2006 Chrysler Town and Country: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Mar 26, 2014 · Steering · 88,000 miles · FL

I am hearing a loud whine. It sounds as though it is coming from the front of the vehicle and can be heard more loudly inside the vehicle than out. It is constant. It is usually louder in cold weather. It is not as loud immediately following when I have my vehicle service and all fluids are topped off. Lately it has began to make a bit more of a grinding noise. The noise is very noticeable at low speeds--not so much at higher speeds, but then again there is more road noise at high speeds. If parked and I turn the steering wheel, the whine gets louder. The pitch seems to change with engine speed, not movement. I took it to an auto shop and they said it is the power steering pump, rack & pinion. I have researched this on the internet, and there are hundreds of identical complaints. This is clearly a defect in the vehicle. Why hasn't this been recalled yet? If left unfixed, the power steering can fail. I would have a hard time trying to steer this vehicle without power steering and it would likely result in a crash. This is clearly a safety issue.

Filed Jan 16, 2012 · Steering · OH

We had our rack and pinion replaced by chrysler over a year ago. It would become hard to steer whenever we would go over any puddles/snow. They say they replaced it, but it still does the same thing. Even when we leave it out in the rain over night, the next day it squeals and we can't move the steering wheel. It's the same thing, puddle, rain or snow, squeal and loss of steering anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. There is a definite design defect with this particular model and it will take someone dying because of it for them to recall this van. We also have always had a rubber burning smell from the front left tire side whenever we have a change in the temperature, around 30-40degrees, usually in wet/slush weather conditions. Very strange and nothing has ever been done about it nor can chrysler tell us what it's coming from.

Filed Dec 15, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 40,000 miles · NC

When purchased in 2009 the vehicle had a just under 36000 miles on it and needed the electronic lock/unlock mechanism replaced on the passenger rear door. At ~40000 we had to replace the rotors and brake pads. We bought ceramic brakes with life time warranty. Vehicle returned to the service station 4 times in the next 6 months for squealing/grinding brakes. Each time they had to shave the rotors because they were warped. We were told this was a default with t&cs. We again need new rotors. The awful grinding noise when braking is horrific. Late 2010 the air bag light started randomly going off and on when turning the wheel. Though I am registered at chrysler.com I never received recall information but have recently found there was a recall for this exact thing. Now, at just turned 64000 miles we need a new engine because of a rod. Yet again we were told by two different service stations that this was an issue with these vehicles. Frustrating does not even begin to describe what we are going through now. 1 parent out of work for a year and 4 children to support which requires a vehicle to drive to work since the area does not believe in mass public transit outside of riding a minimum of 4 buses to go 20 miles.

Filed Jun 14, 2010 · Body, Locks · 21,000 miles · IA

Right rear power door fails to open from rear push button, later in time, door lock failed to open when unlocking doors, also door won't lock on auto., or when driving as the rest of the doors. Very dangerous, my grandchildren ride quite regularly and afraid door may malfunction. Also when turn left at times theirs a grinding noise coming from the front of the car.

Filed Apr 14, 2010 · Steering · WA

Power steering goes out. So far this has been just when I turn the vehicle on, but it's happened 3 times now and yesterday was accompanied by a squeal.

Filed Feb 18, 2010 · Airbags, Brakes · 36,100 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 chrysler town and country. While driving 5 MPH the front brakes started to grind whenever the brakes were applied. The contact has taken the vehicle to the dealer four times in the past two years to have the front brakes replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the braking system was too small for the vehicle which caused the front brakes to wear faster. The dealer also replaced the clock spring in the air bag since the air bag light stayed on continuously. The contact is concerned about the risk safety risk. The failure mileage was 36,100. Jo

Filed Jan 26, 2010 · Steering · 35,000 miles · AZ

Grinding humming noise with power steering. Chrysler mechanic told me that chrysler did not make the hose long enough so it gets clogged and causes problems. Told me also that rack needs to be replaced because it is leaking. This should be a recall. I paid for the new hose so far but don't want to pay $1000 for a new rack when it is their fault.

Filed Nov 30, 2009 · Steering · FL

When I drive my 2006 chrysler town and country through a puddle or in a heavy downpour, my power steering goes out. The belt slips and squeals for quite a while before the power steering starts working again. I haven't been able to find a dealer or mechanic that knows how to fix the problem. My wife and I have both driven off the road due to this issue.

Filed Apr 14, 2009 · Steering · 42,000 miles · PA

Squealing power steering during winter months when van was inspected I was told I needed rack and pinion replaced leaking power steering fluid.

Filed Oct 23, 2008 · Brakes · 18,000 miles · NJ

I was driving to work when I started noticing that my front brakes were grinding and squeaking very loudly. I took the vehicle to my usual mechanic to have it looked at and found that my pads were gone, metal to metal with the rotors. There was only 18, 000 miles on the car at the time and failure of the brakes was premature. My mechanic was shocked that a virtually new car had such severe brake erosion. I never had an indicator to let me know that the brakes were going bad. Front and rear brakes were replaced and the front rotors were replaced. A total of $600. About a year later at 38,000 miles the same thing happened all over again within six months of having the brakes checked by my mechanic and he said the brakes looked like new.

Filed Sep 9, 2007 · Brakes · 22,000 miles · WA

I was driving my elderly parents around seattle when I started noticing that my front brakes were grinding, took the vehicle to les schuab to have it looked at and found that my pads were gone, metal to metal with the rotors. There were only 22,000 miles on the car at the time and failure of the brakes was premature. It was also noted by the mechanic that the pads installed by the factory did not have wear indicators to let the driver know when the brakes were going bad. Front brakes were replaced and the rear brakes were cleaned, rotors were salvageable.