2011 Chrysler Town and Country: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Apr 20, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

During random times; starting cold, starting warm, coming to a stop, accelarating, on city surface streets or on the freeway, after long drives or just going down the street; the minivan would stall and not restart. Fortunately able to coast to side of road on occassion. Non start condition would last between 15 minutes to days. This last event occured while turning in a busy intersection. Blocked cars and buses in all four directions on a Friday afternoon rush hour, putting ourselves and others at serious risk. There were no warning lights or anything other than a brief shudder before stalling. Roadside service called 911 first to get us out of the way. Towed to local mechanic who duplicated event and found that two separate recalls for faulty fuel pump relay was issued for other models but not our minivan. This family vehicle is now a liability if the fuel pump relay replacement is not made available to us.

Filed Dec 14, 2016 · Brakes · OR

Bought 2011 town and country new in sept 2011. 3 months after purchase, car was shuddering badly when brakes were applied. Took it in, was told they could not duplicate, and would not repair. Tried a second time, same result. Took to a small repair shop who easily identified the problem, produced a quote for work and told me to take it back to the dealer so they would repair. Took it and dealer found that all four rotors were warped and needed replaced. Same problem 6 months after that, same repair. The next year saw the brakes fail after a loud sound from rear of car and the fluid dumping from the line. No visible object was hit. Same thing happened last week. Currently the van is in the shop for the 7th time in the last four years for brakes. Additionally, had to have the alternator replaced in the last 6 months. The amount of repairs required for a vehicle this new and expensive is insane. I have paid out of pocket for most of these issues and even had to pay for diagnositic fees were the problem could not be reproduced, only to require a repair shortly thereafter I also had to pay for. Asked dealer today for a full detailed log of all repairs done, could not produce a full repair report, only the last 4 years worth. With five years of ownership car has 60,000 miles. Will never ever buy again.

Filed Dec 9, 2015 · Transmission · 50,621 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 chrysler town and country. The contact stated the vehicle was brought for transmission repairs at the dealer in august of this year. When the vehicle was engaged in reverse, the transmission shuddered. The vehicle was driven back to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a normal occurrence unless the vehicle was driven above 4 MPH. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,621.

Filed Mar 8, 2015 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · FL

Reverse slipping / shudder transmission slips and shudders when in reverse on even a slight incline and sometimes even on level ground. On steeper uphill grade it is very hard, almost impossible to reverse. I took it to the dealer. They said they found no problem and tests showed everything according to spec. (it would be true if testing reverse on a flat surface). Also, most occurrences I have experienced have been just after starting the vehicle (when parts / fluid are cold). The problem is a safety issue because the driver may have to accelerate more aggressively in reverse in order to move the vehicle (unsafe speed in parking lot or when backing onto a roadway). I am concerned the problem will be ignored until after the powertrain warranty has expired.

Filed Apr 29, 2014 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · MI

While braking, there is a lot of shuddering and clicking from the rear brakes. Conclusion is that this is a warped rotor. Chrysler dealer says it is normal, but the van has less than 50,000 miles. While researching online, found that this is a common complaint. Some have replaced rotors several times with less than 50,000 miles. These should be replaced with better parts at the dealer, for free; however, they refuse to honor their customers.

Filed Apr 24, 2014 · Brakes · 23,430 miles · CA

At 23,430 miles, brake rotors (all 4) excessively out of round. Vehicle shuddered upon braking, especially at highway speeds. All 4 rotors were resurfaced at chrysler dealer. Again, at 28,630 miles, same vehicle, brake pads down to 15% and had to replace all 4 brake pads and machine all 4 rotors again at same chrysler dealer. Vehicle shuddered slightly upon braking once again, especially at highway speeds. These incidences are only 4,200 miles and 4 months apart, and $1,000 out of my pocket and not covered by warranty, as are said to be "normal wear and tear." really? Hmmm...

Filed Oct 30, 2013 · Brakes · 28,593 miles · FL

Like many others, my car began to shudder when the brakes were applied. This went on for a few months & got worse. I saw the many other complaints on this website of premature brake wear, and brought it to the attention of the dealer when I brought my vehicle in. I knew the finding was going to be warped rotors & that was indeed the case. Yes, they gave me the extended warranty to replace the front brake rotors & pads and only charged the $100 copay. They offered to replace the rear rotors for $300 or resurface for $130. I went with the resurfacing. As with the others, I don't see why warping of the rotors prematurely isn't a defect and a safety hazard!

Filed Oct 4, 2013 · Brakes, Transmission · 10,500 miles · CA

At the time of incident was driving on a freeway were some vibrations when I pressed the brakes from 60-65 MPH. While I exit and to check out I felt some pulsation on the brake pedals in about 10-15 MPH. I brought the minivan at the dealer and they said front rotors are warped and brake pads are not usable. They replaced the front rotors and the pads as part of they extended warranty. I think chrysler knew that's there's issue that's why they extend the warranty. They tested and after that they said there's pulsation and found out that my rear rotors were bad as well and needed machining to my expense @$300 because the extended warranty is only for front brakes. After about 4,000 miles during the regular oil they recommended me that on next visit I have to change my rear brakes as well to my expense. I think this issue has not been fixed. We drive as normal, we don't drag brakes but within 15,000 miles I think premature brake wear on both sides is not normal. This is a safety concern. I do not trust this issue this should be a safety concern. Chrysler do not give me a definite answer, they just said it's normal and how we drive. Also transmission have hesitations on some uphill freeways and shudders when backing up.

Filed Dec 22, 2011 · Transmission · 3,000 miles · CA

We have had many mechanical concerns with our new t&c 2011. We have taken our vehicle in many times to cerritos dodge chrysler dealership. After a failed attempt to fix something within the transmission, they completely replaced the transmission. There were still concerns and a week later the vehicle had belts and the water pump replaced. To date, many of our initial concerns still exist and are not being fixed. Concerns include: 1. Noises from under the hood. 2. Shudder/ shake while the vehicle is in reverse. 3. Keyless start malfunctions, it continues to read "defected key", after the keys have been reset, 4. While using keyless, the vehicle shuts off when putting the car into reverse/drive. 5. Rough idle, the vehicle seems to struggle to stay running. 6. When changing gears, the shift makes a clunking/grinding noise. The only consistent thing about this vehicle is its inconsistency. The dealership states that the noises are "normal". The regional area service manager has been contacted, and has sided with the dealership. Corporate has also been contacted, and they are investigating the current situation.

Filed Aug 9, 2011 · Transmission · 1,500 miles · WA

When backing up an slightly inclined driveway my new 2011 chrysler town and country (1500 miles) started shuddering like the transmission was failing. In order to back up I had to accelerate beyond what was safe for the tight area I was in. I road tested it on a steep incline and was not able to back up with out a lot of loud noise and shuddering. I took it to my dealer and they agreed that it shuddered when backing up. The dealer tried a new one on the lot and it did the same thing. The dealer contacted chrysler, who said that their is nothing they could do, because it was "characteristic of this vehicle" I have this in writing from my dealer. I am now stuck with a $40,000 vehicle that can not be used safely at slower speeds in situations involving inclines.