While driving belt tensioner broke off, unable to steer vehicle. Contacted dealer.
1996 Chrysler Town and Country steering complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 73, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Inside sidewall on left front wheel suddenly split away. On four different occasions while driving the transmission suddenly downshipt without any warning to a lower gear causing the speed of the car to immediately drop from 65-70 MPH to 50mph or less and on other occassion the transmission lockup, problem diagnosed as relay control for TCM, replaced, to no avail. Transmission leaks oil and other fluid, replace shat seal,gasket and resealed pan. Replace fuel gas tank to achieve reliable fuel gauge measurement. Steering locks up especially on hard left turn, replace rack and pinion.
We bought this used car with a karr security system installed. We since have learned that this is a preferred dealer (sales department) add on, useful for the dealers security and access of vehicles on open lots etc. Salemen use a master entry unit on all cars. The original fobs controlling this vehicle seemed to be missing without explaination. The system was not stable and malfunctioned frequently in all modes. We did notice that the hood security button had been defeated with a plastic tie strap, but assumed that due to the fact that the karr system had to be employed by the chevy dealer, lacking chrysler parts, a compromise. The fuel sensor began to malfunction and would continually go off with a full tank. There was horn blaring, lockouts and engine killings got worse. We took the vehicle to carl burger dodge here in san diego and insisted that we wanted all the offending equipment removed, leaving only the lighted entry system and the remote locking. I asked for the parts and what I got back would fit in an area about one foot sq. The vehicle has operated perfectly ever since and the gas indicator has ceased to malfunction. It is my opinion that the misapplication of the overlaid karr system ontop of oem equipment should be boldly declared to customers and not allowed to compromise used or new vehicles factory systems. Those blaring horns are useless and only make people more calloused. The override system used by karr is exceedingly difficult and activated far too often. A neighbor who has nearly the same system told me that to have it installed cost $800. It cost me $140 to have it removed and to have the oem key fobs replaced and reprogramed. It was money well spent. The vehicle now seems to belong to us and works beautifully. I hear horns going off all around my community. It isn't necessary. This high cost is being pawned off onto customers for the so called security of vehicles in dealers lots. It is maddening. Thank you for listening.
Vehicle has a clunking noise in front end. When hitting a bump it goes to steering system and make steering difficult. Dealer contacted.
While traveling over a puddle of water consumer lost power steering, dealer has been notified. *ak the loss of steering occured twice and the dealer indicated the steering problem was due to the A/C belt failure and failure to install special bracket by the manufacturer.
There are some problems with steering. When taken vehicle to dealer, dealer noted that serpentine belt and steering belt tensioner are defective.
Clicking sound and rattle in steering column reported to dealer repeatedly to no avail. Problem was noticed when vehicle was within 6 months of purchase in 1988. Although I reported problem everytime I took vehicle into service, dealer was never able to correct [problem. It still exist till this date of aug. 2001.
Local dealers mechanics stated that they have seen alot of these failures. The rack and pinion breaks down sending debris into the power steering fluid that flows into the power steering pump and destroys the valves completely taking out the power steering system. The entire power steering and rack and pinion must be replaced.
It seems there is a problem with the chrysler mini-vans, the "clock spring" in the steering wheel that connects the speed control, horn and air bags to the electrical system in the van. The air bag warning light keeps coming at all times when turning the steering wheel. The speed control, and horn also do not work when the air bag light is on. This concerns me that the air bags will not work because of this defective connection in the steering wheel. According to a recent article in the press, chrysler has sold over 124,000 of these parts. I recently was involved in a collision in which the air bags should have deployed and didn't.
Contacted dealer and chrysler - both indicated know problem however not covered by any warranty. No safety defect listed.
While traveling noticed air bag indicator light on, no power steering or horn. Technician stated that clock spring needed to be replaced. Please provide further information.
Automatic transmission occasionally would not shift into overdrive. Often occurred after deceleration from highway speeds. Only way to know was to observe engine RPM. Sometimes could reset by pulling off to side of road and turning engine off for a few minutes, then re-start. First remanufactured transmission also had problems. Second has been okay. Wipers on intermittent settings would wipe several times in a row, then not wipe for an extended period. Created visibility problems. First repair replaced multifunction switch. This didn't solve problem. Second repair replaced wiper motor. Noticed that the heater was not working. Shop determined the evaporator was not working correctly due to leaks. Only way to replace evaporator is to remove instrument panel; very expensive and time consuming.
I was stopping at a red light when I heard a loud thunk from the right front of the car. I thought perhaps I had run over a rock ro piece of metal in the street that bounced up and into the wheel well. When the light changed I proceeded for several blocks and then attempted a right turn, only to find that I could not get the car steered into my lane as the power steering had disappeared, unbeknownst to me. Fortunately there was no car waiting at the stop sign on the street onto which I was attempting to turn, or I would have run squarely into it. As it was the car overheated and completely expired while I was attempting to get it to a repair shop less than two miles away. This is not an unusual event for this model, as reported by the dealer and also according to consumer complaint databases. The problem was a broken serpentine belt and pretensioner. I feel that this is a safety threat, since one can abruptly lose control of the car when that belt breaks. Please look into it. Thank you.
Idler pully broke,lost power steering, cooling, also broke pulley on power steering pump. $500.00.
At 20k and 40k miles I experienced a loss of steering when cornering on wet pavement. The steering would seize while in the turn so I was not allowed to straighten the wheels. Fortunately I was not in a high traffic area when this occured and I was able to avoid a collision. On both instances I immediately went to my chrysler dealer. They initially replaced the tensioner which did not correct the problem. When they replaced the power steering belt it corrected the problem for 20k miles. At 40k miles they once again replaced the tensioner thinking it would cure the problem but they needed to replace the belt again as well. Now I expect to have this problem every 20k miles as it seems to be a design problem. The power steering unit is located beside the right front wheel and appears to be prone to water problems. When I asked chrysler who was going to pay for these repairs every 20k miles for the life of the vehicle they told me to take it to my dealer and he would take into consideration mileage and warranty to make that decision. They implied that I am the only person that has had this problem. I feel it is a design problem. If this is the case then I certainly shouldn't be the only person experiencing difficulties.
As I was about to turn a corner I heard a snapping noise and I was unable to turn. The steering wheel felt like it had locked. The car was towed to the dealership. The tensioneer, drive belt and power steering pulley had all come apart. I looked at the parts and saw a sheared bolt about 5/16" in the assembly. Should the whole system be dependent on such a small bolt? Is a cars steering supposed to fail at 74156 miles? It was a very frightening experience. I think the steering should be somehow mechanically assisted so that when it fails it should be easier to steer the car to a safe place out of traffic.
While driving spring idle arm broke which caused the power steering pulley to break, resulting in loss of steering control.
In my opinion the clock spring failed due to improper stress relief. A picture of the failed clock spring can be seen at http://home1.gte.net/jmogens1/clockspring/mvc00113.jpg I have other pictures at that site of the disassembled clcok spring. Note the bend where the conductors broke near the point where the ribbon cable should have been better stress relieved.
While driving through a drive through consumer heard a loud snap, and then clicking noise coming from the engine and lost power steering. Consumer looked under car, and saw tensioner belt was hanging. Second time after a car wash, consumer put car in reverse, and the same thing happened. There was a snap, and clicking looked under vehicle, and it was hanging again. Took vehicle to dealer. Dealer said they had seen the problem a lot with these vehicles. Both incidents, the tensioner broke causing the belt to break also.
5 times in last 2 days, the power assist has shut down while I was making a turn. There is a technical service bulletin (19-01-97) relating to this issue. As this causes you to loose control of automobile, this is very dangerous not to mention terrifying.
Loss of power steering. Almost impossible for a woman to turn. Loud noise. Chrysler replaced belt tensioner and bracket drive belt.
Steering completely locks up, low speeds in a turn... Lost use of breaks at same time
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.
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 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.
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.
Within 5 minutes after start-up, turning thru a curve in the road steering went out. Engine started to get hot within about 2 minutes (light on dash came on). Pulled over to check out problem. Noticed serpentine belt off and tensioner laying below.
Defective power steering tensioner broke, causing loss of unexpected power steering while driving , which may have caused a crash. Please provide further information.
Parts began to fly from the engine compartment while being driven and there was a loss of power steering in the vehicle, along with loud noises from the parts coming loose. Mechanic said the power steering tensioner belt needed to be replaced.
Serpentine belt and power steering pulley broke resulting in loss of power steering while driving.
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