Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
06E022000BRAKE PARTS, INC. E (Equipment)744003/20/2006MFRCHRYSLER GROUP LLC03/13/200603/13/2006
Defect SummaryCertain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain ford, daimlerchrysler, and jeep passenger vehicles. these brake cylinders were sold under the brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. only products that were manufactured from july 27, 2005 through january 17, 2006 (date codes 0529 through 0602) are subject to this recall. when subject to very cold temperatures, an internal seal in the master cylinder could lose flexibility and may cause brake fluid to leak.
Consequence SummaryLoss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.
Corrective SummaryAffinia (brake parts, inc.) will replace the subject brake hydraulic master cylinders free of charge. the recall began on march 20, 2006. owners can contact affina group customer service at 1-800-323-0354.
NotesThis recall only pertains to aftermarket napa, raybestos, ac delco, aimco, carquest, and bendix brake hydraulic master cylinders and has no relation to any original equipment installed on daimlerchrysler or ford vehicles.customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
0500106A09/23/20060500106A10020494Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum. *kb10/27/2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC
050030104/20/2001619506A condition may exist where a low frequency howl / moan noise is heard from the rear brake area during low speed and / or low speed turns such as a parking lot maneuver, with no brake pedal pressure applied. *tt06/04/2001
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM
050030503/09/2006050010610019632Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum. *tt04/12/2006
050020406/21/2005050030510005996Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum. *tt04/05/2004
0500102A09/23/20020500102630800Snow/water ingestion into rear brake drum. *yd this bulletin supersedes 05-001-02 dated march 4, 2002. *tt04/24/2002
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DRUM - DRUM
050010102/09/2001051099619122On some vehicles, while driving through deep or blowing snow / water, the snow / water may enter the rear brake drums causing rust to develop on the rear brake drum and shoe friction surfaces. this condition can lead to temporary freezi05/15/2001
05109901/31/20006089711Information regarding snow / water entering the rear brake drums. *tt02/24/2000

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SERVICE BRAKES
03/14/20111500001
 I purchased this van dec 2010. i was coming home from work at 9pm driving on the interstate and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor - no brakes. next day i took to shop and was told all the lines were rusted and needed replaced. i had all new brake lines installed front to back by a repair shop in march 2011. once again, i had the same exact problem today, just over a year- except the lines were not rusted. 08/21/2012 - driving on a state road going about 40 mph coming to a stop light slowing down, suddenly the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. no brakes. fluid was gushing out by the rear tire. i pulled to gas station and the fluid was leaking/dripping out. the more the brake pedal was pushed the more fluid was forced out. i could have been in an accident even killed. lucky for me it was 1 pm in the afternoon. i moved from indiana 6/1/2011 to florida. the van now has 180,000 miles. *tr
03/14/2011150000
 I purchased this van dec 2010. i was coming home from work at 9pm driving on the interstate and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor - no brakes. next day i took to shop and was told all the lines were rusted and needed replaced. i had all new brake lines installed front to back by a repair shop in march 2011. once again, i had the same exact problem today, just over a year- except the lines were not rusted. 08/21/2012 - driving on a state road going about 40 mph coming to a stop light slowing down, suddlenly the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. no brakes. fluid was gushing out by the rear tire. i pulled to gas station and the fluid was leaking/dripping out. the more the brake pedal was pushed the more fluid was forced out. i could have been in an accident even killed. lucky for me it was 1 pm in the afternoon. i moved from indiana 6/1/2011 to florida. the van now has 180,000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
04/28/2012101115
 Rust through at the gas tank of brake line.
10/17/2010199000
 Repeated dismount of serpentine belt from crankshaft pulley due to water splashing from right front tire. has occurred four or five times since owning the 1998 vehicle in 2001. this caused the abrupt loss of power steering, braking and electrical power from the alternator. no action has been taken by chrysler to provide s shield to protect this area.
08/22/20081
 Re: 1998 chrysler town and country mileage: 75,000 complete brake failure - pedal all the way to the floor - unsafe to drive. towed to the dealer - diagnosis : corroded rear brake line. being repaired now - will ask for old part to be saved. brake lines should last for life of vehicle. dealer/manufacturer should be responsible for this faulty defective brake line. nhtsa should required chrysler to notify all owners of the possibility of complete brake failure. i have read of many other occurrences with the brake lines on this car. it has been suggested that the problem arises as a result of bi-metal reaction where stainless steel and steel lines are welded together. this vehicle was at the dealer for other work just five months prior and i was not notified that the brake lines were in danger! *tr
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK
12/21/2000
 Abs brakes failed. marginal caused brakes to work intermittently. had no brakes. brake pedal went to floor when pressed. took to dealership, and mechanic indicated computer was cause of the problem. brakes were in a locked mode. *ak
11/27/2000
 Vehicle stopped in parking lot with engine running. took foot off brake to accelerate, and engine revved up, and vehicle took off. applied brakes, did not stop vehicle. it sped up to 60 mph, hit cars/ fence. finally, stopped vehicle. vehicle still at dealer, damage unknown, chrysler contacted, said file opened. *ak
4
 Rakes had failed 4 times when in use. always happening when slowing down to stop light or stop sign. vehicle would increase its stopping distance. been to dealership for repairs. after repairs, the problem would return. brake stopping is an intermittent problem. there would be no warning. can seems to be resolved.*ak
12/24/1999906/01/1999
 This problem only occurs in colder weather of approximately 35 degrees, or colder. upon starting the vehicle the entire dash (speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, etc) will be inoperative. while in virginia over the holidays this problem was occurring every day. originally, this happened only when starting the vehicle. while in virginia over the holidays it also occurred while driving on the interstate. at that time, the engine check light also came on, and the anti-lock brake light came on. this vehicle has been at the dealership, until yesterday, since december 30, 1999, when i returned home to beaufort. they have been able to duplicate the problem and attribute it to an unknown voltage rise (from 2.5 amps to 3.0), but have not been able to correct the problem and still do not know what is causing it. we have contacted chyrsler customer service, who has opened a corporate file (#660213), but have no other information from them. this problem has occurred from the very beginning of this particular vehicle, though butler chrysler believed that they had corrected the problem when we purchased it. we first found that it still existed in november, and has reoccurred problems since, until it was given to them 12/30/99 to be fixed. they returned the vehicle to us yesterday, not repaired, until they decide what they are going to do. we feel this is an unsafe vehicle to be driving.*ak
06/28/1999
 When applying brakes under normal conditions, no inclement weather, brake pedal went down the floor and van did not stop. when driver swerved to the right to avoid hitting a van in front of her, she hit the same van on the passenger's side. the van will be check by the dealership on july 8, 1999. please provide any further details. *ak
02/14/1999
 In panic stops abs braking system failed, resulting in extended stopping distance which caused an accident. been to dealer before the accident, but could not determine the problem nor did they fix the problem. please provide further information. *ak
07/24/1998
 When driver pressed on the brake pedal, while the van was in reverse on a steep slope, the pedal went down to the floor 90% and nothing happened. driver then released the brakes and pressed down again and nothing happened again. when slamming on the brakes for the 3rd time, the driver hit a car parked downhill about 40 feet away. manufacturer stated that there was not a problem with the van, and refused to talk to owner. an engineering company was able to duplicate the problem, but could not find the cause. *ak
06/12/1998
 Abs brake problems; while driving at 15 mph and applying the brakes, no inclement weather, normal driving conditions, quicker stops than normal. plenty of room to brake, there was total brake failure and the vehicle did not stop, causing a rear end crash. the dealer was not able to find a problem with the vehicle. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
03/09/200713100050005/30/1993
 Tl* - the contact owns a 1993 chrysler town and country. while driving 10 miles or more and accelerating the vehicle shook. the contact stated it was not related to the steering. the front axle was replaced 3 times, new tires were installed, the wheels were rotated to ensure they weren't bent, and new motor mounts were installed and the failure continued to occur. this failure had occurred for over 2 years. the dealer and the transmission mechanic were unable to diagnose the vehicle. the abs and brake warning lights illuminated each time the engine was turned on and stayed on for a 1/4 of a mile. this failure occurred for more than one year. the dealer stated that the failure was due to the abs pump. the current and failure mileage was 130,000. *ak
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
04/29/2002
 While driving applied brakes vehicle would not stop an d rearended another vehicle. brakes failed without warning. dealer contacted. *ak
112/01/1998
 Brakes failed. yh
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
08/13/200796809201/15/1998
 Sudden premature failure of both rear service brake hydraulic lines resulted in loss of all brake fluid in a very short time (minutes from first illumination of brake warning light). failure was due to corrosion from dissimilar metals at the junction of the flexible braided brake line to the rigid brake line for both rear brake systems. *jb
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER
08/25/2000203/01/1998
 The car was brought to david ellis for a brake repair on 8/21/00. the car made a noise while driving and a loud noise when braking. also the pedal did not feel right. they replaced the front pads, rotors, wheel cylinders and the master cylinder. they had to repalce the master cylinder twice while they had it under repair. the morning after i picked up the car, it wouldn't accelerate, it was revving very loud and with very high rpms and then it began to smoke and smell. when i got out of the car i observed flames shooting out of the front wheel. chrysler has inspected and says they do not know the cause of the fire. they are willing to fix the fire damage but they cannot fix the cause of the fire because they do not know what the cause is. i do not feel the car is safe to drive unless they can pinpoint the cause and have it repaired or replaced. they are also refusing to return the parts to me, and i have told them that i need to have them inspected for future litigation. they claim that they will be sending them to chrysler, who has also refused to return them to me.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - POWER ASSIST
 While driving 20 mph vehicle lost power steering/ power brakes and electrical system without warning. vehicle was inspected by dealer, and it was determined that fan belt separated from vehicle. *ak