12 problems related to engine cooling system have been reported for the 1996 Chrysler Town & Country. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The serpentine belt on my 1996 Chrysler Town & Country lxi, makes a loud squeal and then falls off a week later. When driving in rain and going over a puddle the serpentine belt falls off this has happened so many times that I have installed brackets one by the tensioner and one by the pulley. The immediate & dangerous result is loss of power steering and power brakes next is water pump fails causing engine to over heat so unless you have a spare belt in your van at the time and the tools to change it you are let stranded.
The airconditioner continues to malfunction after several attempts to fix it by my mechanic. After the second setting the van begins to overheat. The clutch in the transmission failed after 63,500 miles.
We have had to have the whole transmission rebuilt and/or replaced in Nov. We also had to take our vehicle bach within 1 week to have more trans. Work done even after it was replaced. Now it back in the shop for a water pump leak and a thermostat, along with replacement of the lines to the cooling system because they are cracked, along with another round with the belt and tensioner that we had replaced in April of 2000. We also have had the electrical rely replaced 2 times and we are wondering if we will have to replace it again after a year of use. We are so fed up with this vehicle right now that you can not even imagine. For the past 4 months it has set in our drive way because we are afraid to drive it. . . . . We are now wondering when it is driven what is going to happen to it next. We are not to happy with having to put all this money in a vehicle that is 5 years old and 62k miles. We have all the service records on this vehicle if you need them. Please respond to this complaint and investigate the problems futher. As it looks there are lots of people that have complained about the same problems as I have.
Serpentine belt tensioner broke causing loss of pwr steering second occurance; first was at 44k mi. Manufacturing defect. Mfg should be force to redsign part & recall.
I am disabled secondary to multiple sclerosis but an still actively employed as a physician. I was thrilled to purchase a vehicle through Chrysler that was adapted by braun corporation with a lowered floor, entervan ramp and hand controls. From the first 6800 miles, I have had repeated problems. In the past year and a half, I have been stranded in my vehicle in my wheelchair and the van has required towing. I was prompted to reach out to you for help because the first problem (at 6800 miles) recurred now at 40,000 miles. My brakes failed entirely without warning and I was travelling at 40mph. Chrysler points the finger at braun and quality coach (the distributor locally). They point the finger at Chrysler. Chrysler said that in 1996, braun cahnged the location of the fuel pump and this required "customization" of the line between the brake pump and the master cylinder. This "custmized" line has worn through twice (the first time at 6800 miles) with no warning. I was assured then that the problem was corrected but found out at 40mph that my brakes were gone again. I had gotten the van serviced at the dealer 6 weeks prior to this and new front brakes were installed. I also had it in 12 weeks prior to this incident to have all the conversion equipment checked. Needless to say, no assurances from them that they have corrected the problem will convince me to drive this van and I do not, in good conscience, want to pass this problem on to another innocent person. Please advise and help if you can!.
A small antifreeze leak was noted 3mos. After the warrenty expired leading to a water pump failure then the power window on the driver's side failed to work after opening the window to pay toll and remained open for duration of the trip over 1 hour in very cold weather(10-15 degrees f).
Without warning at 50 mph, the water pump on this car seized, then the alternator belt burned which broke all the other belts nearby, causing the car to lose power. This incident has happened twice to this car in the last 6 months.
Auto transmission failed and was replaced after 46,856 miles. Fuel gauge reads empty when 5 or 6 gallons remain - tank replaced, problem never fixed. Windshield wipers will come on by themselves, switch replaced problem still exists. Electric cooling fans failed, module and relay replaced. Driver window moter and regulator failed. Air conditioning compressor leaked, a/c hoses leaked all new system put in.
Water pump failed.
While driving at 10-15 mph steering belt tensioner came apart suddenly, resulting in loss of steering control. Also water pump broke.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
Water pump failed. Mjs.