Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1996 record →
ON-GOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING. PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING (SLOW OR HIGHWAY SPEED), DID NOT MATTER AT A STOP POSITION. PROBLEM OCCURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. DEALER NOTIFIED AND UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
ON AN INCLINE , WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FULL, FUEL LEAKAGE IS PRESENT. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. HOWEVER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED . RECALL 99V216000. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
ENGINE OVERHEATS DUE TO THE COOLING FAN RELAY FAILURE. YH
EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE LOSING POWER STEERING WHENEVER IT GOES THROUGH A WATER PUDDLE. VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP, AND VARIOUS PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
SUBJECT VEHICLE INVOLVED IN SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT. SUBJECT VEHICLE PULLED AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN AND WAS BROAD SIDED BY ONCOMING FULL-SIZE VAN. SUBJECT VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BURST INTO FLAMES (PER WITNESS STATEMENTS). DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE BOTH UNCONSCIOUS. BYSTANDERS WERE UNABLE TO GET EITHER OUT OF BURNING VEHICLE DUE TO DOORS BEING LOCKED (AUTO DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM) AND WERE UNABLE TO BREAK WINDOWS OUT BEFORE VEHICLE WAS FULLY ENGULFED. *AK
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK GASOLINE LEAK OUT OF THE TANK, WHICH HAD A LEAKAGE. *AK
TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR WAS ABLE TO BE ENGAGED BY CHILD AND VEHICLE ROLLED, KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION AND CHILD TURN SELECTOR WITHOUT ENGAGING BRAKE. MJS
THE JACK EXTENSION THAT CAME WITH AN ACCESSORY (MOLDED RUNNING BOARD) IS NOT ADEQUATE FOR VEHICLE, WHEN IN USE THE EXTENSION TILTS OUT OF PLACE MAKING THE JACK VERY UNSTABLE. MJS
PARKING BRAKE RELEASE CABLE BROKE AND HANDLE FELL INTO DRIVERS HAND. CABLE APPEARS TO BE ALUMINIUM OR POOR QUALITY STEEL. BRAKE SYSTEM STAYED IN ENGAGED POSITION. NO MANUAL RELEASE LEVER IS BUILT INTO THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. . HAD TO DIS-ASSEMBLE THE DASH TO GAIN ACCESS TO RELEASE THE BRAKE RATCHETT. RATCHETT LOCK WAS RELEASED USING A LONG SCREW DRIVER. THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS IF FAILURE HAD OCCURED ON A STREET OR HIWAY. MY WIFE WAS IN A PARKING LOT. THIS CONDITION WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER AND COVERED BY WARRANTY.
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE CLOCK SPRING ON TWO OCCASIONS.
THERE IS A GAS LEAKAGE WHEN FILLING UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK WHERE THE FILLER MEETS THE TANK. *AK
DRIVER'S SIDE POWER SEAT MOTOR BROKE AWAY FROM THE BRACKET, CAUSING THE SEAT TO BE INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND MANUFCTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VAN AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SIMPLY DESTROYED ITSELF WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. UPON INSPECTION BY A QUALIFIED REPAIR SHOP, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEEMED BEYOND REPAIR. IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,600. THE REPAIR SHOP IS AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP FOR CHRYSLER THROUGH OUR LOCAL CAR DEALER-THORNTON CHRYSLER DODGE IN FLORENCE, ALABAMA. I CONTACTED THEIR WARRANTY MANAGER ABOUT A CLAIM AS THEY VAN HAD 73,000 MILES. AT THE ORIGINAL TIME OF PURCHASE, I HAD PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY PACKAGE FOR 7 YEAR/70,000 MILES. HE MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH THIS ISSUE AS THE VAN WAS 3,000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. HE ALSO MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE COVERED THE CLAIM IF THE VAN HAD 70,500 MILES ON IT. I WAS VERY DISSATISFIED TO SAY THE LEAST. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE COME ACROSS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SIMILAR FAILURES ON CHRYSLER VEHICLES. I AM WRITING THIS TO YOU TODAY AS A RESULT OF READING THE OCTOBER 1999 CONSUMER REPORTS WHICH FURTHER SUPPORTS MY CLAIM THAT THIS WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF A MAJOR COMPONENT AND ALSO A REOCCURRING FAILURE OF WHICH CHRYSLER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE IN THE VAN AT THE TIME AND ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE BEEN ON A RURAL HIGHWAY AS OPPOSED TO THE INTERSTATE OR IN BUSY TRAFFICE AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. IF THIS COMPLAINT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED ELSEWHERE, PLEASE LET ME KNOW BY PHONE OR E-MAIL IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. SINCERELY, TERRY THOMAS
THE RACK & PINION STEERING HAD LOCKED UP ON LEFT TURNS. WOULD LOOSEN UP A BIT & COULD MAKE LEFT/RIGHT TURNS. HAD LOST STEERING CONTROL AFTER ARRIVING HOME. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME FREE WHEELING. BEEN TO DEALER & HAD DRIVETRAIN CHECKED. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH TURNED AT A CURB, AND BOLT THAT HOLDS IDLER PULLEY SHEARD OFF WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. MANUFACTURER CLAIMED IT WAS A WORN PART. *AK
TRANSMISSION RUNS HOT, CAUSING THE SEALS IN THE TRANSMISSION TO HARDEN AND CRACK, RESULTING IN A LEAK. *AK
SERPENTINE BELT & TENSIONER KEPT SLIPPING DUE TO WATER GETTING ON IT. VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL WHEN THIS HAPPENS, CANNOT TURN. BELT & TENSIONER WAS REPLACED FIRST TIME BY MECHANIC. NOW PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED. *AK
ENGINE BELT TENSION BAR THAT KEEPS ALTERNATOR BAR TIGHT BROKE, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER AND STEERING . *AK
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
PROBLEM WITH A/C VAPOR ENTERING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UNIT EMPTIES . WHEN IT DOES IT SOUNDS LIKE DARTH VADER BREATHING THRU AN OXYGEN MASK. ALSO NOW AM EXPERIENCING THE SMELL OF BURNING HAIR WHEN THE DEFROSTER IS ON.( DOT NUMBER: )
WHILE DRIVING THE AT ANY RATE OF SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS .*AK
TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING FROM THE O-RING SEAL AND IS SLIPPING WHEN CHANGING GEARS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND SOLENOID PACK SHORTED. REPLACED TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND SOLENOID PACK AND FLASH PROGRAMMED CONTROLLER FOR UPDATES.
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED. DEALER CHECKED FOR CODES IN SYSTEM. FOUND MULTIPLE MISFIRES. CHECKED AND FOUND #2 AND #3 INJECTORS FAULTY. DISASSEMBLED TOP OF ENGINE AND REPLACED BOTH BAD INJECTORS. DEALER ALSO PROCEEDED TO PERFORM COMPLETE TUNE-UP ON ENGINE DUE TO BAD INJECTORS. THIS TUNE-UP DONE EVEN AFTER OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT TUNE-UPS ONLY REQUIRED EVERY 100,000 MILES.
NO SUMMARY.
NO SUMMARY.
1)TRANSMISSION FAILURE - CODES 36, 53, 54 FOUND IN SYSTEM. SEALS & CLUTCHES, CARRIER GEARS & TRS SENSOR REPLACED. TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLED FOR RECONDITION. 2)DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG - CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY REPLACED TO CORRECT AIR BAG LIGHT.
FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FROM A SEAM ACROSS THE TOP NOTICED WHEN TANK WAS COMPLETELY FILLED.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO ON BY THEMSELVES
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES TENSIONER SNAPPED AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN ONE YEAR. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE PARKING ANE VEHICLE NOT MOVING. AFTER FAILURES, POWER STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. DEALER CANT FIND PROBLEM. MJS
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, AND HAS TO BE PUMPED IN ORDER TO STOP VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT IS WET OUTSIDE. DEALER HAS NOT SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
AUTO TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED AFTER 46,856 MILES. FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN 5 OR 6 GALLONS REMAIN - TANK REPLACED, PROBLEM NEVER FIXED. WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL COME ON BY THEMSELVES, SWITCH REPLACED PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ELECTRIC COOLING FANS FAILED, MODULE AND RELAY REPLACED. DRIVER WINDOW MOTER AND REGULATOR FAILED. AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR LEAKED, A/C HOSES LEAKED ALL NEW SYSTEM PUT IN.
MOST UNREALIABLE CAR I HAVE OWNED. THESE ARE NOT THE ONLY PROBLEMS, JUST THE MOST MAJOR. THIS CAR HAS BEEN ON A TOW TRUCK SIX TIMES IN THREE YEARS. PLEASE NOTE FIRST REPAIR WAS TO THE ORIGINAL TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE BELT; I TRIED TO CORRECT BEFORE SUBMITTING BUT WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE FORM.
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE A TIRE DUE TO POTHOLE DAMAGE. WHILE CHECKING THE PRESSURE OF THE TIRES AND RETURNIG THE SPARE, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT T CABLE THAT HOLDS THE TIRE IN PLACE IS FRAYED AND IS ABOUT TO RUB AGAINST METAL. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T CUT OFF EVEN WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. DEALER SAYS IT'S THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH. *AK
ALL 5 DOOR LOCKS WILL UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES WHILE VEHICLE IS IN USE, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. *AK
TRANSMISSION FAILED. MJS
I AM DISABLED SECONDARY TO MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS BUT AN STILL ACTIVELY EMPLOYED AS A PHYSICIAN. I WAS THRILLED TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE THROUGH CHRYSLER THAT WAS ADAPTED BY BRAUN CORPORATION WITH A LOWERED FLOOR, ENTERVAN RAMP AND HAND CONTROLS. FROM THE FIRST 6800 MILES, I HAVE HAD REPEATED PROBLEMS. IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, I HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN MY VEHICLE IN MY WHEELCHAIR AND THE VAN HAS REQUIRED TOWING. I WAS PROMPTED TO REACH OUT TO YOU FOR HELP BECAUSE THE FIRST PROBLEM (AT 6800 MILES) RECURRED NOW AT 40,000 MILES. MY BRAKES FAILED ENTIRELY WITHOUT WARNING AND I WAS TRAVELLING AT 40MPH. CHRYSLER POINTS THE FINGER AT BRAUN AND QUALITY COACH (THE DISTRIBUTOR LOCALLY). THEY POINT THE FINGER AT CHRYSLER. CHRYSLER SAID THAT IN 1996, BRAUN CAHNGED THE LOCATION OF THE FUEL PUMP AND THIS REQUIRED "CUSTOMIZATION" OF THE LINE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PUMP AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. THIS "CUSTMIZED" LINE HAS WORN THROUGH TWICE (THE FIRST TIME AT 6800 MILES) WITH NO WARNING. I WAS ASSURED THEN THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BUT FOUND OUT AT 40MPH THAT MY BRAKES WERE GONE AGAIN. I HAD GOTTEN THE VAN SERVICED AT THE DEALER 6 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS AND NEW FRONT BRAKES WERE INSTALLED. I ALSO HAD IT IN 12 WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT TO HAVE ALL THE CONVERSION EQUIPMENT CHECKED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, NO ASSURANCES FROM THEM THAT THEY HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM WILL CONVINCE ME TO DRIVE THIS VAN AND I DO NOT, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, WANT TO PASS THIS PROBLEM ON TO ANOTHER INNOCENT PERSON. PLEASE ADVISE AND
I BOUGHT THIS CAR 9 MONTHS AGO FROM A CHRYSLER DEALER IT ONLY HAS APROX. 47000 MILES ON IT AND THEY WANT 1800.00 TO FIX IT! I JUST PAID THEM 20,000.00 9 MONTHS AGO! I'M UPSET!!
FUEL TANK BEGAN LEAKING GASOLINE WHEN TANK IS FILLED. GASOLINE FUMES PRESENT MOST OF THE TIME. DEALER SAYS THAT FUEL TANK FILLER OVERFLOW VALVE IS DEFECTIVE AND ENTIRE GAS TANK MUST BE REPLACED AS THERE IS NO WAY TO REPAIR THE VALVE ITSELF. THIS SEEMS LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE AND A DESIGN FLAW IF THE ENTIRE GAS TANK UST BE REPLACED FOR A DEFECTIVE VALVE IN THE FILLER TUBE.
WHILE DRIVING THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE ENGINE PULLEYTENSIONER BROKE OFF, CAUSING ALL POWER TO BE LOST. THE VAN HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. OWNER EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM 18 MONTHS AGO AT 30,000 MILES. REPAIRS WERE MADE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AFTER RETURNING A NEW CAR (1998 SATURN SW1) BACK TO THE SATURN DEALERSHIP THAT HAD GONE THROUGH FUEL INJECTIONS AND HAD ROTOR PROBLEMS THAT SATURN WOULD NOT FIX. THEY GAVE ME AN OPTION TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AS THEY SAID THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A NEW VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE ONE YEAR OLD WAGON THAT WAS A LEMON. I FEEL DUE TO WHERE THE VAN ORIGINATED FROM (VIRGINIA), AND THE LAST OWNER WAS IN ALABAMA AND I PURCHASED IT IN WASHINGTION THAT POSSIBLY THE ODOMETER MAY HAVE BEEN REVERSED BACK. THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT GO OUT AT 53,000 MILES (3,000 MILES AFTER PURCHASE). I SPOKE TO FOUR DEALERSHIPS IN SEATTLE AREA WHO WERE NO HELP. THE SERVICE MANAGERS AT EACH DEALERSHIP WAS RUDE AND SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON CHRYSLER TRANSMISSIONS THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUE WITH CONSUMERS. I NOW HAVE TO PAY $2200.00 + TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. I WANT ALL VIN INSPECTIONS FROM EACH STATE THAT THIS VAN HAS BEEN TITLED TO SEE IF THE ODOMETER WAS INDEED TURNED BACK OR IF THIS IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. I NEED ASSISTANCE AS I HAVE DONE ALL THAT I CAN TO GET ANSWERS WITH LITTLE ASSISTANCE FROM BOTH CHRYSLER AND SATURN. THANKS MUCH FOR ANY AND ALL DETAILS YOU CAN PROVIDE. A RECALL SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS TRANSMISSION IF MANY CONSUMERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES.
CABLE SNAPPED AT PARKING BRAKE ASSY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO APPLY PARKING BRAKE. ADDITIONAL BRAKE PROBLEMS INCLUDING A RECALL FOR REAR BRAKES AND (2) SEPERATE TIMES HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT ROTORS TURNED DUE TO ABNORMAL WEAR.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONLY WORK WHEN WIPER FLUID IS APPLIED TO THE WINDSHIELD, AFFECTING DRIVER'S VISIBILITY IN RAINY WEATHER. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE. *AK
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH CONTROLS THE WIPERS AND TURN SIGNALS. THE MALFUNCTION CAUSSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO COME ON OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE TURN SIGNALS ARE USED. USUALLY AFTER THE TURN IS COMPLETED SURPRISING THE DRIVER AND CAUSING A LOSS OF ATTENTION BY THE DRIVER AS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT CHSEN TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE CONSUMER BRINGS THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE THAT THEY HAVE INSTALLED A FAULTY PART AS EVIDENCED BY THE NHSTA SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 08-36-95REVA, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE THE FAULTY PART AT NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNER.
FUEL TANK LEAKED GAS AROUND SEALS. FILLER TUBE CONNECTED TO TANK, THE SEAL FAILED. DEALER CONTACTED AND AWARE OF PROBLEM. REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *AK *ML
REAR BRAKE SHOES HAD WORN OUT PREMATURELY. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS ALWAYS SOFT AFTER SHOES ARE REPLACED. EVERY 10-15,000 MILES THE BRAKE SHOES HAS TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *AK
AFTER PULLING IN A DRIVEWAY, WITH THE CAR STILL IDLING, HEARD A NOISE AND THE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. THE TENSIONER HAD BROKEN OFF AND FELL DOWN IN THE ENGINE CAUSING THE IDLER PULLEY AND BELT TO COME OFF. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED A NEW BELT AND TENSIONER UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF IT HAD HAPPEN MOMENTS BEFORE, WHEN THE CAR WAS STILL IN MOTION, IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL WITH POSSIBLE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES.
THE INCOMPETENCE AT BRIDGE CHRYSLER SERVICE CENTER COMPOUNDED THE PROBLEMS WE ENCOUNTERED
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1996 Chrysler Town And Country → · Every Town And Country year → · How the figures are calculated →