Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SUSPENSION
020030503/16/200510013699Rattle/knocking sound from the front suspension. *sc04/25/2005
SUSPENSION - FRONT - MACPHERSON STRUT
020040505/27/200510016751Creaking/squawking sound from front strut area. *tt10/04/2005

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
10/10/200974000
 2002 chrysler town & country lxi front tires worn, rattling when moving over and uneven suface, checked ball joints badly worn less than 80,000 mi. lower ball joint failure
11/28/20045000011/28/2004
 Knocking in the front wheel area. technician claims it may be a bushing or a strut (or a bushing on the strut).
01/11/20052
 The driver noticed a loud grinding noise while starting up the vehicle. apparently the noise was coming from the steering wheel. the driver was able to drive to the dealer for inspection. the mechanic placed the vehicle on a diagnostic machine. the codes were displayed on the computer, then reset. the mechanic informed the driver that the problem was solved. the driver informed the mechanic that this problem has recurred more than once. *ak
07/25/200313706/26/2002
 Automatic transmission disengaged while driving. dealer was unable to duplicate or correct the problem. *ak the service dealer manager verified and experienced these conditions and was unable to correct the problem. two days after the purchase, the van shuttered at low speed, low rpms in reverse, slipped out of gear when attempting to ascend in grade, the check engine light had come on. other problems that occurred, were as followed: the brake calipers were squealing which may have been due to sticking, the vehicle leaned to the left, and the right sliding door didn't open from the inside switch. *scc *jb
08/05/200213001207/01/2002
 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
05/01/20023
 Vehicle wanders all over the road at any speed, in wet conditions vehicle sways. taken to dealer 3 times, cannot remedy the problem.*ak
SUSPENSION - FRONT
10/10/200974000
 2002 chrysler town & country lxi front tires worn, rattling when moving over and uneven suface, checked ball joints badly worn less than 80,000 mi. lower ball joint failure
11/01/200689000105/01/2002
 A knocking sound has appeared again in the front suspension. about 18 months ago, a similar symptom appeared. after repeated repairs (tie-rod ends, for example), the dealer finally discovered that the front left cv 1/2 axle was defective. replacement cured the problem. apparently the same problem now happening again. a knocking sound is apparent during low speed travel on a street with slight variations. this seems to be slow enough to hear it. there is also a knock when deliberately swinging the steering wheel from side to side. i will continue to pursue remedying this repeated problem with my 2002 town and country minivan. *nm
12/02/20042
 While driving 40 mph vehicle jerked and vibrated uncontrollably. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. however, mechanic could not duplicate the problem. *ak
05/10/200411/01/2003
 We purchased a 2002 chrysler town & country with 22000 miles on it in november 2003. since then we have had it in the service department 6 times for multiple problems. we first reported a vibration in the front end and a clicking/knocking noise when turning the steering to the right. the dealer service dept. replaced the sway bar links and bushings and could not duplicate the vibration problem. we took it back again 3 more time for the vibration problem until they finally replacced all 4 tires. it stiil has a vibration to this day. in between all of these visits we had it in for a fuel smell thet filled the entire house when parked in the garage. the replaced the fuel rail and o-rings. still have a gas smell when the tank is full. also had is back in for a steering problem after they did recall work on the power steering lines that did not get done while on the lot. when we took it back in the power steering rack siezed up in the parking lot at the dealer. they replaced the rack and pinion steering box. now we just had to take it back again for a clicking noise in the front. they replaced the sway bar links and bushings again. they van currently has 26000 miles on it. after we purchased the van i did some research and found out that it was a rental vehicle before it was actioned to the dealer that we went to. the dealer did not divulge this information to us before signing the deal. they had the van for a total of 3 weeks for the first 2 months that we had it. things were going well until it all started over again with the sway bar.
11/12/2002110/01/2000
 The vehicle, above, bounced around on the road and was noisy. since we are both retired and drive about 2000 miles per month we felt unsafe since about 75% of our miles are at highway speeds on the interstate roads. we feared a lack of control with a possiblity of a crash. the dealer reaired but chrysler would not stand behind the cost of $726 to repair. we experienced this reaction on the 2001 chrysler after two years because we drive more than double the average driver. it would seem to us that there are some potential accidents waiting to happen when the average driver reaches their fourth year or 52000 miles. feel there should be a recall on the failure of front end struts and sway bars for a two year old vehicle with 53000 miles. dt
SUSPENSION - FRONT - CONTROL ARM
06/01/2002
 Engine sputtering and failure occured at 23000 miles while driving. vehicle serviced by dealer several times, replacing and repairing electrical system components. dealer has replaced wiring harness/ iginition coils, bare electrical wire shorted/ pcm replaced/replaced clock spring twice, and replaced front control module. consumer wasvery concerned about electrical problems. does not feel vehicle is safe.*ak
SUSPENSION - REAR
07/01/200329137504/25/2003
 My 2002 town & country has been in the shop 5/6 times for rear abnormal noise and excessive steering noise. *la
107/01/2002
 The tires experienced abnormal wear of the rear tires, consumer was informed an alignment was needed. *jb the abnormal tire wear was on all four tire outer edges, out of alignment/adjustment, front alignment were set to specifications, however, the rear axle tube assembly was replaced on the rear to correct the problems. scc
SUSPENSION - REAR - SHOCK ABSORBER
05/09/2007800003
 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. *ak