RoadVitals

2002 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.
23
Latest Oct 16, 2023
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.
6%
of 404 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

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 2002 Chrysler Town And Country submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Oct 16, 2023

My check engine light is on and I get a squeaky noise when driving

NHTSA ID
11550141
Incident
Oct 12, 2023
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2021

The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly jerk and hesitate. Also, the speedometer failed to operate as needed. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop with the pedal extended to the floor. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,346.

NHTSA ID
11439153
Incident
Nov 1, 2021
Mileage
9,346 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 2017

OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF PARTIAL FRONT BRAKE APPLICATION WHEN NO DRIVER INPUT IS INITIATED. THIS RESULTS IN THE FEELING OF THE CAR DRAGGING. IT IS SUBTLE BUT IF THE CAR IS PUT INTO NEUTRAL THE CAR COMES TO A STOP EVEN WITH NO DRIVER BRAKE INPUT. IN SEVERAL INSTANCES THE FRONT BRAKES GET EXTREMELY HOT AND BEGIN TO SMOKE. THIS IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. AFTER ALLOWING THE BRAKES TO COOL FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THE BRAKES RETURN TO NORMAL AND DRIVING CAN RESUME. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES TO THE CHRYSLER DEALER AND OTHER MECHANICS. THEY CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY RECALLS OR ALERTS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD ESTIMATE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT TIMES, THE MOST RECENT ONE ON JULY 8, 2017. WEATHER DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR NOR DOES HIGHWAY OR LOCAL DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11004050
Incident
Jul 8, 2017
Mileage
149,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 14, 2016

LOSS OF BRAK POWER, PEDAL TRAVELS TO FLOOR. ; AFTER REPLACING MASTER CYLINDER, CALIPER ON THE LEFT FRONT.. MUST RE-BLEED LEFT FRONT** ONLY . MUST PERFORME THIS PROCEDURE EVERY 2 WEEKS...AND THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURENCE ON LEFT FRONT WHEEL.THE ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE ORIGINAL ABS HYDRAULIC UNIT? WHY WAS THIS NOT A RECALL, IT SEEMS LOT OF OWNERS OF 2002 HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM..,IT'S ONLY THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL THAT HAS THIS PROBLEM, AFTER BLEEDING, THE BRAKES LAST ONLY FEW WEEKS AND SAME THING, BRAKE PEDAL IS SPONGY AND TRAVELS TO THE FLOOR. AND MUST RE-BLEED LEFT FRONT WHEEL. IT SEEMS THAT THERE IS A LOT OF VERY MINUTE BOUBLES. ## VIN PASSED ## CHRYSLER TRUCK 2002, TOWN & CONTRY,2002 3.3 L ##

NHTSA ID
10895732
Incident
Oct 1, 2015
Mileage
105,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 20, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHEN SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE (MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE) WITH APPROXIMATELY TWO TO ONE FOOT TO COMPLETE THIS ACTION, THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS SURGE OF ENERGY THAT DROVE THE CAR FORWARD INTO A BUILDING LEAVING A HOLE IN THE BRICK WALL AND BROKEN WINDOWS. THE AIR BAGS WERE RELEASED, BUT THE BAG ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE GOT STUCK IN THE STEERING WHEEL. USAA IS MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND THEY TRASHED THE CAR BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BAGS WAS TOO EXPENSIVE. ....(?) FORTUNATELY, THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10614862
Incident
Jul 12, 2014
BrakesFuel system
Filed Jul 25, 2010

I HAVE TALKED TO SOMEONE ABOUT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AT THE CHRYSLER DEALER CALL CENTER AND HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT MY REAR TIRE LOCKING UP AND BRAKES HAS BEEN CHANGED TWICE IN ONE YEAR AND WHEN THEY LOCK UP ONLY ON THAT REAR TIRE IT STARTS TO SMOKE AND SMELL LIKE THE RUBBER IS BURNING AND MY OTHER COMPLAINT THAT STARTED YESTERDAY JULY 24,2010 I WAS RETURNING HOME AND PULLING OFF FROM WHERE I WAS PARKED AS I WAS PUSHING THE GAS FOR ACCELERATION IS WAS HESITATION LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING THE GAS. THEN AS I PROCEEDED TO CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE IT CONTINUOUSLY DONE THE SAME THING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. I WAS AT THE STOP LIGHT IN A CITY AREA AND IT HAD MAJOR HESITATION AND IT WAS DANGEROUS AND VERY FRIGHTENING. JUST IMAGINE A CAR NOT GOING WHEN THE GAS IS PUSHED AND YOU GOT A BIG TRUCKER BEHIND YOU THOSE PEOPLE IN OTHER CARS DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOU THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SLOW DOWN AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10345173
Incident
Jul 24, 2010
Mileage
176,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 10, 2010

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY AND MY BRAKE ENGAGED NOT SURE IF IT WAS THE E-BRAKE OR REG BRAKE IT JERKED THE CAR FORWARD AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND AS FAST IT HAPPENED IT CORRECTED ITSELF AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT. I CALLED THE PLACE I BOUGHT IT AND ANSWER WAS BRING IT BACK AND I WILL REFUND YOUR MONEY, I HAVE ALREADY PAID OUT A GOOD DEAL JUST REGISTERING AND SALES TAX WHAT DO I DO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10298886
Incident
Jan 9, 2010
Mileage
106,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 6, 2006

AT 28,00 MILES IT WAS NECESSARY TO REPLACE ALL ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THIS IS WAY TOO SOON FOR THIS TYPE OF REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10149520
Incident
Feb 6, 2006
Mileage
28,150 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 19, 2005

THREE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY - BRAKE, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL OFF. ALTHOUGH NO ACCIDENT HAS OCCURRED, WE FELT IF PRUDENT TO NOTIFY YOU SINCE YOU HAVE AN INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY REGARDING AN EARLIER MODEL OF CHRYSLER MINI-VANS WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS THAT HAVE RESULTED IN ACCIDENTS DUE TO COMPLETE BRAKING FAILURE. WE BELIEVE THE GOAL IS TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING BEFORE THE FAILURE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10145602
Incident
Dec 16, 2005
Mileage
38,668 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 14, 2005

ABS SYSTEM INCLUDING WHEEL SENSOR FAILED. ABS WAS DEACTIVATED. CHRYSLER HAS PROPOSED REPLACING ABS MODULE AND WHEEL SENSOR AT MY EXPENSE. REPAIRS NOT YET PERFORMED.

NHTSA ID
10128759
Incident
Jul 11, 2005
Mileage
38,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 6, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT REAR SPEED SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED 4 TIMES AND IT CAUSED THE ABS TO BECOME INEFFECTIVE. THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON . THE REGULAR BRAKES WORKED WHEN THIS HAPPENED, JUST NOT THE ABS. THE VAN HAS 47,500 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT OUT WAS AT 7,500 MILES, THE SECOND TIME WAS AROUND 15,000 MILES, THIRD TIME AROUND 23,000 MILES, AND MOST RECENTLY AT 47,000 MILES. SHE BOUGHT THE VAN BRAND NEW, AND 4 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. ONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS SAID IT WAS VERY RARE FOR SPEED SENSORS TO GO OUT. THE MECHANIC AT WARNER ROBINS TOLD HER THAT CHRYSLER ENGINEERS WERE AWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED SENSOR, AND WERE WORKING ON IT. SHE SPOKE TO CHRYSLER TWICE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY WOULD GIVE HER A ONE TIME $50.00 CHARGE TO FIX IT. SHE DID GET IT FIXED AND PAID THE $50.00. SHE FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE SHE DID NOT HAVE ABS *AK. UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

NHTSA ID
10127635
Incident
Jul 6, 2005
Mileage
7,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 16, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SPEED SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10111659
Incident
Feb 7, 2005
Brakes
Filed Nov 10, 2004

CONSUMER APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND IT FAILED TO HOLD. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10099808
Incident
Nov 10, 2004
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 14, 2004

WE BOUGHT A USED 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY MINIVAN FROM A CAR RENTAL COMPANY HERE IN SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA. THE VIN # IS [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH ABOUT 24,000 MILES ON IT WE BOUGHT IT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT WENT ON INDICATING THAT THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. WE TOOK IT INTO A DEALER HERE IN TOWN AND THEY REPLACED A REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THE WHEEL SENSOR WAS SHOWING BAD AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AGAIN. NOW IT IS ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER THAT MOST RECENT REPAIR AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE WERE ON VACATION AT THE TIME AND DROVE ABOUT 1000 MILES WITHOUT ABS BRAKES OR TRACTION CONTROL AS IT WAS INCONVENIENT TO TAKE IT IN WHILE ON VACATION. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE OLD PART EITHER TIME BEFORE BUT I WILL GET IT THIS TIME. BY THE WAY THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY NOW AND CHRYSLER HAS DECLINED TO REPAIR IT WITHOUT CHARGE. WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WE ARE DRIVING FOR CONSIDERABLE PERIODS OF TIME WITHOUT 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE; ANTILOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY BE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT GETTING RESOLVED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE ABS SYSTEM OR PARTS WITHIN THE ABS SYSTEM OF THIS CHRYLSER MODEL.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10081058
Incident
Jul 8, 2004
Mileage
28,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 8, 2004

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT BRAKING PROBLEMS. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PADS AND ROTORS WERE WARPED. DEALERSHIP HAD THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS , AND DID NOT REPAIR IT. CONSUME R STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHTS NEVER CAME ON, AND WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED, ALL THE BRAKES WERE WORN OUT. YET, THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES NEEDED SERVICING. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075918
Incident
Nov 12, 2003
Mileage
11,129 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jun 4, 2004

WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND A GEAR SHIFT LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DRB TEST, IN WHICH THE FAILURE CODE FOUND WAS A LOW VOLTAGE BATTERY AND LOOSE CABLE. THE CABLE WAS TIGHTENED. THEN, DEALERSHIP TEST DROVE THE VAN. NO OTHER PROBLEM WAS FOUND. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 2,347 MILES. DEALERSHIP TEST DROVE THE VAN FOR 15 MILES, AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. ALSO, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ABS SENSOR 3 TIMES. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID
10071961
Incident
Mar 20, 2003
Mileage
2,347 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Oct 17, 2003

BRAKES SQUEAK WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES TWICE, BUT THE SQUEAKING NOISE COULD STILL BE HEARD. ALSO, WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE VEHICLE ROLLEED FORWARD. *AK

NHTSA ID
10044173
Mileage
9,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 2003

PREMATURE BRAKE COMPONENT WEAR ON CHRYSLER MINI-VAN. BRAKES HAVE BEEN NOISEY SINCE 2000 MILES, MULTIPLE TRIPS TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS FINALLY NOISE PROGRESSED TO HARSH GRINDING @ 20,000 MILES. DEALER REPLACED PADS AND CLAIMS THIS IS ABNORMAL BUT NOTHING HE CAN DO ABOUT IT. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE REQUIRE BRAKES SO SOON, NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WHICH MADE SO MUCH BRAKE NOISE AFTER ONLY 2000 MILES. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS NOT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE VEHICLE WEIGHT UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. THIS COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF NOT RESOLVED.

NHTSA ID
10039535
Incident
Sep 25, 2003
Mileage
19,999 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 2003

VEHICLE IN SERVICE 11/02. AT 12,000 MILES ONE ROTOR REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO BRAKE PULSATION. AT 15,000 MILES BRAKES SQUEALED WHEN APPLIED AT SLOW SPEEDS (GOOD PADS). LIGHT BRAKE PULSATION STARTED AT 24,000 MILES. ROTORS TURNED AT 33,350 MILES DUE TO HEAVY BRAKE PULSATION IN STEERING WHEEL. AT 35,787 WAS TOLD BOTH FRONT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS THEY WERE WARPED. HAVE OWNED TWO PREVIOUS DISK BRAKE CHRYSLER PRODUCTS AND HAD POOR PERFORMANCE IN REFERENCE TO PULSATING BRAKES THAT I HAVE NOT HAD FROM GM OR FORD PRODUCTS. FRIENDS THAT HAVE CHRYLSER VEHICLES HAVE SAME BRAKE PULSATION PROBLEM. CONTACTED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR AND WAS DENIED. CHRYSLER COMPLAINT # 11578986. WOULD NOT ASSIST AT ALL IN RESOLVING ISSUE WITH BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10033202
Incident
Aug 20, 2003
Mileage
33,359 mi
BrakesElectricalSuspension+1 more
Filed Aug 15, 2003

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THE SERVICE DEALER MANAGER VERIFIED AND EXPERIENCED THESE CONDITIONS AND WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TWO DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASE, THE VAN SHUTTERED AT LOW SPEED, LOW RPMS IN REVERSE, SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ASCEND IN GRADE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. OTHER PROBLEMS THAT OCCURRED, WERE AS FOLLOWED: THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE SQUEALING WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO STICKING, THE VEHICLE LEANED TO THE LEFT, AND THE RIGHT SLIDING DOOR DIDN'T OPEN FROM THE INSIDE SWITCH. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10030175
Incident
Jul 25, 2003
Mileage
13 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2003

2002 CHRYSLER T&C LX MINIVAN NEED NEW ROTORS AFTER ONLY 15,000 MILES! ROTORS ARE WARPED. CHRYSLER SAY NOT COVERED UNDER THIER HIGHLY ADVERTISED 7 YEAR WARRANTY. NOISE STARTED AROUND 10,000 MILE & HAS GOTTEN WORSE. BRAKES WERE SQUEAKY SINCE WE GOT THE VAN IN DEC OF 2001.OUR 1999 T&C MINIVAN NEVER NEEDED BRAKES PADS OR ROTORS. MY 1992 HONDA CIVIC WITH 200,000 MILES HAS NEVER NEED NEW ROTORS.*AK

NHTSA ID
10025718
Incident
Jun 10, 2003
Brakes
Filed May 28, 2003

THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON THE SAME DAY A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. MECHANIC WHICH REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. *TT

NHTSA ID
10021701
Brakes
Filed Jan 28, 2003

WHILE PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE HITTING RAILROAD CROSSING. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ID
10004813
Incident
Jan 28, 2003

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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