2003 Chrysler Town and Country: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Engine, Steering · SC

Power steering failure and water pump failure smoking under hood and power steering fluid all on the exhaust system almost caught fire.

Filed Aug 6, 2019 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 134,553 miles · NC

The airbag on the passenger side blew up. On robin hood rd when car was almost stopped for a traffic light on buena vista rd. When the airbag blew up with my daughter-in-law in that seat. Calling chrysler they said there was no recall on it and they would do nothing because of the age of the car. A month earlier I spent $2000 on repairs on this car and now it is useless. Starting the car it smells like it's going to catch on fire. The car was in motion and almost at a complete stop for a traffic light when the airbag exploded which was very scary. When I first called chrysler they ask the location of the car and LED me to believe someone from chrysler would examine the the van and then a week later calling I found out they were denying anything because of the age of the car. I am a senior citizen and this isn't fair as I have kept up repairs on the car and it's obvious that there are no dents or that has not been in any traffic accidents.

Filed Sep 9, 2016 · Engine · 3 miles · OH · fire · 1 injury

I purchased the van from a private owner 2 hours prior to this happening. He told me it overheats some. I called my chrysler mechanic in mt. Victory, oh and asked him if he could look at him. He told me to bring it down. I was traveling about 35mph on st rt 31 s and it started overheating. I pulled over and turned it off. Smoke was coming from under the hood. I was calling for a tow and I heard the sound of fire crackling and smoke was coming through the vents. I immediately got out of the van and told the person I was talking to I needed to call 911 because it sounded like the van was on fire. Flames and heavy smoke started shooting out from under the driver's side of the hood. I had called 911. The hardin county sheriff's dept, ohio state highway patrol, kenton fire department, and bkp ambulance service arrived. I smelled so bad of smoke and was shaken up but thank god I got out of it before it became engulfed in flames!!! It gor so hot that anything plastic and rubber under the hood melted. The driver's side mirror even melted!!

Filed Jul 15, 2014 · Fuel system · 138,000 miles · MO · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled and smoke was seen from under the hood. After lifting the hood, the contact discovered flames coming from the fuel injection wiring harness. The contact indicated that the fuel injection wiring harness became melted during the incident. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Feb 23, 2012 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · WI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler town and country. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the mechanic advised that the wiring harness caught on fire and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2010 · Brakes · 67,000 miles · VA · fire

Front brakes on 2003 chrysler town and country, with only 67k miles, lock up for no reason disabling the vehicle. This has happened twice in the last 2.5 years. Both times, it had to be towed to the dealer where the dealer found the front driver side brake had over heated and locked up. The last time, the brakes became so hot that smoke was coming from the driver side brake as the pad was on fire. Each time dealer has replaced front rotors, brake pads, calipers, and a partial brake line with system flushed. Each time, we were told they really had no idea why they locked up. They said best guess was rust in the system. This is a real safety hazard as they can lock up at anytime and as we have seen, catch fire.

Filed May 29, 2007 · Electrical · 53,900 miles · MA

Car engine shutdown in traffic but would restart. Engine shutdown at highway speeds and jump started without turning key. Plastic wire insulation burning smell noted when returned to driveway. Vehicle delivered to dealer for diagnosis and repair. Tech report verified broken and corroded wire in wiring harness: "upon inspection found fault code p1389 no asd relay output voltage at PCM & p1388 = auto shutdown relay control circuit. Removed d PCM wire harness and found asd output from PCM being lost. Traced bn/wt wire from PCM connector to ipm. Found wire cut and full of corrosion. Cut out bad section of wire and spliced new section in. Reinstalled all components are verified repairs. Vehicle is performing as designed."

Filed Aug 28, 2004 · Engine · 49,725 miles · TX

Drove for two hours in rain, parked car. Seven hours later, started car and it stalled...did that twice. Started third time but I smelled a burning smell coming from engine compartment, shut motor off. Turns out A/C compressor froze up, snapping the serpentine belt. Car towed, dealership fixed for no charge..."special" warranty is what I was told.