1998 Chrysler Town And Country complaints

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

ON MONDAY, JULY 26, 2004, WHILE ON A MINI-VACATION WITH MY FAMILY IN COVINGTON, KENTUKCY, WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON OUR 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY XLI, WHICH IS WELL KEPT AND HAS ONLY 63,000 MILES. THIS TRANSMISSION FAILURE PLACED MY FAMILY IN DANGER IN A STRANGE CITY, AND REQUIRED TOWING TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND RENTAL OF A VEHICLE TO RETURN HOME TO LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, OVER 100 MILES AWAY. MARSHALL DODGE DEALERSHIP IN COVINGTON DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AND OFFER TO CONDUCT SUCH REPLACEMENT FOR NEARLY $2,500. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND INQUIRY, WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MR. TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. REPRESENTATIVES AT MR. TRANSMISSION NOTIFIED US THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND EXPLAINED THAT THERE IS A DEFECTIVE PIN IN THE TRANSMISSION WHICH COMMONLY WORKS ITS WAY OUT OF THE HOUSING UNIT ON THIS VEHICLE, AND DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION. WE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR VEHICLE WITH 63,000 MILES AT A COST OF $1,848.00, PLUS VEHICLE RENTAL CHARGES AND DEALER FEES TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM (AN ADDITIONAL $169.00). I INTEND TO WRITE CHRYSLER AND INVITE YOU TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER TO CONTACT ME. THANK YOU. *AK

TRANMISSION PROBLEMS, STUCK IN 2ND GEAR. *AK

MAR. 03 AT 79,000 MILES, RATTLE IN FRONT END. DEALERSHIP REPLACED FRONT SWAY BAR BUSHINGS AND LINKAGES. 7/04 AT 98,000 MILES SAME NOISE AND SAME DIAGNOSIS BY SAME DEALERSHIP: BUSHINGS AND LINKAGES ARE WORN. PARTS ARE STILL ON CAR. *LA

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE SERPENTINE BELT, AND PLACED A SHIELD AROUND IT TO PREVENT IT FROM FALLING OFF. *AK

BOLT SECURING THE HYDRAULIC PUMP TO THE TAILGATE BROKE OFF ALLOWING THE PUMP TO POP OFF. TAILGATE FELL CLOSED, IT WILL NOT REMAIN OPEN WITH ONLY ONE HYDROLIC PUMP. A PORTION OF THE BOLT IS LODGED IN THE BODY OF THE VAN.*AK

THREE TIMES IN ONE YEAR AND TWICE IN ONE WEEK THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF. SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN WET WEATHER. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING WITH HER 4 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE IN RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC. WHEN THE BELT COMES OFF YOU LOSE, AMONG OTHER ITEMS, THE POWER STEERING. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. MY DEALER FOUND THE SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM (ONLY AFTER I TOLD HIM THE TSB NUMBER) BUT WOULD NOT SHOW IT TO ME. A CALL TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE ONLY GOT ME AN OFFER TO SELL ME THE SERVICE BULLETIN. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN CALLS FOR REPLACEMENT AN INCORRECTLY DESIGNED IDLER PULLEY BRACKET. I BELIEVE THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE, MADE WORSE BY THE MANUFACTURERS UNWILLINGNESS TO SHARE ITS KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE CUSTOMER.*AK

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE DRIVER HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. THE HORN STOPPED OPERATING AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTING REMAINED ON. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD AN AIR BAG FAILURE WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO STOP FUNCTIONING. *NM

THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL OF THE 1996-98 MINIVANS FOR THE CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. DEALER SAYS THAT MY VAN IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL AND CHRYSLER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER IS OF NO HELP EITHER. MY 1998 T&C EXHIBITS THE EXACT SAME ISSUES AS THE OTHER MINIVANS AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECTIVE DEVICE (AIRBAG LIGHT, CRUISE & HORN NOT FUNCTIONAL). THE AIRBAG AND HORN ARE SAFETY DEVICES AND MUST BE REPLACED/REPAIRED. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THIS PART AT MY OWN EXPENSE. WHY IS MY VEHICLE NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL? IT HAS THE SAME MANUFACTURED DATE, SAME ISSUES, SAME DEFECTIVE PART... I EXPECT CHRYSLER TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR ($233.94). *AK

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK. WE HAD TO HAVE THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACED. MISSED A RECALL BY 5 DAYS. *JB

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

THERE IS A CHEMICAL WITHIN THE TIRES THAT CAUSES THE RIMS TO CORRODE, CAUSING THE TIRES TO DEFLATE. *AK IF THE TIRES ARE NOT INFLATED EVERY COUPLE OF DAYS, THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTABLE. THE VALVE STEM HAD A LEAK. *JB *NM

AIRBAG DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING 55MPH MIDDLE LANE, COULD NOT SEE, VAN FILLED WITH SMOKE, ALMOST CRASH WITH MY 3 CHILDREN IN VAN, INJURY BURNS ON ARMS IGNITION FAILED 4 TIMES REPLACED 2X UNDER WARRANTY

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

FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED THREE DAYS AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS USED. TRANSMISSION LOCKED INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. REBUILT TRANSMISSION COST $1500. GOT IT BACK AND 4 DAYS LATER THE FAN TO COOL THE ENGINE WENT OUT. IN THE SHOP ANOTHER 2 DAYS COSTING AN ADDITIONAL $180.00. FEEL LIKE I AM HEMMORHAGING MONEY ON THIS CAR. LEFT DRIVERS WINDOW SWITCH DOESN'T WORK AT TIMES AND WINDOW GETS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION.

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE GAS TANK WAS HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. *AK THE DEALER REBUILT THE FUEL STRAPS TO THE TANK THE NEXT DAY. THE FUEL LINE COUPLED AND HAD BROKEN. THE VAN STOPPED AS THE REMAINING GAS IN LINE SPILLED ONTO THE STREET. *SCC *JB

WHEN DRIVING THROUGH STANDING WATER SERPENTINE BELT FELL OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING AND OVERHEAT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD COME OFF THE PULLEYS, THE POWER STEERING, AIR CONDITION (COMPRESSOR), DEFROSTER AND ALTERNATOR HAD GONE OUT. *AK IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND THE WINDOWS FOGGED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TENSIONER AND SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT. (THE SERPENTINE BELT HAD COME OFF DURING A RAIN STORM AND THE TENSIONER WAS WORN OUT) *SCC *JB

THE VEHICLE IS A 1998, CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VAN (LXI). THE PROBLEMS ARE DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE "BODY CONTROL MODULE," AS DEFINED BY SNETHKAMP JEEP & CHRYSLER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT START PROPERLY WHEN ENGAGED AND CONTINUE WHEN IN THE OFF POSITION. THE ENGINE HAS TO BE TURNED OFF TO DISENGAGE OR STOP WIPERS. ALSO, ALL DOOR LOCKS CONTINUE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK WHEN A DOOR OR DOORS ARE OPEN, WHEN THE ENGINE IS STARTED, AND WHILE DRIVING. OCCASIONALLY, BEFORE TURNING ON THE IGNITION, THE ALARM WILL AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGE: MUST USE THE REMOTE KEY (UNLOCK) BEFORE ENGINE WILL START. OFTEN, WHEN INSIDE, THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK A DOOR OR DOORS IS TO USE THE REMOTE CONTROL KEY (UNLOCK). *LA

I OWN A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY LXI WITH 55,400 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED WITH MY WIFE AND 4 KIDS IN THE CAR. SPECIFICALLY, THE PARTS THAT FAILED WERE: THE SUN GEAR, INPUT HUB, CLUTCH DRUM AND TORQUE CONVERTER RESULTING IN A $2837 REPAIR BILL. HOW IN THE WORLD CAN A CAR WITH SO LITTLE MILEAGE HAVE A MAJOR FAILURE LIKE THIS? THIS CAR ISNT ABUSED, ITS DRIVEN BY MY WIFE (AROUND TOWN ONLY) WHO SHUTTLES 4 KIDS TO SCHOOL, SCOUTING, SOCCER GAMES ETC... AND IS MAINTAINED BY ME, METICULOUSLY. *LA

AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. HORN DOESN'T WORK. TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT THE CAR IS NOT AMONG THE CARS RECALLED FOR CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. *LA

SEAT BELT PERIODICALLY RELEASES WHEN CHILD CAR SEAT RUBS AGAINST SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE CAR IS A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. IF THE CAR SEAT IS BUCKLED INTO ONE OF THE CAR'S MIDDLE SEATS TIGHTLY, IT SOMETIMES PRESSES THE RELEASE MECHANISM OF THE CHRYSLER SEAT BELT. *LA

CLOCKSPRING FAILED, CAUSING AIR BAGS AND HORN TO MALFUNCTION.*AK

PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR UNLOCKED AND SLID OPEN WHILE DRIVING, AFTER IT HAD BEEN SLAMMED SHUT THE AUTOMATIC LOCK ENGAGED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. *AK *JB

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND WOULD STAY ON THE REMINDER OF THE TIME THAT VEHICLE OPERATED. DEALERSHIP HAD BEEN NOTIFIED, BUT THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK

WHEN THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IT LOCKED UP AND FAILED TO DISENGAGE. DEALERSHIP SERVICED THE VEHICLE , BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED.*AK CLARK TIRE AND AUTO FOUND THE BRAKE LINING OFF AND JAMMED IN THE DRUM. BRAKES WERE ADJUSTED AND PARTS WERE INSTALLED TO PREVENT BRAKES FROM LOCKING. MECHANIC STATED EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE SERVICED, THE RACKET FROZE UP. *PH *JB

LEFT FRONT STRUT TOWER IS RUSTING OUT ON 1998 CHRYSTLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VAN. MANUFACTURER AND DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR REPAIR. VAN HAS BEEN LOOKED AT BY SEVERAL BODY TECHNICIANS WHO ALL AGREE COMPONENT IS DEFECTIVE AND POSES SERIOUS SAFETY RISK OF STRUT AND WHEEL COMING THROUGH HOOD. *AK

CAMSHAFT BROKE AT 55000 MILES WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS; ENGINE FAILED AT CRITICAL MOMENT WHILE CLIMBING 25 DEGREE HILL ENDANGERING OCCUPANTS.8AK

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND FRONT BRAKES. THEY WERE WORKING ON IT FOR AWHILE AND ASKED THE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING DIDN'T I HEAR THE NOISE. SPENT 2200 AND BROUGHT IT HOME AND THEN DIDN'T EVEN GET IT IN THE GARAGE AND THE CELLANOID WENT. FIXED THAT AND THE VAN STILL DOESN'T SHIFT RIGHT. *NLM

THE DRIVER IS SMELLING GAS INSIDE VEHICLE AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED. THE CAUSE OF THE SMELL IS UNKNOWN. *AK

I JUST STARTED DRIVING MY CAR THIS MORNING, WHEN I NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NONE OF MY ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ON, AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS IN THE NORMAL RANGE. I PULLED OVER AND CALLED FOR HELP, BUT HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WHEN THE FLAMES STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ENTIRE FRONT END OF MINIVAN WAS ON FIRE, ENGINE/BATTERY MELTED, FRONT WINDSHIELD CRACKED/MELTED, HOOD MELTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED AND PUT OUT FIRE.*AK

CONSUMER REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR CLOCKSPRING REPAIRS. *MR PH

AT 25-30 MPH ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. DEALER DETERMINED THAT CAMSHAFT HAD BROKEN. PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER.*AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN A PUDDLE STEERING WHEEL BELT WOULD COME OFF ,CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP.*AK

HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE HORN AND SPEED CONTROL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. *TT

THE VEHICLES ABS SENSOR LIGHT STAYED ON AND HORN DID NOT FUNCTION. *NLM

THE VEHICLES HORN NO LONGER WORKED WHILE DRIVING. POSSIBLE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. *NLM

THE VEHICLES CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK. POSSIBLE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. *NLM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLES AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. POSSIBLE CLOCK SPRING FAILURE. VEHICLE MADE IN MARCH 98, 2 WEEKS OUTSIDE OF RECALL LIMIT.

INSTRUMENT PANEL CEASED TO FUNCTION WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. PROBLEM APPARENTLY CAUSED BY DESIGN DEFECT IN CABLE ROUTING - WIRING TOO CLOSE TO ALTERNATOR, DAMAGED WIRING AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CIRCUITRY. CABLES WERE REPLACED AT COST OF $235, BUT PROBLEM RETURNED 3 MONTHS LATER. REPLACEMENT OF INSTRUMENT PANEL CIRCUIT BOARD NOW NECESSARY AT COST OF OVER $500. WERE TOLD THAT CHRYSLER RECENTLY INCREASED COST OF PART TENFOLD. DEALER REPORTED SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OVER PAST YEAR. SAFETY ISSUE AS SPEEDOMETER AND SHIFT INDICATOR CEASED TO FUNCTION. *JB

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH BOARD, THE DEALER STATED THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB *SCC

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED AT LOW SPEEDS, ALL POWER STEERING WAS LOST.*JB

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS.*JB

THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED 4 TIMES, WHICH CONTINUED TO FALL OFF, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS WET.*JB

THE FRONT STRUTS AND CLOCKSPRING WAS REPLACED.*JB

WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN SHOWY OR WET WEATHER, IT CAUSES THE MAGNUM WHEEL TO OBTAIN MOISTURE AND CORRODED. THIS RESULT IN THE TIRE NOT SEALING AND HAVING LOW AIR PRESSURE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO LOCK ALSO. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PH

THE WIPERS WILL TURN OFF AT WILL AND SOMETIMES IT WAS HARD TO GET THEM TO TURN OFF, UNLESS YOU TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. SHE REPLACED THE WIPER MOTOR. PH

ACCIDENT AT 60 MPH. THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED AND THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES. *JB