FAILURE RATE WAS ON THE CHRYSLER MINIVAN. AN INTERIM FIX USING A RAYCHEM GASKET WAS EMPLOYED, AND EVEN USED AS A SILENT RECALL FIX ON MANY CUSTOMER VEHICLES. IT IS MY OPINION NOW, THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALLABLE ISSUE, SHOULD SUCH AN DIRECT SHORT SITUATION DEVELOP THAT IT MIGHT LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY VEHICLE FIRES DIRECTLY TRACEABLE TO THIS. I WOULD THINK THE PROBABILITY WOULD BE VERY LOW, BUT I'M SURE IT IS NOT ZERO. I THINK THE ACTIONS TAKEN, AND THE VEHICLES EFFECTED, AND THE LACK OF WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR A KNOWN DEFECT IN MANY CUSTOMER CASES SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA. THE TIME PERIOD OF INTEREST WOULD BE FROM MY 1997 UP UNTIL 2000 OR 2001. THE MAIN PLATFORMS EFFECTED WOULD BE CHRYSLER MINIVAN, JEEPS AND FORD EXPLORER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10107829
Incident
Sep 1, 1998
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Crash reported

THE MOST RECENT BRAKE FAILURE WAS THE MOST POTENTIALLY DEADLY. WITHOUT WARNING, WE HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO REAR WHEEL CYLINDERS SEIZING UP. WE CONTACTED CHRYSLER, OFFERED TO SEND THEM THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE RECALL CENTER, WE WERE TOLD CHRYSLER WAS NOT INTERESTED. CHRYSLER CONTACTS WERE VERY RUDE. WE PULLED UP A RECALL FROM NHTSA ID NUMBER 96V215000. OUR CONCERN WAS THE REMARK IN THE CORRECTIVE SUMMARY. THE MASTER CYLINDERS IN 1997 MINIVANS MADE IN ST. LOUIS WERE DEFECTIVE. OUR MINIVAN WAS MANUFACTURED IN ST. LOUIS. ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER RECALL CENTER, THE RECALL WAS ON VEHICLES WITH TRACTION CONTROL. WE HAVE TRACTION CONTROL. PEOPLE AT CUSTOMER SERVICE WILL NOT TALK TO US ABOUT THE RECALL NOTICE TO HELP US. OUR VAN IS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE. SAFETY FOR OUR FAMILY AND OUT DISABLED SON IS OF UTMOST CONCERN. SINCE CHRYSLER IS NO HELP, WHO IS?

NHTSA ID
10070889
Incident
Sep 15, 2003
Brakes
Filed Dec 24, 2003

CONSUMER SAID THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD LITTLE DEEP INDENTATIONS, LIKE HOLES THAT DIDN'T GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE CALIPERS CRACKED AND A CHUNK OF METAL WAS MISSING ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE CALIPER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND THAT THE METAL WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH. *AK THE HOLES IN THE ROTORS RANGED FROM A COUPLE OF MM TO 15 MM. *PH *NM

NHTSA ID
10046513
Mileage
97,077 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 22, 2003

NHTSA RECALL 96-V-215-000, THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL, BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY NOT SEAL ADEQUATELY, ALLOWING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM RESERVOIR. CONSUMER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH APPLIED BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND DID NOT BRAKE AT ALL.*AK

NHTSA ID
10040301
Incident
Sep 22, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jul 14, 2003

RIGHT FRONT INSIDE BRAKE SHOE STICKS. NO WARNINGS. UNTIL BRAKE SHOE IS DISTINIGRATES AND HARD TO STOP CAR. - 2ND OCCURRENCE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10026021
Incident
Jul 12, 2003
Brakes
Filed Jul 14, 2003

RIGHT FRONT INSIDE BRAKE SHOE STICKS. NO WARNINGS. UNTIL BRAKE SHOE IS DISTINIGRATES AND HARD TO STOP CAR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10026020
Incident
Apr 12, 2000
Mileage
53,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+3 more
Filed Jul 11, 2003

THE EVAPORATOR HEATER COIL AND EXPANSION VALVE MALFUNCTIONED. PRIOR TO THIS, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT COOLING THE VAN. THIS HAPPENED SINCE JANUARY 2002. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE ABOVE PARTS. *AK THE BATTERY HAD BEEN REPLACED ON FOUR OCCASIONS, THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS, THE SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER HAD BEEN REPLACED. *SCC ALSO THE HORN, DRIVER SEAT RACK AND GRILL WERE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10024175
Incident
Jun 16, 2003
Mileage
41,696 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 2003

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS WARM. *NLM *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10020002
Incident
Nov 16, 2002
Mileage
118,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Jun 19, 2003

NAR 06/19/2003. *MR SOON AFTER THE CONSUMER PURCHASED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT WORK. THE VEHICLEH HAD A FLAT TIRE BEFORE ENTERING THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPAIRED, BUT IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WAS DEFECTIVE. ALONG WITH THE PARKING BRAKES SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS EXISTED WITH THE VEHICLE. A BELT TENSIONER AND TUNE UP WAS NEEDED. THERE WERE TWO RECALLS WERE ISSUED FOR THE FUEL RAILS AND CLOCKS SPRINGS. HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO RECOGNIZE OTHER MALFUNCTIONS LIKE THE PARKING BRAKES IN WHICH THE CONSUMER FELT A RECALL NEEDED TO BE ISSUED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND GIVE PROMPT RESPONSE. *CB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE REASON THE PARKING NRAKE DID NOT WORK WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE NEEDED DISC PADS, BRAKE SHOES ROTORS AND DRUMS BECAUSE THEY WERE GLAZED AND COULD NOT BE RESURFACED. THE FUEL INJECTOR AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO CLEANED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10024448
Incident
Jul 4, 2002
Mileage
58,456 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 25, 2003

THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10012419
Incident
Mar 12, 2003
Brakes
Filed Mar 25, 2003

THE BRAKES LOCKED UP, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10012418
Incident
Mar 12, 2003
AirbagsBrakesEngine+1 more
Filed Jun 17, 2002

1. STEERING SYSTEM LOCKED UP WHILE MAKING TURNS MAKING CONTROL OF VEHICLE DIFFICULT. VAN ALSO MADE SCREECHING NOISES WHILE TURNING. WAS TOLD RACK AND PINION NEEDED REPLACING PER "SERVICE BULLETIN". IT WAS, BUT DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM. DEALER RECOMMENDED DRIVE BELT AND TENSIONER BE REPLACED. THIS FINALLY HELPED. 2. AIR BAG LIGHT AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON, AND TRACTION CONTROL WENT OFF AT HWY SPEEDS. AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. DEALER SAYS THAT BOTH AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING AND ABS CONTROLER MUST BE REPLACED. DEALER STATED THAT IF THESE CONTROLERS WERE NOT REPLACED, NEITHER THE AIR BAGS, THE HORN, THE CRUISE CONTROL NOR THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD WORK. PLEASE REOPEN NHTSA ACTION INVESTIGATION #EA01007 FOR THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING IN THIS VEHICLE. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT IF THEIR AIR BAG LIGHT WON'T GO OFF IT MEANS THAT THE SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATIONAL!

NHTSA ID
763171
Incident
Jun 8, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jun 28, 2001
Crash reported

THE DAY AFTER DEALER REPLACED FRONT BRAKE PADS, APPLIED BRAKES FOR APPROACHING STOP LIGHT, VEHICLE CONTINUED ON INTO THE INTERSECTION, LUCKILY NO VEHICLES WERE COMING, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. AK *YD

NHTSA ID
891583
Incident
Jun 13, 2001
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Apr 11, 2001
Crash reported

THIS MORNING WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, I HEARD A LOUD CONSTANT SQUEALING NOISE. I ATTEMPT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, BUT THE VAN TOOK OFF STRIAGHT AHEAD AND WOULD NOT TURN AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR, WHICH WAS TOTALLED AFTERWARDS. ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES AT ALL TIMES, MY VAN CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD. IT THEN KNOCKED OVER A TREE APPROX. 12 FT. TALL AND FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT RAN INTO A NEIGHBORS SHRUBS. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED OR WALKING IN FRONT OF THE VAN AT THE TIME OR PERHAPS SOMEONE MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THERE WAS VISIBLE SKID MARKS FROM WHERE MY VAN WAS PARKED TO WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED, WHICH WAS OVER 60 FEET AWAY. IRONICALLLY, MY VAN WAS STILL DRIVABLE AFTER ALL THE DAMAGED IT HAD DONE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, THEY CONDUCTED A TEST DRIVE AND FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATION ABOUT EVER DRIVING MY VAN AGAIN. IF THERE HAVE EVER BEEN ANY SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I CAN BE CONTACTED AT 011 49 6202 29935 OR EMAIL [email protected].*AK

NHTSA ID
743881
Incident
Apr 11, 2001
Brakes
Filed Jan 1, 2001

THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS ON BOTH SIDES RUSTED CAUSING FAILURE OF ONE SIDE LEADING TO BRAKE FAILURE, ALSO ONE OF THE GUIDE PINS FAILED CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR. NLM

NHTSA ID
785221
Incident
Apr 1, 2000
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 1, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported

SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE AND ABOUT TO PUT CAR IN GEAR RESULTING IN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
738583
Incident
Dec 26, 2000
Brakes
Filed Dec 21, 2000

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A DELAYED STOPPING DISTANCE WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, BEING RUSTED/CORRODED AND PITTED. *SLC

NHTSA ID
876907
Incident
Apr 1, 2000
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 26, 2000
Crash reportedFire reported4 injuries reported

FIRE WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES, POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED.

NHTSA ID
735182
Incident
Sep 30, 2000
BrakesElectrical
Filed Oct 22, 2000

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA ID
734887
Incident
Jun 8, 2000
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 12, 2000
Fire reported

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE, POSSIBLY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, CLAIM # 12-0651-368. NLM

NHTSA ID
6900714
Incident
May 27, 2000
Brakes
Filed Jul 31, 2000
Crash reported2 injuries reported

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30- 35MPH ON THE SERVICE RAMP, SHE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES, AND NO PRIOR WARNING. IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, VEHICLE HAS DELIBERATELY CRASHED INTO METAL BARRIER. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID
866362
Incident
Jul 23, 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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .