Five problems related to underhood wiring have been reported for the 1996 Chrysler Town & Country. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Due to a loose wire vehicle caught on fire under hood. Vehicle was totalled.
I have already filed a verbal report on the phone, however my van that we purchased new caught fire on sept. 19. 2000. I, e. Amanda harris wasthe primary operator of the vehicle. I just wanted to add some additonal info. To the original report. We had always taken the car to be serviced and at one such time I complained to the dealer that whenever I filled the van up with gas I smelled gas fumes inside of the van as if something was leaking. They returned the van indicating nothing was wrong. During the first 30 days after I purchased the vehicle one of the sealent rings fell off and the transmission fluid poured out. I was stranded dangerously on the side on the road during rush hour traffic with five children. We used the van for family travel also. On the day of the event it was the grace of god that the vehicle didn't blow up with my children in the vehicle. Many times they would have been sleeping. We purchased this vehicle because we thought is was safe, only to find out it wasn't. Worse yet I cannot afford to purchase another vehicle yet and we are struggling with one 4 dr sedan until we can afford to do better. I cringe when I see any van these days, especially Chrysler, Dodge or Plymouth. I'm grateful I'm alive.
Starter and engine wiring harness caught on fire while vehicle was parked and engine off. Dealer replaced starter. There were no prior warnings to fire. This may have caused serious injuries to cosumer.
Consumer drove vehicle for approximately 5 minutes, parked vehicle and turned off ignition. 10 minutes later, fire started underneath the hood in engine. Fire dept had to extinguish the fire. Chrysler representative stated that it might have been fuel pump, but then denied claim. Vehicle was a total loss.
After driving the vehicle for about (10) minutes, driver saw smoke coming from under the hood. When checking the vehicle discovered there was a fire which started in the engine. The vehicle was totalled.