FaultScore

1996 Chrysler Town AND Country suspension problems

40 of the 1,411 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Town AND Country are about the suspension — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 113,000 miles.

A

40

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Front 10 25.0%
Macpherson Strut 10 25.0%
Suspension 9 22.5%
Shock Absorber 4 10.0%
Torsion BAR 2 5.0%
Rear 1 2.5%
Lower Ball Joint 1 2.5%
Upper Ball Joint 1 2.5%
AIR Suspension System 1 2.5%
Leaf 1 2.5%

Suspension across every Chrysler Town AND Country year

1996 40 15.7%
1997 19 7.5%
1998 18 7.1%
1999 33 13.0%
2000 22 8.7%
2001 30 11.8%
2002 18 7.1%
2003 12 4.7%
2005 26 10.2%
2008 26 10.2%
2010 10 3.9%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 228,500 miles Kingston, NH Crash 1 injured

SUSPENSION

REAR AXLE SPIT IN TWO WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON BACK ROAD, LUCKY NOT ON HIGHWAY. TIRES SLAMMED INTO WHEEL WELLS, CAUGHT ON FIRE ALMOST, LOTS OF SMOKE. COULD NOT CONTROL VEHICLE WELL, AND WENT OFF THE ROAD AT APPROX 25 MPH AND HIT A BUNCH OF SMALL TREES, INJURED BOTH KNEES, REFUSED AMBULANCE TRANSPORT. CAR WAS TOWED TO MY GARAGE AND AXLE REPLACED WITH JUNKYARD PART AND VEHICLE IS BACK ON THE ROAD. SCARY INCIDENT ,COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE OR FATAL IF THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY INSTEAD OF A LOCAL ROAD. AXLE TUBE IS JUST THICK SHEET METAL, NOT REALLY AN IRON PIPE LIKE YOU WOULD THINK, VERY FLIMSY. HAVE NICE PICTURES IFYOU ARE INTERESTED. SHOULD RECALL THIS FLIMSY AXLE.

NHTSA complaint #10433974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles RAY, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT

RT FRONT STRUT TOWER RUSTED THROUGH ROTTED. NOT SAFE CAN CAUSE A ACCIDENT LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING,FROM WHAT I HAVE READING AND TALKING TO SEVERAL CAR DEALERSHIPS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS AND CHRYSLER IS NOT DOING ANYTHING I HAVE TALKED TO CHRYSLER DEALERS AND SOME SAY THEY GET IT COVERED AND SOME DON'T,PLEASE LETS DO SOMETHING.

NHTSA complaint #10229631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chesterton, IN

SUSPENSION:FRONT

DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER CORROSION. REAR WIPER MOTOR RUNS TILL BURNED UP. REAR WIPER RUNS INTERMITTENT (GHOSTING) ON ITS OWN. FRONT WIPER DOES THE SAME. VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY BUCKS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH NO CODES.

NHTSA complaint #10226349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Suffex, WI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

DT THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTED AND THE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGN OF RUST AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10128562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Saint Clair Shores, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

THE RIGHT STRUT WAS MAKING NOISE WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP AND RESULTS SHOWED THAT THE STRUT WAS RUSTED, AND COULD FALL OFF. IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10109545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Fenton, MO

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

A COMPLAINT WAS REGISTERED ALLREADY, NUMBER 10090457. THE DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER ON MY MINI VAN ARE RUSTING OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10104854 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Gaylord, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10097095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 113,000 miles Cohoes, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT FRONT STRUT TOWERS RUSTED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.

NHTSA complaint #10093978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fountain Hills, AZ

SUSPENSION:FRONT

VEHICLE'S RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION BROKE OFF.*MR (NAR) DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONSUMER WAS REQUESTING A REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE. PLEASE TAKE REQUEST UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10048486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Algonquin, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT STRUT TOWERS HAD RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT STRUT TOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10082116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

BAY City, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE STRUT ROD RUSTED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.

NHTSA complaint #10071668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Longmont, CO

SUSPENSION

LEFT FRONT STRUT MOUNTING PLATE HAS RUSTED THRU ALLOWING THE STRUT TO PENETRATE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS THE ONLY AREA OF RUST ON THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. CHRYSLER SERVICE PERSONEL AND MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE INDICATED THIS IS A CONDITION THEY WOULD EXPECT TO SEE ON A VEHICLE 20 - 25 YEARS OLD; NOT 6 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA complaint #10068936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,000 miles ANN Arbor, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

THE VAN'S FRONT STRUT TOWERS HAD RUSTED OUT. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH THE DEALERSHIPS WERE AWARE OF. THE MANUFACTURER IS SUPPLYING A REPAIR KIT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10048583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,800 miles Dumfries, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE AND TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE SUSPENSION, AND VEHICLE COLLAPSED. INDEPENDENT SHOP STATED THAT BALL JOINTS PINS WERE RUSTED AND BROKE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10046121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,800 miles Dumfries, VA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT

WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH IN REVERSE AND TURNING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE SUSPENSION, AND VEHICLE COLLAPSED. INDEPENDENT SHOP STATED THAT BALL JOINTS PINS WERE RUSTED AND BROKE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10046121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Riverside, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PERFORATION CORROSION IN PASSENGER SIDE STRUT TOWER AS DESCRIBED IN CHRYSLERTSB 23-044-02. CORROSION ORIGINATED IN FACTORY HOLES COVERED WITH RUBBERIZED TAPE AND THREATENS THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE MOUNT. VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10029030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Troy, MI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

THE MCPHERSON SHOCK TOWER ASSEMBLY ON OUR 1996 TOWN AND COUNTRY MINIVAN ARE PREMATURELY RUSTING OUT. THERE IS A VERY REAL POTENTIAL OF SEVERE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE DEVELOPING. A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT COUOLD OCCURR.

NHTSA complaint #10025360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

SUSPENSION

STRUT TOWER ASSEMBLY IS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT, YET CHRYSLER WILL NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10021398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 101,585 miles Waukesha, WI

SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT

THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP GETTING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WHERE THEY BROUGHT THE RUSTED STRUT TOWERS TO HIS ATTENTION. THE DEALER WOULDN'T COVER THE REPAIR COST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10003849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Longmont, CO

SUSPENSION:FRONT

THE PASSENGER SIDE, FRONT STRUT MOUNTING TOWER IS RUSTING THROUGH TO THE POINT THAT THE STRUT IS ABOUT TO BREAK THROUGH INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CHRYSLER SERVICE MANAGER AGREES THAT IT IS A CLEAR DFECT IN THE CORRISION PREVENTION SYSTEM BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THERE ARE AT LEAST 18 OTHER REPORTS IN THIS DATABASE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE ON '96 CHRYSLER TWN & CNTY, DODGE CARAVAN AND PLYMOTH VOYAGER MINIVANS. DT

NHTSA complaint #770506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berkley, MI

SUSPENSION

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STRUT TOWER RUSTED OUT, IN RESULT OF THIS PROBLEM THE ENGINE FELL OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED. DEALER STATES THAT CONSUMER CAN NOT TAKE VEHICLE OFF LOT AND ALSO SAYS THAT THEY CAN NOT SUPPLY HER WITH A RENTAL CAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #8024099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Myers, FL

SUSPENSION

DEALER IDENTIFIED PROBLEM AS "CLOCK SPRING FAILURE" DT

NHTSA complaint #768913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,000 miles Longmont, CO

SUSPENSION

THE MOUNTING STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED, SEVERAL FATIGUED AND STRESS CRACKS WAS FOUND IN THE STEEL PLATE THAT MADE UP THE STRUT TOWER. TS

NHTSA complaint #8023905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wrighstown, WI

SUSPENSION

PLEASE FILL IN DESCRIPTION.

NHTSA complaint #8020251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jersey City, NJ

SUSPENSION:REAR

SWAY BAR LINKS WERE REPLACED. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #564972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alden, NY

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

RIGHT STRUT TOWER IS RUSTING THROUGH. VEHICLE FAILED NY STATE INSPECTION. THERE IS A HOLE AT THE TOP OF THE STRUT TOWER FROM EXCESSIVE CORROSION WHICH PUTS SAFETY/INTEGRITY OF THE FRONT STRUT SUSPENSION IN JEOPARDY AND STRUT CAN COME LOOSE AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE. FEEL VERY LUCKY STRUT HAS NOT COME LOOSE ALREADY - VERY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE.

NHTSA complaint #762720 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Northfield, MN

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SHOCK ABSORBER

PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT STRUT TOWER WAS RUSTED. SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATED IF A BUMP IS HIT HARD ENOUGH IT COULD PUSH THE STRUT THROUGH TO THE WHEEL WELL, CAUSING FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL TO LOCK UP. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND DIDN'T EXPLAIN WHERE RUST CAME FROM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8007426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Knoxville, TN

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF

REAR LEAD SPRING BROKE, CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO SLIDE BACK AND THE TIRE TO RUB ON THE BACK OF THE WHEEL WELL. WHEN THE SPRING WAS REMOVED IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE SPRING HAD BEEN BROKEN 3/4 OF THE WAY PREVIOUSLY. IT WAS RUSTED AT THE BROKEN SPOT AND APPEARED TO HAVE BLACK PAINT ON THE INSIDE OF THE CRACK.

NHTSA complaint #9006058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belbiderg, IL

SUSPENSION:FRONT

CONSUMER HAD EXPERIENCED SIDE PULLING ON STEERING WHEEL AND FRONT WHEELS WHERE DEALER HAD PEFORMED ALIGMENT, BUT HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #8001726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

York, PA

SUSPENSION

VEHICLE CONSTANTLY PULLS TO RIGHT, WHEEL ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN DONE. ALSO, TIRES WERE REPLACED. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #899028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Chrysler Town AND Country problems

← Full 1996 Chrysler Town AND Country report