1999 Chrysler Town and Country steering problems

Filed May 27, 2014 · Engine, Steering · 170,000 miles · FL

Driving van in the rain, noticed the steering became extremely difficult. I also noticed that the lights ad power started to dim. In that case, I pulled over to see what the issue was. I noticed that the serpentine belt had come off the pulleys. I have had other mini-vans especially dodges and have noticed they all seem to do the same thing when it comes to rain, snow, ice. You would think they would resolve this issue as it is a safety issue. I've learned from my previous dodge caravans how to put the serpentine belt back on, but it really is a safety issue as this could leave you stranded and very costly (money and time wise) if you don't know how to put it back on. As a consumer, I will not be purchasing another dodge or chrysler minivan again due to this issue!

Filed Jul 24, 2013 · Steering · 99,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 chrysler town and country. The contact was driving in rainy weather at approximately 55 MPH when she traveled over a puddle of water and the steering wheel seized. The battery warning light and the key icon illuminated. The steering wheel became extremely difficult to turn and the contact moved to the side of the road where the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

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 Jan 20, 2012 · Engine, Steering · CA

I own a 1999 chrysler town & country van. Major problem is serpentine belt coming off and causing a loss of steering. Every time it rains my serpentine belt comes off which causes extremely hard steering. I have replaced tensioners twice in the and belt 4 times. Thank god I was not on the free way or a street with alot of traffic or this could kill me or an other person. I have looked on the internet and this has happened to 100s of people. On the internet it state that the factory recommended repair ( the replacement of the idler pulley and the pulleys retaining bracket.) in the tsb I read, chrysler's engineers have decided that on some models the idler pulley is misaligned by .08 inches. Chrysler should recall this and fix there problem before someone gets killed. Get involved and make chrysler fix this problem.

Filed Nov 11, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 158,000 miles · IL · crash · 4 injuries

Strut tower corroded and spring and strut popped thru and caused loss of control.

Filed Sep 22, 2010 · Steering · 109,350 miles · AZ

I drove through a puddle today traveling at about 30 MPH when I lost my steering. Luckily I was bout .5 miles from home. By the time I got within .25 miles my temperature warning light had come on. When I got to my driveway I noticed that the serpentine belt was dragging. This same thing happened to my daughter about 5 weeks ago. My vehicle is a 1999 chrysler town & country and I understand this is a habitual problem. My service person repaired the vehicle. He said I was lucky it happened on a residential street and not on a highway.

Filed Oct 11, 2007 · Steering · OK

Every time it rains my serpentine belt comes off which causes extremely hard steering. Mechanics say it is a chrysler tensioner problem and common. I have replaced tensioners twice in the last 2 years and many (10=) belt changes to put belt back on. Fortunately I have been driving slow at the times (5-6 times in the last 6 months) this has occurred. Just a matter of time before a fatality occurs due to this recurrent problem. Time for someone with clout to get involved and make chrysler fix this problem.

Filed Oct 12, 2006 · Steering · CT

Ltr fm (ct) concerned about the safety of his daughters defective 1999 chrysler town and country, the tie rod fell off. *ts the consumer stated most automobile manufacturers have eliminated the grease fittings that most tie rod ends use. Apparently, there was a crack in the rubber grommet that enclosed the ball and road surface water leaked in and corroded the ball and enclosure. After the ball and socket had experienced sufficient reduction, it finally slipped out of the enclosure and dropped to the ground.

Filed Nov 15, 2005 · Steering · IA · crash

Consumer 1999 town & country minivan steering interlock did work. Vehicle rolled down the driveway nearly crushing passenger. *ts *** no answer required*** the consumer's one year old son was able to move the gear shift out of park although the consumer had the key in his pocket. The vehicle rolled down the consumer's driveway before striking a tree. An investigator came to the consumer's home to inspect the vehicle. The investigator took the vehicle to the dealer who determined that the steering interlock was not functioning. The manufacturer denied any responsibility because the consumer had not used the parking brake. The manufacturer then closed the file because the van had 3 outstanding recalls. The consumer has not moved since purchasing the vehicle.

Filed Sep 2, 2005 · Airbags, Steering · CA

1999 chrysler town & country experienced mechanical failure.***no answer required***. *mr the spring which held the latch for the tilt steering in place failed. The consumer had to push the latch forward to engage it because the spring would not into engagement. The consumer believed the tilt wheel latch may have been damaged or not re-assembled correctly when he had the recall repair done regarding the clockspring .