The lifters and tappets in the 3.6L Chrysler V6 become prematurely worn, interfering with the engine’s ability to provide power to the vehicle while driving. This results in safety issues where the vehicle will not accelerate adequately at low speeds, which surprises other drivers and places the driver and passengers in our van at increased risk of collision.
Chrysler Town and Country premature wear problems
64 of the 13,494 owner complaints about the Chrysler Town and Country describe rotors or pads wearing out early, most of them for the 2008 model year.
- owner complaints
- 64
- worst model year
- 2008
- typical repair cost reported
- $360
- typical mileage
- 22,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Grinding brakes 13Shudder 5Brake failure 3Whining noise 2Overheating 2Oil consumption 2Fire or smoke 2Stalling 1
What owners say
Premature wear of brake's rotors and calipers along with pads both back and front at 65,571 mi. ( $859.95) and 67,283 mi. ( $902.16) respectively. Pads maybe; but not the rotors and calipers with mostly non braking highway miles traveling between maine & florida.
While driving at highway speeds approximately 55 MPH, and then heavy traffic ahead if I depress my brake pedal the entire car shakes like real violently. I call the dealer they said we are aware of a problem, call for an appointment, when they looked at is about 2 months later they said it is under warranty they had to replace the warped rotors, and brake pads. Everything was fine till about 3 weeks latter it was doing it again I was told again the rotors are warped and I would have to pay a $100 deductible, I told them it is bran new I refuse to pay this. I left the dealer. After a week later I bring it in again the front rotors and pads along with the same in the rear, they said they changed the front rotors and pads out of good faith, I told them thanks for fixing the lemon. They said the vehicle will not pass inspection with the rear like that, I told them they should use better parts, and I will start using another dealer, so I did. Since then chrysler has issued 2 recalls, one for the front rotors only, and a $100 deductible, and another recall having to do with the front wheel bearings. I was able to fix the rear and front brake pads, and rotors my self using a brand called raybestos they are aware of the chrysler defect and make a problem free rotor for the fix, I have had it installed so far for 2 years problem free. Raybestos advanced technology rotors and pads.
After putting some mileage on the vehicle, I start to notice uneven wear on the tires this is with going to the dealer every 3,000 miles or every 3 months for their recommended oil changes, and tire rotations. I also notice a crack on the sidewall I spoke to the dealer they said it is not covered. I was upset it is a new vehicle with about 6000 miles, they refuse to seek any free fix. At this time as I drive the vehicle I can feel the roads every imperfection due to the early premature wear of the tires.
Vehicle was brought it to original dealership for a "winter maintenance" special. Dealership called claiming that both rear brakes and rotors needed to be replaced due to excessive wear yet the vehicle only has 25k miles on it. This is extremely premature wear for a vehicle in my opinion. I do not understand how a vehicle can destroy both its brake pad and rotor unless there is a design defect or known sub-par parts.
Pulsating brakes due to warped rotors. Dealer replaced front pads and rotors twice, also replaced rear rotors. Vehicle now has 55,374 miles and I just had fourth set of front pads and rotors installed. Rear brakes are on third set of pads.
The primary issue occurs whenever the brake pedal is depressed, emergency situation or just reducing speed, from around 70 MPH to a slower speed around 55 MPH. During this phase of speed reduction the vehicle exhibits an almost uncontrollable instability where the front end and the steering wheel must be held with two hands in order to control the vehicles direction. This defensive act is very tiring. Prior to pressing the brake there is no indication of tire problems of any kind. Speed can be increased after releasing the brake and no problem is detected until the brakes are activated again. This is a serious safety issue. The required repair is to replace the rotors. The repair station stated that this is both a common and a serious issue with chrysler because the rotors are manufactured to thin and those thin rotors warp after about 30000 miles. Also it was stated that this is a known problem at chrysler but there is no recall to correct it. Chrysler states that if this problem occurs within the warranty period (36 mos/36000 miles) that the rotors may be replaced at no charge. The subject vehicle has 30800 miles but is outside the 36 month period. Regardless of the warranty period this should be classified as a manufacturing/design problem and chrysler is allowing the customer to test the quality of the product and allowing the customer to assume the risk of vehicle failure. Chrysler should be required to issue a safety recall of all affected vehicles.
At about 3000 miles the front rotors warped and had to be replaced. Up to about 25,000 miles chrysler continued to replace free of charge warped front and rear rotors about every 3-6,000 miles. After that they stopped paying for the replacements and I have, despite the somewhat decreased stopping power and vibration continued to ride in mostly low speed city conditions on the existing rotors. Other family members won't drive the vehicle because they don't feel safe doing so. The vibration comes and goes. It gets worse with prolonged driving, higher speeds, and heavy braking. It is always present at higher speeds (>50mph).
I purchased this 2009 new, and was surprised the tires were almost bald near 28000 miles. I also had front brakes replaced for warped rotors. My mechanic at chrysler insisted it was "normal wear" & insulted my wife. We now have 80,000 miles on the van & replaced the rotors approximately every year- 5000 miles or less. I have spent $2000 on brakes (rotors and pads) not including labor ! The warped rotors have again returned & my wife is terrified to drive on the freeway due to the shaking when brakes applied at 55 MPH. I feel this is a safety issue as the vehicle shakes violently at 55 MPH and braking is poor. I have read several hundred blogs of similar complaints on the 2008-2010 t&c vans. It is a design flaw where a plastic piston in the caliper over heats. Poor chinese parts are used. This is a dangerous condition. I have been a faithful chrysler owner since 1975. Where's the recall ??
My van with 18,000 miles went in for service and I was told that the grind I feel in my brakes of my chrysler town and country was due to 'warped' rotors. The brake pads were fine, but the rotors warped due to excessive heat created when I use the brakes! I am confused, what are brakes for? I paid to have my rotors cut, only because I need this van to transport young children, it is and has been a problem for years with chrysler vans that the brakes need to be replace way before the norm. Chrysler should be forced into a recall. The consumer should not have to pay for parts and labor when it is obvious there is a problem here. I would think that 9 times out of 10 a van is purchased because of kids!! Shame on chrysler for allowing our kids to be passengers in vans with faulty parts!
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 premature wear
Which Chrysler Town and Country years have rotors or pads wearing out early problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2008 (19 complaints), 2010 (8 complaints) and 2009 (7 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix rotors or pads wearing out early on the Chrysler Town and Country?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $360 (median of 12 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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