2002 Chrysler Town and Country: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 23, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 94,925 miles · MI

Driving vehicle at appropriate speed in traffic, noticed A/C was blowing warm air, smell of something burning and smoke under hood from passenger side. Immediately turned off air and stopped vehicle as soon as it was safe to do so. Upon opening the hood found smoke coming from right front engine bay area around alternator and A/C compressor. Allowed engine to ventilate and cool, restarted vehicle but with HVAC system off and drove to the nearest repair shop where the mechanic checked the vehicle. Mechanic changed the engine oil and recommended to charge the A/C system with refrigerant. Other mechanics suggested taking vehicle to A/C repair shop. Informed that t&c vehicles prone to have A/C compressor issues and known defect. Never received recall notice or offer by chrysler to have known defect corrected.

Filed Jun 21, 2012 · Electrical · 171,528 miles · VA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, smoke emitted from under the hood. The contact inspected the vehicle and found the wiring harness was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire and the vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 171,528.

Filed Apr 18, 2012 · 85,000 miles · MI · fire

Driving vehicle at appropriate highway speed when noticed what appeared to be a decrease in power and smell of something burning. Was running air conditioner at the time the event took place. Stopped vehicle, found large plumes of white/gray smoke coming from front of engine bay. Allowed engine to ventilate and cool, restarted vehicle, but with HVAC system off to prevent fumes from entering cabin. Drove short distance home and notified local mechanic of problem. Was informed by mechanic that this vehicle was subject to A/C compressor issues, and was a known defect of this particular vehicle. Never received a recall notice or offer by manufacturer to have known defect corrected. Cost to repair vehicle was over $1400.

Filed Mar 14, 2011 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · ME · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and running when smoke began emitting from under the instrument panel. The vehicle was turned off and the contact inspected the vehicle to discover smoke bellowing from under the hood but no flames. The fuse box was disconnected and the contact found burned wires within the fuse box. The vehicle was repaired yet the failure recurred in less than one year. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer for further inspection. The current mileage was approximately 150,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Nov 28, 2006 · Engine · FL

A/c compressor failure - we were on the road for about 1/2 an hour en route from tallahassee to orlando on thanksgiving day, 2006. As we exited onto hwy. 19, we noticed smoke coming from the hood of the car. (later, it was apparent that a belt on the A/C system burned as the compressor locked up.) this was at least the 6th A/C system failure. We had recurring leaks that were "fixed" and recharged numerous times, starting at a macon dealership off I-75 in summer 2003 to a replacement of the rear A/C unit in summer 2006. Last week's compressor failure was the latest in this long series of problems with the A/C, but clearly the most serious as it resulted in considerable smoke and at least the potential for additional damage and danger.

Filed Aug 7, 2005 · Steering · 50,000 miles · MI · fire

2002 chrysler town & country ex (mileage 50,000) caught fire. Drove car from the university of michigan to my office on platt road, ann arbor. As I turned into the parking lot, power steering failed, was not able to move it. Noticed dense white smoke comming into the car from the dashboard and through the door pillars. Got out of the car, and after about 5 minutes, opened the hood of the car and carefully opened it. Noticed a fire at the back of the engine compartment. My associate rushed into the office building and extinguished the fire using a fire extingusher. After the fire was extinguished called aaa to tow the car to the dealership. Dealership the following day did inform me that the steering wheel hose containing the steering fluid has failed, the steering fluid had leaked onto the exhaust manifold and caught fire.

Filed Jun 15, 2005 · 50,000 miles · NM

The air conditioner no longer works. It went out at less than 50 thousand miles. Smoke came through the vents into the cabin. There was an electrical smell and loud noises. I no longer use the A/C and consequently don't drive the vehicle unless I have to. How can an A/C go out at less than 50 thousand miles? I still consider the vehicle new!

Filed Dec 14, 2004 · Engine · 30,000 miles · MA · fire

Thick white smoke was coming out of the back of the van - it had a burning smell. People on the highway were moving away from us because of it. We brought it to our mechanic and he said that the tubes that feed antifreeze to the back of the van (to heat the back) were all rotted, and leaked antifreeze all over the exhaust. He said it was a result of "poor manufacturing." the car is a 2002 chrysler town & country and only has 30,000 miles on it. The warranty just ran out 2 months ago.

Filed Sep 28, 2004 · 16,000 miles · OH · fire

While driving at 65 MPH consumer heard pop noise coming from the rear, and suddenly started smelling burning material. The smoke and heavy flames where coming from the right speaker. Vehicle was burned to the ground. Dealership and manufacturer were notified, and they stated we never heard such a thing.*ak driverside rear radio speaker caught fire and burnt vehicle to the ground.

Filed Sep 27, 2004 · Electrical · 16,000 miles · OH · fire

While driving smoke came from the speakers and then the vehicle caught on fire. *bf

Filed Aug 19, 2004 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · NY · fire

On monday, july 5th 2004, my 2002 chrysler town and country [xxx] erupted in a van fire. My daughter was sitting on the 3rd seat on the left side of the vehicle when she heard noise, saw flames and yelled there was a fire. My family immediately evacuated the vehicle. Nyc fire department, chrysler fire investigator and auto insurance fire investigator deemed it as an electrical malfunction due to a manufacturer's defect. No recalls have been placed on this issue.*ak updated 07/25/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)