2001 Chrysler Town & Country Engine Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BURST INTO FLAMES. THERE WERE TWO LOUD EXPLOSIONS COMING FROM THE TIRE AREA AS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN BURNING. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING A FEW MINUTES. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT PERFORMED THE REPAIR HIMSELF THAT INCLUDED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE, MAP SENSOR AND THE COIL PACK. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT SPECIALIZED IN ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

MY VAN HAS A SEVERE GAS SMELL EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT AND IT HAS COST ME AND MY CHILDREN TO SUFFER FROM SEVERE MIGRANES I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 5 KIDS WITH A FIXED INCOME AND DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY OR REPAIRS I AM STILL PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE I STILL OWE 4000 ON IT AND NOONE EVER TOLD ME ABOUT RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE TILL I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC I HAVE OTHER ISSUES AS WELL I GET REGULAR OIL CHANGES AND FOR SOME REASON THE ENGINE GOT SO HOT IT SHOT THE BEARINGS IN THE RODS TO THE OIL PAN IT IS GOING TO COST ME OVER 300 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND ALSO THE BALL JOINT SNAPPED ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE THERE IS JUST ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER GOING WRONG WITH THIS VAN IT IS IN NICE PHYSICAL SHAPE BUT IT SEEMS LIKE I GET ONE THING FIXED AND SOMETHING GOES WRONG IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN GET DONE ABOUT THIS? LIKE I SAID I AM STILL PAYING ON IT SO IT IS NOT LIKE I CAN JUST GO OUT AND GET ANOTHER CAR TO REPLACE IT I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT IT FOR OVER A MONTH NOW AND I HAVE TO HAVE IT FOR MY KIDS. *TR

ALONG WITH THE MANY OTHERS THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT, I TOO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF COOLANT FROM A POORLY DESIGNED AND PROTECTED COOLANT TUBE MADE OF POOR QUALITY, NON-RUSTPROTECTED, SHEETMETAL THAT RUNS UNDER THE CAR TO DELIVER COOLANT TO THE REAR SEAT HEATING CORE. I GUESS I AM LUCKY, AS MINE TOOK 6 YEARS TO FAIL AND BE REPLACED BY AN ALUMINUM, NON-CORROSIVE OR RUSTING REPLACEMENT TUBE AT THE COST OF $448.00. IT WOULD ONLY MAKE COMMON SENSE THAT THIS PART BE RECALLED BY CHRYSLER AND REPLACED FOR FREE DUE TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE IN DESIGN AND LACK OF THOUGHT OF CARS THAT RESIDE IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY THAT CORROSIVE ELEMENTS ARE USED IN THE WINTER TO MAKE ROADS SAFER TO REMOVE ICE. THEY JUST WON'T FACE UP TO THE FACT IT WAS A VERY POOR DESIGN TO USE LOW QUALITY METAL THAT WILL RUST OUT. I HAVE BEEN A CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SINCE THE 1970'S (71 DUSTER, 86 DODGER LANCER ES, 90 LEBARON CONVERT, 91 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER, 96 DODGE CARAVAN ES, 98 SEBRING CONVERT, 01 TOWN & COUNTRY, 03 SEBRING CONVERT) AND THIS WILL BE MY LAST CHRYSLER AS I AM READY TO REPLACE MY 01 T&C, BUT I HAVE SEEN QUALITY AND CARE OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS SERIOUSLY DECLINE SINCE 03. I WILL REPLACE MY T&C WITH A HONDA PASSPORT OR HYUNDAI ENTOURAGE OR BUICK ENCLAVE. WHEN THE LATEST PURCHASER OF CHRYSLER CORP. FINDS OUT HOW MANY CUSTOMERS THEY HAVE LOST DUE TO THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARD A FORMER LOYAL CUSTOMER BASE, THEY TOO WILL BE SELLING CHRYSLER JUST LIKE MERCEDES BENZ DID LAST YEAR. WITH THE GREAT REPUTATION FOR RESPECTING THEIR CUSTOMERS AND LARGE BANK ROLL THAT TOYOTA HAS, OUR "BIG 3" COULD BE ALL OWNED BY OFFSHORE FINANCES AND REFERRED TO AS "THE BIG ONE". A WORD FOR PEOPLE CONSIDERING BUYING A USED CHRYSLER PRODUCT MINI VAN, STAY AWAY FROM THOSE WITH REAR HEAT & A/C, AS IT WILL ONLY BE AN ADDED EXPENSE OF 4-600 DOLLARS IN THE FUTURE FOR SOMETHING YOU HAVE NO MEANS TO PREVENT OR PROTECT OR ARE EVEN MADE AWARE OF BY CHRYSLER/CAR DEALERS. *TR

GENTLEMEN, I OWN A CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY MINIVAN (2001 MODEL LXI) WITH ABOUT 33,000 MILES ON IT. RECENTLY I TOOK THE VAN TO MY LOCAL DEALER FOR ITS REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND TO HAVE A TIRE ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. WHILE PERFORMING THIS SERVICE THE DEALER SERVICE CONSULTANT TOLD ME THAT THE LINES FROM THE FRONT HEATER TO THE REAR HEATER WERE CORRODED TO THE POINT WHERE THE LINES WERE ABOUT TO BREAK AND/OR LEAK COOLANT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THEY SHOWED ME THE AREA AND SURE ENOUGH THE AREA BEHIND THE CROSS MEMBER IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL HAD THE MOUNTING BRACKET RUSTED OFF COMPLETELY AND THE LINE ITSELF FOR ABOUT 4 INCHES JUST BEHIND THE BEND TO GO UP IN FRONT OF THE FIREWALL HAD METAL FLAKING OFF AND WAS ABOUT TO GIVE WAY. I HAVE MARKED THE AREA ON THE ENCLOSED FIGURE 6 FROM YOUR SERVICE MANUAL. THE CORRODED AREA WAS A FEW INCHES IN FRONT OF THE RUBBER LINE WHICH ACTS AS A CONNECTION FROM THE METAL FRONT HEATER LINE TO THE METAL UNDERBODY LINE TO THE REAR HEATER. FOR YOUR INFORMATION NO COOLANT HAS BEEN ADDED OR CHANGED IN THIS VEHICLE SINCE ITS ORIGINAL DELIVERY WITH THE FACTORY INSTALLED COOLANT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS LINE SHOULD NOT HAVE CORRODED THIS RAPIDLY (FIVE YEARS AND LOW MILEAGE) AND THAT CHRYSLER SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THIS REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THIS IS BAD DESIGN AND MATERIAL SELECTION. IN THIS DAY AND AGE NO LINES OF THIS TYPE SHOULD DETERIORATE THIS RAPIDLY EVEN IN A SECTION OF THE COUNTRY WHERE SALT IS USED IN THE WINTER ON THE HIGHWAYS. EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF COMPLETE LOSS OF COOLANT AND THE SAFETY HAZARD OF A MAJOR FAILURE. YOU SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER A RECALL INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE WINTER SALT IS USED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE HOSES TO THE REAR HEATER HAD LEAKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

HEATER TUBES RUSTED AND LOST OF ALL COOLANT SUDDENLY. THIS TUBE RUNS FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR HEATER ELEMENT. THIS TUBE IS 2" FROM THE EXHAUST PIPE. DEFINITELY A POOR DESIGN. *NM

T&C EX 2001-STEEL LINES (2) FOR REAR HEATER RUSTED THROUGH LEAKING OUT ALL ITS FLUID.(HOPING THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO ENGINE). THESE LINES GO FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO JUST UNDER THE VEHICLE. REPLACEMENT LINES WERE MADE OF ALUMINUM AT A COST OF $149 + 6% TAX. (WAS GIVEN A SLIGHT DISCOUNT ON PRICE)LOSS OF FLUID WAS $21.58 + 6% TAX. LABOR DONE BY SELF. *JB

COOLANT LINES GOING TO REAR HEATER/AC UNIT IN 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY RUSTED OUT AND FAILED SUDDENLY. ALL COOLANT LOST. LINES CORRODED WHERE THEY PASS WITHIN 2" OF EXHAUST PIPE. CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT. DEALER CHARGED OVER $400.00 TO REPLACE THE STEEL LINES WITH NEW REDESIGNED ALUMINUM LINES. *NM

DROVE TO STORE ABOUT 40 MINUTES AWAY, ON THE WAY THERE AND BACK NO SIGNS AT ALL THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG OR ANY KIND OF WARNING LIGHTS. GOT HOME PARKED IN DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 2-3 HOURS WENT OUT TRIED TO START IT AND VAN WAS COMPLETELY DEAD NO POWER AT ALL. MY HUSBAND JUMPED IT WE STARTED DRIVING AND WITHIN A MILE ALL LIGHTS AND GAUGES STARTED FLICKERING AND ENGINE FAN WOULDN'T SHUT OFF HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO MAKE FAN STOP RUNNING. NEXT TIME GOT IT STARTED AGAIN STILL DEAD GAUGES BUT HEADLIGHTS WERE WORKING THEN EVERYTHING WENT DEAD AGAIN AND ENGINE FAN WOULDN'T COME ON AT ALL. IT HAS HAD A NEW BATTERY, NEW BODY CONTROL MODULE, TRANSMISSION MODULE AND GAUGES PUT IN AND STILL THE ENGINE FAN WON'T RUN AND ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS ON GAUGE PANEL WON'T GO OUT. DEALER SAID THEY STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG NEEDED TO DIAGNOSE MORE THINGS AT THE COST OF A MINIMUM OF $80 PER THING THEY CHECKED OUT. JUST BROUGHT THE VAN HOME. IT WAS PARKED FOR FIVE MONTHS PRIOR WHILE TRYING ALL THE REMEDIES ABOVE. I HAVE ALSO HAD SOME OF THE OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS NOISE IN FRONT END HAD TO DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. HAD A PROBLEM WITH SLIDING DOOR CLOSING WITH SOMEONES ARM IN IT AND DOOR DIDN'T STOP ON IT'S OWN! NOW THE POWER DOORS AND LOCKS WON'T WORK AT ALL. I WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE WHO WORKS FOR CHRYSLER'S THAT THEY WERE HAVING MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THESE VAN'S!! THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR DISASTER LIVE ON FIXED INCOME AS WELL AND CAN'T AFFORD THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO ON SUCH A NEW VEHICLE. CHRYSLER SHOULD HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS!! MAKES ME NOT WANT TO BUY ANOTHER NEW VEHICLE ESPECIALLY FROM CHRYSLER!!!

ON AND AROUND THE 24TH OF JUNE 04 MY A/C COMPRESSOR CLUTCH LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AROUND LOCALLY. THIS FAILURE PUT UNDUE TENSION ON THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT, RESULTING IN INCREASED TENSION AND EXTREME OVERHEATING OF THE BELT (SMOKE POURED OUT UNDER THE HOOD). LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY, AS I SWITCHED OFF THE A/C BEFORE THE DRIVE BELT BROKE WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE BEING DONE TO THE ENGINE OR VEHICLE (OVERHEATING DUE TO WATER PUMP STOPPAGE) OR LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO POWER STEERING FAILURE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING, AS I HAD RECEIVED A DOCUMENT FROM CHRYSLER STATING THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE A/C HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO 7 YEARS AND/OR 70,000 MILES DUE TO QUOTE LACK OF LUBRICATION ISSUES (I CAN SUPPLY THIS DOCUMENT IF REQUESTED). THE ABOVE DEALER REPLACED THE A/C UNIT AND BELT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE LEFT THE SHOP A WHINING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TRACED THIS; TO THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT SIDE OF THE ENGINE (3.8LITRE V6 ONE DRIVE BELT). ON GOING BACK TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED WATER PUMP/ TENSIONER AND ALTERNATOR, BUT I WAS MADE TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. I CONTEND THAT A GENERAL RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN INITIATED FOR THIS DEFECT AND THAT ANY SECONDARY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE SAID DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURE EXPENSE, AS ITS THEIR LIABILITY NOT THE CUSTOMER. *JB

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE. IT WILL START HOWEVER ONCE CONSUMER GETS GOING, THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUOUSLY CUT OFF. THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. ONCE IT CUT OFF THE CONSUMER LOST THE POWER STEERING. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ONCE THE WEATHER CHANGES AND STARTS TO GET COLD OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. DEALER HAS REPLACED CLOCK SPRING, AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR, TRANSMISSION MODULE SENSOR AND STILL COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEMS. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

EARLY TOTAL FAILURE OF AC CLUTCH, COMPRESSOR AND BELT.

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE WHY. THE DEALER FIRST SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS DUE TO GAS CAP NOT BEING TIGHTENED ENOUGH, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *NLM

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN INTERMITTENTLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS

SERPENTINE BELT WEARS QUICKLY. DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS. THE DEALER TOLD ME MY ONLY REMEDY WAS TO FILE A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT BUT I FEAR THAT IF THE BELT BREAKS BEFORE THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST ON THE STEERING MAY MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR MY WIFE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.

WE PURCHASED THIS VAN ON 7/31/01. THE A/C COMPRESSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AND SOME OTHER A/C PART WAS REPAIRED AS WELL. THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY WIFE AND TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VAN. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER LESS CRITICAL PROBLEMS REPAIRED UNDER THE 3/36 WARRANTY AS WELL. CHRYSLER GAVE US THEIR 7 YR./100,000 MILE SERVICE CONTRACT FOR FREE AFTER I DEMANDED A BUYBACK (7-1-02 LETTER) AFTER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THEY DECLINED A BUYBACK BECAUSE THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN REPAIRED. AFTER THE A/C WAS LAST REPAIRED, I WROTE AGAIN (5-12-03) AND DEMANDED A BUYBACK OR REPLACEMENT. THEY REFERRED IT TO THEIR THIRD-PARTY IMPARTIAL SERVICES GROUP (ISG) TO SET UP A REPLACEMENT. COMMUNICATIONS HAVE BEEN INITIATED WITH US FOR A REPLACEMENT, BUT WE MAY WANT A BUYBACK INSTEAD. WHEN I VERBALLY ASKED ISG ABOUT A REFUND, THEY SAID IT WASN'T AUTHORIZED. I SENT A FOLLOW-UP FAX ON 5-26-03 ASKING FOR THE DETAILS OF A REFUND UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW. I AM AWAITING A RESPONSE.

VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. BRAKE PROBLEMS, W/A VIBRATING/SHAKING OF FRONT OF VEHICLE UPON BRAKING. WAS FIXED BY DEALER TWICE. FRONT HEATED SEATS HAVE STOPPED WORKING: TWICE ON DRIVER SIDE. DEALER FIXED. NOW ON PASSENGER SIDE, DEALER WILL NOT FIX UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. COST IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX. ENGINE NOISE PROBLEMS - LOUD WHINING, WITH ROUGH IDLING. HAPPENED W/IN FIRST COUPLE OF MONTH OF OWNERSHIP, DEALER THOUGHT IT WAS THE FAN. REPLACED FAN PARTS. STARTED W/NOISE AND ROUGH-IDYLING AGAIN W/IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, DEALER COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. WENT IN FOR THIRD TIME, DEALER SAID IT WAS THE STEERING FLUID RESEVOIR. DEALER MADE A "MODIFICATION" TO THE FLUID RESEVOIR. NOISE W/ROUGH IDYLLING CAME BACK AGAIN A FEW MONTHS AGO, DEALER SAID IT WAS A HOSE. REPLACED HOSE. PROBLEM IS NOW COMING BACK AGAIN, DEALER IS NOT SURE WHAT IT IS, CURRENTLY PROBLEM IS INTERMITTEN, DEALER CAN'T FIND NOISE UPON CHECKING, NOISE IS MOST APPARENT UPON PERIODS @ HIGHER RATES OF SPEED, DEALER WILL NOT DRIVE AT HIGHER RATE OF SPEED TO TEST. PASSENGER SLIDER DOOR HAS PROBLEM SHIFTING FROM AUTOMATIC MODE TO MANUAL MODE: STAYS IN AUTOMATIC MODE WHEN PERSON TRIES TO MANUALLY OPEN. DEALER WILL NOT FIX UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. COST TO FIX IS EXPENSIVE. AIR-CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR IN FOR THIRD REPAIR. AIR-CONDITIONER HAD PRESSURE PROBLEMS, NO COLD AIR COMING OUT, ONLY HOT AIR. WENT TO DEALER TWICE TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER TOLD US THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN WARMER-CLIMATE AREAS, AND PREPARE TO GET USED TO COLD AIR NOT ALWAYS BEING COLD, DEPENDING ON THE HEAT OUTSIDE. THIS WAS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE RESPONSE TO ME. DEALER FINALLY FIXED PROBLEM. NOW COMPRESSOR HAS GONE OUT. DEALER IS CURRENTLY CHECKING PROBLEM. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE BY NORM REEVES CHRYSLER DODGE IN TEMECULA, CA UNTIL THE A/C COMPRESSOR PROBLEM. THIS IS BEING DONE AT A DIFFERENT DEALER, BECAUSE I HAVE NOT BEEN HAPPY WITH NORM REEVES' SERVICE.