Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Chrysler Town And Country submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 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.
The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words
WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AND RAIN FOR ONE DAY THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE UP, THE BATTERY LIGHT WENT ON, AND I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE. I WAS ON A FLAT STREET AND IN MOTION WHEN IT OCCURRED.
VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TURN OFF WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND MUST RESTART VEHICLE WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT OR GOING UP A HILL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP PRIOR AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE, REPAIR SHOP CONFIRMED ISSUES. HAVE REPORT FROM SHOP INDICATING CONCERN FOR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. LOOKED FOR RECALLS REGARDING THIS AND NOTHING REPORTED. AGAIN, VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING INTERMITENTLY AND MUST RESTART VEHICLE. ALL POWER TO VEHICLE STOPS. *TR
SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF WHEN DRIVING IN RAINY CONDITIONS WITH CHILD IN VEHICLE. CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL FAMILY TO BE PICKED UP. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED AND PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE TO HAVE SERPENTINE BELT PUT BACK ON. *TR
AFTER DRIVING IN THE RAIN SEVERAL DAYS IN A ROW, INCLUDING A MUDDY DIRT ROAD, HIT A MUD PUDDLE AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER IN STEERING. WAS A BELT LAYING ON THE GROUND UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF CAR. CAR TOWED TO AUTO REPAIR SHOP. WAS TOLD 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHEN IT RAINS. BELT REINSTALLED. NOW CAUTIOUS OF DRIVING IN RAIN. WOULD LIKE TO FIND SOLUTION. *TR
REPEATED DISMOUNT OF SERPENTINE BELT FROM CRANKSHAFT PULLEY DUE TO WATER SPLASHING FROM RIGHT FRONT TIRE. HAS OCCURRED FOUR OR FIVE TIMES SINCE OWNING THE 1998 VEHICLE IN 2001. THIS CAUSED THE ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKING AND ELECTRICAL POWER FROM THE ALTERNATOR. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY CHRYSLER TO PROVIDE S SHIELD TO PROTECT THIS AREA. *TR
WHEN GOING THROUGH AVERAGE SIZE PUDDLE, SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF. THIS DISABLES ALL STEERING CONTROL AND ALTERNATOR/COOLANT SYSTEM, ETC. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE. HAVE REPLACED BELT MYSELF NUMEROUS TIMES. FAILURE OF TENSIONER AND 2 OTHER PULLEYS EVENTUALLY NEEDED AT COST OF $300+. WAITING FOR IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN... I SEE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT A SERPENTINE BELT PROBLEM. SHE REPLACED THE BELT THREE TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE FIRST PROBLEM EMERGED WHEN THE BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING. THE POWER STEERING WAS LOST WHEN THE BREAKAGE OCCURRED. THE NEXT TWO TIMES THE BELT ITSELF DID NOT BREAK, IT CAME OFF THE PULLEY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS ALL THREE TIMES.*AK
1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE ROD AND THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM. *MR THERE WAS BINDING AND POPPING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. *SC *JB
THE VEHICLE, A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY MINIVAN, COMPLETELY LOST ALL POWER STEERING WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY WITH THE VAN OVERHEATING WITHOUT DAMAGE OR INJURY. AS THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT POWER STEERING HAS BEEN LOST WHILE DRIVING WITHIN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, WE UNDERSTANDABLY ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THIS PROBLEM IS CORRECTABLE AND IF THE VEHICLE CAN BE RENDERED SAFE. OUR MECHANIC PROVIDED ME WITH A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY CHRYSLER WHICH IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEM. FOR VANS FROM THE 1995-1999 MODEL YEARS, THE SERPENTINE BELT CAN SLIP OFF THE IDLER PULLEY WHEN THE VAN IS DRIVEN IN DEEP SNOW OR WATER. UNFORTUNATELY, THE SERVICE BULLETIN GIVES NO INDICATION OF WHAT CAUSES THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT WANT ANYONE (EITHER IN MY FAMILY OR OUTSIDE IT) TO BE A FATALITY AS A RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM. WHILE MY MECHANIC CAN DO THE REPAIRS (LIKE HE DID THE LAST TIME), HE CAN GIVE ME NO ASSURANCE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN. *AK
THE VAN LOST POWER STEERING EVERY TIME IT WAS DRIVEN OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER.*JB
WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN THE FAN BELT WHICH PROVIDES POWER TO STEERING, BATTERY AND ENGINE COOLING FALLS OFF. FAILURE CAUSES IMMEDIATE LOSS OF STEERING & WITHIN 20 SECONDS ENGINE OVERHEATS & DISABLES VEHICAL UNTIL TOWED. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO FIX UNDER WARRANTY 6 TIMES (NEW TENSIONER, NEW PULLEY WHEE AND NEW PIPES TO DRAIN WATER. SAME RESULT EACH TIME, AFTER PERIOD OF TIME OCCURS AGAIN. CAR IS TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE . *AK
OUR 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY MINIVAN HAS HAD A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING BELT FALLING OFF WHEN THE VEHICLES DRIVES THROUGH STANDING WATER (OR SNOW). WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS AND A CHRYSLER DEALER IN AN EFFORT TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. EACH OF THEM (INCLUDING THE DEALER) HAS TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY MINIVANS, BUT THAT CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY RECOMMENDED FIX. WE CONSIDER THIS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH WE HAVE PUT-UP WITH FOR SEVERAL YEARS.*AK
FIRST TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WAS ON A SECONDARY ROAD, HAD TO TURN AROUND AND WHEN I WENT TO BACK UP WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. HAD TO BE TOWED. AGAIN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION ON AUGUST 23, 2003. IT IS JERKING WHEN I GO INTO REVERSE OR FORWARD. WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED TO GARAGE. LAST DECEMBER WAS COMING OF AN EXIT AND BOLT BROKE OFF FROM STEERING THAT GOES INTO THE TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN A PUDDLE STEERING WHEEL BELT WOULD COME OFF ,CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP.*AK
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED AT LOW SPEEDS, ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST.*JB
THIS VEHICLE HAD TWO CLOCK SPRING FAILURES WITH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYING ON. THE FIRST OCCURRED AT 3000 MILES. THE SECOND FAILURE CAUSED CRUISE CONTROL TO CEASE WORKING. WITH POWER STEERING COMPLAINT, THE VIBRATION AND GRUMBLING IN THE STEERING AT SLOW SPEEDS WAS A CAUSE OF CONCERN. AFTER THE STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED, AND LONGER STEERING HOSES PLACED ON THE VEHICLE, THE VIBRATION CONTINUED IN THE STEERING, ALTHOUGH SOMEWHAT SUBDUED. THE STEERING PUMP FLOW CONTROL VALVE WAS WORN. WHEN THE FLUID REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURES, THE VIBRATION INCREASED AND BECAME MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN DRIVING FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE STEERING FELT NON-RESPONSIVE GOING INTO TURNS AT SLOW SPEEDS. I ENDED UP PAYING FOR THE STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT, SINCE THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T CONSIDER MY COMPLAINT A FAULT WITH THE PUMP, ALTHOUGH THE STEERING IS 100% BETTER WITH THE UNIT REPLACED.---*DT. ------DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS-------769523. *AK
AT 34886 MILES THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACD FOR A 'CLUNKING NOISE' IN THE FRONT END. THE PROBLEM WAS LATER TRACED TO THE SWAY BAR INSULATORS AND LINK ENDS. AT 59600 MILES THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR VIBRATION IN THE STEERING COLUMN, WITH A MOANING SOUND, WHENEVER TURNING AT SLOW SPEEDS. AT 60569 THE STEERING HOSES, FLUID AND STEERING ASSEMBLY WERE REPLACED. NONE OF THESE COMPONENTS REMEDIED THE SHUDDER IN THE STEERING.
STEERING FAILED ON MY PREVIOUS CHRYSLER NEW YORKER AT THE SAME MILEAGE. *TS *JB ***DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS***763027
WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING/ POWER BRAKES AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT FAN BELT SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE. *AK
ON THE DATE ABOVE I TRIED TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE TO KEEP THE ALARM SYSTEM FROM AUTO-ACTIVATING. IT DID SO REPEATEDLY IN DAYS PRIOR TO THE SERVICE DATE. AFTER REPLACING A HOOD SWITCH FOR $123.28,THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT MORNING. HAVING NO FAITH IN THE FLORIDA DEALER WHO WAS FAR FROM MY HOME IN KANSAS, I REMOVED THE FUSE DISABLING MY HORN AND MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO NOT DISTURB MY NEIGHBORS WHILE THE ALARM CONTINUED TO FREQUENTLY GO ON. ONLY THE LIGHTS FLASHED. AFTER MY RETURN HOME A LOCAL DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR THE ALARM SYSTEM FINDING A DOOR SWITCH TO BE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I RETURNED LATER TO COMPLAIN THAT THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE AND I GOT ONGOING, UNEXPLAINABLE ALARM SOUNDS THAT CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO REMOVE THE HORN FUSE EACH TIME, THE DEALER CHECKED MY CAR AND TOLD ME THE MAIN COMPUTER MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF ABOUT $700.00. I ASKED TO HAVE THE ALARM DISCONNECTED AND WAS TOLD IF SO I WOULD LOSE THE USE OF MY HORN. THE FACTORY TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE MY WARRENTY WAS LAPSED BY 2 MONTHS I HAD NO RECOURSE. THEY MADE A ONE TIME OFFER OF REPLACING THE COMPUTER FOR ALMOST $300.00 GOOD FOR 60 DAYS. I ONLY WANT MY HORN TO OPERATE FOR SAFETY AND IT CAN NOT!*AK
WHILE DRIVING TO DEALER, STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOMENTARILY LOCK UP. WHILE PULLING ONTO DEALER'S LOT, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP COMPLETELY. RACK AND PINION REPAIRS WERE MADE AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. NO RECALL AND WARRANTY EXPIRED. *AK *TT
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE HORN ASSEMBLY IS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP TO BE EXAMINED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE HORN WENT OUT, AS WELL AS THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH LOCKED AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP AND THE PARTS HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER DOES NOT WORK. *JB
DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING CAUSED PROBLEMS WITHIN STEERING AND CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS. IT CAN ALSO EFFECT HORN AND AIRBAG LIGHT. *AK THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED PREMATURLY RESULTING IN AIR BAG AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. *YH
WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY DOWNPOUR RAIN OR OVER PUDDLES POWER STEERING BELT GETS WET, AND CAUSES POWER STEERING TO BE INOPERATIVE, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE INCIDENT OCCURED THREE TIMES. THE CONSUMER HAD BELT INSPECTED AND WERE IN GOOD CONDITION. *YH
STEERING BELT TENSIONER FAILED AND CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *AK *SLC
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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