1999 Chrysler Town and Country: engine overheating

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Body, Brakes · 111,795 miles · LA

It had been raining but had stopped. I was making a right hand turn when my right tire went through approximately 2-4" of water in the gutter. I immediately lost control of the steering and veered into the opposite lane. Fortunately there were no cars in that lane. I had difficulty steering and the engine began to overheat. I was fortunate the garage was around the corner. The belt had slipped off the pulleys. The belt had not broken, only slipped off. They said I was the 3rd town and country that day that had to have the belt put back on due to the wet weather, and that it was a problem with model for many years. This is the 3rd time to send this report. When I hit "verify" everything goes blank.

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 113,737 miles · LA

This is the 2nd incident for the same problem. First complaint #10468365. I was stopped at an intersection. I crossed the street and my tires splashed water that was running down the street gutter. The water was 2-4" deep. I once again immediately lost steering and the engine began to overheat. I was able to muscle the steering wheel enough to pull it off to the side of the road. I looked under the hood and found the belt had slipped off again. I had to have it towed to the garage. The mechanic checked out the belt and the tensioner and said they were ok, and they reinstalled the belt. The first time this happened I was turning a corner, and the van went into the opposite lane. I guess I can be thankful for the draught these past few months. This is a serious problem. It makes me afraid of driving when it is raining or with any water on the road. I can't imagine what would happen on the interstate at 70mph, passing someone, or taking a curve in the road. I contacted the chrysler dealership. A bulletin #07-0299 was issued in 7.14.99. The dealership said I would have to purchase any fixes as it wasn't a recalled problem. The dealership told my mechanic they offered a $400 kit to fix the problem, or I could purchase a "snow" shield and have it installed. Why would I need a "snow" shield in louisiana?

Filed Nov 1, 2010 · Engine · 121,000 miles · WA

The serpentine belt falls off in wet weather on my 1999 chrysler town & country minivan. This has happened 4 times this past year alone and has cost me in terms of towing and service. This can also be a very dangerous situation depending on when and where the belt falls off. When the belt comes off, there is no power steering, the radiator overheats, and the alternator isn't charging. This can ruin the engine. After searching the web, I found that this is a very common experience for both dodge caravan and chrysler town and country vans. There should be a recall to fix the problem.

Filed Jun 2, 2005 · Engine · 106,000 miles · SC

The serpentine belt has fallen off the car 3 different times. The first time it broke, I was out of town. The other 2 times it fell off in town. All 3 times I had just driven through an unavoidable deep puddle during a heavy thunderstrom. The car immediately loast power steering and the engine overheated. I had to quickly pull off the road. Luckily I was on neighborhood streets each time, but just as easily could have been on the highway - which could have been deadly. Also, each time I had a car full of children and twice it was at night. After the third time (and third tow/repair), the repair shop found the service bulletin from chrysler. The van had a bracket already in place, but it replaced again anyway. I think this problem is very dangerous and should be a recall, not service bulletin.

Filed Feb 23, 2005 · Engine · 73,000 miles · CA

The incident is the failure of the retaining bolt on the accessory driver's belt tensioner pulley assembly. The bolt failed by shearing off at the engine block. In failure, all accessories driven by the drive belt cease to operate, including the alternator, water ump and power steering pump. When the power steering pump stops, the driver is left in the hazardous situation of not being able to handle the vehicle. If the vehicle engine is left running, it will soon overheat because the water pump is no longer running. Additionally, on failure, the tensioner pulley assembly falls down into the engine compartment where it can damage other components. In our case, it broke the power steering pump pulley. The failure was corrected by drilling out the broken bolt from the engine block, replacing the tensioner assembly, and removing thepower steering pump to replace the power steering pump pulley. The old part is available.

Filed Jan 6, 2005 · Seats · WA · 1 injury

I have a 1999 chrysler town and country van. It has all the options and I puchased this vehicle brand new. I have taken excellent care of it. The problem is that the drivers seat, leather with heat, is overheating in one area. It gets so hot that it burns the back of my leg. If I leave the heat on for more than 1 minute, I can smell burning leather. I know that if I left it on, it would probably catch fire. I can see a small spot on the seat where the leather has actually burned. Unfortunately, I cannot use this feature anymore. It is too dangerous. I am courious as to other incedents of this same thing hppening.

Filed Dec 20, 2004 · Seats · TN · fire · 1 injury

After the vehicle started up driver's automatic seat heater overheated, causing driver to sustain minor burns. Consumer was able to drive vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic could not determine the cause of the problem.

Filed Dec 10, 2004 · Seats · OH

1) use of heated seat. 2) twice, heated seat overheated. Each time it burnt a hole through the leather, and the last time it was smoldering. 3) contacted chrysler, but safety from possible fire was not their concern. They were not interested in dealing with this problem because of the the age and milage of the vechile. They responded that my concern, especially in light of the expense and inconvience involved in this issue, was understnadable, but that my request for considerationin this matter must be declined. Imagine that ... Expense and inconvience (their's of course) outweighs in their minds the issue of safety. As I review other complaints to the federal safety agency I recognize a common thread with there heated seats. It obviously takes more than burning someone, or even burning a hole in the seat and then smoldering to address the issue of this fire hazard. I certainly hope that someone doesn't have to die from a car fire before action is taken.

Filed Nov 10, 2004 · Electrical · IL

Over the last 6mos the seat heater on our tc mini van has continually overheated. Burns legs. Dealership said our fault and nothing they can do. Our expense. One of the reasons we bought this van was because of the seat heaters. Have bad back and heat helps. Very disappointed with quality of product for the price paid. Have stopped using seat htr. And will not buy another chrysler. Van has been in shop for many other problems, speedometer, starter, tires leaking due to rims, egr valve, leaky boot, struts, etc... More items replaced than I expected.

Filed Jan 1, 2004 · Seats · 78,551 miles · MI

Re: 1999 chrysler minivan seat heater overheat failure. Vin: [xxx]. On 11/28/03, the subject passenger seat heater overheated, producing smoke and significant odor. As soon as it was evident that the seat heater was the cause, the heater was manually switched off before the heater failure had an opportunity to reach its' natural conclusion. Afterwards, a burn hole was visibly evident in the top center portion of the seat cushion, approx. 10mm in size. Damage internal to the seat was not examined by myself. Upon contacting service at siemens car service and purchase point for the vehicle 11/28/03 and 12/1/03 (bridgman, michigan), I was referred to chrysler corp. Upon contacting chrysler corp 12/1/03 (ph. 800‑992‑1997, spoke with emelia, complaint no. [xxx]) I was told that, because the vehicle was beyond its' warranty period, there is nothing chrysler would do regarding the overheat failure; they simply documented my concern. My family (wife [xxx] and three children), present during the overheat failure, were signficantly concerned by the smoke and odor. *ak updated 07/30/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Feb 12, 2003 · Seats · MA

The driver and passenger seats overheated.

Filed Jan 9, 2001 · Seats · PA

Wiring in driver's side seat heat malfunctioned. Overheated on left side when switched on. Service dept at dealer disconnected, stating that it was getting so hot that it was a hazard. So hot it could melt wiring. Possible fire hazard. Replacement and repair estimated at $1500!!