2002 Chrysler Town AND Country steering problems

STEERING

THE POWER STEERING QUITS WORKING AT TIMES WHEN ITS RAINING. IT WILL NOT WORK MANY TIMES WHEN I CRANK IT UP IF ITS BEEN RAINING. ITS HAS STOPPED WORKING WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE, CITY STREETS, WHILE TURNING ONTO ANOTHER STREET OR ROAD, AND AT STOP SIGNS. I HAVE HAD THE DRIVE BELT, POWER STEERING PUMP, TENSION IDLER REPLACED AND NOTHING HELPS. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO JOHN GREENE CHRYSLER DODGE IN MORGANTON NC, AND OTHER REPAIR CENTERS. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11047992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

WHILE SLOWING FOR A TURN MY VAN STARTED MAKING WHINING NOISES THEN THE POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. GOT OUT AND LOOKED AND FOUND FLUID LEAKING ON THE GROUND. NOW THERES NO POWER STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #10568009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

WHEN I TURNED THE CAR ON THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK. IT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE WHEN IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE. I WAITED A MINUTE AND THE POWER STEERING CAME BACK. I DROVE FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES IN HEAVY RAIN AND AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING LOT AT ABOUT 20 MPH MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS GOING SO SLOWLY AND THAT I COULD JUST PULL STRAIGHT INTO TWO PARKING SPOTS AND WAIT FOR THE POWER STEERING TO COME BACK. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THE POWER STEERING HAS STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND I AM SO HAPPY THAT I WAS GOING SO SLOWLY. WHAT IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY?

NHTSA complaint #10555136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

POWER STEERING HOSE KEEP BREAKING, FLUID LEAKS OUT WHEN HOSE BREAKS. HARD TO TURN STEER WHEEL WHEN HOSE BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #10543416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

JANUARY 2ND 2012 REPLACED HOSE FLUID AND CLAMPS BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. VAN WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE ENGINE AND SMOKING. MILEAGE 63,893 FEBRUARY 21ST 2012 HAD TO ADD MORE POWER STEERING FLUID APRIL 20TH 2012 VAN HOSE BUSTED AGAIN LEAVING FLUID ALL UNDER THE VEHICLE. WE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HOSE AND FLUID BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC . MILEAGE 66,091 TODAY THE VAN IS DOING THE SAME THING WITH A WHINING OF THE POWER STEERING AND SOMETIMES STIFFENS UP WHEN DRIVING AND YOU CAN SMELL THE FLUID BURNING ON THE ENGINE. SEEMS TO BE WORSE DURING COLDER WEATHER. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONTEND WHEN YOUR TURNING. ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE NATIONAL RECALL #04V386000. THIS VEHICLE IS AN ADA COMPLIANT VEHICLE AND IS USED TO TRANSPORT OUR SON WHO IS PERMANANTLY IN A WHEEL CHAIR. I BELIEVE THIS VAN IS A DANGER TO OUR FAMILY AND SHOULD BE PUT ON THE REGISTRY OF RECALLED VEHICLES FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10486000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

JANUARY 2ND 2012 REPLACED HOSE FLUID AND CLAMPS BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. VAN WAS LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID ON THE ENGINE AND SMOKING. MILEAGE 63,893 FEBRUARY 21ST 2012 HAD TO ADD MORE POWER STEERING FLUID APRIL 20TH 2012 VAN HOSE BUSTED AGAIN LEAVING FLUID ALL UNDER THE VEHICLE. WE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP, HOSE AND FLUID BY AN ASE CERTIFIED MECHANIC . MILEAGE 66,091 TODAY THE VAN IS DOING THE SAME THING WITH A WHINING OF THE POWER STEERING AND SOMETIMES STIFFENS UP WHEN DRIVING AND YOU CAN SMELL THE FLUID BURNING ON THE ENGINE. SEEMS TO BE WORSE DURING COLDER WEATHER. THERE IS ALSO A POPPING NOISE IN THE FRONTEND WHEN YOUR TURNING. ACCORDING TO CHRYSLER MY VEHICLE VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE NATIONAL RECALL #04V386000. THIS VEHICLE IS AN ADA COMPLIANT VEHICLE AND IS USED TO TRANSPORT OUR SON WHO IS PERMANANTLY IN A WHEEL CHAIR. I BELIEVE THIS VAN IS A DANGER TO OUR FAMILY AND SHOULD BE PUT ON THE REGISTRY OF RECALLED VEHICLES FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10486000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

WE NOTICED A NOISE AND FEELING LIKE THE POWER STEERING WAS BINDING,THEN WENT AWAY. IT CAME AND WENT AWAY, BUT START TO DO IT MORE OFTEN. IN MARCH. WHEN WE TOOK IN FOR A OIL CHANGE, WE TOLD THEM ABOUT IT,BUT IT WOULD NOT DO IT FOR THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY TOLD US TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS DOING IT. WE DID AND THEY AND THEY EXPLAINED THE SAME PROBLEMS AND REPAIRS THAT WAS HAPPENING.TO THE 2003 MODELS. I HAD THEM DO THE HOSE REPAIR TO THE SUM OF $218.36. THE POWER STEERING REPAIR AND UPPER STRUT BEARING WOULD BE A TOTAL OF $962.70. I TOLD THEM I WOULD GET BACK TO THEM ON THAT PROBLEM.THAT'S WHEN I WENT TO THIS SITE ON THE ADVICE OF SOMEONE,AND FOUND OUT THAT ALL THESE PROBLEMS ARE THE SAME AS THE 2003 TOWN AND COUNTY WHEN I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED WHY THE CHARGED ME FOR THE SERVICE UPDATE. WHICH THEY TOLD ME ABOUT THEY GAVE ME SOME VAGUE STUPID ANSWER. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS FOR THIS STEERING PROBLEM. MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH ON SSI., AND SHE IS DISABLED AND WE REALLY CAN'T AFFORD THESE KIND OF REPAIRS . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10454432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

WHEN IT IS RAINING AND BELOW 45 DEGREES UPON STARTING THERE IS A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND THE SMELL OF BURNT ELECTRICITY AND THE POWER STEERING DOES NOT WORK. THE VAN MUST BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO REENGAGE THE POWER STEERING. ON 2 OCCASIONS THE STEERING STAYED OUT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO CHRYSLER/DODGE/JEEP DEALERSHIP AND THEY CAN NOT RE ENACT THE PROBLEM. HAVE LOOKED ON FORUMS AND TALKED WITH OTHER OWNERS THIS IS NOT JUST MY ISSUE. FEAR ONE DAY I WILL BE DRIVING AND LOOSE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10440143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

POWER STEERING FAILS WHEN CAR IS BACKED UP AND TURNED TO THE LEFT. WHEN PULLING FORWARD THE POWER STEERING IS NOT FUNCTIONING. PLACING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND REVVING THE ENGINE SEEMS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CAR HAS 147000+ MILES ON IT.

NHTSA complaint #10372043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60-65 MPH ON A SLIGHTLY WET ROAD SURFACE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN PULLING TO THE EXTREME RIGHT WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO A NEARBY GUARDRAIL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE TIE ROD. THE VIN WAS PROVIDED; HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT ACCEPTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,223.

NHTSA complaint #10320540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL MADE NOISE WHENEVER IT WAS TURNED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS TOO SHORT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V386000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

NHTSA complaint #10274806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

I BOUGHT THIS 2002 MINI-VAN IN JANUARY FROM MY SISTER. SHE TOOK METICULOUS CARE OF IT. SO WHEN I FOUND MY STEERING FAILING, I NEVER THOUGHT IT WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING. I BLEW A POWER STEERING HOSE ONE DAY AFTER WEEKS OF SMELLING SOMETHING BURNING. GOT THAT FIXED AND THEN FOUND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS STILL LOCKING UP, NOT LETTING ME TURN THE CAR, RUNNING OVER THE CURB BECAUSE I COULD NOT STEER IT. AND I CAN STILL SMELL SOMETHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, IT ALMOST SMELLS LIKE ANTI-FREEZE. NOT SURE WHAT IT IS. IT USUALLY HAPPENED WHEN I FIRST STARTED THE CAR AND DID NOT LET IT WARM UP FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. NOW IT WILL DO IT WHEN I AM DRIVING.IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN THE LAST MONTH. I AM GETTING ANNOYED WITH THIS. I HAVE HAD IT TO THE GARAGE 2 TIMES NOW AND THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE WHAT HAPPENS AND NOW I FEEL LIKE THEY THINK I AM A NUT CASE BECAUSE THEY SAY, THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. WE CAN NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT. I CARRY 5-6 CHILDREN IN MY CAR AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND I FIND THIS TO BE VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10264294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

MY TOWN AND COUNTRY HAS BEEN A LEMON FROM DAY ONE. IT HAS HAD A NUMBER OF STEERING PROBLEMS( IS NOW UNDRIVABLE AS IT IS LEAKING AND HEAT SHIELD IS DOWN) DEALER CLAIMS NO RECALL. IT HAS BEEN RUSTING SINCE BEFORE 30,000MILES. IT NOW HAS HOLES IN IT AND UNDERCARRIAGE RUSTED OUT. CHRYSLER HAS DONE NOTHING FOR ME. POWER WINDOW MECHANISMS/MOTORS WERE INOPERATIONAL A YEAR AGO-AT THE SAME TIME. IT SHAKES. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. PAID PLENTY. HAS 68,000M.

NHTSA complaint #10232554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

ON MY 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY WITH 38,000 MILES, THE RACK AND PINION BEGAN LEAKING IN OCT 2007. THE INTERNAL 'FALLING APART' OF THE RACK CAUSED A CLOG OF THE STEERING PUMPS SCREEN FILTER WHICH CAUSED A LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL. IN APRIL 2008, BOTH THE RACK & PINION AND THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO FIX THE LEAK AND THE WHINING NOISE: PARTS - $320, LABOR - $900.

NHTSA complaint #10226054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

POWER STEERING HAS FAILED AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING 30 MPH WITHOUT WARNING, SOMETIMES WHEN BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY, SOMETIMES WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN RESULTING IN A NEAR- MISS AND JUMPING A CURB. TO THIS DATE STEERING CONTINUES TO EMIT A WHINING NOISE. HOSES WERE REPLACED, STEERING COLUMN REBUILT. MORE THAN ONCE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM RESULTING IN GREAT INCONVENIENCE TO US.

NHTSA complaint #10221103 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING HOSE FAILED DUE TO PRESSURE FROM THE STEERING RACK. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10219875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

POWER STEERING WHINING DUE TO IMPROPER HOSE DESIGN. HOSES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY DEALER WITH TEMPORARY RESULTS. PUMP OK. THERE SHOULD BE ALOT MORE COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, THE DEALER SEEMED WELL AWARE OF IT.

NHTSA complaint #10217906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

MY POWER STEERING IS BEGINNING TO GO OUT AGAIN AFTER HAVING TO HAVE THE HOSES REPLACED FOR A 2ND TIME. I BELIEVE THE HOSES ARE REALLY DEFECTIVE AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN CORRECTED YET!

NHTSA complaint #10214585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

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.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN VEHICLE WAS COLD AND TURNING TO THE LEFT. NO EVENTS LED UP TO THE FAILURE, IT JUST DID IT. WE BOUGHT THE 2002 T&C IN MARCH 2007... GOT A GREAT DEAL. BUT THEN, AFTER ONE WEEK, THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND EVERY MORNING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND COULD NOT BE TURNED, BUT ONLY WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS, AND IN DRIVE. TAKING BACK TO DEALER TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM AGAIN TODAY.

NHTSA complaint #10191411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

1) AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY TURNING THERE WAS NOISE AND SHAKING IN THE FRONT OF THE CHRYSLER 2002 TOWN AND COUNTRY. IT WAS IDENTIFIED AT A GARAGE AS A POWER STEERING COOLER HOSE PROBLEM AND IN FACT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS. I THEN TOOK IT TO A CHRYSLER DEALER - DOAN IN ROCHESTER NY - WHO AGREED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM, BUT MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE LIST FOR REPLACEMENT. I FOUND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE CORRECT PROBLEM DID NOT QUALIFY. I CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE AND GOT THE SAME STORY. THEY SAID THAT THE VIN NUMBERS LISTED WERE DETERMINED BY NHTSA AND THEY - IN SO MANY WORDS - WERE OFF THE HOOK. I DID HAVE IT REPLACED WITH MY OWN MONEY, BUT I AM UPSET ABOUT IT. 2) MY AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED TO GO ON TELLING ME THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE TURNED OFF. THEN THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF FOR A LITTLE AND COME BACK ON FOR NO REASON , SPEED, OR OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. AGAIN I WAS TOLD IT WAS CLOCK SPRINGING IN THE MECHANISM IN THE STEERING COLUMN. I FELT THAT THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM INVOLVING THE LIFE OR DEATH OF MY FAMILY SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. THE DEALER AGAIN AGREED THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM, ENCOURAGED ME TO GET IT FIXED, AND GAVE ME AN INDICATION THAT THIS WAS COMMON AND THAT AGAIN MY VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY RECALL. I HAD IT FIXED, BUT FEEL THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10184039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

TL*- THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2002 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS ON THE POWER STEERING HOSES. ONCE THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING AND MAKING A HUMMING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A NEW POWER STEERING RACK. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK AT NO CHARGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90000, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97000.*AK THE POWER STEERING HOSE WAS REPLACED

NHTSA complaint #10182802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

NO EVENTS LED UP TO FAILURE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED 3 XS IN 6 MONTHS @39000 MILES. EVEN AFTER DOING TSBS, AND REPLACING WITH OEM PUMP, IT FAILED AGAIN!

NHTSA complaint #10178744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

10AM, DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, SLOWING TO TURN LEFT, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AND HAD TO MANUAL MAKE THE TURN (VERY DIFFICULT). THE VAN WAS ALSO HESITATING, LIKE IT WOULD STALL. I REGAINED FULL POWER AND POWER STEERING AFTER 10 SECONDS +/-. NOON, SAME DAY, ACCELLERATING <35MPH, UPHILL, SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT AFTER POWER STEERING FAILURE, I COMPLETELY STALLED IN THE ROAD AND HAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP WEDNESDAY. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM (NO CODE) OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. (ALSO AN ISSUE WITH AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE POWER SIDE DOOR POPPING OFF BUT NOT POWER OPENING). BOTH ELECTRICAL ISSUES HAVE OCCURED SINCE THE FIVE STAR DEALERSHIP CORRECTED AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY POWER GATELIFT POPPING OFF BUT NOT POWER OPENING) I HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER DIRECTLY ABOUT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED ON BOTH ITEMS AND THE ADVANCE SERVICE INFORMATION 02-018/NHTSA#10000327 RELATING TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER SIDE DOOR AND/OR LIFTGATE. EVEN WITH PROVIDING THIS INFORMATION, THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE FIXED UNTIL THEY GET A "CODE". I HAVE EXHAUSTED MY PROGRESS WITH CHRYSLER IN THEIR ASSISTANCE WITH THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS OF THE PROBLEM SO I COULD PAY TO HAVE THE CORRECT COMPONENT REPLACED. MY OPTION IS TO PAY $50 PER DIAGNOSTIC CHECK BY THE DEALER REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE VEHICLE "CODES" THE PROBLEM AND NO ASSURANCES AS TO THE NUMBER OF DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS IT MAY TAKE TO PRODUCE THE "CODE", SO I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE "WHICH IS HANDLED IN HOUSE". WHEN ASKED WHAT DEPARTMENT HANDLES COMPLAINTS, I WAS TOLD " CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE". I CLARIFIED THAT IS THE SAME DEPARTMENT TITLE AS TO WHICH I WAS SPEAKING WITH, IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE HAS MANY DEPARTMENTS, WHICH ARE NOT GIVEN TITLES, AND THAT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PROVIDE NAMES OF WHOM WOULD BE HANDLING THE COMPLAINT, NOR WOULD ANYONE FOLLOW UP WITH ME. THE CIRCLES BEGINS!

NHTSA complaint #10171345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THEN, DURING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ASSIST STEERING. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH NOT RETURNING TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE REPAIR SHOP. UPDATED 09/11/07

NHTSA complaint #10169231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

2002 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY POWER STEERING FAILED. *KB THE CONSUME BACK HIS VEHICLE OUT OF HIS DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET. WHEN HE TRIED O TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT THERE WAS NOT POWER STEERING. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO IT'S DESTINATION AND PARKED. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO HIS VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF WITHOUT A PROBLEM. BUT WHEN HE NEEDED TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL FELT AS IF THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AGAIN AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A TEST DRIVE. THE TECHNICIAN DROVE THE VEHICLE 21 MILES BUT HE COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT THEY HADN'T RECEIVED ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #10167963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, REQUIRING ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE RAACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD A LEAK. UPDATED 03/20/07.

NHTSA complaint #10163375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE POWER STEERING FAILED, REQUIRING ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO TURN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE RAACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD A LEAK. UPDATED 03/20/07.

NHTSA complaint #10163375 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

2002 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, 3 YEARS 11 MONTHS OLD, 46,000 MILES, RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE GENTLEMEN AT THE CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP SAID HE HAS SEEN QUITE A FEW OF THESE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM FAIL. HE SAID YOU COULD LOSE YOUR STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. RACK AND PINION REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10159877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

AFTER DRIVING THROUGH WATER PUDDLES ON THE PAVEMENT, THE POWER STEERING TEMPORARILY FAILS AND IS ACCOMPANIED BY A LOUD SQUEALING SOUND. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO "FIX" FOR THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10157433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.