1999 Chrysler Town And Country complaints

SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF TENSIONER PULLEY AFTER DRIVING THROUGH PUDDLE ON HIGHWAY MAKING ALL POWER ACCESSORIES INOPERABLE INCLUDING POWER STEERING. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 3 WEEKS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM ON CHRYSLER/DODGE MINIVANS BUILT BETWEEN 1996-2000. *TR

1. POOR QUALITY 2. FRONT STRUT TOWER IS RUSTED THROUGH. STRUTS ARE WOBBLING INSIDE THE STAMPED BODY HOUSING (PART OF THE UNIBODY). THE RUST IS SO BAD I'M AFRAID THE STRUT IS GOING TO PUNCH THROUGH AT ANY TIME LEAVING THE VEHICLE LIKELY TO CRASH DISASTROUSLY. 3. NOTHING SO FAR. *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER TOWER ON A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY HAS RUSTED THROUGH LOSING SUPPORT FOR THE SHOCK ABSORBER. HAVE CHECKED OTHER 1999 AND 2000 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT IS BEING DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM? THANKS, GPS *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE BARELY SLOWED DOWN AND GLIDED THROUGH A RED LIGHT. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SEPARATED FROM THE STAINLESS STEEL TO THE SOLID STEEL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,020 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,001.

1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY RUSTING STRUT TOWER HAS PROGRESSIVELY WORSENED SINCE BY DEALER, IN 2005, TOLD ME THAT IT IS ONLY A "COSMETIC DEFECT" AND IS A POTENTIAL DANGER OF RUSTING THROUGH. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS BEEN MISCLASSIFIED BY CHRYSLER. I NOW READ ON THE WEB SITE THAT MORE OWNERS ARE SIMILARLY AFFECTED. *TR

TOOK VAN IN FOR SLIGHT ENGINE NOISE AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT STRUT TOWER WAS NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH. TOOK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES SINCE ONE ROUGH PIECE OF ROAD AND THE CAR BODY COULD FALL TO THE GROUND AND THE STRUT ASSEMBLY COME THROUGH THE DASH INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THIS WILL NOW COST OVER 1500.00 TO REPAIR. CHRYSLER ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS IN 2002, SINCE THEY WERE AWARE THAT VANS FROM 1998 TO 2002 WERE SUBJECT TO THIS. THEY CALLED IT A "COSMETIC PROBLEM". ANY PROBLEM THAT WILL CAUSE A METAL OBJECT SEVERAL FEET LONG TO VIOLENTLY AND SUDDENLY EXPLODE THROUGH THE DASH INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AT THE DRIVER IS HARDLY A "COSMETIC PROBLEM". "COSMETIC PROBLEMS" DO NOT RENDER A VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CHRYSLER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE STRUT TOWER TO ELIMINATE THIS IN LATER MODELS. NOW THEY NEED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES THAT ARE RUSTING OUT BEFORE PEOPLE DIE! *TR

NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT STRUT SUPPORT IS SEVERELY RUSTED, AS IS THE CASE WITH NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS MUST BE A FACTORY DEFECT SINCE IT SEEMS TO OCCUR PRIMARILY ON THE LEFT FRONT. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. *TR

I BOUGHT MY TOWN AND COUNTRY USED ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS UNTIL AROUND THREE MONTHS AGO WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT STARTED COMING OFF. IT HAS COME OFF APPROXIMATELY 9 TIMES IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS AND ONLY IN WET WEATHER WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SMALL PUDDLES IN THE ROAD. I THOUGHT THE TENSIONER WAS BAD AND CHANGED IT, BUT THE NEXT DAY THE BELT CAME OFF IN THE RAIN. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND ASKED THE SERVICE TECH WHY THE BELT KEPT COMING OFF AND HE ASKED ME IF IT WAS RAINING AT THE TIME. IMAGINE THAT! THEY KNOW IT IS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE FOR A FIX. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCT AGAIN. AGAIN LIKE ALMOST ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, LOSS OF POWER STEERING, ENGINE COOLING, ALTERNATOR ETC. LUCKY FOR ME I AM MECHANICAL OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE COST ME A TON OF MONEY ON TOWING CHARGES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 95 MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. SHE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PLASTIC SLEEVE THAT FAILED INSIDE THE AIR FILTER HOUSING HOSE. A PIECE OF THE PLASTIC WENT INTO THE ACCELERATOR AND HELD IT OPEN, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DECELERATE. THE PLASTIC PIECE THAT WENT INSIDE THE ACCELERATOR WAS 4 INCHES LONG, AND ANOTHER PIECE OF PLASTIC WENT INSIDE THE HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE PIECE WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WORKING FINE. THE MANUFACTURER WANTS THE CONTACT TO BUY A NEW RESONATOR AIR CLEANER. THE PART NUMBERS ARE AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FILED COMPLAINT NUMBER 17422816 WITH DAIMLER CHRYSLER. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,873 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,823.

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER DOOR WILL OPEN ON ITS OWN. ALL DOORS ARE LOCKED BEFORE I START THE CAR. THIS FIRST BEGAN LAST JUNE, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. IT HAPPENED ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2-3 MONTHS. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AT LEAST 2 TIMES A WEEK. I AM SCARED BECAUSE I HAVE NO INDICATION PRIOR TO ITS HAPPENING. A LOT OF THE TIME THERE IS NO PLACE FOR ME TO PULL OVER TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THEN I AM AFRAID THE VAN WILL CUT OFF BECAUSE THE OPEN DOOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 88,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED 2-3 YEARS AGO. *TR

NO CRASH INVOLVED...NOTICED AFTER A RAINSTORM HERE ON THE COAST, THAT THERE WAS THE SOUND OF WATER ROLLING BACK AND FORTH IN THE DASH AREA WHEN I WAS DRIVING..NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT(HUGE FLOOD) OF WATER COMING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FROM THE DASH AREA IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE PASSENGER SEAT...ENOUGH WATER THAT MY CARPETING WAS COMPLETELY SOAKED, AND RUINED. AFTER THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES..I FINALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT IT WAS..THERE IS SOME SORT OF DRAIN HOSE TO A WATER COLLECTION RESERVOIR UNDER THE WINDSHIELD...WHICH CAN BE DISCONNECTED TO DRAIN, BUT IN THE EVENT OF DEBRIS WASHING INTO IT...WOULD CLOG UP AND OVERFLOW..RESULTING IN THE DESCRIBED CONDITION..THIS IS VERY POOR DESIGN IN MY OPINION..SOME OF FOLKS I HAVE HAD THIS TO..DID NOT HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS GOING ON...I HAVE NOT SAID ANYTHING TO CHRYSLER ABOUT THIS...BUT THINK IT IS NOT JUST ME WHO HAS THE ISSUE..AND IT ALSO COULD BE A CONTRIBUTOR TO SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES I HAVE READ ABOUT..PARTICULARLY THE CONDENSATION ISSUE AND THE AIRBAG ISSUE..I AM CONCERNED THAT THE ELECTRONICS WILL FAIL...PLEASE ADVISE...I AM PICKING A RANDOM DATE WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED...ALSO..HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES SINCE UNLESS I CLEAN THE DRAIN HOSES...NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE...? *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED PASSENGER SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $10,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES. THE FAILURE BEGAN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AND THE SEAT BEGAN SMOKING. HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. CHRYSLER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO DEFECTS AND THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HOW THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY THE OWNER. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 178,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS LOOSE. THE BELT WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED ONLY IN WET CONDITIONS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 1999 TOWN AND COUNTRY HAS HAD BELT AND PULLEY PROBLEMS WHERE WHILE RIDING IN BUSY TRAFFIC RAINY DAYS, THE BELT WILL SLIP COMPLETELY OF THE PULLEY ITS ATTACHED TO,CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY LOSE ALL POWER STEERING ABILITIES RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HEAVY TRAFFIC,PRIOR TO THE BELT COMING OFF THE VEHICLES MAKES THIS LOUD CHIRPING NOISE FOR SEVERAL DAYS PRIOR TO THE BELT COMING OFF. I HAVE HAD SO MANY INCIDENTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM,BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE AS THIS ONE IS STILL NICE AND PAID OFF. EVERY MECHANIC I'VE USED IS TELLING ME THAT THIS IS A KNOW FACTORY ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES THEY'VE SEEN WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. AND HAVE SUGGESTED THAT I CHANGE MY VEHICLE FOR SOMETHING WITH LESS AGING PROBLEMS. THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM. WE CANNOT TRAVEL IN THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINS AS WE KNOW THE BELT OR PULLEY WILL DEFINITELY LEAVE US WALKING AGAIN. IF WATER PUDDLES ARE IN THE STREET IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN THROUGH THEM IN ORDER TO KEEP THE BELT ATTACHED AND NOT LOSE POWER STEERING THAT WILL FOR SURE CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT ON BUSY STREETS. IS THERE ANYTHING MY FAMILY AND I CAN DO TO AVOID BEING KILLED BY THIS PROBLEM? OR IS THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE MECHANICALLY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? WE STILL FAVOR THE TOWN & COUNTRY BUT NOT IN FAVOR OF THE KNOWN MECHANICAL PROBLEM WITH THE BELT AND PULLY SITUATIONS. *TR

SERPENTINE BELT JUMPS OFF WHEN CAR IS DRIVEN IN RAINY CONDITIONS, LEAVING DRIVER AND FAMILY STRANDED ANYWHERE! SERPENTINE BELT CONTROLS ALL SORTS OF FUNCTIONS IN CAR INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO STEER THE CAR! *JB

EXCESSIVE RUST ON FRONT INTERIOR STRUT TOWER MOUNT; ADVISED BY MECHANIC THAT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *JB

EVERY TIME IT RAINS MY SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF WHICH CAUSES EXTREMELY HARD STEERING. MECHANICS SAY IT IS A CHRYSLER TENSIONER PROBLEM AND COMMON. I HAVE REPLACED TENSIONERS TWICE IN THE LAST 2 YEARS AND MANY (10=) BELT CHANGES TO PUT BELT BACK ON. FORTUNATELY I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SLOW AT THE TIMES (5-6 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS) THIS HAS OCCURRED. JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A FATALITY OCCURS DUE TO THIS RECURRENT PROBLEM. TIME FOR SOMEONE WITH CLOUT TO GET INVOLVED AND MAKE CHRYSLER FIX THIS PROBLEM. *JB

1999 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY LIMITED: PROBLEM(S) WORSENING - BECOMING MORE FREQUENT OVER LAST 3 YRS: START VAN, RUNS 5-10 SECS, THEN SHUTS OFF, DISCONNECT BATTERY-WAIT 3 MINS, CRANKED IN BEGINNING, NOW ONLY 50/50: SECURITY SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND SHUT SYSTEM DOWN 24 HRS, DISCONNECT BATTERY BUT NO STARTL 24 HOURS, HAD NEW KEY MADE AT DEALERSHIP USE VIN, PROBLEMS PERSISTS: REAR VENT WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING, CHANGED MOTORS AND SWITCHES, PROBLEM CONTINUES: HEATER IN SEATS RECALLED, DEALER REPLACED; HEATERS ON RECALL BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE BOTTOM COVER(LEATHER)HAS HOLE FROM WHERE HEATER BURNING THROUGH, NOW HEATERS COME ON/OFF AT WILL: GAUGES GO OFF WITH ENGINE RUNNING, BACK ON WHEN THEY GET READY: RADIO AND POWER WINDOWS INTERMITTENT: TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST WHEN EXITING INTERSTATE AFTER TRAVELING IN OD FOR 100 MILES, HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES, NOT CONTINUOUS: ALARM SOUNDS IN MIDDLE OF NIGHT AND WHEN STANDING IN STREET 25FT+ BEHIND THE VAN; MANUFACTURED ON 4/17/98 SO 1999 HAS MOSTLY 1998 PARTS, REAL PROBLEMATIC WHEN PURCHASING PARTS: NOTE: HAVE TWO 1999 T&C LIMITEDS, ONE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS THE OTHER (RED) ONLY PAINT CLEAR COAT PEELING; HAD TO TOW VAN SEVERAL TIMES. NOW HAVING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LOCK SWITCH IN DRIVER'S DOOR REPLACE. NEXT STEP CHANGE BCM: I AM THROWING $1S AT VAN, DEALERSHIPS (MORE THAN ONE) SAY NO IDEA CAUSATION. DEALER HAS REPLACED BATTERY, CABLES, BELT, MAINTENANCE ON TRANSMISSION +). YOUR URL FROM CHAT ROOMS AND FORUMS. MANY OTHERS HAVING SAME OR

I HAVE A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VAN AND TNBIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN THE LAST 20 MONTHS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CIRCUIT BOARD, PART NUMBER 4874440, HAS FAILED. THIS CIRCUIT BOARD, BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, CONTROLS MOST OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS IN THE CAR. WHEN IT FAILS THE GAUGES DON'T WORK, THE WARNING LIGHTS DON'T WORK, THE DOOR LOCKS FAIL, IT AFFECTS THE RADIO, AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T START. THE PROBLEM IS YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL FAIL. THIS IS THE SECOND CIRCUIT BOARD WE HAVE HAD REPLACED. THE TWO SAFETY ISSUES ARE THE FACT THAT THE CAR MAY NOT START. THE SYPTOMS ARE VERY SPORADIC. SOMETIMES ONLY THE GAUGES ARE AFFECTED. OTHER TIMES IT WON'T START BUT MAY START THE NEXT DAY OR NEXT WEEK. I WAS TOLD THIS ALSO AFFECTS THE PROPER FUNCTIONING OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS. WHEN THE GAUGES GO OUT AND THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON THE CHANCES ARE THEY WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AN ACCIDENT. CHRYSLER EITHER ENGINEERED THIS CIRCUIT BOARD POORLY, CAUSING THE HIGH FAILURE RATE, OR THEIR SUPPLIER IS SHIPPING DEFECTIVE PARTS. THIS SHOULD BE A FLEET-WIDE RECALL. I CALLED CHRYSLER SUPPORT AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPORT THE PROBLEM. THE CHRYSLER FILE NO. IS 16463834. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. ON MAY 4, 2007, THE VEHICLE'S CONTROL PANEL FAILED FOLLOWED BY THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RAN FOR A FEW SECONDS, ONLY TO FAIL AGAIN. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL THE VEHICLE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

MULTIPLE TIMES THE BELT HAS SLIPPED OFF... LUCKILY, BOTH DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR GETS WET UNDERNEATH AND THIS TIME I WAS GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH. I ALMOST RAN INTO THE SIDE OF THE WASH WHEN I WAS PULLING IN DUE TO THE LACK OF POWER STEERING. I HAVE REPLACED/PUT THE BELT BACK ON AT LEAST 5 OTHER TIMES. THIS IS CRAZY THAT IT KEEPS HAPPENING, AND YOU CAN TELL THE DESIGN IS JUST PLAIN FLAWED. *TR

I STARTED HEARING A CLICKING NOISE ON TURNING STEERING WHEEL ON THE 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY. DEALER INSPECTED IT AND STATED THAT CLOCKSPRING MALFUNCTIONED AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED UNDER LIFETIME WARRANTY. ON THE DAY OF SCHEDULED REPAIR STATED THAT AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED, SHOULD START BEFORE THEY WILL REPLACE CLOCKSPRING. I AM NOW INTERMITTENTLY HEARING A CHIME SOUND ON TURNING THE WHEEL. I AM WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY OF VEHICLE AND RISK OF INJURIES IN VIEW OF POTENTIAL AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. I THINK THAT CHRYSLER' S APPROACH TO THIS PROBLEM IS PUTTING MINE AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE AT RISK. *AK

I JUST FILED A COMPLAINT HERE REGARDING SERPENTINE BELT COMING OFF WHEN DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. MECHANICS AND CHRYSLER SERVICE MECHANICS ARE WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND YOU HAVE SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS SHOWING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS OF VANS. THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR SITUATION. IT IS A DEFECT IN THE COMPANY DESIGN OF THESE PULLEYS AND BELTS. WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL YET??

EVERYTIME THE VAN IS DRIVEN THROUGH A SMALL PUDDLE OR HEAVY RAIN, SERPENTINE BELT COMES OFF. IT DOES NOT BREAK. IT SLIDES OFF THE PULLEY. AS A RESULT, POWER STEERING IS LOST IMMEDIATELY AND WATER TEMPERATURE RAPIDLY RISES. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHERE THERE IS NOT A PLACE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY.

SERPENTINE BELT REPEATEDLY SLIPS OFF WHEN DRIVING IN WET WEATHER. *JB

STRUT TOWER INSIDE OF HOOD IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. MECHANIC SAID THAT IT COULD CAUSE STRUT TO BREAK THROUGH AND COLLAPSE WHILE DRIVING. THE STRUT TOWER IS PROTECTED FROM THE WEATHER. WHY IS IT RUSTING OUT? *JB

CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 1999 3.8 L (1) EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE: RAIN (2) FAILURE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES: DASH LIGHTS FLICKERING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP AND START, POWER LOCKS UNLOCK AT HIGHWAY SPEED. (3) WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE: CALLED DEALERSHIP & SET UP APPOINTMENT. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENS STARTED TO FOG UP AFTER 8 MONTHS OF DRIVING HIS 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS LIMITED HIS VISILBILTY WHILE DRIVINING AT NIGHT.*AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE ONCE AND THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL TWICE WITHOUT WARNING. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD, AND TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, WHO REPAIRED THE DAMAGE TO THE BRAKES AND THE HUB HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

THERE IS NOT A LOCKING MECHANISM TO PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. I NOTICED IT BY ACCIDENT ONE DAY WHILE I WAS CLEANING IT AND ACCIDENTALLY PULLED IT INTO GEAR. NOT ONLY IS THIS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN BUT IS ALSO A THEFT ISSUE. CHRYSLER REALLY NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE WITH SOME OF THE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE! *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO DETERMINED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATD 01/19/07. *JB

MY 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY LIMITED MINI VAN DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT FIRE WHEN THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON. THE SEAT GOT VERY HOT ABOUT 1 MINUTE BEFORE AND THEN SMOKE CAME UP IN FRONT OF ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I LOOKED DOWN AND SAW FLAMES. I PUT IT OUT AND TURNED OFF THE SEAT. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2001. AT THE TIME OF THE PURCHASE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT WARMER WAS NOT WORKING AND AS PART OF OUR SALE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ENTIRE SEAT WITH A BRAND NEW ONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ALSO, AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT MY PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. SO, HAD THE FIRE SPREAD MY PASSENGERS IN THE BACK WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. SOMEONE WOULD HAVE HAD TO LET THEM OUT FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD THE LOCKS REPLACED IN THE PAST 2 YEARS DUE TO THE CAR LOCKING ITSELF AND LOCKS NOT WORKING FROM BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE STUD THAT HELD UP THE TAILGATE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE SNAPPED OFF, CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO FALL INJURING THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN EXAMINED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND AN INCIDENT REPORT WAS TAKEN.*AK THE CONSUMER REPAIRED THE TAILGATE HIMSELF ON 11/3/06. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

LTR FM (CT) CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF HIS DAUGHTERS DEFECTIVE 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY, THE TIE ROD FELL OFF. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED MOST AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS HAVE ELIMINATED THE GREASE FITTINGS THAT MOST TIE ROD ENDS USE. APPARENTLY, THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE RUBBER GROMMET THAT ENCLOSED THE BALL AND ROAD SURFACE WATER LEAKED IN AND CORRODED THE BALL AND ENCLOSURE. AFTER THE BALL AND SOCKET HAD EXPERIENCED SUFFICIENT REDUCTION, IT FINALLY SLIPPED OUT OF THE ENCLOSURE AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND. *JB

SERPENTINE BELT DERAILS WHEN DRIVEN IN RAIN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT. REPLACE BELTS AND TENSIONER PULLEY, STILL HAPPENS. LOTS OF POSTS ON THE WEB FROM PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE EVEN AFTER HAVING THE TSB FOR THE IDLER PULLEY DONE. IT'S AMAZING THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT BY THIS DEFECT. *NM

WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, PEDAL SANK ALMOST TO THE FLOOR INDICATING A FLUID LEAK. BRAKES BARELY WORKED AT ALL AND LIMPED TO CHYSLER DEALER WHO FOUND RUPTURED RIGID BRAKE LINE WHERE IT JOINS TO A SHORT BRAIDED FLEXIBLE SECTION. TWO LONG RIGID BRAKE LINES THAT RUN NEARLY THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED AND AS REQUESTED OLD PARTS WERE RETURNED TO ME. ONLY IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA WHERE THE FLEXIBLE LINE JOINS THE RIGID LINES WAS THERE SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION. ONE OF THE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND RUPTURED AT THIS POINT. THE REST OF THE RIGID LINES WERE FREE OF CORROSION. THE VEHICLE IS 5 YEARS OLD WITH 100,000 MILES IN A RELATIVELY LOW SALT ENVIRONMENT, THERE SHOULD NOT BE SEVERE CORROSION AT THIS TIME CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. THE JOINT AREA BETWEEN THE FLEX LINE AND THE RIGID LINE IS A DESIGN FAULT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. PHOTOGRAPHS AND THE REPLACED PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EXAMINATION. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PERFORMING A NORMAL MAINTENANCE INSPECTION AT THE DEALER, IT WAS DETERMINED THE LEFT FRONT STRUT AND STRUT TOWER WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO HARSH WINTER WEATHER AND ROAD SALTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

WHILE DOING GENERAL CAR CARE (CLEANING THE BATTERY) I NOTICED SEVERE RUST ON THE LEFT STRUT TOWER AT THE SPRING SEAT. THE AREA IS SUPPORTING THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE AND IF IT FAILS WILL CAUSE THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TO MOVE INTO CONTACT WITH THE CAR BODY AND PREVENT NORMAL STEERING TO AVOID COLLISIONS. SECONDARILY, SUSPENSION DAMPERS CANNOT BE REPLACED SINCE THE STRUT COULD NOT BE RE-ATTACHED. POOR DAMPER CONDITION OF COURSE AFFECTS THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE ON IMPERFECT PAVEMENT. *JB

STRUT TOWER HAS SEVERE RUSTING THAT MAY LEAD TO A COLLAPSE ON THE FRONT TIRE. *JB

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON JULY 14, 2005. WHEN THE WEATHER TURNED COLDER, I WOULD BACK THE VEHICLE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND IT WOULD FAIL TO ENGAGE INTO DRIVE FOR 25 TO 30 SECONDS. AT TIMES IT WOULD ALSO FAIL TO ENGAGE AFTER MAKING A FULL STOP. I BELIEVED THIS TO BE A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THEY WERE USING A "NEW AND IMPROVED FLUID". THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME IT HAPPENS ON HIS NEW CAR ALSO. IF WHAT HE SAYS IS TRUE I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE AREN'T MANY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS. WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION? I USED A NOVEMBER DATE AS THE INCIDENT DATE, BUT IT HAPPENS MANY TIMES. *JB

I HAVE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND BOTH OF DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS STOP OPERATING. I HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LAST YEAR. *JB

1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY LIMITED MINI-VAN. OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SLIDING DOORS HAVE DETERIORATED AND HAVE FALLEN OFF OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER TRIED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY BUT WAS REFUSED BY DAIMLER-CHRYSLER STATING THAT THE HANDLES WERE NOT PART OF THE LATCH ASSEMBLY. THE DOORS ARE NOW UNABLE TO BE OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, MAKING, IN MY OPINION. THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE. THE COST OF REPLACING BOTH HANDLES WITH LABOR IS APPROXIMATELY $500.00. *JB

THE DRIVER SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER TOWER ON A 99 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY HAS RUSTED THROUGH LOSING SUPPORT FOR THE SHOCK ABSORBER. HAVE CHECKED OTHER 99 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT FRONT AND BOTH REAR WHEEL RIMS ARE CORRODED ON THE INSIDE. DUE TO THE CORROSION THE TIRES WILL NOT REMAIN INFLATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY REPAIR TECHNICIAN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT END MADE A NOISE AT ANY SPEED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER WAS SEVERLY RUSTED AND WAS ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSING. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THEY SUGGESTED THE MANUFACTURER BE ALERTED. UPDATED 4/4/2006 - *NM

THE PULLEYS THAT HOLD THE BELT ARE MISALIGNED WHICH SHREDS THE BELTS IN THE MOTOR. THIS OCCURED WHILE DRIVNG DOWN THE EXSPRESSWAY @ 70 MPH. THE CAR LOSES POWER STEERING AND POWER. THIS HAPPENS AS WE RESEARCHED MORE OFTEN THEN NOT. YOU WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TENTIONER ASSEMBLY IN ORDER TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. I HAVE NOT HEARD OF A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. *NM

CONSUMER 1999 TOWN & COUNTRY MINIVAN STEERING INTERLOCK DID WORK. VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY NEARLY CRUSHING PASSENGER. *TS *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER'S ONE YEAR OLD SON WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT OUT OF PARK ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER HAD THE KEY IN HIS POCKET. THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY BEFORE STRIKING A TREE. AN INVESTIGATOR CAME TO THE CONSUMER'S HOME TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE INVESTIGATOR TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING INTERLOCK WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE CONSUMER HAD NOT USED THE PARKING BRAKE. THE MANUFACTURER THEN CLOSED THE FILE BECAUSE THE VAN HAD 3 OUTSTANDING RECALLS. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT MOVED SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. *NM

THE HEADLIGHT LENS OF THE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VAN BECOMES CLOUDED AFTER ABOUT TWO YEARS. THIS REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT THAT IS CAST ON TO THE ROADWAY AT NIGHT AND GREATLY REDUCING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO SEE THE ROAD AHEAD. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CONDITION AND CAN ONLY BE REMEDIED BY REPLACEMENT OF HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY UNIT. AT A COST OF $400+. *NM

WE HAVE A 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VAN AND WE HAVE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BEGINNING AT ABOUT 60,000 MILES. IT STARTED WITH THE DASH LIGHTS AND GAUGES INTERMITTENTLY GOING OFF, THEN BACK ON. IT ALSO AFFECTED POWER TO THE RADIO AND THE POWER WINDOWS. I HAD THE CAR IN DURING THE WARRANTY PERIOD SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE DEFECT. FINALLY AT 108,000 THE CAR FAILED TO START AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER BEHIND THE DASHBOARD, PART NUMBER 4874440. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE GAUGES MAY NOT WORK WHEN A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OCCURS, SUCH AS A WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR MAY NOT START WHEN THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE SEVERE, PLACING THE OCCUPANTS IN DANGER. I CHECKED WITH THREE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS IN THE LOCAL AREA AND THEIR PARTS DEPARTMENTS ALL TOLD ME THAT 396 OF THIS $370.00 PART ARE ON "NATIONAL BACK ORDER." ONLY 240 OF THE 396 ARE GOING TO BE FILLED BASED ON PRODUCTION SHORTAGES. IF THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURED PARTS ARE FAULTY THEN CHRYSLER NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. THE DEMAND FOR THIS PART INDICATES THERE IS A PROBLEM. A POST MORTEM ON DEFECTIVE PARTS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DETERMINE WHY THEY WENT BAD. *JB

I WAS VACUUMING MY 1999 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY VAN BEFORE CHURCH WHEN MY 1 YEAR OLD SON PULLED THE SHIFTER OUT OF PARK AND THE VAN ROLLED DOWN OUR DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVERS DOOR STRUCK A TREE CAUSING $1800 DAMAGE. THE KEYS TO THE VAN WERE IN MY POCKET. CHRYSLER WAS CONTACTED AND SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT TO DETERMINE WHAT HAD OCCURRED. I NEVER RECEIVED A COPY OF THE INVESTIGATION AND CONTACTED CHRYSLER TO OBTAIN A COPY AND WAS TOLD BY THEM THAT I WOULD NEED A COURT SUBPOENA TO HAVE A COPY SENT TO ME. MY VAN TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER BY THE CHRYSLER INVESTIGATOR TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG. I WAS NOT GIVEN A COPY OF WHAT THEY FOUND AND CHRYSLER WOULD NOT SEND ONE AS WELL WITHOUT A SUBPOENA. WHILE THE VAN WAS AT THE BODY SHOP, I NOTICED THAT NOTHING WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FACT THAT THE VAN CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF PARK WITHOUT KEYS IN THE IGNITION. CHRYSLER HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIX THIS WHILE THEY WERE DOING THEIR INVESTIGATION AND DID NOTHING. *NM