My steering went completely out. I took it in to the dealership and they replace the power steering pump, said that was not it and replaced the rack. I got it back, and the pump was loud, was clicking when turning, and steering was still moderately unresponsive. They said they would order another power steering pump and go from there. They replaced the pump after several months, and said they drove it with no issues. It is still unresponsive, and will occasionally jerk in one direction when trying to go straight. I am afraid me or someone else will get hurt in an accident with it one day. I just reached out to another dealer as well as Chrysler to see what my options are. It happens at any speed and is constant.
Chrysler Town and Country steering noise problems
71 of the 13,494 owner complaints about the Chrysler Town and Country describe clunking or noise when steering, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 71
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical repair cost reported
- $900
- typical mileage
- 48,097
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Whining noise 12Airbag light 6Power steering loss 4Knocking 4Harsh shifting 3Grinding brakes 3Wipers 2Steering lock-up 2
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler town and country. While attempting to make a left or right turn, the contact exerted force to turn the steering wheel. The power steering started to make a whining noise. Once the contact was able to check under the hood of the vehicle, he noticed that there was no power steering fluid left in the power steering canister. The contact had to constantly replace the power steering fluid every couple of days. The contact experienced identical failures as indicated in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v386000 (power steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 168,000.
While the vehicle is in motion and I drive slowly or fast through a large puddle of water the water splashes up and I loose power steering. The steering becomes difficult to manage once out of the water and about 30 seconds later the power steering returns. No other time do I loose power steering. Daily the van makes loud noises like a whistling/purring or a ting once starting the car in the morning which a different customer attributed to the power steering possibly. Also the whining or whistling noise does increas with excelleration. It is weird. This has been happening since april of 2011 when I bought it used from the dealership.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 chrysler town and country. While making a turn at an unknown speed, the steering wheel locked up without warning. While attempting to regain control, a loud bang noise was heard. The contact was able to regain control of the steering wheel, but a clicking sound was heard constantly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring and multi-function switch were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,416. Updated 02/12/16*lj
After several months waiting for the r03 recall to be done, it was finally fixed. To my dismay, as I was driving off the parking lot of the dealer who fixed it I started hearing a clicking noise in my steering wheel. It was never like that before and now there is a problem with it. Dealer claims it is the clock spring assembly and will cost be roughly $500 but dealer refuses to pay for it. They stated they were no where near the steering wheel which is hard to believe since they were replacing the ignition which I thought were right next to it. And I've actually read several consumer complaints that had a similar problem. Chrysler is looking into this but I won't hold my breathe.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that the power steering made a loud winding noise and locked up. The contact stated that the issue only occurred in inclement weather without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 165,000.
Noticed loud grinding noise coming from front end of vehicle and vibration in steering wheel. Noise and vibration increased with speed. Was told both front bearings were bad and needed replacement. Understood a recall was conducted and a service bulletin was issued for the 2008 town & country, but chrysler said my vehicle was not affected, which is odd considering the issues in my t/c seem to very the very issues found within the recall and bulletin detailing required repair.
One day as I was backing up into my driveway, I noticed a click sound. So I turned the wheel again and everytime I turn the wheel to the left side, I am able to hear a click this is with the vehicle in park and just turning the wheel, normally when you hear a clicking while turning and driving it can be a defective cv axle I have no clue what the problem is, but once again I am told that a diagnostic fee will be needed. I told them this should be covered under the powertrain warranty, they claim I am not sure but if we look and it is not you will be charged a diagnostic fee, tell me how the hell this is fair another words they are telling me I am going to rob you but if you don't come here you will be ok. This dealer located at levittown ny chrysler was even in the news a few years back when the a/g fined them for scamming customers are they doing it again? My warranty expires soon on the powertrain then what?
I was making a left turn and the steering wheel was hard to turn left,not to the right.while turning left the steering column made a load noise.when I parked took the key out the switch the motor continued to run for about 3-5 seconds before it stopped. When I came out of the store cranked up and went straight home slowly and the left turn was still hard to make and when I stopped in my drive way I put the vehicle in park and took the key out the motor ran for about another 5 seconds.I checked the power steering fluid , the oil and coolant all looked okay I waited about 15 min. And cranked the vehicle up the key seem to turn farther than normal but it cranked up okay,so I shut it back off took the key out and the motor ran another 3 -5 sec. I put the key back in the switch and the radio and mileage started flashing on and off so I took the key out and talked to a mechanic about it.
We purchased this 2011 chrysler town and country as a new vehicle in jan.of 2012. Since the purchase there have been 5 incidents where the van has lost all electrical power making clicking noises, and leaving us stranded. The final incident happened on dec. 26,2014 while traveling in the mountains of north carolina. It was 10:30 pm, no street lights and nothing but steep terrain on the sides. The vehicle completely shut down and was making the clicking noises.the power steering was lost, headlights off and all other electrical functions were unavailable. Once in complete darkness we noticed we had shifted into the oncoming lane of traffic. We noticed headlights coming at us in the distance, luckily quick thinking and use of a flashlight we were able to warn the oncoming vehicle of our position in their lane. They stopped in front of our vehicle and turned on their hazards to provide warning for other vehicles. Being that we were in imminent danger, I had to disconnect the battery and let the system reset. After taking it to the dealership they once again said they could not find a problem. The dealership only stated, " have it towed in when it happens". Being that the last 2 times this happened we were left stranded in traffic, during late hours with absolutely no electrical power and my children in the car, it was impossible to wait to be towed in. They were unsafe situations that potentially had fatal results. I had to make the best decision at the time to protect my family. I am beyond frustrated with chrysler for allowing me to leave the shop every time with no solution to the problem. My kids are afraid to get in van for fear of breaking down yet again. Five incidents with no resolution, no one knows how to fix the problem! A recurrent problem that can happen at any point- while on a highway or getting through a busy intersection.
Related recalls
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011dodge journey, jeep wrangler, chrysler 200, chrysler 200 convertible, dodge avenger, dodge nitro, jeep liberty, dodge caliber, jeep compass, jeep patriot, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.
- Risk
- A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on july 4, 2011. Owners may contact chrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 11V315000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans equipped with 3.3 or 3.8l v-6 engine, the upper power steering cooler hose may split and cause a fluid leak.
- Risk
- Power steering fluid leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the upper power steering cooler hose. This recall began on september 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 04V386000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with 2-spoke luxury wheels manufactured july 1992 through june 1993; or equipped with 4-spoke sport wheels manufactured from july 1992 through september 1993. The steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
- Risk
- If the steering wheel separates from the center hub attachment to the steering column, loss of control can occur increasing the risk of an accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for cracks and any wheels with cracks will be replaced. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel separation in the event cracking occurs.
Recall number 00V305000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- The steering wheel armature stamping can crack and separate from the center hub attachment to the steering column.
- Risk
- If the steering wheel separates from the center hub attachment to the steering column, loss of control can occur increasing the risk of an accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering wheel for armature cracks in the center hub attachment area. Any steering wheels showing cracks will be replaced. All other vehicles will have a reinforcement plate installed to prevent steering wheel separation in the event cracking occurs.
Recall number 96V229000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- The zinc plating operation performed on the upper steering column shaft coupling bolt caused hydrogen embrittlement and breakage of the bolt.
- Risk
- Fractures of the upper steering column shaft couplingbolt result in a lack of coupling load on the shaft and loss of steeringcontrol.
- Remedy
- Replace the zinc plated bolt with a phosphate plated bolt.
Recall number 92V015000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chrysler Town and Country steering noise
Which Chrysler Town and Country years have clunking or noise when steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (12 complaints), 2005 (12 complaints) and 2003 (11 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix clunking or noise when steering on the Chrysler Town and Country?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $900 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chrysler Town and Country?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history