1997 Chrysler Town And Country Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SURFACE AROUND THE STRUT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS CORRODED BECAUSE OF POOR DRAINAGE FROM THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A CAP ON THE CORRODED SURFACE TO MINIMIZE CORROSION OF THE ORIGINAL PART. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10460994

Incident

Jun 1, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

EVENTS LEADING TO FAILURE: RUSTY MCPHERSON STRUT TOWER ATTACHMENT POINTS, A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH CERTAIN CHRYSLER AUTOS. THE PART THAT RUSTS OUT IS PART OF THE CAR'S REINFORCED UNIBODY SHEET METAL. BOTH THE FRONT LEFT AND FRONT RIGHT STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTED, BUT THE LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) CRACKED OPEN UPON HITTING A POTHOLE, MAKING A 1.5" X 4" HOLE IN THE STRUT TOWER ATTACHMENT. THIS CAUSED THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL TO WANDER OVER UNEVEN PAVEMENT, SINCE THE STRUT WAS NO LONGER SECURELY ANCHORED TO THE CAR, MAKING THE CAR TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WHAT WAS DONE: I PURCHASED A CHRYSLER STRUT TOWER REPAIR KIT AND INSTALLED IT. NOTE THAT THESE ARE AVAILABLE AT MOST AUTO PARTS STORES. THIS IS AN INDICATION OF HOW WIDESPREAD A PROBLEM THIS IS WITH SOME CHRYSLER MODELS, AS WELL AS THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON THE INTERNET. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ON THIS WIDESPREAD SAFETY DEFECT, THOUGH THERE SHOULD BE ONE. CHRYSLER WILL ONLY REPAIR THIS DEFECT FOR FREE UNDER THEIR REGULAR WARRANTY. THEY CHARGE APPROXIMATELY $900 FOR THE REPAIR. I GREW UP IN A "CHRYSLER FAMILY." BETWEEN MY PARENTS AND MYSELF, WE'VE OWNED ABOUT TWENTY CHRYSLER, DODGE, PLYMOUTH AND IMPERIAL CARS AND TRUCKS, BUT AFTER ALL OF THE NUMEROUS AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR, I'VE SWORN OFF CHRYSLER FOR GOOD. THEIR QUALITY CONTROL IS ABSENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10397503

Incident

Apr 2, 2011

Mileage

177,520 mi

THE STRUT HOUSING ON MY 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN&COUNTRY ARE BOTH RUSTING AND WILL SOON RENDER MY VAN INOPERATABLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS THE WORST AND THERE BOTH GETTING WORSE. I WILL BE IN DANGER IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ID

10360316

Incident

Feb 1, 2007

Mileage

130,000 mi

I FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE 1997 CHRYSLER MINI VAN SHOCK TOWER. I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE IT WAS RIDING ROUGH IN THE FRONT END. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE STRUTS 7/13/04 AT 107,819 MILES. ON 11/19/04 I HAD THE FRONT END REALIGNED AT, BECAUSE IT WASN'T HANDLING POORLY. THEY FOUND IT VERY DANGEROUS, THE LEFT FRONT STRUT LOWER MOUNT BOLTS WERE LOOSE/CAUSING STRUT TO POP IN KNUCKLE MOUNT AND BOTH BOLTS WERE LOOSE. THEN NOW, 5/27/08 AT APPROXIMATELY 170,780 MILES I WAS TOLD ME THAT THE RIGHT STRUT WAS BAD AND THE LEFT STRUT WAS READY TO POP THROUGH THE FRAME OF THE CAR WHERE IT WAS RUSTED. THIS IS DIRECTLY UNDER THE HOOD, I DO NOT SEE ANY REASON FOR IT RUSTING. I WAS TOLD IT COULD OF BEEN VERY DANGEROUS FOR US IF THE LEFT STRUT HAD POPPED OUT. CHRYSLER SELLS A KIT SPECIFICALLY TO REINFORCE THIS PROBLEM, IT IS PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION: 5080009-AA (CAP SHOCK 23034233), 5086513-AB (CAP PKG S 23034233) AND 5083855-AA (ADHESIVE 1081005). THEY ALSO HAD TO INSTALL LONGER BOLTS, SO THE CAR COULD BE ALIGNED CORRECTLY. AFTER REPAIRING THE SHOCK TOWER AND REPLACING THE STRUTS, IT WAS REALIGNED. I DID WITHOUT MY CAR FOR OVER 4 WEEKS. I FEEL THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE SHOCK TOWER, THEY SELL A KIT SPECIFICALLY TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND THE DEFECT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10231019

Incident

May 15, 2008

Mileage

170,780 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD THE SHOCK TOWERS OBSERVED RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE SHOCK TOWERS. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

NHTSA ID

10164465

Incident

Dec 20, 2005

Mileage

127,000 mi

AUTO IN GENERALLY VERY GOOD CONDITION, WITH 110000 MILES ON ODOMETER. I BOUGHT FROM CHRYSLER DEALER IN 2004 WITH 90000 MILES ON ODOMETER. I NOTED A FAIRLY SUDDEN "FRICTION" IN THE STEERING (I.E. SLOW TO RETURN TO CENTER AFTER A TURN). ENTERED A PARKING LOT TO INSPECT, STOPPED, THEN TURNED THE WHEEL TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE AND THE LEFT BALL JOINT BROKE (WAS NOT MOVING). REPAIR SHOP (NOT THE DEALERSHIP) REPLACED THE "PERMANENTLY LUBRICATED" ORIGINAL JOINT WITH AFTER-MARKET PART WHICH INCLUDES A GREASE FITTING FOR FUTURE LUBRICATION. THE SHOP FOUND THAT THE OTHER BALL JOINT HAD A GREASE POINT, INDICATIVE OF PREVIOUS REPLACEMENT, AND LUBRICATED THAT JOINT. IN MY JUDGMENT, THIS IS A VERY CRITICAL FAILURE; IT COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN INJURY OR DEATH. THE CAR IS TOO NEW AND THE MILEAGE IS TOO LOW TO JUSTIFY THIS AS NORMAL WEAR, AND THE SHOP FOREMAN SAID "WE SEE THESE ALL THE TIME". I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD LOOK AT THIS AND A RECALL OR IMPROVEMENT MAY BE IN ORDER. *NM

NHTSA ID

10164005

Incident

Jul 21, 2006

Mileage

110,000 mi

THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY CHRYSLER ON OCT. 14,2002 (TSB 23-044-02) ON THE PROBLEM AND IT COVERS ALL MINIVANS BUILD FROM 1996 UNTIL 2000. MY 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY MINI VAN HAS RUSTING FRONT STRUT TOWER ASSEMBLY'S . MY MECHANIC THAT IF THIS CONDITION IS LEFT AS IS , IT WILL RESULT IN THE FRONT STRUTS FAILING BY PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CHASSIS TO HOLD THEM IN PLACE. THIS WILL RESULT IN THE LOSS OF STEERING . THIS COULD EASILY LEAD TO AN IMMEDIATE ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOW DEFECT FOR 1996 TO 2000 MINI VANS. THE CHRYSLER COMPANY HAD REPAIR PARTS AVAILABLE BUT WILL NOT ON IT'S OWN MAKE A RECALL. I AM ASKING THAT THIS RECALL ME MADE IMMEDIATELY AS TO AVOID THE LIKELIHOOD OF ACCIDENTS DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURES DESIGN. THE YEAR 2001 CHASSIS WAS CHANGED TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ACT TO HELP US GET MONETARY ASSISTANCE FROM THE MANUFACTURE IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS A WELL KNOW PROBLEM THAT IS BEING IGNORED. PARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE DEFECT BUT ONLY IF PAID BY THE OWNERS OF THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. SINCE ALL THE VANS IN QUESTION SUFFER THIS CONDITION , IT COULD NOT BE THE RESULT OF THE OWNERS. CAN YOU HELP US? THANK YOU. *NM

NHTSA ID

10162820

Incident

Nov 24, 2005

Mileage

85,000 mi

DT: 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STOPPED AND SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL IT OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC, NOT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED. CHRYSLER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THERE HAD BEEN NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN FIXED, BUT THE CONTACT HAS NOT YET PICKED IT UP SO THERE WAS NO INFORMATION ON WHAT WAS REPLACED. THIS HAPPENED ON OCTOBER 11, 2005. *AK UPDATED 11/29/2005. THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER THAT A BUSHING ON THE AXLE HOLDS MOISTURE AND CAUSED THE PART TO RUST *NM

NHTSA ID

10139327

Incident

Oct 11, 2005

Mileage

71,738 mi

UPPER STRUT TOWERS RUSTING. TSB ISSUED BUT NOT WARRANTY. THIS IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE 2 1997 CHRYSLER MINI VANS, A VOYAGER AND THIS TOWN AND COUNTRY. BOTH ARE RUSTING IN STRUT TOWERS BUT OTHERWISE RUST FREE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10110235

Incident

Apr 3, 2003

Mileage

86,000 mi

ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS CORROSION IN THE STRUT TOWER. CONSUMER NOTICED THIS WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE. THERE IS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 23-044-02. *AK

NHTSA ID

10089983

Incident

Aug 30, 2004

Mileage

101,000 mi

THE LEFT FRONT SUSPENSION TOWER HAS CORROSION ON THE TOP SIDE JUST OUTSIDE OF THE BOLT CIRCLE. CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS DEFECT AND HAS A SERVICE BULLITIN NUMBER 23-044-02 COVERING 1996-2000 MODELS FOR THE REPAIR. THEY DO NOT FURNISH PARTS OR PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THIS DEFECT WILL IN TIME CAUSE FAILURE OF THE STRUT MOUNT RESULTING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.*AK

NHTSA ID

10088815

Incident

Aug 24, 2003

Mileage

101,000 mi

WENT IN FOR OIL CHANGE TO CASEY AUTO ASKED FOR A FREE INSPECTION OF VHEICLE. THEY FOUND THE STRUT TOWER CORROSION PERFORATION ON ONE SIDE THE OTHER IS PERFECT. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS ,IF THE STRUT GOES THROUGH THE FRONT SIDE WOULD DROP. THEY EXPLAINED THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETION ON THIS AND WITHOUT ANY HESITATION I WENT TO CHRYSLER WHO TOOK MY INFORMATION , EXPLANIN THAT I WAS NOT IN ANY DANGER THEY HAVE SEEN WORSE AND TOLD ME I WOULD BE NOTIFIED. AFTER ALMOST ONE MONTH LATER I WAS TOLD BY CHRYSLER --- SORRY , IF THE VEHICLE WAS 7 YEARS IT WOULD BE COVERED , NORMALLY THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED AFTER 36MTH. BUT CHRYSLER IS EXTENDING IT TO 7 YEARS, UNFORTURTLY MY VEHICLE IS 7YRS AND 9MONTHS. NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY IS IT DANGEROUR OR NOT?? ONE MECHANIC SAYS YES CHRYSLER SAYS NO. NOW IT WAS JUST BY CHANCE THAT A GOOD MECHANIC SAW THIS, CHRYSLER IS WELL AWARE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I NEED TO BRING TO SOMEONES ATTENTION. *AK

NHTSA ID

10072766

Incident

Apr 29, 2004

Mileage

71,000 mi

CONSUMER NOTICE WHILE CHANGING THE TIRE THAT THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFOMATION. TS

NHTSA ID

8023931

Incident

Nov 9, 2002

FRONT SWAY BAR BROKE. ALSO, MECHANIC STATED A LOT OF SWAY BARS WERE BREAKING ON THESE VEHICLES. IT WAS A DEFECT IN MATERIAL. CONTACTED CHRYSLER, AND CHRYSLER INSISTED THAT IT WAS NOT AN UNREASONABLE THING TO HAPPEN AT 74000 MILES.*AK *TT

NHTSA ID

899981

THE COURTESY LIGHT IN THE DOOR BURNED OUT. NLM CONSUMER STATES WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL SUDDENLY BECAME EXTREMLY DIFFICULT TO TURN, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW STRUTS AND A NEW RACK AN PINION, ALSO THE WINDSHIELD WOPERS COME ON BY THEMSELVES AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD STAYS ON.*JB

NHTSA ID

560074

FRONT END VIBRATES AT 35-45 MPH. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND IS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

848748

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT 50MPH, VEHICLE VIBRATED. HAD CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT TIME. HAD ALL 4 TIRES CHANGED & ROTATED SINCE NOVEMBER. INFORMED BY DEALER THE PROBLEM WAS WITH TIRES. HOWEVER, INFORMED BY TIRE DEALER THAT IT WAS SUSPENSION. *AK

NHTSA ID

839903

POSSIBLE SUSPENSION PROBLEM THAT MUST CREATE EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE TIRES AND CAUSES THE CAR TO WOBBLE AT LOW SPEEDS. TIRES NEED TO BE REPLACED AT ONE-HALF OR LESS OF THEIR USEFUL LIFE. DEALER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT MICHELIN KNEW HOW TO TREAT THE SYMPTOM, PUT A NEW SET OF TIRES ON THE CAR, BUT NOT NECESSARILY HOW TO CURE THE PROBLEM. ANYONE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND WHAT IS BEING DONE TO FIX IT? SOUNDS LIKE NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: SB052078 TO ME. IS THE COMPLETE BULLETIN AVAILABLE ANYWHERE? DEALER REFERRED ME TO HAVE WHEELS ALIGNED AT GOODYEAR WHO SENT ME TO MICHELIN BECAUSE OF A BELT SEPARATION.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P215/65R16 )

NHTSA ID

701053

Incident

Nov 21, 1998