2002 Chrysler Town AND Country equipment problems

EQUIPMENT

THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CHRYSLER POWER STEERING HOSES AND MINE WAS FIXED TWO YEARS AGO & THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT AGAIN SAYING WEAR & TEAR. ALSO, THEY PUT OUT A NOTICE (BUT NOT TO OWNERS) THAT THE OIL PLATE ON THESE VEHICLES ARE LEAKING & THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THAT PROBLEM WHICH I'VE ALREADY CONSULTED 50 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VAN AND SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10211993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE VAN WAS PURCHASED IN MARCH AND AROUND JULY THE MIDDLE SECTION OF THE FRONT WHERE THE AC UNIT, RADIO, CONTROLS, ETC ARE LOCATED BEGAN TO STOP WORKING PROPERLY. THE AC WILL NOT CUT OFF, INSTEAD THE AIR PRESSURE INCREASES AND DOESN'T STOP. THIS HAS AFFECTED MY BACK UNIT AND THE HEAT WILL NOT WORK, WHICH MAKES IT HARD TO BEAR WITH SMALL CHILDREN. RECENTLY, THE CD CHANGER HAS BEEN MESSING UP AND NOT EJECTING CD'S OR CHANGING. NOTHING HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BECAUSE IT WILL COST A LOT, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10208078 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

THE VAN WAS PROFESSIONALLY MODIFIED STRAIGHT FROM FACTORY BY INDEPENDENT MOBILITY SYSTEMS, INC (IMS) A COMPANY OUT OF BUSINESS THAT SPECIALIZED IN THESE MODIFICATIONS. I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED BACK AROUND EARLY 2006 ABOUT A SAFETY PROBLEM THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED WITH THE VEHICLES REAR SHOCK-ABSORBER LOWER TIE-DOWN BRACKETS. IN MY COMPLAINT I EXPLAINED THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED A TERRIFYING INCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING AT 50 MPH THE LEFT BRACKET BROKE AT THE WELD THAT CONNECTED IT TO THE REAR AXLE, CAUSING THE HIGHLY PRESSURIZED SHOCK-ABSORBER TO EXTEND AND JAMMED AGAINST THE PAVEMENT AND THE AXLE. THIS CAUSED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO JUMP AND SHUTTER VIOLENTLY AND MAKING ME STOP RAPIDLY. REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $100.00. ON THIS OCCASION I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP WHEN THE WELD ON THE RIGHT SIDE BRACKET BROKE OFF. AGAIN I TOWED IT TO A MIDAS AT DIFFERENT LOCATION AND SPENT $45.00 ON THE REPAIR. WELL THIS WAS REPORTED TO BRAUN ENTERPRISES , A COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZED IN THESE MODIFICATIONS THAT HAS TAKEN UP WARRANTY AND PARTS ISSUES FROM IMS. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PAST ITS WARRANTY PERIOD THEY WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO COVER THE REPAIRS. THIS RESULTED IN MY FIRST REPORT TO DOT. THE REASON FOR MY REPEATING THIS REPORT WAS THAT IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN TO ONE OF THE SAME BRACKETS. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. IN MY INITIAL REPORT I STATED THAT THE REASON I SUSPECTED THIS HAPPENED WAS DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING. SINCE THE BRACKETS WHERE LOCATED LOWER THAN ANY OTHER PARTS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS PROBABLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO ROAD OBSTACLES. I FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT ANOTHER CAUSE MIGHT BE DUE TO WHERE THE BRACKETS WERE PLACED AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY WERE MOUNTED THAT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO WITHSTAND THE PRESSURES OF EVERYDAY DRIVING. REMEMBER THESE MODIFICATIONS WERE DONE ON VEHICLES THAT TRANSPORT PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY EFFECTED CHALLENGES.

NHTSA complaint #10190453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C COMPRESSOR FAILURE - WE WERE ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 1/2 AN HOUR EN ROUTE FROM TALLAHASSEE TO ORLANDO ON THANKSGIVING DAY, 2006. AS WE EXITED ONTO HWY. 19, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. (LATER, IT WAS APPARENT THAT A BELT ON THE A/C SYSTEM BURNED AS THE COMPRESSOR LOCKED UP.) THIS WAS AT LEAST THE 6TH A/C SYSTEM FAILURE. WE HAD RECURRING LEAKS THAT WERE "FIXED" AND RECHARGED NUMEROUS TIMES, STARTING AT A MACON DEALERSHIP OFF I-75 IN SUMMER 2003 TO A REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR A/C UNIT IN SUMMER 2006. LAST WEEK'S COMPRESSOR FAILURE WAS THE LATEST IN THIS LONG SERIES OF PROBLEMS WITH THE A/C, BUT CLEARLY THE MOST SERIOUS AS IT RESULTED IN CONSIDERABLE SMOKE AND AT LEAST THE POTENTIAL FOR ADDITIONAL DAMAGE AND DANGER.

NHTSA complaint #10174600 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING 2002 TOWN AND COUNTRY FAULTY A/C COMPRESSOR. *TS THE CONSUMER LEARNED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD BEEN EXTENDED BY CHRYSLER. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED TO CONFIRM, HER CLAIM WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE WORK WAS DONE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT SHE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY TYPE OF LETTER AND THAT SOMEONE HAD ACTUALLY TOLD HER.

NHTSA complaint #10170158 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE A/C UNIT FAILED POLLUTING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WITH METAL PIECES. CHRYSLER REPLACED THE UNIT UNDER WARRANTY, AS WELL, CLEANED OUT PORTIONS OF THE SYSTEM. A FEW DAYS WE NOTICED THAT THE REAR AC WAS NOT PUSHING OUT COLD AIR, ONLY THE FRONT AC. CHRYSLER STATED A VALVE HAD FAILED DUE TO THE FLUSHING OF THE SYSTEM, WE ARGUED OVER COSTS, AGREED TO SPLIT THE COST, TOTAL TO ME, $140. A WEEK LATER, THE A/C UNIT AGAIN FAILED POLLUTING THE COMPLETE SYSTEM. THIS TIME CHRYSLER REPLACED THE A/C UNIT BUT REFUSED TO HOOK IT UP TO THE COMPLETE SYSTEM (FRONT/REAR EVAPORATORS) UNTIL THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED, TELLING US WE NEED TO PAY $2300 TO COVER THE COSTS. AS IT STANDS NOW, WE HAVE A BUSTED AC SYSTEM, IT COST ME $140 FOR REPAIRS WHICH DID NOTHING, WE'VE HAD THE PAIN OF TAKING THE VAN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES NOW, AND CHRYSLER WILL NOT HOOK UP THE AC UNIT UNTIL WE PAY $2300 TO REPLACE PARTS THEIR FAULTY AC UNIT CORRUPTED.

NHTSA complaint #10166488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 TOWN & COUNTRY, I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE AND STALLED OUT. I HAVE HAD THE AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED 2 TIMES. THE VAN NO LONGER STALLS AND SMOKES, BUT WHEN THE A/C IS TURNED ON, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR JERKS.

NHTSA complaint #10161428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A FAULTY REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TIE DOWN BRACKET ON THE VEHICLE. THIS PART IS AN ADD ON FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES. THE EQUIPMENT FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE TIE DOWN FAILED COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND THE SECOND WAS ON A ROADWAY. THE DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN REPAIRED WHICH WAS TO REVAMP THE MODIFICATION, BUT THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT THE PARTS SHOULD BE REMODELED. THE RECOMMENDATION WAS FOR THE PART TO BE PLACED ON THE TOP OR REAR SIDE OF THE AXLE NOT ON THE BOTTOM.

NHTSA complaint #10160378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE CAR IS 3 YEARS OLD AND WE HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS. THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSER FAILED AT 56,000 MILES. THIS YEAR WE REPEATEDLY HAD TO TAKE THE VAN IN FOR THE ENGINE LIGHT. THE LIGHT WILL COME ON FOR A FEW DAYS AND GO OFF WITHOUT INTERVENTION. AT FIRST WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS NO ISSUE. WE BROUGHT IT IN AGAIN AND WERE TOLD THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND THE #5 CYLINDER WAS MISFIRING. NOT A WEEK LATER AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME, WE WERE TOLD THAT ONE OF THE FUEL INJECTORS WAS MALFUNCTIONING. THIS IS THE WORST SERVICE RECORD I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.

NHTSA complaint #10143561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

THE AIR CONDITIONER NO LONGER WORKS. IT WENT OUT AT LESS THAN 50 THOUSAND MILES. SMOKE CAME THROUGH THE VENTS INTO THE CABIN. THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SMELL AND LOUD NOISES. I NO LONGER USE THE A/C AND CONSEQUENTLY DON'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNLESS I HAVE TO. HOW CAN AN A/C GO OUT AT LESS THAN 50 THOUSAND MILES? I STILL CONSIDER THE VEHICLE NEW!

NHTSA complaint #10125371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RADIO VENT SLOT RECALL FOR HIS 2002 TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS AN ALTERNATE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH WOULD ADDRESS THE SOURCE OF THE MOISTURE FROM THE A/C DUCT . *NM THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS REPLACED THE FACTORY RADIO WITH A HIGH POWERED AFTRMARKET DVD/CD PLAYER.

NHTSA complaint #10115606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

RECALL CAMPAIGN: 2002 CHRYSLER RADIO VENT SLOTS (CODE D48). *BF THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL 04V-531000 BECAUSE AN AFTERMARKET RADIO WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10114876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

ENGINE LOSES POWER. SMOKE SMELL FILLS CABIN. LOSS OF A/C. CAUSE IS A/C COMPRESSOR LOCKING UP. SMOKE IS FROM BELT SPINING ON PULLEY. DEALER REPLACED A/C COMPRESSOR UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BY CHRYSLER. PROBLEM SEEMED RESOLVED. 8 MONTHS LATER SAME THING HAPPENS AGAIN. DEALER WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE VEHICLE IS NOW BEYOND WARRANTY. THAT VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY IS NOT DISPUTED, HOWEVER SINCE CHRYSLER EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO FIX THE FIRST TIME THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE COMPRESSOR (OR ANOTHER COMPONENT CAUSING THE COMPRESSOR TO FAIL) WHICH STILL EXISTED OR IT WOULD NOT HAVE FAILED THE SECOND TIME. CHRYSLER HOWEVER WILL NOT REPLACE THE SECOND TIME. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS DEFECT IF THIS HAPPENED TO SOMEONE WHO COULDN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND TURN OFF THE A/C BEFORE THE BELT EITHER BREAKS OR WORSE YET CATCHES FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10105916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

WE BOUGHT A USED 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY MINIVAN FROM A CAR RENTAL COMPANY HERE IN SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA. THE VIN # IS [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH ABOUT 24,000 MILES ON IT WE BOUGHT IT. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT WENT ON INDICATING THAT THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS WERE MALFUNCTIONING. WE TOOK IT INTO A DEALER HERE IN TOWN AND THEY REPLACED A REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND SAID THE WHEEL SENSOR WAS SHOWING BAD AGAIN. THEY REPLACED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AGAIN. NOW IT IS ABOUT 3 WEEKS AFTER THAT MOST RECENT REPAIR AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE WERE ON VACATION AT THE TIME AND DROVE ABOUT 1000 MILES WITHOUT ABS BRAKES OR TRACTION CONTROL AS IT WAS INCONVENIENT TO TAKE IT IN WHILE ON VACATION. I DID NOT RECEIVE THE OLD PART EITHER TIME BEFORE BUT I WILL GET IT THIS TIME. BY THE WAY THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY NOW AND CHRYSLER HAS DECLINED TO REPAIR IT WITHOUT CHARGE. WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WE ARE DRIVING FOR CONSIDERABLE PERIODS OF TIME WITHOUT 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURES THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE; ANTILOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THEY CAN'T SEEM TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. WE ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT OTHERS MAY BE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS NOT GETTING RESOLVED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE ABS SYSTEM OR PARTS WITHIN THE ABS SYSTEM OF THIS CHRYLSER MODEL.*AK UPDATED 07/25/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #10081058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT

HAD TO CHANGE REGULATOR/MOTOR FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW IN THE AMOUNT OF $250 AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WON'T GO UP OR DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #10074926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND AIR CONDITIONER IS ON ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN. DEALER HAS INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES/ CHANGED SENSOR/ COMPUTER/ MODULE, AND STILL PROBLEM STILL RECURRING.

NHTSA complaint #10026203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. *JB AS THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK, RESTARTED, AND CONTINUED INTO THE PARKING SPACE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, PLACED IN DRIVE AND STALLED AGAIN. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT CLICK NOISE WHEN THE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE A/C FAN NOISE, THE SUSPENSION FELT LOOSE AND LEANED TO LEFT, UNEVEN TIRE WEAR, CLUNK NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WHEN TURNING, AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE TIRES MEET A RESISTANCE,THE GAS PEDAL VIBRATED, AND THERE WAS A GROANING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND OR THE ENGINE WHEN TURNING OR WHEN IN REVERSE. THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND WAS REPOSITIONED PROPERLY. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10008651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

DURING OPERATION OF VEHICLE AN UNKNOWN OBJECT STRUCK AIR CONDITIONER LINE, CAUSING LINE TO BREAK AND SPRAY FLUID OVER THE UNDERCARRIAGE. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED THAT THIS FLUID COULD CONTACT A HOT COMPONENT, SUCH AS EXHAUST SYSTEM) AND RESULT IN A FIRE BECAUSE HYDRAULIC LINES HAVE NO SHIELDING OVER THEM FOR PROTECTION. DEALERSHIP IS REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA complaint #899937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.