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1997 Chrysler Town and Country transmission complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 42, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 1997 Chrysler Town and Country transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Sep 23, 2003 · Transmission, Visibility · 86,000 miles · IN · crash

When vehicle is in park and the key is not in the ignition, the consumer can still shift the gears to reverse. Dealer has been notified. *ak the rearview mirror had fallen. (assumed due to the heat) the consumer's daughter moved the gear shift down and in reverse and the second vehicle was adjacent but several feet behind the vehicle. The driver's side door was severely pushed forward and the front end of the second vehicle was damaged. *scc

Filed Aug 28, 2003 · Transmission · PA

Front axle broke and caused front wheel to turn sideways upon vehicle existing the highway. Dealership indicated that this might have been caused by engine motor failure.

Filed Jul 11, 2003 · Transmission · TN

While driving 70 MPH the transmission shifted to second gear and then shut down completely. *nlm *cb

Filed Feb 10, 2003 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · NY

During service had transmition oil & filter changed at 69,000 miles. No silver sparkles in old oil noted. At 86,000 compleat trans failure. When pan removed from trans. "chunks" of metal noticed in oil!!!!! Warranty did not cover $3,700 to replace trans. Regardless of temp, trans shifts when it wants to and will stall engine in a minute for no reason.

Filed Jan 2, 2003 · Transmission · SC

Consumer stated that while driving at any speed and without warning the transmission will start to make a winding noise causing a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts

Filed Aug 20, 2002 · Transmission · FL

My vehicle had broken down in columbia, tennessee then it was towed to harpeth chrysler jeep dealership for a new transmission, but dealership did not do a complete teardown required by extended warranty would not pay full claim because dealership did not follow extended warranty guidelines. Harpeth, flash TCM but did not indicated on my invoice. 10 days later van broke down again in sterling heights, and was able to drive it to golling chrysler dealership for replacement of PCM. Part was covered under warranty. Harpeth never checked this problem and sold me a new transmission, and did not offered me a used one either. I believe now that I didn't need a new transmission at all. I am not disputing the bill at harpeth and they did not stick a label on the engine for the flash TCM. I believe this is an violation of federal laws as I was informed by my home dealership at ferman. Can you please investigate this claim? Harpeth refuses to refund my money, my intention will be to sue them if I do not received my money back for the false sale of the transmission.

Filed Jul 30, 2002 · Transmission · MA · crash

While vehicle was parked and without warning gear popped out of park into reverse. Vehicle was involved in a minor accident.

Filed Jul 25, 2002 · Transmission · MA · crash

The vehicle was shut off and in park. My 18 month old hit the automatic shift lever without applying brakes. The car was on an incline and rolled out into 2 lanes of traffic. The car was not on nor did she put her foot on the brake. The lever moved from out of park and into reverse. Luckily no one was injured, but it could have been worse. I chased the car down the incline into traffic and we were only hit by one lane of traffic. This is a serious safety issue, especially since it is mom's with little children that drive mini-vans. The tow truck driver said that this should not have happened, my van has a defect. Thank you for your time!

Filed Jun 27, 2002 · Transmission · TN

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Filed Mar 25, 2002 · Transmission · OR

While stopping at a light noticed vehicle jerking. Soon afterward vehicle would stall out. Dealer has been contacted, technician replaced torque converter. Please provide further information.

Filed Jan 23, 2002 · Transmission · WA

Purchased vehicle with 52,037 miles. At 65,000 miles took vehicle in for routine transmission service at local chrysler dealer for fluid and filter change. Service technician advised metal debris noted in transmission fluid pan, keep an eye on it. At 78,350 miles with no prior drivability problems, trans became difficult to engage any drive gear, accompanied by loud gear noise- no malfunction lights illuminated. At repair facility, was told fluid pan full of metal; final drive mechanism destroyed. Routine locally driven only, no abuse. Shop changed trans with factory reman. Unit at cost of $2,780.00; 3/36 warranty. Local dealer suggested contacting chrysler hq., no warrantee or compensation applicable. Felt this warrented some compensation, many similar cases are out there for these minivans. Contacted wa. St. Atty. General's consumer affairs office, receptionist answering call had same experience! No action resulted, vehicle out of warrantee. Now chrysler has 7/70 coverage. Older transmissions are notorious for early failure under normal driving conditions and maintenance. Request inquiry, possible recall action. Failure on the highway may result in drivetrain malfunction and possible injury. Thank you.

Filed Jun 5, 2001 · Transmission · GA

At times the transmission will slip.dealership advised me, there are not enough vehicles with transmission failure to recall.

Filed May 22, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · TN

From 27,928 mile up to the present had four serpentine belts replaced & repaired by various independent repair shops, but, problem still appears to be reoccurring, dealer / manufacturer were not notified at this time. *ak discharge line leaking from compressor to condensor causing AC not to work. Water pump failed. Windshield wiper switch shorted and was replaced. Exterior power mirrors shook while driving, dealer replaced switch. Transmission hard to downshift to first gear on slight downgrades, dealer made no repairs.

Filed May 4, 2001 · Transmission · OH

Consumer able to shift gears without applying brakes.

Filed Mar 22, 2001 · Transmission · VA

Transmission failed on high speed road in traffic. Lost power & dealer reported gear failure. Chrysler should pay but won't

Filed Mar 21, 2001 · Transmission · OH

While driving, transmission went out. There were no prior warnings. Please fill additional information.

Filed Feb 3, 2001 · Transmission · SC

Without any warning my transmission failed at 58,587 miles. It was serviced once at about 30,000 miles and the fluid checked regularly.the failure was not my fault. After having it towed to the local chrsyler dealer & waiting 3 days the problem was finally diagnosed as the rear planetary gears had welded themselves together, otherwise total transmission failure. The service manger agreed with me that this was an usual situation. I was offered no help or recourse. I had to replace the transmission at full cost. I am very angry that I have had to put out $2000 for a problem that was not my fault. It is a documented fact that chrysler has had an ongoing problem with their power trains. Before purchasing my van I was lead to believe that this problem was a thing of the past. If chrysler knows they still have a problem that should issue a disclaimer up front when you purchase their vehicles or at least offer a higher warranty on the power trains. Is there a class action suit I can get in on or start one? I had expected chrysler to offer to pay for the entire bill or at least the cost of the tranmission. This is a major problem that needs to be fixed. If this had happened while driving at interstate speeds there could have well been a major fatality with loss of lives. If you can not offer me any help at least steer me in the right direction. I am prepared to pursue this matter until chrsyler resolves it.

Filed Dec 21, 2000 · Transmission · PA

Make: chrysler town & country VIN:[xxx] all-wheel all the time drive vehicle. Well maintained by the owner at the dealership, the following problems have arisen. It was taken off the road last friday,december 15, 2000. Symptoms: somewhat of a crunching noise when turning left or right. Difficult to steer at low speed. Some thumping heard - progressively faster until vehicle was up to road speed.repair history: dealer maintained vehicle. Dealer had repaired it before and in fact had replaced bolts on the transfer case yet never made any statement about any damage to the transmission.dealer & visual observation reveal:the dealer rep told me that it must be from abuse. We saw the front frame struts - in perfect shape - and the damage is all up above it. The transfer mechanism appears to be eating the case from the inside. The drive shaft was whipping against the body strut and actually "carving" through it just by the rotations. Transfer case, which is metal, had shattered from bolt to bolt on all visible sides.the front of the case was sheared to the degree that it was hanging there not doing much of anything - the back of the housing would shift to about a 30 30 degree cant to the rear if the drive shaft was physically lifted by hand (hence the whipping "like a jump rope") and would touch the upper body parts.there was no sign of abuse of any sort or any reason to have this happen during normal wear. This surely could have caused a very serious accident.the entire trans-axle housing was shattered on all visible sides and the bolts had sheared allowing the drive train to bounce against the chassis housing. Two bolts were found on the front cross-struts, most bolts were missing several in a backed-out position. Left tie rod ws very loose. The floor manager looked at and said that this sort of thing should never happen and again agreed that there was probably some internal problem in the drive that was causing the housing to disintegrate. Help!!! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act

Filed Nov 8, 2000 · Transmission · AZ

Consumer was traveling around 55mph on highway and shaft broke to transmission. There was no prior warning. Vehicle would shift into third gear. Dealership was aware of problem.

Filed Oct 28, 2000 · Transmission · CA

Complained lound hissing noise when turning the steering wheel- dealer said it is nomal eventhough, they admited that there is a technical service bulletin for that problem but they did not offer us to repair to correct the problem. Second problem: when shift gear from park to drive or reverse it make a buzzzzzz..tic sound. I browse the web and quite a few owners also complain about this problem. I took my mini van to an independent repair shop and they told me that my transmission is defective I don't have anymore warranty on my mini van.

Filed Sep 8, 2000 · Transmission · VA

No summary

Filed May 22, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

Fuel pump failed. Yh

Filed Feb 9, 2000 · Transmission · VA

No summary listed for abov evehicle.

Filed Jan 4, 2000 · Transmission · CO

Transmission needs to be replaced at 60k miles. A review of the internet reveals lots of people with similar problems.

Filed Aug 13, 1999 · Transmission · VA · crash

Consumer's four year old child was able to put van right into gear when key was turned to the start position. The van rolled downhill about 150 feet, through an electric fence and hit three trees. Please provide any further details.

Filed Mar 16, 1999 · Transmission · PA

Consumer got into vehicle to start engine. After driving approximately 15minutes, transmission overheated. In stop and go traffic problem becomes persistent. Transmission fluid boils and overheats. Vehicle becomes smoky and gives off an odor.

Filed Feb 1, 1999 · Transmission · CA

Transmission failure.

Filed Jan 10, 1999 · Transmission · FL

The speedometer and tachometer failed twice. The first time the dealer reprogrammed computer chip. This is a dangerous condition when the speedometer gauge fails

Filed Mar 11, 1998 · Transmission · GA

Transmission stays in neutral while in drive position.

Filed Jan 27, 1998 · Lights, Transmission · NY

Hi beams are not bright enough.

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