1996 Chrysler Town and Country steering problems

Filed Mar 14, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 247,424 miles · CA

My minivan has been not wanting to start, the speedometer has been jumping all over the place . I had my fuel pump and filter replaced in december 2014 due to it not starting. Now within the last 2 weeks or so it started to act like it was going to die as I would be driving and sometimes it would jump out of gear. All this last week it has been giving me problems with starting and every time I would get out of the van it would smell like somethings burning. When I turn the key to start it all you could hear is a click, try to start it a couple more times and finally get it to start. Today it wouldn't start no matter how many times I tried to start it. I open the hood and looked at the battery and one terminal looks like it is burnt.

Filed Jul 1, 2008 · Engine, Steering · 80,000 miles · FL · 1 injury

The serpentine belt on our 1996 chrysler town & country lxi, makes a horrible screeching sound, that we've almost come to appreciate, when faced with it's alternative silence, when the serpentine belt gets wet & slips off. The immediate & dangerous result is loss of power steering, leaving the driver surprised with their inability to safely maneuver the van. Within less than a minute, a fast hazard bell sounds & the engine temperature sensor is pinned at hot. If the driver is quick, strong, & lucky enough, to get the family "safely" off the road, before the water pump fries, stalling the van in traffic, they are now left stranded. We've had the serpentine belt & tensioner pulley replaced twice, the last time at chrysler, and still the problem has not been corrected. We've checked for recalls but chrysler states that this is not a life threatening failure, so no recall has been made. This has happens to us often enough that we keep a wrench in our van, so my husband can attempt to retrieve & re-seat the belt onto the tensioner, in the pouring rain. We've read many complaints about this same problem & can't understand why chrysler doesn't think loss of steering & sudden heat pump failure is not life threatening. If one of their ceos were to find themselves struggling their family van quickly off the road, standing over, or even lying under their engine, in the pouring rain, while the rest of the family hopes that he isn't injured making the repair, hit by lightening, or by a distracted driver, perhaps they would recall this system. We've spent a lot of time & money on repairs, & have come across an off-market product designed to fix this specific, widely recognized chrysler product issue, and just purchased it. We find it disgusting to see that the possibility of this problem being addressed may depend on the number of deaths, or persons injured, before chrysler takes any responsibility. They could at least acquire or cover the cost of the off-market repair kit.

Filed Nov 15, 2006 · Steering · 185,698 miles · VA

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 45 MPH on normal road conditions, the serpentine belt fractured. No warning lights alerted the contact but loss of power steering was noticed. The vehicle had been taken three times to the dealership and the belts, pulleys and tensioner were replaced on every occurrence. The manufacturer was contacted but the resolution was a dealership referral. The contact expressed concern because the loss of power steering could create conditions for a serious accident.

Filed Jan 25, 2006 · Steering, Visibility · 70,000 miles · CA

He owns a 1996 chrysler, town& country, only owner with 70,000 miles on the vehicle. Steering wheel popped off, mostly when turning the wheel to left. This happened often since 2005. Also, front and back windshield wipers came on at separate times when it was in off position for about one and half year.

Filed Sep 10, 2004 · Steering · 112,530 miles · NJ

While driving lost power steering fluid, which lead to the power steering failure. Vehicle becomes very difficult to steer safety. Failure of the power steering was later identify as a corroded high pressure power steering line.

Filed Jul 26, 2004 · Acceleration, Airbags · 131,000 miles · MN

While driving the transmission failed and the vehicle was unable to shift gears. Transmission was replaced twice, however the problem recurred. *ak the horn airbag and cruise control have been replaced. The vehicle had brake problems. The dealer determined that the front brakes were at 45% but the rear brakes were at 70%. The dealer cleaned and adjusted the brakes. The A/C failed, the dealer replaced the fan module. The power door locks failed. The cd player doesn't work. The low beam head lights do not provide enough light therefore the consumer has to leave the high beams on to see. This problem has been checked three times but the dealer said they seem correct. The passenger seat broke. The starter failed and as a result the vehicle would not start. The steering pump failed and as a result the steering wheel became tight when making turns. The rear heater lines were leaking. The water pump leaked.

Filed May 11, 2003 · Airbags, Steering · 90,000 miles · TX

The spring in my steering wheel has broken, airbags are inoperative, horn is inoperative, not to mention the other things that won't work because of it. I understand there was a recall on it...up to 70,000 miles, I never received anything about this, I was only told that it would cost 250 dollars to get it fixed by chrysler.

Filed Feb 24, 2003 · Steering · MA

The tie rod broke, which caused the vehicle to sway.

Filed Nov 7, 2002 · Steering · PA

The clock-spring in my chrysler failed causing the air bag light to come on at times and also causing my cruise control to not work at times. My bill for repair of this failure was $191.74. I was told that this was not covered under my service contract. However I now see that their has been a recall issued for this very problem. My question is, how do I get reimbursed the $191.74? Dt

Filed Aug 14, 2002 · Body, Brakes · AZ

While driving at any speed consumer can hear clunking noises in steering column. It could cause consumer to have steering problems. Dealer notified.*ak consumer states that steering wheel makes growling noise when turning due to rack and pinon failure. Steering makes schruching noise when turning right and dealer lubercate steering shaft. The rear brakes made a noise. The driver side door was hard to close. The left sliding door was rubbing on the body when shut