2008 Chrysler Town and Country: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Mar 21, 2017 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 170,000 miles · IL

Clockspring causing electrical malfunction very similar to that in which was a recall on this same vehicles just a few years prior. Seat belt light flashes and dings even when seatbelts are locked while driving. Abs lights come on periodically while driving, vehicle gear shift locks while vehicle is in park running causing vehicle to have to be shut off before it will release. Cruise control malfunctions while driving. Done research to other owners of this vehicle style and others have complained of similar findings, however seems noone has contacted you yet. When these problems started they have been an ongoing issue daily.

Filed Sep 17, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 94,000 miles · PA

Traveling east on I 180, in left lane ready to turn onto I 80 east, took cruise control off and a loud revving noise occurred, engine shut down. Safely, through built up momentum was able to move across highway to berm off of right lane. Initially thought it might be transmission. Was towed to garage and after initial check, they thought it was a shifting rod. Transmission was removed from car and further testing showed it was the "torque converter". Part has been ordered, waiting till part comes in and can be replaced in car. If highway had not been clear behind us at the time of this incident, all 3 passengers in the van would have been killed by oncoming tractor trailers, etc. It was a very stressful moment for all of us.

Filed Dec 26, 2014 · Electrical · 82,000 miles · OH

First time using a brand new chrysler key, one of two replaced under a safety recall in 2010. Vehicle started and engine ran fine. Started a trip on the highway but I then noticed certain electronic components would not operate, including windshield wipers, defroster, power windows, adjustable power accelerator and brake pedals, cruise control, radio, and seat heaters. I pulled off on the next exit and turned off the ignition. Then restarted vehicle and everything worked normally. On the rest of this 5-day trip, this happened about 50% of the time I started the vehicle. I believe this is caused by the key not properly traveling from the "start" to the "on" position after starting (in essence, sticking in the start position). I discovered a sept., 2014, recall (p57) that indicates other 2008 chrysler vehicles can have these same symptoms. This minivan is currently awaiting recall l25, which was begun in june, 2014. The closest dealership to me has told me repeatedly that they do not and cannot get the parts to implement the l25 recall, which adds a detent ring to the ignition. The l25 recall also involves the ignition key potentially moving to an improper position, in that situation from the "on" to "accessory" position. Chrysler customer service says my vehicle is not included in the p57 recall and will not pay for any repairs related to my problem. Note that in my case, the key used when this happens is brand new, made by chrysler, and supplied during another safety recall involving the ignition. I have safety concerns about an ignition which allows the minivan to start yet leaves key safety accessories such as the windshield wipers, defrosters, power windows and power accelerator and brake pedals inoperative. Note that according to recall p57, chrysler ignitions installed in other models of the same year have been shown to have these same problems.

Filed Dec 21, 2014 · Electrical, Visibility · 45,000 miles · OK

On 10/06/2013 our 2008 chrysler town and country touring edition (without alarm system) was parked under carport and for no reason the horn started honking (beep...beep..beep..constantly), both front and rear wipers & washers started running, door locks started continuously locking/unlocking, and gauges in dash were showing random and unusual readings. On 12/18/2014 while on the road with cruise control set at 65m.p.h. The horn started honking in the same manner, wipers/washers started running, and dash gauges malfunctioned. In both instances the only way to shut it all off was to disconnect the battery for a few days. There have been a few occasions when the horn randomly starts honking in the same manner but stops after just a few seconds.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Acceleration, Body · 88,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the driver's side sliding door erroneously opened and closed independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the defect was caused by severed wires of the wiring harness that were inside the sliding door. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the vehicle would frequently fail to accelerate and the cruise control would independently activate. The vehicle was not diagnosed by the dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Nov 3, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 78,000 miles · AK

Vehicle is having electrical problems. These electrical problems are causing the vehicle to shut off while operating, lights to turn on and off, horn to sound and windshield wipers and washers to operate randomly. This vehicle was purchased new from the dealer and had a similar problem when new.it was repaired and now is doing it again only more severely. There are many reports of similar problems with this vehicle experiencing this problem. In some cases the cruise control starts operating on its own and accelerating. This needs to be a recall.

Filed Aug 28, 2013 · Airbags · 54,000 miles · CA

I am filing a complaint because my airbag light is on and the dealership does not seem to think they should fix it. My van only has about 54,000 miles on it and this is a safety issue that they should be responsible for. In earlier models of this vehicle there has been a recall on the part that controls the air bags as well as the cruise control, horn and other steering wheel components. They have obviously not fixed the problem correctly. The manufacturer should recall the part again and fix all vehicles that are having this problem. The fact that they will not take respnsibility to fix this part that may save someones life is irresponsible and unethical.

Filed Mar 20, 2012 · Acceleration · 36,750 miles · MI

While traveling on four lane stretch of us23 south (north of au gres, mi) using cruise control, a vehicle approached from behind. I switched lanes hit the brakes to coast and the car decelerated. The other vehicle passed on my left after which, I hit the resume/accelerate function on the cruise control (a quick up push of the lever). The engine revved to 4-5,000 RPM to resume cruise speed of 55mph but once 55 was reached, the engine did not slow down. I applied the brakes and the engine did not slow down. I pumped brakes, pumped accelerator, pushed the cruise off button multiple times pushed the cruise control to decelerate multiple times. Nothing slowed the acceleration. I pressed the brakes and the car continued to accelerate. Finally I put the car in neutral and with the car continuing to rev at 4-5000rpm, I coasted to the side. I turned the car off and then back on and the car engine went right back to the same RPM. I turned the car off again and waited approx. Two minutes and when I restarted, it functioned normally. I have not tried the cruise control since. I have set an appointment with shuman chrysler in walled lake, mi and they said they have never heard of this type of incident before. However I did see a similar incident with a quick internet search. This is a very dangerous situation. I can see how others driving could have had much worse results (think about the toyota incidents). Please contact me for additional information and if you would like to inspect the car before it goes to the dealership. My wife and I are still driving the car, but not using the cruise control of course.

Filed Oct 3, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · 28,000 miles · MO

This car has been nothing but problems since the moment I bought it. It is so aggravating that chrysler won't own up to the issues with these cars. Aside from the multiple recalls this car has had in three years, the break system is awful. I had replaced the front breaks and rotors around 28000 miles (maybe earlier I can't remember). Now the back breaks are shot and once again, I will need breaks and rotors that will cost me $375 according to the dealer. My car has 38,000 miles on it. I have owned mini vans in the past and many cars and never have I had to replace both front and rear break pads/rotors this soon. My tires are so bald that all four need replacing. Again, I have never had to replace tires this soon on any of my vehicles over the years. The radio sometimes will not come on or will go black. The factory battery needed replacing at 30,000 miles which was extremely unusual as well. The side doors need to manually be closed when exiting vehicle because if I use the automatic switch, they bounce back. I have come out of stores with my doors wide open. When using the cruise control on the highway, the car with suddenly accelerate with rpms going into the red zone. Only way to stop it is to turn off cruise control. This morning on my way to work pulling out of my neighborhood I heard a grinding sound as the car began breaking on its own. Meanwhile the ebs and ABS lights came on. I pulled over, shut off the car and turned it back on. Drove up the road and lights are still on. This car is junk all around. I have only had it for three years, still have a car payment. Ridiculous. I may just lease next time. That way chrysler can pay for repairs.

Filed Jun 16, 2009 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 22,000 miles · NM

2008 town and country touring. Driving with cruise control going about 65mph and all of sudden the engine accelerated and then slowed down and I had to turn off the cruise control and hit the gas peddle finally kicked in normally. Good thing I was not in city driving going 50mph and had this happen.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Acceleration · 1,973 miles · OR

Beginning within weeks of purchase, cruise control will randomly not turn on; must restart engine to fix the problem. Also, when on, the cruise control may suddenly turn off, usually need to restart engine to get it to work again. All the above occurs on a regular basis, even after "repairs" by the dealership.

Filed Oct 30, 2008 · Acceleration · 8,923 miles · SC

While driving down the interstate I set the cruise control which broke from the steering column. It was hanging by the wires inside the steering column. After exiting the interstate I made a left turn. The cruise control stalk got entangled with the turn signal causing the steering wheel to become inoperable. My quick fix was to tape the cruise control stalk to the steering column until a new part could be ordered from the dealer. It was replaced in a timely manner by chrysler.