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Chrysler Town & Country power steering problems

111 messages,  Last post on Apr 06, 2012 at 8:08 PM

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

What is this discussion about? Chrysler Town and Country, Steering, Van

Messages Page 6 of 12

#47 of 111 Chrysler Town and Country Steering Problems by silverdale

Aug 25, 2008 (7:09 pm)

We bought a new 2006 T&C SWB a year ago that now has 3,200 miles on it. The car has almost no power steering although fluid hasn't leaked and there's no noise as others have experienced. It just has no power. The dealership replaced the rack and pinion and pump but it made little change in the hard steering. They agree that the steering is unusually difficult, but have no solutions and are trying to get around the problem by also claiming the steering is normal. Our friend's 2005 that uses the same parts is easy to steer - normal, and other used T&C's we've tested on car lots are normal. Has anyone else had this problem?

#48 of 111 Re: Chrysler Town and Country Steering Problems [silverdale] by ehumbert

Nov 18, 2008 (11:32 am)

Replying to: silverdale (Aug 25, 2008 7:09 pm)
I've an '05 T&C, bought in Sept of '05. It's got about 34K on it, and I found out today that the power steering assemby has to be completely replaced. Not under warranty, as I'm two months past the 36 month deadline. I'm a paraplegic, and have no choice but to go to someone to have it fixed. From the looks of the posts here, I think there's a very good chance for a lawsuit against Chrysler. Meanwhile, I'm going to the local TV station to see if they will do an expose' on this subject. $1127 for this repair is killing me.
 
Eugene Humbert
Denver, Co.

#49 of 111 Re: Chrysler Town and Country Steering Problems [ehumbert] by jrsatt

Nov 18, 2008 (6:43 pm)

Replying to: ehumbert (Nov 18, 2008 11:32 am)
I highly suggest you contact a person of knowledge and make personal contact with the Chrysler Corporation and express your concern over the sever problems that their mini-vans are having with the power steering racks and demand satisfaction. They put out a piece of junk and are hiding behind a stone wall. I had the same story except I had purchased a policy so it only cost me $107.00 which included state tax on the repair bill.
Go get em!

#50 of 111 Town and Country Steering Problems by WonderingMB

Nov 23, 2008 (1:22 pm)

Took my 06 T&C to a dealer to have it serviced. They changed the oil & everything checked out ok except there was a problem in the steering rack. Had some noise in the steering the past couple of weeks so I listened. The steering rack was leaking fluid and it was going into the boots which could cause a problem of locking up. Since I have an upcoming trip back to Indiana (I live in SC) I figured I better replace it. Total cost of $707.73. Called back the next morning and was told the dealer couldn't do anything about it. Was given Chrysler's customer service number 1-800-992-1997.
Only had 42447 miles on the van I purchased in May '08. Had just over 32000 on at purchase.
After reading all these messages I figure there's a real problem with the rack and pinion steering on Chrysler vans. Am going to follow through with the call to Chrysler and see what happens. The other recourse is Indiana's Lemon Law.

#52 of 111 '05 T&C 30,600 miles needs rack & pinion replacement!?! by kvander

Jan 26, 2009 (4:09 pm)

After hearing the irregular whine (slipping belt sound) at start up, especially with the cold weather, and finding a clear, thin, oily substance under the right hand side of the front of the car, I took the car to the local dealer. I am still shocked that after only 30,600 miles, such a major repair had to be made. 90% of the mileage has been to and from school on local roads which are in excellent condition. We've driven to Texas twice. This hardly seems like conditions that should cause the rack & pinion assembly to fail. Chrysler should be ASHAMED that they have not acknowledged and rectified such an obviously dire design flaw. Because the car was put into service 7/05, it is out of warranty. Initially, the quote to replace the R&P was $850 plus tax. After finding out that a Firestone repair would probably be less, they adjusted the repair price to $750 plus tax. I guess every little bit helps, but I'm still very concerned that this should actually be a recall item replacement. It is not at all unreasonable to expect the power steering to function properly for much, much longer than 30,000 miles. I never had any problems with my Toyota Previa or Nissan Quest minivans...
 
Everyone reading and posting here should file a formal complaint with Chrysler and the NHTSA and possibly their state consumer protection agency and anyone else who might influence a recall. Let Chrysler know of your plans regarding any future purchase of their products...

#53 of 111 Re: '05 T&C 30,600 miles needs rack & pinion replacement!?! [kvander] by villageab1

Mar 13, 2009 (5:15 am)

Replying to: kvander (Jan 26, 2009 4:09 pm)
Hey guys - POWER STEERING PROBLEM SOLVED! our 2005 town and country had the same power steering noise - after listening to a bunch of advice and getting the dealer to quote us $1400 for a new rack and pump - we found a smart local mechanic who did some research - so for a $29 part + an hour labor - he replaced the p/s resevoir - apparently there is a teflon type of additive in the factory p/s fluid that clogs the screen in the resevoir - and guess what! - no more p/s noise - no leaks - no problem!
 
Hope this helps - spread the word

#54 of 111 Re: '05 T&C 30,600 miles needs rack & pinion replacement!?! [kvander] by kvander

Mar 13, 2009 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: kvander (Jan 26, 2009 4:09 pm)
UPDATE: I filed a formal complaint with Chrysler, sending receipts and documentation of the repair. Ultimately, I received a check for $527 from them. No letter, no reason, but the refund speaks for itself I suspect. If you haven't already done so, give it a try. Call the Customer Assistance number first to get a complaint number, then they'll tell you what to send and where.
Good luck!
PS - if you are just now discovering the problem, try the p/s reservoir changeout noted below first!

#55 of 111 1996 Town and Country PS problem by esscurvejunkie

Apr 08, 2009 (6:01 pm)

I'm having PS problems with my 1996 Town and Country. It has a rebuilt engine with approx. 14,000 miles on it. When making a turn, it makes a whining noise and has a really stiff feel in the wheel. The engine sometimes stalls out when making a sharp turn at low to mid-range speed. I've noticed too, that there is some blow back from the top of the fluid reservoir, but no apparent leaks from around the pump.
Any ideas or suggestions?

#56 of 111 Re: 1996 Town and Country PS problem [esscurvejunkie] by enufkids4now

Apr 09, 2009 (11:32 am)

Replying to: esscurvejunkie (Apr 08, 2009 6:01 pm)
We don't know if our engne is rebuilt or not, is there a way to tell??? We bought our 1996 T & C 2 months ago today from a used car dealer, and I have also noticed that there is a really stiff feel in our wheel too, but no whining noise!!!

Messages Page 6 of 12

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