2002 Chrysler Town And Country complaints

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO LIGHT (INTERMITTENTLY) AT APPROX 58,500 MILES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. PROGRESSIVELY BECAME MORE FREQUENT, AND WOULD REMAIN LIT FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME / MILES. THE FEW TIMES THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD CEASE, I WAS ABLE TO TRIGGER THE ERROR BY WIGGLING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT SEVERAL TIMES. SUSPECTED THE 'CLOCK SPRING' CABLE IN STEERING COLUMN, SINCE THE PROBLEM SOUNDED VERY SIMILAR TO RECALL 04V480000 (WHICH COVERS 1998-2000 TOWN & COUNTRY MINIVANS). BECAME CONCERNED WHEN I FOUND OUT THAT AIR BAGS WOULD LIKELY NOT DEPLOY IF THE WARNING LIGHT WAS LIT DURING AN ACCIDENT. REQUESTED DEALER INSPECT AND ADVISE. I ALSO POINTED OUT THE EARLIER RECALL ON 1998-2000 MODELS. DEALER INDICATED A $100 DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE WOULD BE BILLED TO ME. I SPOKE TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 21-JULY 2008 WHO INDICATED NO RECALL WAS IN EFFECT FOR 2002 T & C'S, AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. CUSTOMER SERVICE INDICATED I MIGHT GET REIMBURSED IF A RECALL WAS EVER ORDERED. END RESULT: DEALER TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE 'CLOCK SPRING' WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS INDEED FAULTY AND SO I PAID THE DEALER $244.41 TO REPLACE THE 'CLOCK SPRING'. AIR BAG LAMP NOW ONLY LIGHTS DURING THE TEST PHASE / INITIAL START-UP AND QUICKLY GOES OUT (AS IT SHOULD). PLEASE NOTE: IN CONTRAST TO EARLIER REPORTS OF 'CLOCK SPRING' FAILURE / DEFECT, I DID NOT HAVE ANY CONCURRENT PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL OR HORN WITHIN THE STEERING WHEEL. THESE WORKED FINE BEFORE AND AFTER REPAIR.

TRANSMISSION ISSUES SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. LAST ISSUE CURRENTLY HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *TR

I BOUGHT A CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD INTO 2ND GEAR. AFTER THE 4TH TIME TO THE DEALER AND TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST FINALLY TOOK THE VAN TO AUTO WEST DODGE. AUTO WEST DODGE SAID THEY HAVE A HISTORY ON THE VEHICLE FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER AND AS OF NOW THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE IT IS A COMPUTER PROBLEM NOT A MECHANICAL PROBLEM. I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAY I AM GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR A FIX. THE SHIFTING OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST HAS REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION, BUT CAN NOT FIX THE COMPUTER AND AUTO WEST DODGE SAID THEY CAN NOT FIX THE COMPUTER AT THIS TIME EITHER. *TR

MY NEW TOWN AND COUNTRY (2002) HAS BEEN RUSTING SINCE DAY ONE. IT WAS FINALLY PAINTED SLIGHTLY UNDER WARRANTY AT 28,000M ON TAILGATE WHERE IT WAS BUBBLING. I CONTINUED TO COMPLAIN BUT IT FELL ON DEAF EARS. THE INSIDE OF THE DOORS WERE PHOTOGRAPHED BUT NOTHING DONE. THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. IT HAS HOLES IN THE BODY ALL AROUND AND BUBBLING IS SEEN EVERYWHERE. IT SHOULD NOT BE DOING THIS PER LOCAL BODY SHOPS AND EVEN DEALER BUT NO ONE WILL DO ANYTHING. I AM FURIOUS. CHRYSLER ONLY THANKED ME FOR MY COMMENTS. HAS 68,000 ON IT NOW AND HAS BEEN CARED FOR. HAS NO RESALE VALUE DUE TO ITS CONDITION AND THE OTHER ISSUES YET PAID A MINT.

MY TOWN AND COUNTRY HAS BEEN A LEMON FROM DAY ONE. IT HAS HAD A NUMBER OF STEERING PROBLEMS( IS NOW UNDRIVABLE AS IT IS LEAKING AND HEAT SHIELD IS DOWN) DEALER CLAIMS NO RECALL. IT HAS BEEN RUSTING SINCE BEFORE 30,000MILES. IT NOW HAS HOLES IN IT AND UNDERCARRIAGE RUSTED OUT. CHRYSLER HAS DONE NOTHING FOR ME. POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS/MOTORS WERE INOPERATIONAL A YEAR AGO-AT THE SAME TIME. IT SHAKES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. PAID PLENTY. HAS 68,000M.

THE POWER WINDOW MOTORS ON BOTH FRONT DOORS AND LIFT MECHANISMS WENT BAD WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER. RESULTED IN A 500 REPAIR. ONLY A FEW WEEKS LATER THE GENUINE CHRYSLER PARTS WENT BAD ON ONE OF THE WINDOWS AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN RESULTING IN FREE REPAIR BUT HAVING TO DEAL WITH IT AGAIN WAS RIDICULOUS. LEMON

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WILL REMAIN RUNNING FOR A VERY SHORT TIME BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. THE CONTACT HAS TO TURN THE VEHICLE ON AND OFF THREE TIMES BEFORE IT WILL COMPLETELY STOP WORKING. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WHICH OCCURS ONCE EVERY THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

IGNITION LOCK GETS STUCK, CAN NOT START THE VAN. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASSIONS GOT STRANDED WITH AN INFANT IN THE CAR, WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE VAN STARTED BECAUSE OF AN IGNITION LOCK NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR

ON MY 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY WITH 38,000 MILES, THE RACK AND PINION BEGAN LEAKING IN OCT 2007. THE INTERNAL 'FALLING APART' OF THE RACK CAUSED A CLOG OF THE STEERING PUMPS SCREEN FILTER WHICH CAUSED A LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. IN APRIL 2008, BOTH THE RACK & PINION AND THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE LEAK AND THE WHINING NOISE: PARTS - $320, LABOR - $900. *TR

POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, SOMETIMES WHEN BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, SOMETIMES WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN RESULTING IN A NEAR- MISS AND JUMPING A CURB. TO THIS DATE STEERING CONTINUES TO EMIT A WHINING NOISE. HOSES WERE REPLACED, STEERING COLUMN REBUILT. MORE THAN ONCE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM RESULTING IN GREAT INCONVENIENCE TO US. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED DUE TO PRESSURE FROM THE STEERING RACK. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

2002 CHRSYLER TOWN AND COUNTRY WITH AIRBAG PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLICKERS AND AFTER IT FLICKERS IT STAYS ON. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIRBAGS PROBABLY DO NOT WORK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *KB THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THE AIR BAG PROBLEM OVER 10 TIMES. *JB

POWER STEERING WHINING DUE TO IMPROPER HOSE DESIGN. HOSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER WITH TEMPORARY RESULTS. PUMP OK. THERE SHOULD BE ALOT MORE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, THE DEALER SEEMED WELL AWARE OF IT. *TR

MY POWER STEERING IS BEGINNING TO GO OUT AGAIN AFTER HAVING TO HAVE THE HOSES REPLACED FOR A 2ND TIME. I BELIEVE THE HOSES ARE REALLY DEFECTIVE AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN CORRECTED YET! *TR

THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CHRYSLER POWER STEERING HOSES AND MINE WAS FIXED TWO YEARS AGO & THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AGAIN SAYING WEAR & TEAR. ALSO, THEY PUT OUT A NOTICE (BUT NOT TO OWNERS) THAT THE OIL PLATE ON THESE VEHICLES ARE LEAKING & THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM WHICH I'VE ALREADY CONSULTED 50 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VAN AND SAME PROBLEM. *TR

BOUGHT 2002 T&C EX USED FROM CHRYSLER DEALER IN XENIA, OHIO. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE BY SAME DEALERSHIP. CAR HAS 52,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER GETTING HOME FROM VACATION TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DIED - NO WARNING. MECHANIC FOUND 9 CODES AND ONE THAT REFERENCED NO HYDRAULIC PRESSURE. THEY CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FOUND IT TO BE CLEAN - TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH LESS THAN 65K MILES ON IT. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS A PROPER LEVELS AND WAS NOT BURNT IN ANY WAY - STILL A NICE RED COLOR. REPLACED TRANSMISSION WITH A JASPER REMAN WITH 3 YR/75K MILES WARRANTY AND THAT TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT WHILE 60+ MILES FORM HOME WITH BOTH OF OUR KIDS IN THE CAR. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO OUR DESTINATION AND NOT STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS TIME 3RD GEAR APPARENTLY DIED AND OUR MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THIS IS A POPULAR TRANSMISSION AND VERY POPULAR FOR FAILING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS DIMMED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE HEADLIGHTS ILLUMINATED AFTER ONE MINUTE. THE LIGHTS WOULD ALSO FLICKER OCCASIONALLY. THE DEALER INSTALLED A FRONT CONTROL MODULE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT VERIFIED HIS VIN, BUT IT APPEARS TO BE INVALID. THE ENGINE SIZE AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

THE VAN WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH AND AROUND JULY THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE FRONT WHERE THE AC UNIT, RADIO, CONTROLS, ETC ARE LOCATED BEGAN TO STOP WORKING PROPERLY. THE AC WILL NOT CUT OFF, INSTEAD THE AIR PRESSURE INCREASES AND DOESN'T STOP. THIS HAS AFFECTED MY BACK UNIT AND THE HEAT WILL NOT WORK, WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO BEAR WITH SMALL CHILDREN. RECENTLY, THE CD CHANGER HAS BEEN MESSING UP AND NOT EJECTING CD'S OR CHANGING. NOTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BECAUSE IT WILL COST A LOT, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE MADE A CLACKING NOISE AND SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN. HE ADDED WATER TO THE RADIATOR AND DROVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE COMPUTERS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DISAGREED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED BECAUSE THE FAN AND COOLING SYSTEM WERE INADEQUATE IN SIZE. THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,421 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

AIRBAG LIGHT AND ALARM TONE COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIME REMAINS ON FOR MORE THAN 10 SECONDS THEN GOES OUT AND COMES BACK ON AGAIN AFTER A FEW SECONDS. RECENTLY AT DEALER FOR ANOTHER UNRELATED REPAIR AND ASKED THEM TO TROUBLESHOOT THIS, TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS AN INTERMITTENT OPEN IN THE CLOCK SPRING (CS) AND THAT THERE WASN'T A RECALL. I HAD REPORTED PREVIOUS CLOCK SPRING PROBLEM ON MY 1997 DODGE WHICH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RECALLED AND KNOW WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, BUT THIS TIME THE CRUISE, AND HORN STILL WORKED. I PURCHASED A NEW CS P/N 5082050AC AND PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL MYSELF TO REPLACE IT. IT APPEARS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, I NOTICED THAT THE REPLACEMENT CS WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE ORIGINAL CS (WHICH I KEPT). THE DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL CS HAS THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS ON IT P/N 04685712AC AND SMALLER *1 324101379R*. IT ALSO HAS A SOCKET WITH COPPER CLIPS WHERE A CONNECTOR SPLIT 4 WIRE HARNESS CONNECTS TO THE CS WITH THE TWO CABLES GOING TO THE AIRBAG MODULE. THE REPLACEMENT CS HAD NO SOCKET AND HAD ELIMINATED THE CONNECTOR AND HAD TWO 2 WIRES HARNESSES HARD WIRED TO THE CS. I DISASSEMBLED THE DEFECTIVE CS AND CHECKED IT FOR BREAKS IN THE RIBBON CONDUCTORS THERE WEREN'T ANY VISIBLE ALSO THE CONSTRUCTION APPEARED TO BE MUCH MORE DURABLE POSSIBLY WITH BRAIDED COPPER LAMINATE RUNS. SINCE IT WAS INTERMITTENT I SUSPECT THAT THE PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY WITH THE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE CS SOCKET FOR THE AIRBAG CONNECTION, DEVELOPING A LOOSE OR DIRTY CONTACT CONNECTI

MY RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG INTERNALLY OPENED (2002 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY 3.3 V-6) STATED BY METRO JEEP AND CHRYSLER. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENED. I HAVEN'T BEEN IN ANY KIND OF COLLISION. AT METRO JEEP & CHRYSLER. I WAS TOLD THAT IF A NEW MODULE IS NOT PUT IN, THE RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG WON'T DEPLOY. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER"S (CHRYSLER) ERROR. *JB

I HAVE HAD A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 TOWN & COUNTRY MINI VAN SINCE WE PURCHASED IT FROM CU FLEET. THE VAN HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A NUMBER OF REPAIRS. FROM THE ENGINE TO THE SENSORS. *JB

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON MY 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY MINI VAN AS WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE VAN HAD ONLY 51,700 MILES ON IT! I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, AND THEY WANTED $4,000 TO FIX IT. I CALLED CHRYSLER TO ASK IF THEY WOULD COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR SINCE THE MILEAGE WAS SO LOW, BUT THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS UP. I HAD IT FIXED AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION. I DON'T HAVE THE OLD PARTS AVAILABLE. THERE MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION, OR SOME KIND OF "WEAK" PARTS FOR IT TO GO OUT AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I DO REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON THE VAN, I CHANGE THE OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES, AND EVEN DID THE 30,000 MILES SERVICE THAT WAS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY THE DEALERSHIP! *JB

MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM IN THE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY HOWEVER THIS YEAR (2002) DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL. I ALSO HAVE A 2005 TOWN & COUNTRY THAT IS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I WANT MY AIRBAG PROBLEM COVERED UNDER THE RECALL, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A BIG PROBLEM AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN MY VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG COULD DEPLOY OR MAY NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND TELL ME HOW I CAN HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE REAR HATCH OPENS. THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER LIFTGATE. THIS OCCURRED TWICE DURING ONE TRIP TODAY. ONCE WITH THE DOOR CLOSED VIA THE POWER MECHANISM, AND AGAIN AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR MANUALLY. IT HAD PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE, ABOUT 2 YEARS PREVIOUS. *JB

OVER A PERIOD OF A FEW WEEKS I WAS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) FAN, RADIO, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND POWER WINDOWS WOULD STOP WORKING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN START WORKING AGAIN. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE OVER THESE WEEKS. AFTER 3 TRIPS TO THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT BATTERY ACID HAD LEAKED ON THE WIRING HARNESS AND I NEEDED A NEW ONE. I HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE BATTERY, AND CHRYSLER DEALERS HAD PERFORMED MOST ON THE MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR AND NO ONE HAD TOLD ME THAT BATTERY ACID WAS LEAKING ON THE WIRING HARNESS. THE NEW WIRING HARNESS COST ME $2,600. IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A DEFECT IN DESIGN TO RUN THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE BATTERY. ALSO, WHY CAN'T THE WIRING HARNESS BE MODULAR WHERE ONE SECTION COULD BE REPLACED AT A MUCH LOWER COST.*AK

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND DOESN'T GO OFF. I TOOK IT TO A REGULAR REPAIR SHOP AND THEIR COMPUTERS CAN'T ANALYZE THE PROBLEM, IT HAS TO BE RETURNED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. IS THIS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM? *TR

POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN VEHICLE WAS COLD AND TURNING TO THE LEFT. NO EVENTS LED UP TO THE FAILURE, IT JUST DID IT. WE BOUGHT THE 2002 T&C IN MARCH 2007... GOT A GREAT DEAL. BUT THEN, AFTER ONE WEEK, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND EVERY MORNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE TURNED, BUT ONLY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS, AND IN DRIVE. TAKING BACK TO DEALER TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AGAIN TODAY. *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE WEBBING ON THE HARNESS CAN LOSEN ALLOWING CHILD TO CLIMB OUT OF THE SEAT. *MC *JB 22-249WAL DOM 1-8-04 COSCO VENTURA

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON IN THE 2002 TOWN & COUNTRY LIMITED SHORTLY AFTER STARTING IT AND AS WE DROVE INTERMITTENTLY. IT STAYED LIT FOR 5-20 SECONDS EACH TIME. I TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO ASK THE QUESTION, AND WAS TOLD THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE CLOCK SPRING. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER, ESPECIALLY FOR STEERING WHEELS WITH THE RADIO CONTROLS BUILT IN WHICH MINE HAD. THE PARTS REPRESENTATIVE SAID HE COULD ORDER IT BUT DIDNT KNOW WHEN IT WOULD BE IN. IN ADDITION, I THERE WAS A COST FOR INSTALLATION AS WELL AS THE PART. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN ABOUT AN AIRBAG MISFIRE OR FAILURE TO FIRE, AND HE SAID THAT THE AIRBAG DEACTIVATED WHEN THE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT AS LONG AS THE LIGHT WAS OFF IT SHOULD WORK FINE. ALSO THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY RISK OF MISFIRE, BUT HE COULDNT GUARANTEE IT. IS THIS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY SINCE WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON THE AIRBAG WON'T FIRE? SHOULD I BE CHARGED FOR SUCH A REPAIR IF IT WAS SAFETY RELATED? I JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER AND JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SAFE SINCE I TRAVEL WITH MY FAMILY IN IT.*AK

THE VEHICLE I OWN, A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY, IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM INDUSTRY WIDE. MANY, IF NOT MOST CASES THESE DAYS HAVE PLASTIC COVERS OVER THE HEADLIGHTS. WITHIN A FEW YEARS, DEPENDING ON MILEAGE AND DRIVING CONDITIONS THE COVERS GET SCRATCHED AND MORE IMPORTANTLY CLOUDY AND DISCOLORED. THIS DRAMATICALLY REDUCED THE LIGHT OUTPUT AND CREATED A SAFETY HAZARD AT NIGHT. THIS WOULD NOT BE SO BAD IF THE COVERS COULD BE READILY REPLACED AT NOMINAL COST. BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. IN MOST CASES THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED AT VERY HIGH COST. IN MY CASE, THE COST WAS IN EXCESS OF $1000 EACH. THUS, MOST PEOPLE SIMPLY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM. I THINK RULES SHOULD BE IN PLACE TO FORCE THE USE OF A LONGER LASTING MATERIAL, OR TO FORCE THE DESIGN TO ALLOW REPLACEMENT AT REASONABLE COST.*AK

THE VAN WAS PROFESSIONALLY MODIFIED STRAIGHT FROM FACTORY BY INDEPENDENT MOBILITY SYSTEMS, INC (IMS) A COMPANY OUT OF BUSINESS THAT SPECIALIZED IN THESE MODIFICATIONS. I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED BACK AROUND EARLY 2006 ABOUT A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED WITH THE VEHICLES REAR SHOCK-ABSORBER LOWER TIE-DOWN BRACKETS. IN MY COMPLAINT I EXPLAINED THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING INCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH THE LEFT BRACKET BROKE AT THE WELD THAT CONNECTED IT TO THE REAR AXLE, CAUSING THE HIGHLY PRESSURIZED SHOCK-ABSORBER TO EXTEND AND JAMMED AGAINST THE PAVEMENT AND THE AXLE. THIS CAUSED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO JUMP AND SHUTTER VIOLENTLY AND MAKING ME STOP RAPIDLY. REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $100.00. ON THIS OCCASION I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP WHEN THE WELD ON THE RIGHT SIDE BRACKET BROKE OFF. AGAIN I TOWED IT TO A MIDAS AT DIFFERENT LOCATION AND SPENT $45.00 ON THE REPAIR. WELL THIS WAS REPORTED TO BRAUN ENTERPRISES , A COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZED IN THESE MODIFICATIONS THAT HAS TAKEN UP WARRANTY AND PARTS ISSUES FROM IMS. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PAST ITS WARRANTY PERIOD THEY WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO COVER THE REPAIRS. THIS RESULTED IN MY FIRST REPORT TO DOT. THE REASON FOR MY REPEATING THIS REPORT WAS THAT IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN TO ONE OF THE SAME BRACKETS. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. IN MY INITIAL REPORT I STATED THAT THE REASON I SUSPECTED THIS HAPPENED WAS DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING. SINCE THE BRACKETS WHERE LOCATED LOW

ALL TIRE AND WHEEL ROTATIONS HAVE BEEN PERFORMED AT CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE NEW FROM O'BRIEN DEALERSHIP IN PEORIA. TIRES WERE ROTATED BY O'BRIEN CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP IN PEKIN, IL ON 21-FEB-2007. ON MY CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 2002 MINIVAN, ALL FIVE BOLTS ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SHEARED OFF RESULTING IN MY TIRE FALLING OFF THE VEHICLE. ALL FIVE OF THE SHEARED BOLTS REMAINED IN THE VEHICLE WERE THEY WERE BOLTED. THE DAMAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,200 TO THE REAR SUSPENSION AND WHEEL. THE DEALER AND CHRYSLER CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAILURES AND DID NOT PERFORM ANY TESTS ON THE BOLTS AFTER REQUESTED BY US. DEALER IS CURRENTLY REPAIRING WITH REPLACEMENT PARTS AND IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE US WITH ALL REPLACED PARTS. *TR

I AM WANTING TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON HEADLIGHT LENS QUALITY/SAFETY. THE LENS I AM REFERRING TO ARE THE COMPOSITE "LEXAN"LENSES USED ON MOST VEHICLES TODAY. AFTER JUST A FEW VERY SHORT YEARS THE COATING PEELS AND THE PLASTIC BREAKS DOWN CAUSING POOR LIGHT TRANSFER AND VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS."CHRYSLER"HAS DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE THE LENSES ON MY 2002 VEHICLE WITH 62,000 MILES STATING THAT IT IS WAY BEYOND ANY WARRANTY PERIOD. I CONSIDER THIS BESIDE THE POINT. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MILLIONS WHO RELY ON SAFE LIGHTING TO OPERATE THEIR VEHICLES SAFELY. THE EXTREME COSTS OF THE LENS ASSEMBLIES MAKES SIMPLY REPLACING THEM AN UNACCEPTABLE OPTION. MINE ARE NOT YET HAZED OVER ON MY 2002 BUT THE COATING IS PEELING DUE TO UV BREAKDOWN, MY 1994 IS YELLOWED AND HAZED AND DEFINITELY SUFFERS FROM POOR LIGHT TRANSMISSION. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT MOST OTHER MANUFACTURERS ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM(I AM AN AUTO TECHNICIAN)WHY DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE TO ALWAYS BEAR THE EXPENSE OF SOMETHING THAT IS SUCH A SAFETY CONCERN JUST BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURE DOES NOT CARE OR WANTS TO SELL CHEAPER GRADE PARTS TO INCREASE PROFIT. I NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OLD GLASS SEALED BEAMS ON MY OLDER CARS AND THEY WERE JUST A FEW DOLLARS COMPARED TO HUNDREDS FOR COMPOSITES. I FEEL THE GOVT. NEEDS TO REVIEW THIS CONDITION AND MAKE THE MANUFACTURERS STAND BEHIND SUCH AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE .I HAVE LITERALLY HAD HUNDRED OF CUSTOMERS COMPLAIN OF THIS PROBLEM OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS OR SO. BUT NOW

1) AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY TURNING THERE WAS NOISE AND SHAKING IN THE FRONT OF THE CHRYSLER 2002 TOWN AND COUNTRY. IT WAS IDENTIFIED AT A GARAGE AS A POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE PROBLEM AND IN FACT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. I THEN TOOK IT TO A CHRYSLER DEALER - DOAN IN ROCHESTER NY - WHO AGREED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR REPLACEMENT. I FOUND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE CORRECT PROBLEM DID NOT QUALIFY. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT THE SAME STORY. THEY SAID THAT THE VIN NUMBERS LISTED WERE DETERMINED BY NHTSA AND THEY - IN SO MANY WORDS - WERE OFF THE HOOK. I DID HAVE IT REPLACED WITH MY OWN MONEY, BUT I AM UPSET ABOUT IT. 2) MY AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED TO GO ON TELLING ME THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE TURNED OFF. THEN THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF FOR A LITTLE AND COME BACK ON FOR NO REASON , SPEED, OR OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. AGAIN I WAS TOLD IT WAS CLOCK SPRINGING IN THE MECHANISM IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I FELT THAT THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM INVOLVING THE LIFE OR DEATH OF MY FAMILY SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. THE DEALER AGAIN AGREED THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM, ENCOURAGED ME TO GET IT FIXED, AND GAVE ME AN INDICATION THAT THIS WAS COMMON AND THAT AGAIN MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY RECALL. I HAD IT FIXED, BUT FEEL THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON THE POWER STEERING HOSES. ONCE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND MAKING A HUMMING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW POWER STEERING RACK. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK AT NO CHARGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97000.*AK THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED

2002 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY EX. AIR BAG LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON SINCE TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE NEW VEHICLE IN 2002. WAS TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. WITHIN 2 DAYS, AIR BAG LIGHT IS BACK ON. SEVERAL TIMES LATER NO SOLUTION. THIS PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO A DOCUMENTED RECALL ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN OVER 5 YEARS NOW AND NO SOLUTION. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THE 2002 YEAR MODEL FOR THIS ONGOING PROBLEM. *JB

A ONE WEEK AGO, MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT SHUT OFF AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN. I HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF MANUALLY. WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS IT STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE BEFORE I COULD GET IT IN TO BE FIXED. TONIGHT I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, MAKING A LEFT TURN AND AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RETURNING TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION (BEFORE THE WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT) IT LOCKED IN A LEFT TURN POSITION AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CAR KEPT TURNING TO THE LEFT AND I HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. FINALLY AFTER JERKING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT IT RELEASED AND WENT BACK TO A STRAIGHT POSITION. SOMETHING IN THE TURN SIGNAL LOCKED IT UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE STEERING WHEEL TO FULLY RELEASE AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN. AFTER THAT THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL WILL NOT SHUT OFF. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS IN THE LANE TO MY LEFT OR ELSE I COULD HAVE HIT THEM. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL I GET IT FIXED. *NM

THE CLOCK SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED AT MY COST. THE 2001 MODELS HAD THIS PROBLEM AS A RECALL. *NM

A KNOCKING SOUND HAS APPEARED AGAIN IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION. ABOUT 18 MONTHS AGO, A SIMILAR SYMPTOM APPEARED. AFTER REPEATED REPAIRS (TIE-ROD ENDS, FOR EXAMPLE), THE DEALER FINALLY DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT LEFT CV 1/2 AXLE WAS DEFECTIVE. REPLACEMENT CURED THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THE SAME PROBLEM NOW HAPPENING AGAIN. A KNOCKING SOUND IS APPARENT DURING LOW SPEED TRAVEL ON A STREET WITH SLIGHT VARIATIONS. THIS SEEMS TO BE SLOW ENOUGH TO HEAR IT. THERE IS ALSO A KNOCK WHEN DELIBERATELY SWINGING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE REMEDYING THIS REPEATED PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 TOWN AND COUNTRY MINIVAN. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT HAS A 2002 MINIVAN CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE OR TRIED TO SWITCH GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T MOVE. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE ON 11/24/2006, AND IT PASSED THERE 16 POINT VEHICLE CHECK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 01/04/2007 THE CAR WOULDN'T SWITCH INTO GEARS AND SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE INVOLVED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FIXED, AND THEN TOLD THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CONTACT PICKED UP HER VEHICLE IT HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. AFTER TELLING THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE A NEW TRANSMISSION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE STILL DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY, THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE NOT EQUIPPED TO REPAIR HER VEHICLE. SHE HAS STILL NOT FOUND SOMEONE WHO COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE PROPERLY.*JB

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE VEHICLETL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE VEHICLE'S CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,000. WHEN THE FRONT DEFROSTER IS ON AND THE CONTACT USES THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL, THE LEFT SIGNAL FLASH COMES ON AND WHEN SHE USES THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL IT WORKS OCCASIONALLY. THIS FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. *JB

NO EVENTS LED UP TO FAILURE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED 3 XS IN 6 MONTHS @39000 MILES. EVEN AFTER DOING TSBS, AND REPLACING WITH OEM PUMP, IT FAILED AGAIN! *JB

VEHICLE HAD JUST ENTERED ATLANTA GEORGIA ON I85 SOUTHBOUND. THERE WAS VERY HEAVY STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. UPON LIGHT ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE ENGINE NEVER STALLED. THE IDLE REMAINED SMOOTH. IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE NORMALLY. IN DRIVE (ALL GEARS) AND REVERSE, THE ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 900 RPM AND THEN LOSE POWER. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE ALONG THE SHOULDER AT A SLOW WALKING PACE (A SLIGHT INCLINE) UNTIL WE ENCOUNTERED A DISABLED VEHICLE. THE VAN DID NOT HAVE THE POWER TO PULL INTO THE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND THE VAN TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED NORMALLY. THE ENGINE NEVER RAN ROUGH AND ALL THE FLUIDS LOOKED GOOD AND WERE AT CORRECT LEVELS. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY MEASURED THE PRESSURE AT 40 PSI AND THE SPECIFICATION WAS 53 PSI. THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WAS REPAIRED AT A COST OF $686 PLUS TOWING. THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY APPARENTLY DOES NOT COVER THESE ITEMS. THE REPLACED PARTS WERE NOT MADE AVAILABLE TO US. AFTER PICKUP FROM THE DEALERSHIP THE VAN HAS INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCED A PRONOUNCED HESITATION ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VAN DUPLICATED THE SAME FAILURE AGAIN ON 12/30/06. WE HAD JUST PULLED OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE AT A RESTAURANT. EVERY ASPECT OF THE INCIDENT WAS THE SAME EVEN TO OUR PROCEEDING TO DRIVE DOWN THE SHOULDER. EXCEPT IN THIS CASE THE SHOULDER WAS A SLIGHT DECLINE. WHEN THE VAN M

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WORKED NTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES. ON IT. THE CONTACT STATED IT USUALLY HAPPENED WHEN STARTSING THE VEHICLE. THE HEADLIGHTS USUALLY WENT OUT WHEN SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OR INDICATOR LIGHTS ON PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED SHE DID NOT ALWAYS KNOW IF THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE OUT UNLESS SHE SAW A REFLECTION. THE CONTACT STATED SHE COULD NOT RECALL IF THE DASHLIGHTS EVER WENT OUT DURING THE HEADLIGHT FAILURES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS TWICE. THE CONTACT DID NOT REMEMBER WHEN THE FAILURES STARTED. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THIS WAS ACCOMPANIED BY A ROUGH ENGINE IDLE. AS THE ENGINE WARMED UP, THE IDLE CALMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO RAN A DIAGNOTIC TEST, AND DETERMINED THAT THE NUMBER 6 INJECTOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED INTERNALLY, DUE TO THE WIRING HARNESS RUBBING AGAINST THE TRANSMISSION CASE. THE SHORT WAS TRACED TO THE ENGINE HARNESS. THE WIRES WERE REPLACED, AND A BRACKET WAS ADDED TO RETAIN THE HARNESS. THE REPAIR FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. UPDATED 01/10/07. *JB

A/C COMPRESSOR FAILURE - WE WERE ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 1/2 AN HOUR EN ROUTE FROM TALLAHASSEE TO ORLANDO ON THANKSGIVING DAY, 2006. AS WE EXITED ONTO HWY. 19, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. (LATER, IT WAS APPARENT THAT A BELT ON THE A/C SYSTEM BURNED AS THE COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP.) THIS WAS AT LEAST THE 6TH A/C SYSTEM FAILURE. WE HAD RECURRING LEAKS THAT WERE "FIXED" AND RECHARGED NUMEROUS TIMES, STARTING AT A MACON DEALERSHIP OFF I-75 IN SUMMER 2003 TO A REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR A/C UNIT IN SUMMER 2006. LAST WEEK'S COMPRESSOR FAILURE WAS THE LATEST IN THIS LONG SERIES OF PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C, BUT CLEARLY THE MOST SERIOUS AS IT RESULTED IN CONSIDERABLE SMOKE AND AT LEAST THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL DAMAGE AND DANGER. *NM

IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT "GENERATION 3" SEAT BELTS MAY RELEASE ACCIDENTALLY IN A CRASH. I UNFORTUNATELY HAVE THESE IN MY CAR WHERE MY THREE KIDS SIT. IT AMAZES ME HOW LITTLE PRESSURE IT TAKES TO RELEASE THESE BELTS AND HOW EXPOSED THE BUTTONS ARE. I CAN SEE WHY IT WOULD VERY EASILY COME UNDONE IF BUMPED BY SOMETHING OR SOMEONE IN A CRASH. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFT GATE OPENED ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALERSHIP ADJUSTED THE LATCH, CLEANED THE SENSORS, AND LUBRICATED THE CABLES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DEALERSHIPS, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.