I bought this 2002 mini-van in january from my sister. She took meticulous care of it. So when I found my steering failing, I never thought it was an issue with the steering. I thought it was the power steering. I blew a power steering hose one day after weeks of smelling something burning. Got that fixed and then found the steering column was still locking up, not letting me turn the car, running over the curb because I could not steer it. And I can still smell something out of the ordinary, it almost smells like anti-freeze. Not sure what it is. It usually happened when I first started the car and did not let it warm up for a long period of time. Now it will do it when I am driving.it has happened at least 10 times in the last month. I am getting annoyed with this. I have had it to the garage 2 times now and they can not replicate what happens and now I feel like they think I am a nut case because they say, there is nothing wrong. We can not find a problem with it. I carry 5-6 children in my car at any given time and I find this to be very dangerous.
2002 Chrysler Town and Country steering complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 76, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My town and country has been a lemon from day one. It has had a number of steering problems( is now undrivable as it is leaking and heat shield is down) dealer claims no recall. It has been rusting since before 30,000miles. It now has holes in it and undercarriage rusted out. Chrysler has done nothing for me. Power window mechanisms/motors were inoperational a year ago-at the same time. It shakes. I am afraid to drive it. Paid plenty. Has 68,000m.
On my 2002 chrysler town & country with 38,000 miles, the rack and pinion began leaking in oct 2007. The internal 'falling apart' of the rack caused a clog of the steering pumps screen filter which caused a loud whining noise when turning the wheel. In april 2008, both the rack & pinion and the power steering reservoir needed to be replaced to fix the leak and the whining noise: parts - $320, labor - $900.
Power steering has failed at least five times. Sometimes when driving 30 MPH without warning, sometimes when backing out of a driveway, sometimes when slowing down to make a turn resulting in a near- miss and jumping a curb. To this date steering continues to emit a whining noise. Hoses were replaced, steering column rebuilt. More than once dealer stated that they could not replicate the problem resulting in great inconvenience to us.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chrysler town and country. While driving 35 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The contact was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and they stated that the power steering hose failed due to pressure from the steering rack. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 50,000.
Power steering whining due to improper hose design. Hoses have been replaced by dealer with temporary results. Pump ok. There should be alot more complaints on this issue, the dealer seemed well aware of it.
My power steering is beginning to go out again after having to have the hoses replaced for a 2nd time. I believe the hoses are really defective and they haven't been corrected yet!
There was a recall for chrysler power steering hoses and mine was fixed two years ago & they refuse to fix it again saying wear & tear. Also, they put out a notice (but not to owners) that the oil plate on these vehicles are leaking & there is no recall for that problem which I've already consulted 50 people with the same van and same problem.
Power steering failed when vehicle was cold and turning to the left. No events LED up to the failure, it just did it. We bought the 2002 t&c in march 2007... Got a great deal. But then, after one week, the power steering began to fail. Took it to dealer and they test drove the vehicle, but could not find the cause of the problem. It has gotten worse and every morning steering wheel locked up and could not be turned, but only when making left turns, and in drive. Taking back to dealer to find the cause of the problem again today.
1) at low speeds, especially turning there was noise and shaking in the front of the chrysler 2002 town and country. It was identified at a garage as a power steering cooler hose problem and in fact there was a recall for this. I then took it to a chrysler dealer - doan in rochester ny - who agreed that was the problem, but my vehicle identification number was not on the list for replacement. I found it very hard to believe that the correct problem did not qualify. I called chrysler customer service and got the same story. They said that the VIN numbers listed were determined by the federal safety agency and they - in so many words - were off the hook. I did have it replaced with my own money, but I am upset about it. 2) my air bag light started to go on telling me that the air bags were turned off. Then the light would go off for a little and come back on for no reason , speed, or outside temperature. Again I was told it was clock springing in the mechanism in the steering column. I felt that this was a very dangerous problem involving the life or death of my family should an accident occur. The dealer again agreed that this was the problem, encouraged me to get it fixed, and gave me an indication that this was common and that again my vehicle did not qualify for any recall. I had it fixed, but feel that this is a dangerous situation.
Tl*- the contact called regarding a 2002 chrysler town & country. The contact stated he took the vehicle to a dealer for recall repairs on the power steering hoses. Once the recall work was done the vehicle started vibrating and making a humming noise. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer, and the vehicle was diagnosed as needing a new power steering rack. The contact informed the dealer that he did not have any problems with the vehicle until the recall work was performed. The dealer refused to replace the power steering rack at no charge. The failure mileage was 90000, and the current mileage was 97000.*ak the power steering hose was replaced
No events LED up to failure power steering pump failed 3 xs in 6 months @39000 miles. Even after doing tsbs, and replacing with oem pump, it failed again!
10am, driving at a low rate of speed, slowing to turn left, I suddenly lost power steering and had to manual make the turn (very difficult). The van was also hesitating, like it would stall. I regained full power and power steering after 10 seconds +/-. Noon, same day, accellerating <35mph, uphill, same problem occurred with the exception that after power steering failure, I completely stalled in the road and had to restart the vehicle. Brought to dealership wednesday. They were unable to find the problem (no code) or duplicate the problem. (also an issue with an intermittent problem with the power side door popping off but not power opening). Both electrical issues have occured since the five star dealership corrected an electrical problem with my power gatelift popping off but not power opening) I have called chrysler directly about technical service bulletins issued on both items and the advance service information 02-018/the federal safety agency#10000327 relating to the problem with the power side door and/or liftgate. Even with providing this information, the problem cannot be fixed until they get a "code". I have exhausted my progress with chrysler in their assistance with the proper diagnosis of the problem so I could pay to have the correct component replaced. My option is to pay $50 per diagnostic check by the dealer regardless of whether the vehicle "codes" the problem and no assurances as to the number of diagnostic checks it may take to produce the "code", so I filed a complaint with chrysler customer assistance "which is handled in house". When asked what department handles complaints, I was told " chrysler customer assistance". I clarified that is the same department title as to which I was speaking with, it was explained that customer assistance has many departments, which are not given titles, and that they are not allowed to provide names of whom would be handling the complaint, nor would anyone follow up with me. The circles begins!
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, there was a small amount of play in the steering wheel. Then, during a left turn, the vehicle lost power assist steering. This was followed by the turn signal switch not returning to the neutral position. The vehicle was not taken in for service. The consumer stated while making a left turn the wheel locked. The consumer stated the vehicle is currently at the repair shop. Updated 09/11/07
2002 chrysler town and country power steering failed. *kb the consume back his vehicle out of his driveway into the street. When he tried o turn the steering wheel to the right there was not power steering. After a couple minutes the consumer was able maneuver the vehicle without any problems. The vehicle was driven to it's destination and parked. The consumer returned to his vehicle and was able to drive off without a problem. But when he needed to make a right turn the steering wheel felt as if there was no power steering again and almost caused an accident. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a test drive. The technician drove the vehicle 21 miles but he could not duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was contacted and indicated that they hadn't received any other complaints about the steering.
Dt*: the contact stated that while backing out of a parking space, the power steering failed, requiring additional effort to turn the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer was unable to duplicate or determine the problem. The raack and pinion was replaced and the transmission had a leak. Updated 03/20/07.
2002 chrysler town & country, 3 years 11 months old, 46,000 miles, rack and pinion failed. The gentlemen at the chrysler dealership said he has seen quite a few of these rack and pinion system fail. He said you could lose your steering and control of the vehicle. Rack and pinion replaced.
After driving through water puddles on the pavement, the power steering temporarily fails and is accompanied by a loud squealing sound. Took vehicle to dealer repair and was told that there was no "fix" for the problem.
2002 town & country steering column failed. *ts ***nar*** a new steering pump had to be ordered.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 10 MPH and turning the steering wheel had excessive play and shuttering. There is a the federal safety agency recall, #04v386000 concerning the power assist; hoses, piping and connections however the recall did not correct the problem. The vehicle is having the same problem again. The dealer has been notified. The dealer also replaced the power steering pump, the cooler, and the rack unit. The vehicle has not been repaired.
Our 2002 chrysler town and country with 30,000 miles on it began having problems with the power steering in december of 2005. The check engine light came on february 2006 so we brought the van into a chrysler service shop. We were informed that the seal to the power steering fluid was leaking so we had to replace the entire steering rack. The check engine light indicated there was an internal transmission problem. After tearing the transmission apart they found that the torque converter needed replacement as well as the seals on the internal clutches. This vehicle only has 30,008 miles on it. We were forced to pay the entire $3183.89 to fix it. It was a poorly built vehicle with faulty parts. We are upset that chrysler can not tell us why a vehicle with so few miles needs all these major replacement parts and will not take any responsibility or stand behind this vehicle.
Power steering failed inoperative power steering at 21740 miles was repaired at goldstien chrysler at 43470 power steering failed power steering rack was defective.
Recall #d37 upper power steering hose replaced @ 17,590 miles. Then on jan. 2005 power steering vibrating, power steering oil low oil leak ( 18,211 miles) nov. 2005 oil leak again don kott added oil ---jan. 19,2006 took it to don kott again and was told the rack and pinion seal is leaking oil. Since my warranty was over at oct 2005 but my mileage is only 25,000 miles. The estimate repair cost will be $1,100 dollars. I feel that this should not happen at 25,000 miles and it was an defective parts. I wish the daimler chrysler will recall this part because the mechanic told me that lots of the mini-van rack and pinion has failed, there were three mini-van at the dealer for similar problem at this date. I appreciate your prompt investigation on this matter. Thank you james segawa 1-20-2006.
I am receiving the exact same issue as a complaint I found on your site #10065581, I am being forced to pay $300+ for the same repair. If I had known about this issue in 2002 when the tsb was issue I would have fixed it then while I was under warranty. Why do I have to pay for this repair, when it is a known design/manufacturing issue? I also found a investigation performed by the usdot, number pe 03-012, which looks like they were supposed to contact me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, ted make: chrysler model: town and country type: multipurpose passenger vehicle year: 2002 complaint number: 10065581 summary: I just started having this steering problem/shuddering and I did some research and found the following: 5- 'technical service bulletins' on this website. If this has been a problem since dec 2001, why was I not notified by aug 2003 to have the issue fixed (while I was still within my 36,000 mile warranty). When I called the dealer, they said I would have to pay for service/fix. My question is the following: why should I have to pay for a hose that is too short/long when it was manufactured this way. The bulletins all reflect the 'steering shudder. Thank you for a response. Sandra.
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.
Rack and pinion leaking. I was told by a technician that I could lose my steering if not fixed. This is very dangerous.
While driving at any speed consumer heard a clicking noise in the steering column. Dealership will be notified.
Power steering replacement pump is defective. Have had 3 install with no correction to problem. 1. Steering wheel drags/ lags with minor movement 2. Steering wheel shimmies with rapid movement 3. Movement creates rubbing and rumbling noise after 3 replacement installations, dealer refuses to further address the issue even after acknowledging the problem still exists. Vehicle was brought in under original warranty on 3/11/04 for recall c20 (power steering hose). Problems began immediately upon return. This is a safety hazard.
While driving at any speed power steering failed. The dealership repaired the problem twice. But, consumer was still having the same problems.
Steering was sticky, binding, and hard to steer. Installed steering gear, c-4743142ah. Inspect power steering.
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