2002 Chrysler Town and Country: complete transmission failure

Filed Nov 13, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 170,000 miles · WV

My 2002 town and country had to have a new transmission in 11/12. In june of this year, my speedometer quit working causing the transmission to shift hard. I took it to the transmission guy who replaced the speed sensor. It worked fine for a couple of weeks. Then my battery light came on suddenly. I had my battery checked and they said it was fine. They said I might need a new alternator. So I had a new alternator put in. The car did ok for about a couple of weeks, then the speedometer started jumping erratically. I took back to my transmission guy who said the speed sensor was fine. He thinks it may be due to a loose wire or a possibly damaged wire or corrosion. So far, no answers and my car is still undrivable. It jumps when I am stopped. It acts like its already in second gear or something. I am afraid to try to drive it as it is dangerous. Help! I can not afford to put more money into this. It cost too much to start with. 3.8l v6 limited. I am a single mom with a child who has heart defects. I need reliable transportation!

Filed Jun 9, 2010 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chrysler town & country. While driving at 55 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle would no longer accelerate. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealership where the transmission was replaced. However, 6 miles after the repair the same failure occurred. Prior to the failure, the contact had the transmission flushed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 96,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2009 · Transmission · 90,380 miles · FL

Planetaries destroyed in transmission and required replacement replaced transmission assembly with remanufactured unit total cost: $2582.70 left us stranded approximately forty miles from home.

Filed Dec 13, 2007 · Transmission · 81,500 miles · OH

Bought 2002 t&c ex used from chrysler dealer in xenia, ohio. All maintenance done by same dealership. Car has 52,000 miles on it. After getting home from vacation transmission suddenly died - no warning. Mechanic found 9 codes and one that referenced no hydraulic pressure. They checked the transmission filter and found it to be clean - transmission failed with less than 65k miles on it. Transmission fluid was a proper levels and was not burnt in any way - still a nice red color. Replaced transmission with a jasper reman with 3 yr/75k miles warranty and that transmission just failed with less than 20,000 miles on it while 60+ miles form home with both of our kids in the car. Luckily we were able to get the car to our destination and not stranded on the highway. This time 3rd gear apparently died and our mechanic mentioned that this is a popular transmission and very popular for failing.

Filed Aug 27, 2007 · Transmission · 51,786 miles · CA

The transmission went out on my 2002 chrysler town & country mini van as we were driving on the freeway. The van had only 51,700 miles on it! I had it towed to the nearest dealership, and they wanted $4,000 to fix it. I called chrysler to ask if they would cover the cost of the repair since the mileage was so low, but they refused to help me because the warranty was up. I had it fixed at a transmission shop where they rebuilt the transmission. I don't have the old parts available. There must be a defect in the transmission, or some kind of "weak" parts for it to go out at such low mileage. I do regular maintenance on the van, I change the oil every 3,000 miles, and even did the 30,000 miles service that was highly recommended by the dealership!

Filed Jan 19, 2007 · Transmission · 90,405 miles · NJ

Tl* - the contact has a 2002 minivan caravan. The contact stated that when she put the car in reverse or tried to switch gears, the vehicle wouldn't move. She took her vehicle to a dealer for service on 11/24/2006, and it passed there 16 point vehicle check. The contact stated that on 01/04/2007 the car wouldn't switch into gears and she took the vehicle have the transmission repaired because she believed that the failure involved the transmission. The contact was told that the transmission needed to be fixed, and then told that she needed a new transmission. When the contact picked up her vehicle it had not been repaired. After telling the contact that she would receive a new transmission, the contact received a rebuilt transmission. The vehicle still didn't work properly, the dealer told the contact that they were not equipped to repair her vehicle. She has still not found someone who could repair the vehicle properly.

Filed Aug 21, 2006 · Transmission · 63,100 miles · OH

41te transmission failure at highway speeds. Potential for accident, luckily none occurred in this instance. Car/occupants left stranded in lane of travel.

Filed Aug 14, 2005 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · NM

The transmission failed suddenly. While at a stop sign the town & country van stopped moving. The RPM's went up while pressing the gas, but the van did not move. After further investigation by a technician it was determined that it was related to the transmission. Because of the cost to fix the van, as of 08/15/05, the van is still parked. Someone please help!

Filed Nov 11, 2004 · Transmission · 38,048 miles · AL

Transmission failed at 38,048, car had to be towed, as it was a sat, before a trip we took it to a transmission shop, hoping it was a simple fix from the codes. The transmission had to be rebuilt but I felt it qualified for "if you have an emergency and you have to get a repair from other than an authorized dealer...", chrysler said this only is for things like batteries or water pumps even though these little details are not stated in the 7 year/ 70,000 mile warranty. In a rude phone message I was told, (after appealing to chrysler for reimbursement under warranty), that they would pay $1.000 and that was there final offer and that the van was not under warranty, which it is. I hate this car and if we did not have it equipped with hand controls and a scooter lift for my husband(part of the need for a immediate repair) I would sale it. It was also in 4 times for the non-functioning automatic passenger door latch; to have a battery replaced(29,583 miles); fuel tank; power steering hose; and it still makes a rubbing sound at low speeds that they have never been able to identify(in 2x for that noise). I think chrysler should honor their warranty but I feel at a loss to fight them. I will try to let it be known where I can the details of the situation.

Filed Jun 4, 2004 · Brakes, Transmission · 2,347 miles · WV

While driving check engine light came on, and a gear shift light illuminated. When this occurred automatic transmission failed to shift out of second gear. Dealership performed a drb test, in which the failure code found was a low voltage battery and loose cable. The cable was tightened. Then, dealership test drove the van. No other problem was found. The failure recurred within 2,347 miles. Dealership test drove the van for 15 miles, and found no problems. Also, the ABS light came on and stayed on. Dealership replaced the ABS sensor 3 times. *ak

Filed Dec 7, 2003 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · GA

Transmission failed at 66,000 miles in the middle of the highway. Front wheels locked up and was unable to roll into neutral. The wheels gave, after prayer, and the vehicle was able to be rolled to the shoulder. Wheels locked up again once the vehicle was on the shoulder. Vehicle was towed to the nearest chrysler dealership. Was told it would be necessary to replace transmission. It will cost $3200. Chrysler refuses to grant a "goodwill repair" even though it's due to a technical failure and not a wear and tear or poor service failure. I am in the process of sending a complaint letter to daimler-chrysler, fox 5 news, and the center for auto safety.

Filed Aug 31, 2003 · Transmission · MD

I bought a 2002 chrysler town & country in august, 2002. In october, 2002, I had to return vehicle to the dealership because I was having problems with the transmission. They told me it was a computer problem. The transmission did fine until around the middle of 2003 when I noticed the transmission problem again. The car was taken back to the dealership in july 2002, and the transmission had to be over hauled. They would not put in a new transmission. Something about the 70% rule. I picked up the car on 8/30/03 from the dealership and the car is running ok now. I am just wondering if other people have had transmission problems on this vehicle.