2005 Chrysler Town and Country: whining or grinding noise

Filed Jan 4, 2018 · Transmission · 189,475 miles · WI

Don't get me wrong I love my chrysler t&c lx stow and go. I only have 4 problems with it. This one is for the transmission and it scared the living crap out of me! Last night on my way home on the highway I went to pass a semi and got about half way around it and my check engine light came on and I heard a loud whinning noise and next thing you know my RPM were full blown and I was not gaining speed I was stuck and no where to go as car was approching a head on collision I had to slam on my brakes and pray no one was coming up behind us and get back behind semi!! He was blowing his horn and I was freaking out. I mad it safely behind semi with seconds to spare before me and my 2 daughters would have been dead or smashed into trees. I pulled over and after catching my heart and putting it back in my chest got out and checked tranny fluid it was full as it is sitting there whining I could not imagine what was going on. I got in and it took a bit for it to kick in gear but it did . Than it slightly slipped in 3rd on way home still whinnging. I went to auto zone this morning while still whinnning and slipping here and there and had codes read transmission malfunctioned. And gears 1 and 3 malfuntioned totally defects somewhere. Still searching for answers!!

Filed Nov 23, 2011 · Steering · 130,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that a loud whining noise emitted from the steering column while driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who performed a diagnostic test. The failure was located at the power steering pump. The dealer replaced the power steering pump, but the failure continued. The dealer performed a second diagnostic test that located the failure at the rack and pinion. The rack a pinion was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 138,000.

Filed Aug 13, 2011 · Electrical · 93,970 miles · IN

Vehicle has intermittant electrical problems, like the headlights going off for no reason while driving at night causing a safety issue and takes several tries to turn on the headlights, the power sliding door will not open except manually, turn signals flash both directions, turn signal lights burn out sooner than would be expected, when first starting the vehicle, it makes a whining noise until you accelerate. All these issues are intermittant. We have replaced the starter, alternator, battery (2 times) and it still exhibits these issues. None of the old parts are available.

Filed Jun 28, 2011 · Steering · 52,000 miles · NC

My 69 year old mother's 2005 town and country has been whining for over a year. Twice she took it to the dealer in raleigh where she bought it. They said they couldn't reproduce the whine. Last week, she was in a town an hour away and had to pull over and have it towed. Mechanic replaced power steering pump, but it didn't correct the problem. He says entire rack and pinion system needs replacing. Her van has 52k miles.

Filed Feb 6, 2011 · Steering · NC

Rack and pinion failures in chrysler t&c's. Whining noise coming from steering system, changes pitch upon acceleration/deceleration.

Filed Jan 13, 2011 · Steering · CT

I own a 2005 t/c about a year ago whining noise noticed when cold go away after warming up did not think much of it. Started up again this winter check the power steering low filled up improved steering, then noticed leak in driveway went to garage told have to replace rack power steering about a $800 job. Checked out online and found a lot of similar complaints so my question is when is chrysler going to step up to the plate with the recall.

Filed Nov 17, 2010 · Steering · 130,000 miles · NC

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 chrysler town & country. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the steering column made a loud whining sound. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the problem was common but there was no remedy for it. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jun 28, 2010 · Steering · 88,201 miles · AL

Power steering pump is making a loud whining noise. Started occurring in the colder months just when the car was started and the wheel was turned. Now a constant noise. Need to replace pump before it goes out and cracks mantle.

Filed Jun 1, 2010 · Steering · 50,000 miles · WI

Power steering whine...turned into needing the rack and pinion system replaced. Now hear that this is a rampant problem. This should be recalled.

Filed Nov 17, 2009 · Steering · 60,666 miles · VT

Power steering whine developed. Steering never subjected to rough service. Mechanic discovered low fluid and leak in steering rack. Rack had to be replaced at a cost of $820.00 for parts and labor. Loss of power steering definitely safety hazard. Obviously a design flaw. Steering rack should outlast the vehicle.

Filed Nov 9, 2009 · Steering · 78,000 miles · CO

Every time van is running low whine emits from under the hood, when turning steering jerks and sound under hood gets much louder. Power steering, rack and pinion need to be replaced.

Filed Feb 4, 2009 · Steering, Suspension · 74,000 miles · FL

We use our 2005 chrysler town & country for 2.5 years. We purchased the van used with roughly 25000 miles on it in july of 2006. We now have 77000 miles on it and now the front end makes a clanking noise while going over bumps and the is a whining grinding like sound underneath the hood close to the dash. It is worse with cold weather and when the stirring wheel is turned completely in either direction. I did an internet search and found a blog forum at townhall-talk.com. Everyone one on this particular blog had t&c vans and had the same problem I have experienced and dealers have said the rack and pinion needing replacement for roughly$850.00 plus. I have not had the problem assessed (will be today). Our warranty is expired and now we are having problems. Sounds typical right? If chrysler t&c vans all seemed to have the same problem with the stirring system. I read about many different dealer saying that they replace many of those racks and the parts are on back order. If the parts are on back order that should be a sign that there is an issue across the board and there should be a recall. In these trying economic times people don't have money to spend on crappy made parts and chrysler cant afford anymore negative publicity either. Something needs to be done!