2000 Chrysler Town And Country Body & structure Problems

RUSTED LEFT STRUT TOWER CAP ON A CHRYSLER 2000 TOWN AND COUNTRY. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VAN JUST CHECK THE BLOGS ON A COMPUTER OR CALL AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM I'M TOLD IF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT DISCOVERED IT'S POSSIBLE THE STRUT COULD FORCE THROUGH THE RUSTED TOWER TOP CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE REPAIR WILL COST ME $300.00 TO $400.00 DOLLARS. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS BAD DESIGN THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY CHRYSLER BEFORE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIVES.CONSUMERS PURCHASE AUTOS IN GOOD FAITH THAT THEY WILL BE SAFE AND THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE TO BE FINANCIALLY PENALIZED FOR BAD DESIGNS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10404124

Incident

May 1, 2011

CHRYSLER 2000 TOWN AND COUNTRY STRUT TOWER RUST. DRIVERS SIDE OF STRUT TOWER RUSTED SO BAD THAT THE STRUT IS GOING TO RIP THROUGH THE TOP OF THE RUSTED TOWER. THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE PROBLEM THAT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A CALL BACK SAFETY ISSUE. MY VAN IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE, SO MY VAN HAS LITTLE EXPOSURE TO THE HARSH WEATHER ELEMENTS. WE KEEP OUR VAN WASHED AND WAXED OIL CHANGED EVERY 2000 MILES SO THE VAN IS KEPT MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY IN GOOD REPAIR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN FLAW THAT CHRYSLER WILL NOT STAND BEHIND. WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO PURCHASE AN AMERICAN VEHICLE? WITH ALL OF OUR TECHNOLOGY WE PRODUCE FLAWED DESIGNED VEHICLES. I WILL NOT GET INTO CHEVY SILVERADO STEERING COLUMN BANGING AND TRANSFER CASE PUMP RUB. I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE AMERICAN FLAWED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLES. SHAME ON THE AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY FOR RIPPING OF CONSUMERS THAT DON'T HAVE THE MONEY WASTE ON REPAIRING THE ONGOING FLAWS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10403986

Incident

May 1, 2009

NORMAL USE OF THE VEHICLE HAS LED TO STRUT TOWERS RUSTING AND SEPARATING UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME TO REPAIR WITH A "STRUT TOWER REPAIR KIT". THEY THEN EXPLAINED THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN CHRYSLER/DODGE MINIVANS FROM 1996-2000 AND THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #23-044-02 ABOUT THE CONDITION AND REPAIR. IF LEFT UNDIAGNOSED AND UN-REPAIRED, THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE OWNER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DUE TO THE # OF INCIDENTS & REPAIRS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A PRODUCT DESIGN DEFECT. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE KIT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL WOULD NOT BE ISSUED...BECAUSE NO ONE HAS DIED YET? *TR

NHTSA ID

10403619

Incident

May 27, 2011

Mileage

106,000 mi

2000 CHRYSLER T&C - STRUT TOWERS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10356137

Incident

Jan 1, 2010

Mileage

165,000 mi

DRIVING THROUGH SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER (DRAINAGE FROM WATERHOSE RUN OFF NOT STORM TYPE DRAINAGE). SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE. HAPPENS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. I HAVE REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, THE TENSIONER, THE IDLER PULLEY. I'VE HAD THE ALIGNMENT OF THE PULLEYS CHECKED, ALL HAVE HAD NO EFFECT ON THE SERPENTINE BELT. IT STILL COMES OFF GOING THROUGH ANY FORM OF MOISTURE. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING NOW FOR OVER A YEAR, I HAVE GONE THROUGH 4 DIFFERENT BELTS TRYING TO SEE WHAT COULD WORK. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING (APPROX. 3AM) WHILE MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK, WITH THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING SHE RAN INTO A CURB. THE ONLY DAMAGE WAS TO THE VEHICLE FRONT BUMPER AND BOTTOM VALANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10327093

Incident

Jan 9, 2010

Mileage

120,000 mi

1996-2000 CHRYSLER AND DODGE MINI VANS. COULD BE ANY MODEL OF THE VAN WITHIN EACH DIVISIONS LINEUP. NOT EVERY VAN HAS THIS PROBLEM BUT MANY MANY DO AND CHRYSLER HAS DROPPED THE BALL NOT PICKING UP THE TAB FOR THE REPAIRS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE MINI VANS. CHRONIC RUSTING OF THE STRUT TOWERS IN THESE VANS. ESPECIALLY THE DRIVERS SIDE (LIKE MINE). I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A VERY PREVALENT PROBLEM IN THESE VANS DUE TO IMPROPER MANUFACTURING AND SEALING OF THE STRUT TOWER AFTER DOING SOME EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. IF NOT REPAIRED THE STRUT TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTS/ROTS THROUGH ALLOWING THE STRUT ASSY TO COLLAPSE THROUGH THE SUPPORT TOWER AND POTENTIALLY CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL OR CRASH OF THE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER MADE AVAILABLE (AT CUSTOMERS COST FOR THE REPAIRS) A SUPPORT CAP THAT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM IF IT WAS CAUGHT IN TIME. A BAND AID SOLUTION AT BEST. MANY VANS ARE RUSTED/ROTTED BEYOND WHAT THE CAP IS DESIGNED TO FIX AND REQUIRE VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE AND POTENTIALLY UNRELIABLE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STRUT TOWER UNIT MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET BUT IS RUSTED/ROTTED WELL BEYOND WHAT THE CHRYSLER CAP UNIT CAN FIX. ALL THE BODY SHOPS I HAVE VISITED HAVE MENTIONED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL YEAR VANS AND THE REPAIR IS IN THE $2000 DOLLAR RANGE TO FIX. 2 SAID THEY DID NOT WANT TO EVEN TOUCH IT AND I BETTER GET IT REPAIRED ASAP AND AVOID POT HOLES ETC. *TR

NHTSA ID

10286718

Incident

Oct 7, 2009

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE L/H STRUT TOWER ON MY 2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY IS RUSTING OUT. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS AND UNDERSTAND THAT CHRYSLER HAS NOT CONSIDERED THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. I AM A MECHANIC AND I BELIEVE IT TO BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. I WILL BE REPAIRING MY OWN VEHICLE USING CHRYSLERS TSB 23-044-02 AS A GUIDE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10248324

Incident

Nov 10, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO USE FORCE IN ORDER TO OPEN THE LIFTGATE. HE STATED THAT THE BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE GAS STRUTS HAD FAILED AND WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V123000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. HE HAS NOT CALLED THE DEALER AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 190,000.

NHTSA ID

10244494

Incident

Oct 5, 2008

Mileage

190,000 mi

I HAVE A 2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VAN WITH RUSTING STRUT TOWERS. THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS MORE THAN THE PASSENGERS SIDE. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS ABOUT TO PUSH THROUGH AND GO INTO THE HOOD. I ASKED MY DEALER ABOUT ANY SAFETY RECALLS OR MODIFICATIONS, THEY SAID NO. I HAVE SEEN THE CHRYSLER SERVICE LETTER AND ASKED MY DEALER ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THAT THE WORK SHOULD BE DONE WHEN WORKING IN THAT AREA UNDER WARRANTY TO IN STALL THE CHRYSLER UPDATE KIT. I HAD MY STRUTS REPLACED BACK IN 11/2004 AND ASKED ABOUT THE RUST AND LOSS OF METAL THEN AND THEY SAID IT WOULD NOT BE WARRANTY. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY A FORMER SERVICE ADVISOR AT THAT DEALER THAT THEY HAVE PERFORMED THIS WORK UNDER WARRANTY OR POLICY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, THE MINI VAN IS A FAMILY VEHICLE WHICH MY WIFE AND KIDS RIDE IN DAILY. I AM ONE PERSON AND I NEED HELP WITH THE LARGE CARMAKER PLEASE. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY INJURIES YET BUT PLEASE HELP ME BEFORE I DO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10239545

Incident

Oct 16, 2004

Mileage

51,572 mi

THE SHOCK TOWER MOUNTING WHICH HOLDS THE STRUT WHEEL AND STEERING ASSEMBLY HAS CORRODED DUE A DESIGN DEFECT AND HAS ALLOWED THE STRUT AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO BECOME DISCONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE CAUSING AN UNSAFE /CATASTROPHIC CONDITION TO EXIST. THIS DESIGN DEFECT WAS NOTICED DURING AN UNRELATED INSPECTION. THE DEFECT WAS REPORTED TO CHRYSLER DEALER ON 7/23/08. THE SERVICE DEPT. WAS AWARE OF THIS RECURRENT PROBLEM AND STATED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEE ISSUED TO DEALERS IN 2002 BUT OWNERS HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED VIA A VEHICLE RECALL NOTIFICATION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10236120

Incident

Jul 22, 2008

Mileage

170,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST ON THE STRUT TOWER UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS TO THIS DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN AUTO BODY SHOP. AT THIS TIME, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000. UPDATED 08/15/08. *JB

NHTSA ID

10234863

Incident

Jul 1, 2008

Mileage

118,000 mi

DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTED SO BAD THAT A HOLE HAS APPEARED AROUND WHERE THE STRUT MOUNTS TO THE TOWER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10222662

Incident

Mar 29, 2008

Mileage

99,000 mi

AS I BACKED OUT OF MY DOWNWARD SLOPING DRIVEWAY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND IT WAS NECESSARY TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKE TO PREVENT ENTRY INTO THE STREET. VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES REVEALED RUST/CORROSION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FLEXIBLE STAINLESS STEEL SEGMENTS WHICH ARE LOCATED ABOUT 1 FOOT TO THE REAR OF THE ABS MODULE. ONE OF THESE SECTIONS HAD RUPTURED CAUSING THE LOSS OF BRAKING. I HAVE REMOVED THE LINE FROM THE ABS MODULE AND CUT IT ABOUT A FOOT FROM THE RUPTURE. I HAVE PRE-REMOVAL PICTURES OF THESE AREAS AND THE AFFECTED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE TO BOTH THE RUPTURED LINE AND TO THE OTHER REAR BRAKE LINE AS IT LOOKS THAT ONE WILL FAIL SHORTLY IF USED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10211493

Incident

Dec 9, 2007

Mileage

89,042 mi

WHILE VEHICLE WAS HAVING OVER $1000.00 IN UNEXPECTED REPAIRS FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS (SHATTERING DRIVE PLATE, $550.00 EXHAUST CROSSOVER PIPE) IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT BOTH STRUT TOWERS HAVE RUST PERFORATION AND ARE STRUCTURALLY UNSAFE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT ALL CHRYSLER MINIVANS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 1996 AND 2000 EXPERIENCE. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE NEW AND IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, GARAGED, AND WELL CLEANED AND WAXED. I AM ALWAYS PARTICULAR ABOUT WASHING ROAD SALT OFF THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLES FREQUENTLY. I AM PARTICULARLY UPSET THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND HAS THE NERVE TO CHARGE ME OVER $1000.00 TO FIX THE DEFECT IN THEIR VEHICLE. WITHOUT THIS REPAIR MY VEHICLE IS DANGEROUSLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I WAS ALERTED TO THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT KILLED MY FAMILY. *JB

NHTSA ID

10205598

Incident

Oct 12, 2007

Mileage

75,000 mi

THE REAR DOOR HANDLES ARE APPARENTLY FAULTY. MY MOTHER TRIED TO OPEN THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND THE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN HER HAND, THEN APPROX. A MONTH LATER THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE ALSO BROKE OFF AS I WAS TRYING TO PUT MY CHILD IN THE CAR. NO EXCESSIVE FORCE WAS USED, IT APPEARS THAT THE HANDLES ARE JUST CHEAPLY MADE. IN ORDER TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE HANDLES/LABOR WILL BE $198 EACH TO BE FIXED, WHICH TO ME SEEMS INCREDIBLY RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING THE PARTS ARE CHEAPLY MADE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10205510

Incident

Jul 4, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SHOCK TOWER IS CORRODING, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE THREE BOLTS TO RUST AND BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,750 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID

10197935

Incident

Jan 1, 2006

Mileage

68,000 mi

1) NORMAL USE OF THE VEHICLE LED TO 2) THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTING AND SEPARATING UNDER THE HOOD, CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 3) I NOTICED THE RUSTING AND SEPARATION AND I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR WITH A "STRUT TOWER REPAIR KIT". THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN CHRYSLER/DODGE MINIVANS FROM 1996-2000 AND THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #23-044-02 ABOUT THE CONDITION AND REPAIR. IF LEFT UNDIAGNOSED AND UN-REPAIRED, THIS COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE OWNER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DUE TO THE # OF INCIDENTS & REPAIRS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A PRODUCT DESIGN DEFECT. CHRYSLER HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR OR REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIR.*JB

NHTSA ID

10159934

Incident

Jun 13, 2006

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT SEAT BELTS LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE WHICH SECURED CHILD SAFETY SEAT. *AK WHEN THE DRIVER MADE A SUDDEN STOP THE SEAT BELT, WHICH SECURED THE CHILD SEAT POSITIONED BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT, BECAME UNLATCHED AND AS A RESULT THE SEAT HIT THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CHILD WAS NOT INJURED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE BUCKLES CHECKED AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP AND BOTH TIMES THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE BUCKLES WERE FINE. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT COVER FELL OFF. THE SLIDING DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF. *NM

NHTSA ID

10050217

Incident

Jul 1, 2002

Mileage

40,000 mi

BUMPER IS TOO LOW AND WILL SCRAPE AGAINST GROUND, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE WEAR AND TEAR OF THE BUMPER WHICH RESULTED FROM THE DESIGN DEFECT. *YH

NHTSA ID

8016890

Incident

Jul 26, 2002

VAN MAKES METAL BENDING NOISE WHEN NOT DRIVING ON SMOOTH SURFACE/ ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE FLOOR BOARD WELDED TO THE FRAME ON OTHER SIDE OF VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

757954

WHILE TEN YEAR OLD CHILD WAS GETTING OUT OF VAN SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR DEPRESSED CLOSE BUTTON AND SLIDING DOOR CLOSED ON CHILD. WITH FORCE CHILD PUSHED DOOR OPEN. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID

890912

SINCE CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE IT HAD ALWAYS PULLED TO THE RIGHT DUE TO BENT SUBFRAME, POSSIBLY DONE AT ASSEMBLY OR DAMAGED AT DELIVERY.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID

873779