RoadVitals

2001 Chrysler Town And Country Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
52
Latest Dec 12, 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.
11%
of 462 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.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Chrysler Town And Country submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 52 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 steering

The 25 most recent of 52, in the owner's own words

Steering
Filed Dec 12, 2017

STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING, WITH ENGINE RUNNING, CAR WENT OFF ROAD, ALMOST HIT TREE. AFTER STOPPED , WITH ENGINE STILL RUNNING ( IT NEVER STOPPED) I HAD TO PULL BACK AND FORTH ON THE STEERING WHEEL, SUDDENLY THE WHEEL WAS FREE TO TURN AND HAS ACTED NORMAL SINCE. DROVE HOME FINE , BUT SCARED IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN ! KIDS WERE IN VAN !

NHTSA ID
11054262
Incident
Dec 8, 2017
Mileage
98,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING TIGHTENED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE CONTACT ADDED POWER STEERING FLUID TO THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN PROVIDED WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 270,000.

NHTSA ID
10669646
Incident
Jan 1, 2015
Mileage
270,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 1, 2014

HAD SEVERAL REPAIRS DONE AND IT DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM BROKE DOWN IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT SPOTS WHILE DRIVING AND DURING MORNING START UP IT COULD HAVE CAUSED CUSTOMERS TO HAVE ACCIDENTS IT'S A FAMILY VAN SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE I DON'T KNOW WHAT PROCEDURE CHRYSLER IS MAKING TO FIX THESE ISSUES A CONTACT FROM COMPANY OR COMPENSATION WOULD GREATLY BE APPRECIATED ITS CAUSING BUSINESS TO LOSE CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10585968
Incident
Apr 19, 2014
Mileage
196,735 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 15, 2013

THE OWNER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN A SUDDEN NOISE AND JERK RENDERED THE POWER STEERING USELESS AND THE VEHICLE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. A ACCIDENT WAS PREVENTED BY STEERING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR REPAIR THAT IS STILL PENDING... *TR

NHTSA ID
10503187
Incident
Mar 13, 2013
Mileage
134,750 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 8, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN POSITION LIGHT FLASHED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A ROCK UNDER THE HOOD THAT WAS INTERFERING WITH THE DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ID
10502071
Incident
Sep 25, 2012
Mileage
91,000 mi
Exterior lightingSteering
Filed Jun 5, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT HAD NOT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT BULBS BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH IN RAINY WEATHER, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER AND THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE REGAINED POWER STEERING INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ID
10460648
Incident
Jun 3, 2012
Mileage
135,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 27, 2011

WHEN IT IS RAINING WE LOSING POWER STEERING. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT. ALSO SUSPENSION IS BANGING. HAD CLIPS ON SWAY BAR REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND STILL SAME BANGING. *TT

NHTSA ID
10432996
Incident
Oct 6, 2010
Mileage
74,556 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 24, 2011

2001 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY LIMITED 3.8L V6. I HAVE HAD SUSPENSION PROBLEMS FROM THE START. KNOCKING NOISES, ETC. REPLACED TIE RODS, SWAY BARS, LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BUSHINGS, BUT DONE IT PIECEMEAL. MANY OF THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY REPLACED. NOW IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE--FROM STRICTLY ANNOYING TO DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. THE VAN JERKS APPROX 6-8 FEET LEFT AND RIGHT INTO ANOTHER LANE OR SHOULDER IN A SECOND. REPLACED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND REDUCED THE JERKS TO ONLY 6-8 INCHES BUT STILL DRIFTS. I AM AGAIN REPLACING RACK & PINION, INNER AND OUTTER TIE RODS ALONG WITH THE NEW CONTROL ARMS. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM--BUT THIS REPEATED REPAIRS HAS COST MORE THAN THE VAN IS WORTH. NOT TO MENTION THE RAPID WEAR OF TIRES (SEEM TO REPLACE EVERY 10K MILES). *TR

NHTSA ID
10421265
Incident
Jul 12, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 21, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STICKING AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. IN DECEMBER 2010, THE CONTACT HAD THE POWER STEERING LINE REPLACED HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECOME DIFFICULT TO MOVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,633.

NHTSA ID
10408416
Incident
Dec 1, 2010
Mileage
141,633 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 9, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE FROM REVERSE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. AFTER TRYING FOR APPROXIMATELY THIRTY SECONDS, THE WHEEL WAS ABLE TO BE TURNED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA ID
10369743
Incident
Feb 9, 2010
Mileage
65,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 10, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING FAILED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE FAILURE NORMALLY OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A HOLE IN THE POWER STEERING HOSE. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10365248
Incident
Nov 14, 2005
Mileage
50,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 7, 2010

AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ON THE 2001 TOWN AND COUNTRY I DECIDED TO REPORT MY OWN AS WELL. ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO I REPLACED MY WHOLE POWER STEERING UNIT. IT BEGAN BECOMING STIFF AND IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN MOSTLY IN THE MORNING WHEN IS WAS A LITTLE COLD...THEN IT BEGAN AT ANY START UP AND SOMETIMES ONLY WHEN I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FLUID AND IT WAS FINE FOR A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEN BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. I TOOK IT BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO THEN REPLACED THE WHOLE POWER STEERING UNIT. IT WORKED MUCH BETTER. THEN ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO IT STARTED WHINING I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A BELT BUT NOW I AM SURE IT IS THE POWER STEERING AGAIN. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED MORE WRECKS THEN WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADMIT AND I AM SHOCKED THAT CHRYSLER IS NOT RECALLING THIS PROBLEM. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AT 48,000. I TOO HAVE HAD TO REPLACED RUSTY BRAKES LINES AND MY CAR REPAIR GUY TELLS ME HE HAS REPLACED NUMEROUS LINES FROM CHRYSLER AND WE EVEN HAD TO WAIT BECAUSE THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER.( THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING) MY TAIL GATE WILL NOT ALWAYS OPEN EITHER. SOMETIMES IT DOES AND SOMETIMES I HAVE TO FORCE IT TO. NOT TO MENTION MY PASSENGER WINDOW HASN'T OPENED FOR YEARS...DUE TO A MOTOR NEEDING REPLACED. MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS DEFINITELY THE STEERING...THAT IS EXPENSIVE AND DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10324175
Incident
Oct 20, 2007
Mileage
48,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 11, 2010

I FEEL GOOD NOW THAT COMPANIES ARE REPAIRING THEIR DEFECTIVE AUTOMOBILES, A PROCESS THAT SAVES CONSUMER LIVES AND MONEY. ONE WOULD ASSUME THAT REGULATORS ARE CONTROLLING THE AUTOMOBILE COMPANIES AND PROTECTING THE PUBLIC, BUT THIS ASSUMPTION IS NOT TRUE. THE PUBLIC SPENDS BILLIONS ON DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS THAT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION DOES LITTLE ABOUT DEFECTIVE AMERICAN CARS. MY POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT OF MY CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. I ENTERED CHRYSLER POWER STEERING PROBLEMS AND RECEIVED 6,480,000 RESPONSES. THEN I REALIZED THAT CHRYSLER IS UNABLE TO PRODUCE A WORKABLE POWER STEERING SYSTEM, OR THEY PLAN FOR IT TO FAIL. I BELIEVE THEIR POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAS BEEN A COMPONENT OF THEIR PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE FOR THE LAST QUARTER OF A CENTURY. I OWNED A 1987 CHRYSLER FIFTH AVENUE AND THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED IN THAT CAR. WHY MUST CONSUMERS PAY FOR AUTO MAKERS' INCOMPETENCE OR PLANNED BREAKDOWNS? WE LOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR WHILE REGULATORS DRAW PAY FOR IGNORING LARCENY AND KEEPING SEATS WARM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10308735
Incident
Jan 27, 2010
Mileage
11 mi
Steering
Filed May 6, 2009

STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN ENGINE IS FIRST TURNED ON IN MORNING. SLOWLY, WITH A BUMP OR WHIRRING NOISE, IT FINALLY (ABOUT 15 SECONDS) LOOSENS UP. HOWEVER, AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES, AS WE DROVE ABOUT A MILE AND STOPPED AT A LIGHT, IT FROZE AGAIN AND WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN UNTIL CAR MOVED ABOUT 20 FT WITH GAS PEDAL ENGAGED. IF WE SAT THERE IT WOULD CONTINUE. SEEMS IT NEEDS THE ENGINE TO DO MORE THAN IDLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10267869
Incident
May 6, 2009
Mileage
65,049 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Mar 6, 2009

POWER STEERING PROBLEMS, AND POWER WINDOW AND DOOR PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10260910
Incident
Jan 28, 2009
Mileage
125,335 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 4, 2009

POWER STEERING BOOST HAS FAILED ON THREE OCCASIONS. ALL WERE LOW SPEED, LESS THAN 10 MPH. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR OTHER CONSEQUENCES OTHER THAN EXTREME DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO MY CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPORT THAT THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE EVENTS I'VE REPORTED. THEY FURTHER STATE THAT THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM. NEVERTHELESS, THESE EVENTS ARE EXACTLY AS I HAVE REPORTED TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER AND VEHICLE OWNER. MY CONCERN NOW IS WHEN AND WHERE WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN, AND WILL THERE BE AN ACCIDENT! I FREQUENTLY DRIVE ON SNOW AND ICE (VEHICLE IS ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE), AND ANY STEERING FAILURE COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN QUESTION, AND NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. THE THREE LOSS OF POWER STEERING EVENTS OCCURRED OVER THE LAST 10 OR 12 DAYS. PRIOR TO THIS TIME THERE HAVE BEEN NO ISSUES AT ALL WITH THE POWER STEERING. WHAT CAN I DO NOW WITH A VEHICLE AND SITUATION THAT I NO LONGER REGARD AS SAFE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10260708
Incident
Mar 2, 2009
Mileage
92,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Nov 4, 2008

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MADE A RIGHT TURN AND AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON THEN WENT OFF. TRIED TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSIS BUT IS NOT LISTED IN COMPUTER. AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF ALL THE TIME DID A SEARCH ON COMPUTER AND ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM SAYS IT IS A SPRING OR SOMETHING IN STEERING COLUMN THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE OF ALL THE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO CORRODED COOLANT LINES TO REAR AC/HEATER LOST ALL ANTIFREEZE AND VAN OVERHEATED BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247636
Incident
May 1, 2007
Mileage
98,000 mi
Fuel systemSteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 19, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT OFTEN HEARS A LOT OF RATTLING NOISES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, BUT OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND THEY REPLACED THE BOLTS. WITHIN SIX MONTHS, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 03/13/08. *LJ THE SWAY BAR LINKS AND BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE MADE A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME STIFF. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND RACK AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
10218570
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
60,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 28, 2007

I MADE A RIGHT TURN ONTO THE FREEWAY AND MY STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING THE ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT CONTINUED TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR, THE STEERING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. CAR IS GOING TO BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION/REPAIR? *TR

NHTSA ID
10191863
Incident
May 24, 2007
Steering
Filed Feb 10, 2007

UPPER POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE FAILURE ON A 2001 TOWN AND COUNTRY - WHICH IS EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALL AFFECTING 2002-2004 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V386000) MODELS. ANOTHER 2001 MODEL WAS IN THE SAME SHOP WITH THE SAME SPLIT HOSE ISSUE. RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL MODEL YEARS WITH SAME PART OR DESIGN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10182206
Incident
Feb 7, 2007
Mileage
62,595 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 17, 2007

POWER-STEERING RETURN HOSE MAY BURST AND CAUSE LOSS OF POWER-ASSIST STEERING AND/OR FIRE. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2002 AND LATER MODELS OF TOWN & COUNTRY MINIVANS. THE PROBLEM ALSO EXISTS ON 2001 MODELS, WHICH ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10178937
Incident
Jan 10, 2007
Mileage
87,390 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 25, 2006

BACK IN EARLY 2005 WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SWAY BAR, SWAY ELIMINATORS & SWAY BUSHINGS HAVING TO BE REPLACED ON OUR 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY LX WITH ONLY 31,000 MILE ON IT (PURCHASED NEW IN 2001). WE CONTACTED CHRYSLER WITH THE PROBLEM & THIS WAS RESOLVED PROMPTLY BY CHRYSLER. SAME CAR 1 1/2 YEARS LATER AND NOW WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES ON IT A "THUNKING" NOISE IN THE FRONT END AGAIN. UPON TAKING IT TO A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE THE MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE RACK & PINION STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $900. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME TO CONTACT CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT SEEMED TO POSSIBLY BE A PREMATURE FAILURE. WE IMMEDIATELY HAD THE RACK & PINION STEERING REPLACED BY OUR MECHANIC BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THE FAILURE OF MAJOR PARTS ON THIS VAN STARTING WITH ONLY 29,000 MILES ON IT SUGGESTS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE MANUFACTURE OF THIS VEHICLE. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE RACK & PINION STEERING AND REPLIED WITH A SORRY PAST WARRANTY REPLY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10171852
Incident
Aug 16, 2006
Mileage
40,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 1, 2006

DURING THE COOLER MONTHS OF THE YEAR THE STEERING ON MY 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN+COUNTRY BECOMES EXREMELY STIFF TO THE POINT THAT I AM UNABLE TO TURN IT AND IM 6'4" 280 LBS, MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT COULD BE A VALVE INSIDE THE RACK+PINION ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY HE SAID THE ONLY THING TO DO IS REPLACE THAT STEERING COMPONENT, I TOLD A FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME CAR WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND HE TOLD ME HE EXPERIENCES THE SAME THING. I WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS CAR AND MAYBE COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

NHTSA ID
10167254
Incident
Oct 17, 2005
Steering
Filed May 18, 2006

I PURCHASED MY CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE IN JAN. 2002 & AS EARLY AS NOV. 2002 I BEGAN REPORTING A STEERING NOISE TO MY DEALER WHEN BRINGING THE CAR IN FOR THE ROUTINE CHECKS AND OIL CHANGES. I WAS ASSURED THE PROBLEM WAS EITHER NORMAL OR THEY COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO DO WHAT I WAS DESCRIBING. I DESCRIBED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COLD & I REVERSED I HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING IT. THE STEERING WOULD LOCK UP. I OF COURSE CONTINUED TO BRING IT IN AND THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO DO THIS. THE STEERING PROBLEM CHANGED FROM DIFFICULTY STEERING WHEN IN REVERSE TO DIFFICULTY STEERING IN REVERSE & DRIVE. THE PROBLEM GENERALLY OCCURS WHEN TURNING LEFT & HAS LEFT ME IN A PANIC AT TIMES WHEN I AM TURNING WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT AND THE VAN WILL NOT RESPOND AND COME WITH ME. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO ANOTHER SHOP FOR BRAKES AND OIL CHANGE AND THE OWNER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM WHEN HE WENT TO PULL THE CAR INTO THE BAY. HE CALLED ME AND ALERTED ME. HE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE STRUTS AND SAID IF IT WAS NOT I WOULD PROBABLY BE LOOKING AT A NEW STEERING RACK. I EVEN QUESTIONED THE DEALER LAST YEAR ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO BE SURE THAT I KEPT MY STEERING FLUID FILLED UP. MY RESPONSE WAS IF I AM LOSING STEERING FLUID THERE IS ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT WOULD NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE CHECKED THE RESERVOIR AND I AM NOT LOSING POWER STEERING FLUID. I AM NOW GETTING SCARED TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE EVERY DAY, WITH MYSELF AND MY TWO DAUGHTER, DUE TO THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF THE STEERING. I AM TAKING THE VEHICLE TO YET ANOTHER MECHANIC TO SEE IF THEY CAN GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS. ONE WOULD THINK CHRYSLER WOULD BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM OF THEIR OWN VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE COULD. 11/02 NOISE IN FRONT END NOTED AND A WHINE AND A TRANSMISSION TUNE-UP PERFORMED. 12/02 FRONT SWAY BAR REPLACED. 12/02 HOSE TO POWER STEERING REPLACED, POWER STEERING RESERVOIR REPLACED. CONTINUED TO MENTION ON SUBSEQUENT VISITS & THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO ACT UP. *NM

NHTSA ID
10157845
Incident
Nov 4, 2002
Mileage
46,406 mi
ElectricalSteeringSuspension+1 more
Filed Feb 28, 2006

VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO POWER WINDOWS, WIPERS, STEREO, HEADLIGHTS, AND AC CONTROLS. PROBLEMS INCLUDE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF, WIPERS/STEREO DOES NOT FUNCTION WHEN YOU FIRST TURN ON THE CAR AND THEN COMES ON BY ITSELF ANYWHERE FROM 30 SECONDS TO 3 DAYS LATER. NO PATTERN CAN BE DETERMINED WHICH MAKES ME TO BELIEVE THAT THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM OF THIS VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, OR IF THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE IT ISN'T THEIR PROBLEM. I HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIPS AND PAID FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT. THEN THEY OFFER ME A SOLUTION FOR NO LESS THAN $400 THAT IS SUPPOSED TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM WHEN ANYONE WITH COMMON SENSE KNOWS THAT I WOULD JUST SPEND THAT MONEY AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT THAT THEY ARE PROPOSING ISN'T THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.*JB

NHTSA ID
10151486
Incident
Feb 28, 2006
Mileage
4,000 mi

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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