2002 Chrysler Town and Country: loss of power steering

Filed Mar 9, 2014 · Steering · 120,000 miles · MI

While slowing for a turn my van started making whining noises then the power steering stopped working. Got out and looked and found fluid leaking on the ground. Now theres no power steering.

Filed Dec 6, 2013 · Steering · 122,000 miles · VA

When I turned the car on the power steering did not work. It has happened before when it is raining outside. I waited a minute and the power steering came back. I drove for about 5 minutes in heavy rain and as I was pulling into the parking lot at about 20 MPH my power steering stopped working. I was lucky that I was going so slowly and that I could just pull straight into two parking spots and wait for the power steering to come back. This was the first time the power steering has stopped working while I was driving the car. It was very scary and I am so happy that I was going so slowly. What if it had happened at 60 MPH on the highway?

Filed Mar 2, 2011 · Engine · 75,600 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chrysler town and country. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH when the power steering failed without warning. He then pulled over to inspect the vehicle and discovered that the timing chain attachment was fractured and had caused the failure. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where they advised him that a bolt was never attached to the timing chain and because of the stress on the component, the timing chain fractured. The dealer repaired the timing chain casket and gaskets. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 75,600.

Filed Mar 3, 2008 · Steering · 50,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed May 22, 2007 · Steering · 77,000 miles · GA

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.

Filed Oct 19, 2006 · Body, Electrical · 64,290 miles · ME

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!

Filed Aug 29, 2006 · Steering · FL

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.

Filed Jul 25, 2006 · Steering, Transmission · 49,184 miles · FL

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.

Filed Feb 14, 2006 · Steering · 21,740 miles · NY

Power steering failed inoperative power steering at 21740 miles was repaired at goldstien chrysler at 43470 power steering failed power steering rack was defective.

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 Jan 12, 2005 · Steering · 38,000 miles · FL

While driving at any speed power steering failed. The dealership repaired the problem twice. But, consumer was still having the same problems.

Filed Dec 22, 2004 · Steering · 20,000 miles · FL

While driving at low speeds the power steering failed without warning. As a result, the steering became very difficult. Please provide additional information.