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Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Caravan Door & Window Problems

411 messages,  Last post on Aug 03, 2012 at 6:02 PM

You are in the Chrysler Town & Country/Dodge Grand Caravan Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Dodge Caravan, Exterior, Van

Messages Page 34 of 42

#323 of 411 Re: what a piece of JUNK! [vlphil] by jpf

Jun 19, 2009 (8:00 pm)

Replying to: vlphil (Jun 17, 2009 6:36 pm)
When Cerberus took over Chrysler in late 2007, I knew it was bad news. This company just fips businesses in order to make a quick buck. The 2008 and 2009 Chrysler models have the worst quality in the industry and their own worst quality in years. I think the Chrysler merger with Fiat is a blessing for Chrysler. They have individuals who have knowledge about the car business and care about the company. I believe you will see Chrysler improve upon its quality from now on. I own a 2006 Dodge Caravan that I bought brand new and have never brought it in for warranty work. I had the front brakes done 6 months ago at 32k miles. The original rotors are still on the van. I replaced the original tires at 35k miles. Otherwise, only routine maintenance has been done on the vehicle. A couple of weeks ago I bought a 2007 PT Cruiser with only 5,500 miles on it. I don't plan on giving up on Chrysler. Keep the faith.

#324 of 411 Re: what a piece of JUNK! [jpf] by samnoe

Jun 22, 2009 (7:13 pm)

Replying to: jpf (Jun 19, 2009 8:00 pm)
But as noted somewhere above, the 2006 MY (I had the 2005 MY, which is basically the same) is MUCH MORE reliable than the 2008. Drives and handles better too. Chrysler improved 2008 with features, and went back with all the rest.
 
And I see no change coming for 2010. Why don't they offer the 4.0L engine accross the line? It's still not as smooth, quiet or refined as any other engine in its class; but at least it offers more power and better mileage than the aging 3.8L which is 60 horsepower less than competition!! Why don't they improve driving dynamics, handling, mute road impacts, interior controls, and more!??

#325 of 411 my 2008 T&C experience by snowwolf777

Jul 15, 2009 (8:46 am)

II am extremely dissatisfied with the quality of my 2008 Town and Country van. I have 49,000 miles on it, and today it's down for brakes, a wheel bearing, wheel hub, and tie rod. About $800 in repairs.
 
This follows a few weeks ago when it was down for about $500 in air conditioner repair due to a "bad line" that apparently was a known issue. Service writer admitted he "sees a lot of them". Then why in the hell don't you allow it's a bad part and replace it free?
 
I have poured more money into this vehicle at 49,000 miles than I did with my 2003 Windstar in total. I put 249,000 miles on the Windstar, and only did 3 brake jobs, tires and fluid changes.
 
It's not like I off-road or abuse this vehicle. It's all highway. And of course, nothing is a recall or factory/dealer issue where anything is subsidized.
 
I can understand the brakes being gone and needing to be replaced as normal wear/tear. But the bearing/hub? I haven't had a wheel bearing or hub go bad on a car since the 70s. And a tie rod? An acknowledged faulty air conditioner line and I have to pay for it?
 
Rear hatch latch assy was also bad, causing the interior lights to stay on and door ajar warning to constantly be on, even when the hatch was closed and secured. This would have been another several hundred dollars for an entirely new latch, had I chosen to fix it instead of just cutting the offending wires to the sensor.
 
I am frustrated and disappointed. Never, never, never again will I have a Chrysler And I will make sure every friend, relative and internet car quality forum knows of the problems I've had, and cash I've had to lay out. Unfortunately, I'm sure there are more problems and expenses to come.

#326 of 411 Re: my 2008 T&C experience [snowwolf777] by srs_49

Jul 16, 2009 (4:02 am)

Replying to: snowwolf777 (Jul 15, 2009 8:46 am)
My experience has been more in line with samnoe's. I have a 2007 Grand Caravan (the last year of that version) with 52,000 miles and have only touched the front brakes - nothing else.
 
It's unfortunate but Chrysler and D3 products tend to have significant teething problems every time they revamp the line or even come out with a new model.

#327 of 411 Re: Premature Brake Wear on 2008 Town and Country [grega3] by jerry109

Jul 28, 2009 (7:00 am)

Replying to: grega3 (Oct 25, 2008 4:04 am)
Yes, the dealer told me while replacing the front wheel bearing (yes already) that mine needed replacing. I have owned several and this has not been a problem. There should be a recall on these. This is after I have had back bumper cover replaced, anti thief switch which will shut van down, gear switch is noisy and button hangs and goes from 1750 rpms to 2500 in speed control continuously.
They say it is normal to do that.

#328 of 411 0 by gtfireman

Jul 28, 2009 (3:06 pm)

0

#329 of 411 going back problem by skytianb

Aug 12, 2009 (7:03 pm)

I have had a 08 TC for 9 month. Today morning when I tried to move backward out of my garage, It just stopped there. I pushed the accelerator, after hearing two huge Peng Peng sound, the car started to move backward. Does anyone have some idea on this?

#330 of 411 Re: going back problem [skytianb] by noni4

Aug 13, 2009 (6:40 am)

Replying to: skytianb (Aug 12, 2009 7:03 pm)
No I do not have that problem so far. I do experience wierd noises when it's raining though like the drive shaft is coming apart. My rear quarter panels are loose again, otherwise, not so far on the engine. Sorry to hear about your problem. Has it been resolved?

#331 of 411 Re: 2008 T&C Brakes and Rotors Need Replaced [usavet] by noni4

Aug 13, 2009 (6:55 am)

Replying to: usavet (Nov 12, 2008 12:14 pm)
Yes, I too was frustrated when I found out my front brakes were shot at 9,500 miles. I bought my car in March of 08 and for the first 4 months it was in the shop for one reason or another. I had a 2000 Dodge van and never had problems with brakes or anything else. This one is falling apart. I already had struts, brakes numerous replacements of the radio which goes out for who knows why. The panels keep coming loose, the doors do not shut as it shows the obstacle message, it makes a siren like noise when driving, the defrosters, hmm of course they cannot duplicate the problem as it takes over a 1/2 hour to get to the dealer it's like driving a clunker. I cannot afford to trade mine in, if I could I would

#332 of 411 2009 Town & Country 4.0L is Great! by intrepidacious

Aug 13, 2009 (7:46 am)

We have a 2009 Town & Country 4.0L, and it's been great. The power doors are a little overly sensitive when closing, so occasionally they'll reverse for fear they might hurt someone! Silly. Other than that it's been smooth and nice. I would like to have seen more anti-roll, but I guess it's a minivan, not a sport sedan...
 
 I actually got the 4.0L on this 25th anniversary Touring edition, which apparently is kinda rare? I guess the 4.0L is mostly on the Limiteds. The 4.0L engine and 6-speed automatic are a great combination -- you can floor it from a stoplight and it acts like a wannabe racecar, zipping through the gears and accelerating to 60 in about 7.8 seconds.
 
Compare published 0-60 times for current model year vans, and you'll find that the Town & Country with the 4.0L can actually outrun Odyssey's & Siennas.
 
The 4.0L isn't the most powerful engine in its class, but it's very torquey. It has a long stroke for improved low rpm torque, which is exactly what's needed for a heavy VAN for engine response around town. The 4.0-liter V-6 engine improves the torque curve in the low- to mid-range for more pep during acceleration from idle. Focusing more on low- to mid-range means that maximum power of 251hp is not as high as you might expect from a 4.0L engine, but a few horsepower at the top end won't be missed in a VAN, while the broad torque curve throughout the rpm range is really appreciated.
 
But the 4.0L engine is just an enlargement of the 3.5L SOHC V6 and is just a stopgap measure until the new Pentastar engine line debuts shortly. Keep in mind that the 2.7L DOHC, the 3.3/3.8L pushrod engines, and the 3.5L/4.0L SOHC engines are basically all the same engine family. (Only the 3.7L V6 seen in Durango and Liberty is different, being based off of the 4.7L V8.)
 
So we'll have a whole new "Pentastar" V6 engine family to replace all these V6's very soon! Several sizes will be available including a 3.6L with 280hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. and possibly a future 4.0L.

Messages Page 34 of 42

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