The vehicle randomly loses all power, which means no power steering and no brakes. It happens randomly and after searching online it appears others have the same issue faced back to the wireless ignition node being faulty. However the previous recall doesn't cover the vehicle I have which is experiencing the exact same symptoms. My wife has already had a close call as she is unable to steer the vehicle without power steering and the brakes don't work at all.
Chrysler Town and Country brake failure problems
195 of the 13,494 owner complaints about the Chrysler Town and Country describe brake failure, most of them for the 1993 model year.
- owner complaints
- 195
- worst model year
- 1993
- typical repair cost reported
- $379
- typical mileage
- 60,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 50Power steering loss 17Stalling 11Grinding brakes 8Warning lights 3Premature wear 3Loss of power 3Wipers 2
What owners say
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while merging at an undisclosed speed, he attempted to slow the vehicle by applying the brake pedal, which failed to slow the vehicle rapidly enough to avoid a collision. As a result, the contact collided with the vehicle in front of him. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were displayed on the instrument panel. A police report was filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified, but a case was not opened; the contact stated that he informed the manufacturer of intermittent brake failure as he had experienced similar events on undisclosed dates. The failure mileage was 52,000.
The contact owns a 1992 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in the driveway the brakes failed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake actuator and actuator assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 96V099000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the OEM parts were no longer being manufactured. The failure mileage was unknown.
Van will suddenly shut engine down resulting in loss of brakes, power steering and all other systems. Van must need to be restarted by turning key off and back to run position. Seems to happen at lower speeds and is an intermittent issue that can’t be duplicated on command. Is becoming more frequent. (3 times in 2 days most recently) Will stall in the middle of the road and unable to safely move over. Tractions control light will turn on.
While driving, my 2010 chrysler town and country will completely shut down. I have no brakes, no steering control and my engine completely does. It happens at times when I am coasting or driving at a slower speed. I have 2 little kids and it is terrifying when I've lost complete control of my vehicle, and I need to try and move off the road or try and restart it at an intersection with traffic all around me. There is no pattern to the shut down, it just happens sporadically. I've been reading, and it seems that there are a ton of complaints of the same thing happens to other people! Please please consider this issue as a serious and dangerous defect to the vehicle.
While driving at approximately 25 MPH, I lost all power to engine. No power steering, no brakes, no ability to a accelerate. I was able to put flashers on and pull off main road. I turned ignition off and was able immediately restart it. Two days prior, van wouldn't start and had to be jump started. Interior lights still worked but no power was getting to ignition.
The vehicle stalls and all electrical turns off when driving. When the vehicle is in motion and slowing down to make a turn the vehicle stops running and the whole electrical system turns off so there is no power steering, no brakes, the whole electrical system fails. The stability control light comes on after a few seconds and stays on until you pull over turn the key off and then back on. The vehicle restarts after you do this but it has happened 4 times in the last 3 days.
While driving van shut down. All electoral worked but no brakes or power steering. Like the key. Was in acc not on
While driving 40mph on a main city street the car shutoff. Radio was still on, lights were still on, but the engine was not running. No power steering, no brakes. As a result of shutting off while driving 40mph it caused an accident rear ending a pickup truck. Transported by ambulance to the er.*dt*jb *dt *dt
As I was driving, and with no dashboard warning alert, the brakes suddenly sank to the floor. I drove extremely slowly, continuing on towards my apartment, and each time I had to stop, the brake pedal sank to the floor. I managed to get home safely, but the car still has no brakes.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Eldorado national is recalling model year 2008-2009 amerivan mobility vehicles built on chrysler town & country and dodge grand caravan platforms vehicles. The rear brake lines may have been improperly routed and not secured properly during the alteration. If not routed and secured properly, the brake lines could rub against the vehicle causing a brake fluid leak.
- Risk
- A brake fluid leak could result in a loss of braking ability, possibly causing a crash.
- Remedy
- Eldorado national amerivan dealers will inspect the vehicles and if the brake lines were improperly routed they will be correctly reinstalled free of charge. The safety recall began on october 13, 2009. Owners may contact eldorado national at 1‑800‑955‑9086. These minivans have been altered into wheelchair accessible vehicles by eldorado. This recall is not being conducted by chrysler group llc and will not be performed at no cost by dodge or chrysler dealers unless they are also an eldorado national dealer.
Recall number 09V351000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- The master cylinder rear seal, between the hydraulic fluid and the vacuum reservoir, may not seal adequately allowing hydraulic fluid to be drawn into the power assist vacuum reservoir.
- Risk
- As the hydraulic fluid in the master cylinder reservoir decreases, the level sensor will detect the loss of fluid and illuminate the instrument panel brake warning lamp. Continued operation of the vehicle with the warning lamp illuminated can result in extended stopping distances.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder on all affected vehicles. Addendum (4-14-97): vehicles inspected per chrysler recall no. 707 and found to be outside the listed suspect master cylinder date code range, must now have the master cylinder primary piston replaced (chrysler recall no. 714).
Recall number 96V215000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- The ABS hydraulic control unit can experience excessive brake actuator piston seal wear causing pump-motor deterioration.
- Risk
- If this condition occurs, the ABS function could be lost and reduced power assist would be experienced during vehicle braking increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will test the vehicle's anti-lock brake system and repair the vehicles if necessary. Also the warranty on all ABS components will be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles (except for the brake actuator piston assembly and the pump-motor assembly which will have a lifetime coverage). Owners will also be reimbursed for previous ABS component repair costs.
Recall number 96V099000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The anti-lock brake system high pressure pump may be porous which will result in brake fluid leakage.
- Risk
- Fluid leakage eventually causes the loss of both theanti-lock brake system and hydraulic assist for the brake system, resulting inincreased likelihood of brake lockup and increased stopping distances, whichcould result in a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Replace the ABS high pressure pump and high pressure hose if the last six digits of the bar code label on the pump are between 052300 and 059262.
Recall number 92V030000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The anti-lock brake system high pressure hose may leak or detach at its crimped end fitting resulting in the discharge of hydraulic fluid.
- Risk
- Fluid discharge eventually causes the loss of both theanti-lock brake system and hydraulic assist for the brake system, resulting inincreased likelihood of brake lockup and increased stopping distances, whichcould result in a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Replace the ABS high pressure hose with a hose of different design and construction.
Recall number 91V191000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chrysler Town and Country brake failure
Which Chrysler Town and Country years have brake failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1993 (34 complaints), 2008 (21 complaints) and 2010 (17 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix brake failure on the Chrysler Town and Country?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $379 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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