2008 Chrysler Town and Country: sudden loss of power

Filed Jan 3, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Multiple times the van will intermittently stall while driving down the road or stopped in traffic. First the dash lights flicker, speedometer and rpm gages go to 0, and warning lights such as esp, traction, abs, airbag, battery etc flicker on and off and occasionally hear almost a spark through radio speakers, then everything shuts off, both electrical and mechanically. When that happens I lose power steering and cannot get my hazards or brake lights to work. One time I could barely press the brake pedal, or steer and it was at night which means the vehicle was completely dark with no kinds of lights at an intersection with my 2 children and myself inside. So very scary! It gives me the worst anxiety to drive it and I'm too scared to sell it as I feel I would be knowingly selling a very unsafe vehicle. Occasionally the sliding side doors do not operate properly. First time the other night while the van was parked I hit the automatic shut button for the sliding door and lost all power to the vehicle and then it popped back in and operated fine. I have had multiple mechanics look at it and nobody can figure it out. Bought the van used in March or April of 2020 and had issues starting just 2 weeks after purchase. The van is now at around 108000 miles. I am out of money, a vehicle and options. Please help from a very scared and desperate mother who otherwise loves her minivan!

Filed Dec 24, 2021 · Engine · TX

The vehicle died while driving six times. One additional time the vehicle died after being stopped at home. Each time the vehicle lost all power functions, steering and breaking. It just came to a stop, dead. On two of the occurrences a tow was required to move the vehicle to the dealership for repair. On five of the occurrences the driver was able to restart the vehicle. On three occasions the vehicle was evaluated by repair facilities and they could not reproduce the stoppage. One time at QualTech Automotive Service in Austin and two times at Nyle Maxwell in Austin. The vehicle did pass the Texas Safety inspection in November 2021. The stoppage problem occurred over the last nine months with the latest stoppage being on 12/23/21.

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Electrical · 134,000 miles · VA

While driving, the ignition key moved from "on" to "accessory". The engine lost power and I had no power brakes nor power steering to stop. Very bad. I was on a city street at the time. This is the same problem, the recall r03 / the federal safety agency 14v‑373 addressed in 2015. The ignition module was replace at that time under the recall. The replacement failed. I'm presently having the module replaced again at a chrysler dealer. This time at my expense. Not sure what else to do.

Filed Dec 26, 2019 · Brakes, Engine · 119,000 miles · OR

My vehicle will shut off while I'm driving. It's been an ongoing issue. There are no lights that come on, on the dashboard that indicate any error, except the antilock break light will occasionally light up. I could be driving slow or fast, it makes no difference, it will just shut off, and the power steering and brakes lose power and don't work. This is very dangerous and can easily cause an accident. I have done some research online and have also seen this exact same problem with hundreds upon hundreds of other consumers with the same make and model. People have taken their vehicles to chrysler dealerships and mechanics and no one can figure out the cause. This is a huge safety issue. I have small children, 2 still in carseats, and my youngest who is 1 is handicap. I am scared to drive it. I still owe $10,000 on my auto loan for this car, so I am stuck with it. It seems like this is a defective vehicle, since so many others are having the same mystery safety issue.

Filed Apr 2, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · 140,000 miles · OR

While driving the van the windshield wipers came on, instrument panel lights began to flash, doors locked and unlocked and the engine lost power. The alarm system went off and could not be turned off. This has happened several times when driving and all the power is lost to the power steering, engine and lights. It is a very dangerous situation as it can happen on the freeway as well as on a city street. We have been stranded so many times and have fears to drive this van anywhere! We were stranded in seattle on a city street and had to wait two hours for a tow truck to tow it to the nearest dealer there. When it arrived at the dealer it was late afternoon and the mechanic agreed that the systems were not 'communicating' with each other but he would check it out in the morning...by the morning, the van was not doing it's craziness and the mechanic said he could find nothing wrong with it! We have had the local dealer check it out and they cannot seem to find the problem, but obviously there is a problem. Why can't chrysler figure this out? It is dangerous and scary and our beloved van is no longer reliable transportation for our family. The federal safety agency....there have been so many complaints about this problem...it needs to be addressed and, yes, it is a safety issue, big time! We need your help to get chrysler to figure out what is going on with these vans. It is as if they are 'possessed by the devil' help us please! What else can we do?

Filed Jan 15, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 110,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler town and country. While driving 35-40 MPH, the vehicle lost power and stalled. All the instrument panel indicators were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to thomas dodge chrysler jeep (9604 indianapolis blvd, highland, in 46322, (219) 924-6100) to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the ignition module was previously replaced by the same dealer, but they did not assist. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000. *dt

Filed Nov 1, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 100,000 miles · NJ

Stalls while driving usually at low speed.loss of power steering and brakes is dangerous. Restarts when turned off and restarted. Same problem has been reported large number of times on auto internet sites .car has 108000 miles and has been stalling this way for many months from time to time usually after cold start. Mechanics have been able to reproduce stalls and unable to correct.

Filed Oct 24, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 114,000 miles · FL

Car stalls (stops running) randomly at speeds below 40 MPH. This causes loss of power steering and brakes which can lead to a dangerous situation. I've almost run into a tree or off the road on several occasions since this happens randomly. The traction light comes on first and then you realize the engine isn't running anymore. You have to put the car in park and then start it again. It may be fine for the rest of the drive or it may stall again. Totally random as to when it does this. It has not happened at high speeds on the highway as of yet. I've had the car to the dealer several times with this complaint and each time they can't replicate it or it was due to the key fob recall which was performed on my car 3 times.

Filed Nov 12, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 128,000 miles · CO

2008 chrysler town and country limited edition. At speeds between 10-72 MPH vehicle will shut off. There are no indications present when this happens, lights do not flash, no check engine warning lights, no warning etc. Vehicle shuts off intermittently only while in motion. Vehicle has shut off 9 times over a period of 11 months. Vehicle has never been exposed to any extreme weather condition, water, salts, or other items that might impact the vehicle. Vehicle has never run to of gas. Vehicle always has oil changes done before required times. Vehicle is driven very lightly. Condition- vehicle was driving at 32 MPH on a city road in killeen texas, taking a slight turn in a road. Angle of road was less than a 120 degree turn. Vehicle shut off with oncoming traffic and vehicles behind the van. Brakes locked up, steering wheel locked up, and gauges continue to work until vehicle stops. Vehicle did not restart for 3 minutes and 7 seconds. Condition- vehicle was driving down highway 90 in killeen texas near the tj mills exit. Speed was 72 MPH, vehicle lost all power and shut off. Steering wheel and brakes lock. Vehicle nearly caused a multi car collision, but due to other drivers being aware no accident happened. Condition- fort hood texas, vehicle is driving down the road, near a stop light approaching at a speed of 13 MPH. Vehicle shuts off, steering locks, brakes lock, and vehicle will not go out of drive. Vehicle is nearly hit by traffic from behind. Military police arrive on scene and assist driver with moving vehicle to a safe location. Vehicle did start after 22 minutes and 7 seconds. Vehicle was driving straight, there were no hills present. After researching multiple sites, threads, forums, and business, this is a common problem that requires immediate attention for safety of life.

Filed Nov 8, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · OK

I was driving down a city street when the van suddenly died in the middle of the road. It lost power steering and brakes and wouldn't release the key. After a few minutes the van started again. I began to drive home through city streets when about 10 minutes later the van once again died and lost power to the brakes and steering and wouldn't release key eventually the car maybe a clicking sound and allowed me to start car. I took it to the dealership and they could not duplicate the problem and found no error codes.

Filed Jul 22, 2016 · Brakes, Engine · 91,000 miles · PA

Engine shuts down completely causing loss of power steering and brakes. No warnings, just dies. Diagnostics reveal a bad totally integrated power module. Recalls issued for multiple models but not mine. I was told, I have all the symptoms but I don't have the flu ! Now they want almost $ 1000 to fix it ! It's an established, defective part but they'll let me drive away in it unless I can come up with the money. Chrysler said it's the same part as the recalled ones but I don't have a recall on my model. Ant time any where at any speed, it shuts down.

Filed Jul 16, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 50,000 miles · ID

Driving down the road at 55 night driving ! Complete loss of power steering engine and braking all hampered by loss of power as I tried to slow vehicle to a safe stop all of a sudden power came back. This was a complete safety issue with no power no headlights no taillights driving 55 at night on a back country highway and the vehicle only has 50000 miles on it.