2009 Chrysler Town and Country: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Feb 11, 2015 · Driver assistance, Steering · 59,406 miles · OH

In dec 2013, was driving to park and ride. Multiple lights were displaying esp and traction. Whatever was going on it effected forward motion and seemed as if the vehicle was controlling itself to go forward while making grinding sounds. It cleared up as I continued to drive. I contacted dealer and parked until I, carefully/slowing drove it into service department. They called me at work and told me it was clkspring--steering angle/clockspring, part # 56046497ad and the costs about $800.00! I stated was it a powertrain issue and was told no. Now, february 2015, the same issue seems to be occurring. The traction light is flashing, esp light is lite. If I step out of the vehicle and close the doors, they lock on their own (that may be a separate issue, not sure).

Filed Apr 19, 2014 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · CT

I bought the minivan used 11/2012 - 3/2013 brakes were acting up grinding metal to metal - had a friend who does shop work look at them - ended up replacing both rear calipers, drums and brakes -june 2013 started doing the same thing - had same friend look at them - pads were gone after only 3 months, he replaced them again - they were smoking, had to have it towed to dealership - they refused to do anything as I had an unlicensed repair done - so I paid again to have them replace the calipers, rotors, drums and brakes in rear - my car is in shop again today for rear calipers, rotors and brakes - it's 4/2014 - this is a huge safety issue for repeat concerns with brakes - dealership is unable to tell me why this keeps repeating -

Filed Jul 20, 2013 · Transmission, Wheels · 77,500 miles · FL

I have been hearing a grinding/howling noise coming from the front of the vehicle. I took it to a dodge dealership and they advised the front hub/wheel bearings have gone bad. Chrysler is recommending the replacement of both front hub assembly's (driver and passenger side) because the part had to be redesigned to prevent failure. Chrysler has issued recalls for several of the town and country's within the year range of 2008 - 2010, but does not want to cover this one because it is not in their parameters for repair. I told the chrysler representative that obviously the bearings should be included because they are failing and chrysler is requiring both sides to be replaced, even though only one side is bad. This is a safety concern as hub/bearing assembly's failing at highway speeds could cause a catastrophic accident. This would be a premature repair and obviously has a design flaw. The internet is filled with this same problem and chrysler refuses to assist with the repair costs or to issue the recall for my vehicle based on their in house parameters. I fear for anyone who has a bearing go out at highway speeds, especially with a vehicle that only has 70k miles. This is not a normal issue for the mileage. The bearing has suddenly started having this problem. Chrysler should be responsible for repairing these in all models that do not have the redesigned parts, which they obviously had to redesign because they fail. This is a safety issue and really concerns me that chrysler does not want to take responsibility for fixing the problem that their own engineering and lack of quality in materials has caused, which could lead to a serious injury or death.

Filed Aug 14, 2012 · Brakes · 47,700 miles · WI

Driving 65 MPH after 230 mile trip and started to exit off ramp while slowing down to about 30 MPH starting to brake and grinding noise began to be heard and vehicle was unable to stop properly. It seemed that the ABS was releasing on dry payment and vehicle vibrated/pulsated. (new brake pads were put on 2 weeks ago and new tires on 8 months ago.) continued to next stop and go and noise and brake failure occurred once again. Fortunately, speed was only no issue since it was city driving. Continued a few more blocks and turned right and brake failure once again due to a pedestrian bolting out at intersection. There was no incident due to pedestrian stopping before contact. Happen one more time and has not happened in the last two days. The pulsating/noise/vibration on each occurrence was on either side of the front but not the both sides at once. Definitely a safety issue and hopefully is taken care by chrysler before someone is seriously hurt or killed. Took vehicle in to have diagnostics and there was a code of failure. Code represented a wiring or cluster failure.

Filed Aug 1, 2012 · Brakes, Suspension · 80,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chrysler town and country. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the skid control warning light illuminated and the anti-braking system engaged. The front passenger side axle then seized, causing the tire to grind and feel as if it was slipping from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the front hub assembly. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jan 5, 2012 · Brakes · MI

We've had our 2009 town & country for about 3yrs. The brake problems started after a few months of use. They started off wobbling when stopping. I took it in for service, they said I just need my rotors turned. I asked them to replace them because we hadn't had the vehicle long enough to need our rotors turned. But they refused. While it did drive better, the vehicle never drove smooth again. I told them it's still not smooth but nothing was done. My husband (mechanic) has changed our brakes 4 times in 3 yrs. He changed the brakes a couple of months ago, two weeks later we had squealing and rubbing when stopping again. He decided to purchase brake pads from the dealership (very expensive) but when he went to put them on he discovered the brake pads weren't the problem. Apparently there's a problem with the ball bearings for which chrysler has extended their warranty but won't extended a loaner car to it's "valued" customers for their inconvenience. Now we have to either be without a vehicle or pay money for a rental because chrysler sold us a faulty vehicle. Oh and the leather on my driver seat has cracked also. My husband's 10 yr old ford isn't doing that.

Filed Dec 26, 2011 · Brakes · 13,000 miles · PA

Rear rotors and pads give grinding noise most pronounced in cold weather. Just like the recalled front rotors and pads. The root problem most likely is inferior quality of the rotor metal. Should advise chrysler to replace rotors with a superior quality rotor, not just a quick fix "cutting the rotors", because the cutting will not cure inferior metal constitution to begin with.

Filed Dec 7, 2011 · Brakes · 70,027 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that an abnormal grinding was heard from the brakes when depressed and caused the vehicle shake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer replaced the brakes, brake pads, bearings and the rotors. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and denied assistance with the repair. The failure mileage was 70,027 and the approximate mileage was 71,000. Kmj

Filed Nov 15, 2011 · Brakes · 31,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chrysler towns and country. The contact was driving 60 MPH when a grinding noise was heard coming from the brakes when applied and the vehicle failed to stop properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the front and rear brakes, along with rotors needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 31,000 and the current mileage was 38,000.

Filed Aug 16, 2011 · Brakes, Transmission · 28,442 miles · CT

I own a 2009 chrysler town and country touring. I now have approximately 60,000 miles on it. We have had to replace the brakes several times. Shortly after replacing, the brakes have a high pitched squeal. We have been told that this is due to extra hard brake pads. Eventually, the pads warp due to extreme heat and the steering wheel vibrates when braking. We have replaced the brake pads at least four times since owning the vehicle. In addition, we have experienced a rough transmission. Most recently including stalling when stopping at highway exits. We believe both of these issues are causes for concern for safety.

Filed Jul 29, 2011 · Brakes · 23,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that when depressing the brake pedal she heard a loud noise. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised her that was normal wear and tear. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000. Updated 11/03/11*lj the consumer stated the dealer informed her, the brake issue was normal wear and tear. However, the rear brakes began making a grinding sound. When the brakes began grinding and vibrating, she took the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced them. The consumer stated a few weeks later, she received a check from chrysler for the replacement of the brakes. The consumer believed the brakes were too small for the vehicle. Updated 11/30/11