2001 Chrysler Town and Country: whining or grinding noise

Filed Apr 7, 2010 · Steering · 48,000 miles · PA

After reading all the complaints on the 2001 town and country I decided to report my own as well. About 3 years ago I replaced my whole power steering unit. It began becoming stiff and impossible to turn mostly in the morning when is was a little cold...then it began at any start up and sometimes only when I was trying to make a right turn. I took it to my mechanic who replaced the fluid and it was fine for a short amount of time and then began doing the same thing. I took it back to my mechanic who then replaced the whole power steering unit. It worked much better. Then about 6 months ago it started whining I thought it may have been a belt but now I am sure it is the power steering again. This could have caused more wrecks then what I would like to admit and I am shocked that chrysler is not recalling this problem. I also had to replace my air conditioning unit at 48,000. I too have had to replaced rusty brakes lines and my car repair guy tells me he has replaced numerous lines from chrysler and we even had to wait because they were on back order.( that should tell you something) my tail gate will not always open either. Sometimes it does and sometimes I have to force it to. Not to mention my passenger window hasn't opened for years...due to a motor needing replaced. My biggest complaint is definitely the steering...that is expensive and dangerous.

Filed Jan 3, 2009 · Suspension · 99,000 miles · MD

I have a 2001 chrysler town and country. I have had it for 7 months. From the time I brought it home we heard a knocking/rattling noise in the front and the steering wheel was whining. We took it back where they supposedly replaced the alternator, water pump,both bushings and the rack and pinion. The noise was still there after, and the mechanic told us that it was a 500 mile break-in period. Then approximately 5 to 6 months later my heat goes out and still the previous problems from before are there. We took it back where they replaced steering pump and ball joints. They were supposed to put 2 new lines on for the heat when instead they put 2 one foot pieces of black rubber hose on and clapped it on both ends covering the leak. On top of that they put the wrong antifreeze in. I have heat whenever it wants to work. Now the dash light works whenever it wants to work and I still have a knocking noise on the front passenger side along with the whining in the steering wheel. We took it back where I purchased it and the mechanic told us that they saw that some kind of ball bearing had a little bit of play in it but they didn't replace it, then because we called the van a lemon we were told to get out and they refused to fix anything else. I have 3 small children under the age of 5 who are with me most of the time. I feel that this van is a danger to myself and my children.

Filed May 18, 2006 · Steering · 46,406 miles · OH

I purchased my certified pre-owned vehicle in jan. 2002 & as early as nov. 2002 I began reporting a steering noise to my dealer when bringing the car in for the routine checks and oil changes. I was assured the problem was either normal or they could not get the vehicle to do what I was describing. I described on more than one occasion to the service department that when the vehicle was cold & I reversed I had difficulty steering it. The steering would lock up. I of course continued to bring it in and they could not get it to do this. The steering problem changed from difficulty steering when in reverse to difficulty steering in reverse & drive. The problem generally occurs when turning left & has left me in a panic at times when I am turning with all of my might and the van will not respond and come with me. I recently took it to another shop for brakes and oil change and the owner noticed this problem when he went to pull the car into the bay. He called me and alerted me. He thought it might be the struts and said if it was not I would probably be looking at a new steering rack. I even questioned the dealer last year about this and they said I needed to be sure that I kept my steering fluid filled up. My response was if I am losing steering fluid there is another problem that would need to be addressed. I have checked the reservoir and I am not losing power steering fluid. I am now getting scared to drive my vehicle every day, with myself and my two daughter, due to the unpredictability of the steering. I am taking the vehicle to yet another mechanic to see if they can get to the bottom of this. One would think chrysler would be able to determine the problem of their own vehicles before someone else could. 11/02 noise in front end noted and a whine and a transmission tune-up performed. 12/02 front sway bar replaced. 12/02 hose to power steering replaced, power steering reservoir replaced. Continued to mention on subsequent visits & they could not get it to act up.

Filed Dec 15, 2004 · Transmission · 46,000 miles · TX

My 2001 town and country has 46, 000 miles. With no prior warning it suddenly lost power and was unable to accelerate. A loud whining sound was heard. By the time I coasted into my neighborhood I had no power. Vehicle towed to dealership 2 days ago. Warranty up 2 months and 10000 miles ago. Was told probably would need new transmission. $1900 best scenario/$3300 worse case. Will not find out for 2 more days. Why would a car with 46000 miles need a new transmission. Other things that have happened that I haven't even ventured to get fixed due to financial issues include: back power latch will not work. I sometimes can't even get the hatch open manually. The sliding doors make an ungodly grinding noise when they open and close; my radio was replaced after approximately 11000 miles because it was short circuiting out the electrical components in the dash; I also had to have the front rotors replaced at 11000 miles(they were defective). Also, my front drivers seat power adjustments are broken( god know how much that would cost me to get fixed) my brakes have never felt "right" my husband hates to drive the van because it feels like the brakes are too soft and won't engage when needed. I have had them replaced at a different shop at 36,000 miles though I truly feel it is a mechanical flaw. Despite more times then I care to say of bringing it in to be checked the car still pulls to the right. Nothing has helped this matter. I guess the big thing that gets me is the transmission issues. I am truly discouraged. A 30000 dollar vehicle should not have these problems. I thought I was getting a higher end quality vehicle for $30000 but I guess all I got was an expensive lemon that I am stuck with because I still owe 2 years on it. Obviously by all the reports I have read the transmission is a big problem. Chrysler should own up to these problems and fix them for their customers or soon they won't have any customers left.

Filed Oct 30, 2004 · Engine · 45,282 miles · CA

On and around the 24th of june 04 my A/C compressor clutch locked up while driving around locally. This failure put undue tension on the serpentine drive belt, resulting in increased tension and extreme overheating of the belt (smoke poured out under the hood). Luckily I was driving slowly, as I switched off the A/C before the drive belt broke with no additional damage being done to the engine or vehicle (overheating due to water pump stoppage) or loss of control due to power steering failure. I took the vehicle in for servicing, as I had received a document from chrysler stating that the warranty on the A/C had been extended to 7 years and/or 70,000 miles due to quote lack of lubrication issues (I can supply this document if requested). The above dealer replaced the A/C unit and belt under warranty, but as soon as the vehicle left the shop a whining sound was heard from the engine compartment. I traced this; to the serpentine drive belt side of the engine (3.8litre v6 one drive belt). On going back to the dealer they replaced water pump/ tensioner and alternator, but I was made to pay for these repairs. I contend that a general recall should have been initiated for this defect and that any secondary damage caused by the said defective part should be replaced at the manufacture expense, as its their liability not the customer.

Filed Mar 11, 2004 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · AZ

Transmission started a whining sound at about 48,000 miles. This sound is just audible when driving around town. However, after 2 hours on the highway at 65mph it becomes very pronounced. If engine is shut off for 10 minutes the loud whine is back to a "normal" level. This appears to affect nothing else in the vehicle's operation. But it certainly can't be considered normal. We fear taking the van on the road since something in the transmission appears ready for self distruction. Other than a failed battery at 2 years (about 46,000 miles) this is the only problem experienced. This t&c lxi with all the options except power tailgate and 52,000 miles (mostly highway) has been an excellent vehicle to date and this obviously coming transmission problem at this early stage is a disappointment to say the least.

Filed Aug 7, 2003 · Transmission · 61,500 miles · OH

The transmission whining, shutters into gear, limited acceleration...car is 2 years old, out of warranty with 60k miles, although we thought we had 7 / 70 on power train...dealership refuses to cover cost o fix.

Filed Jun 2, 2003 · Acceleration, Brakes · 6,380 miles · NJ

The vehicle made a knocking noise in the front end. The dealer replaced the front suspension strut, strut mount, front sway bar and sway bar link. The rear end of the vehicle also made noise. The dealer replaced the transfer gear set. The vehicle also experienced a whining noise in the steering wheel. The dealer replaced the spring clock along with the shroud stabilizer. Power steering fluid due it being clog and caused the steering to whine when turned. The rear lift gate would not open with the remote. Faulty front rotors squeaked when applied. The drivers side window would not go up due to a faulty regulator. The cruise control would not disable when the brakes were applied and the brakes would not work when the cruise control was engaged. The rear windshield wipers were inoperative. The engine made noise when started. The timing chain failed and caused the check engine light to illuminate. The o-rings failed and caused fuel odor inside the vehicle. *scc

Filed Feb 18, 2003 · Engine · CA

Vehicle has had numerous problems. Brake problems, w/a vibrating/shaking of front of vehicle upon braking. Was fixed by dealer twice. Front heated seats have stopped working: twice on driver side. Dealer fixed. Now on passenger side, dealer will not fix under extended warranty. Cost is expensive to fix. Engine noise problems - loud whining, with rough idling. Happened w/in first couple of month of ownership, dealer thought it was the fan. Replaced fan parts. Started w/noise and rough-idyling again w/in a couple of months, dealer couldn't figure it out. Went in for third time, dealer said it was the steering fluid resevoir. Dealer made a "modification" to the fluid resevoir. Noise w/rough idylling came back again a few months ago, dealer said it was a hose. Replaced hose. Problem is now coming back again, dealer is not sure what it is, currently problem is intermitten, dealer can't find noise upon checking, noise is most apparent upon periods @ higher rates of speed, dealer will not drive at higher rate of speed to test. Passenger slider door has problem shifting from automatic mode to manual mode: stays in automatic mode when person tries to manually open. Dealer will not fix under extended warranty. Cost to fix is expensive. Air-conditioner compressor in for third repair. Air-conditioner had pressure problems, no cold air coming out, only hot air. Went to dealer twice to be repaired. Dealer told us this is a common problem in warmer-climate areas, and prepare to get used to cold air not always being cold, depending on the heat outside. This was not an acceptable response to me. Dealer finally fixed problem. Now compressor has gone out. Dealer is currently checking problem. All repairs have been done by norm reeves chrysler dodge in temecula, ca until the A/C compressor problem. This is being done at a different dealer, because I have not been happy with norm reeves' service.

Filed Oct 30, 2001 · Suspension · AR

There's a very loud whine or growling noise coming from front of the vehicle. Noise is so intense that people are looking at the vehicle as it passes. When sitting at a light and turning steering wheel to left or right noise gets louder with every turn. *ak