Chrysler Town and Country coil spring problems

Filed Jul 16, 2024 · Airbags, Seats · WI

I was enjoying holiday driving with family in my 2013 Chrysler Town & Country Limited when suddenly a very loud pop was heard, with a forceful strike to the back of my head being felt. Alarmed & dazed for a moment, it was observed that my driver’s side active headrest had just exploded forward striking me on the back of my head. Once off the highway and stopped, I discovered that the active headrest had actually come apart. From the damage inside the exposed headrest, this catastrophic failure seemed to be mechanical in nature with root cause thought to be STRESS FATIGUE for the plastic casement. In other words, this active headrest did not just randomly “go off” from an errant SRS command or an electronically manipulated trigger short. I observed the headrest’s metal latch pin to still be in the locked or reset position. Instead, the plastic assembly holding two (2) heavy coil springs ruptured unprovoked. When this happened, the front part of the headrest assembly rapidly propelled forward. Though the 2010-2016 Chrysler Town & Country active headrests are an integral part of the air bag or Supplemental Restraint System, THIS particular failure was NOT due to a SRS Control nor electrical malfunction. Rather, the plastic retainer struts surrounding the metal latch pin failed. Being that my head and neck were static in position with a small amount of clearance from the front face of the headrest, the propulsion of the headrest forward caused quite a sharp smack to the back of my head. This led to some residual neck strain for the balance of the day. I have not experienced any repercussions since that day of the incident, but I do believe this to be a SAFETY ISSUE for others who may be more age OR physically compromised. I’ve found through MOPAR tech forum and dealership research that the 2010 - 2016 active headrest FAILURE is NOT rare, but more and more COMMON to the Chrysler make. Please advise. Thank you so much.

Filed Nov 11, 2020 · Suspension · 109,775 miles · WI

Each front coil spring broke about two years apart I was driving about 55 MPH on a busy city highway when I suddenly felt what appeared to be a badly balanced tire. I managed to exit and stop in a retail parking lot and inspect the tires. What I found was a broken front driver side coil spring resting on the tire. The tire was hot enough to smoke. The tire was no longer usable. About 2 years ago on the same vehicle the passenger side front coil spring broke, but did not rub on the tire. It seems so odd that two coiled springs broke on the same vehicle. After hearing of other failures I thought it should be reported. I do feel blessed that an accident did not occur in either case. Model year: 2006 make: chrysler model: town & country touring l mileage: 109775

Filed Oct 14, 2020 · Visibility · 135,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in motion, the windshield wipers engaged inadvertently. The contact stated that the battery cables were disconnected to disengage the windshield wipers. The vehicle was towed to victorville motors (14617 civic dr, victorville, ca 92394) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clockspring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed Jul 15, 2016 · Airbags · 140,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 chrysler town and country. While driving various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clockspring failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Dec 22, 2015 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 104,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chrysler town and country. While driving at various speeds, the air bag warning and traction control indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that a clock spring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 104,000.

Filed Jun 13, 2013 · Suspension · 200,100 miles · OH

Vehicle was parked in driveway on 5/22/13. Very loud bang was heard approx 7pm but the source of the bang could not be identified or even confirmed that it was vehicle-related. No abnormal physical appearance of vehicle was detected at that time. Next morning, 5/23/13, drove vehicle out of driveway and noticed a rubbing vibration in front end, then smelled rubber burning. Turned vehicle around and drove it back to driveway and parked the vehicle for a total distance driven of about 1000 feet. As vehicle was parked, clouds of billowing white smoke from right front wheelwell appeared. Inspected outside of tire. No apparent problem. Opened hood. No apparent reason for white smoke. Then boom, and right front tire blew out and tire rested on wheel rim. Called tow truck and when vehicle was lifted on the tow mechanism, the problem was evident. The right front coil spring had broken in half and uncoiled itself. The spring had uncoiled itself into the inside of the tire and was responsible for the rubbing vibration, burning rubber smell and smoke, and the blowout. This failure could have easily have happened while driving which would have resulted in a sudden blowout and likely loss of control of the vehicle. The last 25 miles driven prior to the coil spring failure were freeway miles, and the failure could have happened an hour earlier on 5/22/13 at 60 to 70 MPH with the likely outcome that the vehicle would have become uncontrollable and run off the road and rolled over. Dealer said that in his 30 years, he has not heard of this happening. Failed parts have been retained by owner. Pictures are available if requested.

Filed Mar 15, 2013 · Brakes · 30,137 miles · MN

The parking brake pull off spring on the right rear wheel snapped in half. This caused the parking brake to remain engaged even after it was disengaged by the driver from the driver's seat. The right rear brake assembly (caliper, rotor, disc pads) overheated. Driver noticed loud clicking noise coming from right rear wheel after completing short trip. The noise apparently was from the expansion/contraction of the very hot metal dust cover around the brake assembly. Spouse found broken spring hanging from right rear parking brake assembly and installed temporary spring until new part came in the next day. Mopar part# 68039257aa (spring-parking brake). Spouse ordered second new spring figuring same thing might happen to left rear brake. On backorder. Chrysler town & country limited with 4.0l v-6 and towing package. Owner still has old spring in possession.

Filed Dec 15, 2011 · Brakes, Steering · 56,601 miles · WI

We are having issues with mopar products. We replaced brakes at 31,843 miles at chrysler world in abrahms, wi. Chrysler helped out with that they saw a defect in their van products and paid part of the cost. At 53,861 miles chrysler world told us we are due for new brakes in the front and need rear brakes also! They said it was ok to drive to az but that the brakes needed attention by spring. That's 22,018 miles after the replacement! Something is wrong and it is not our driving! In the summer we live in rural wi and we travel to surprise, az in the winter. The wi to az trip is 2,100 miles, mostly interstate. Since our purchase more than 20,000 of our miles have been on interstate highways. About 95% of our miles are rural and interstate miles! The next problem occurred on our way to az in october. Some type of spring broke in the steering column. This was repaired at tom obrien chrysler jeep in greenwood, in. This was replaced by another mopar product. How long will that last? They said I needed new brakes also but it would be ok to continue to az! I filed a complaint with chrysler corp. On 11-16-2011 a chrysler representative phoned and stated they will do nothing as the car is out of warranty. He gave me this case# [xxx] for reference to his phone call and their decision. My brakes are grinding at times when I stop and I feel chrysler must have a bigger problem with this van than they are telling or willing to make right. I am afraid to take it in to a chrysler dealer because of the faulty brake linings they installed at 31,843 miles. We are in surprise, az now and have in the past used moore chrysler jeep in peoria for servicing. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 21, 2011 · Suspension · 49,400 miles · IA

I drove my van to work. Parked it in the parking lot just like any other day. There were absolutely no problems prior to this issue. When I went to leave in my vehicle on my work lunch break, my van wouldn't move. The front driver side suspension spring broke while the van was sitting in the parking lot. I researched this issue and found it to be a common problem with some ford models, however have not found anything similar in dodge or chrysler vehicles. My van currently has 49,000 miles on it and really should not have had this issue. I am very lucky that the spring did not break while I was driving to work. The van was towed to a local repair shop and will be fixed tomorrow.

Filed Jun 21, 2010 · Suspension · 55,060 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chrysler town and country. While driving at 40 MPH over a rail road track, the front drivers side coil spring fractured. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where the coil spring was replaced. The failure mileage was 55,060 and the current mileage is 55,150. The consumer stated she no longer owns the vehicle updated 11/01/10