16 problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1997 Chrysler Town & Country. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My mother was driving a 1997 Chrysler Town & Country Mini-van when she stopped to pick up yard sale signs. When she stopped the vehicle and placed it park, she exited the van and started walking towards the rear of the van when it self-shifted into reverse, known as the park-to-reverse defect. The van knocked my mother down and pinned her under the van where she died from blunt force trauma to the head. This is a known defect but has never been recalled in Chrysler vehicles. There have been numerous complaints and you have even investigated this very defect 3 or 4 times previous to my mothers death and have never done anything about it, now I don't have a mother. The vehicle was inspected by an engineer and he concluded that the vehicle did have the park-to reverse defect. The vehicle would go into false park and seconds later, it would go into reverse. When the vehicle was tested, it happened four out of ten times. Updated ivoq 11/17/10 the consumer stated none of the recalls that were issued, really fixed the actual defect in the shift selector of the transmission. Updated ivoq 12/10/10. Updated 12/21/10.
On numerous occasions since owning our 1997 town and country Chrysler van, anytime we have run into an even slight puddle, turning left onto our street, we have completely lost all power and unable to turn. . . . Running into the neighbor's yard. . . . Where children have played, at times. We reported such to our dealer with their saying that "no one has ever reported this. " apparently, they have now. We would like it fixed please, at no cost to us. Also, our transmission for two years works and then doesn't work, with our having to drive off the road, turn off the van, and turn back on in order to have it shift properly. . . . Especially when the air conditioning has been on. We would like that fixed, too, with no cost to us. . . . For it must be a defect as it hasn't quit completely. Thank you, larry wright 7/08/05.
The consumer stated the transmission locked up while driving. The vehicle was towed and upon inspection it was discovered the transmission contained chunks of metal. The planetary had disintegrated.
When driving vehicle stalled. Had to be put in neutral to restart. Consumer took vehicle to four mechanics and no one could find anything. Then, consumer took it back to where it was bought and the mechanic said they had problems before on town and country vehicles with stalling.
When vehicle is in park and the key is not in the ignition, the consumer can still shift the gears to reverse. Dealer has been notified. The rearview mirror had fallen. (assumed due to the heat) the consumer's daughter moved the gear shift down and in reverse and the second vehicle was adjacent but several feet behind the vehicle. The driver's side door was severely pushed forward and the front end of the second vehicle was damaged.
The vehicle was shut off and in park. My 18 month old hit the automatic shift lever without applying brakes. The car was on an incline and rolled out into 2 lanes of traffic. The car was not on nor did she put her foot on the brake. The lever moved from out of park and into reverse. Luckily no one was injured, but it could have been worse. I chased the car down the incline into traffic and we were only hit by one lane of traffic. This is a serious safety issue, especially since it is mom's with little children that drive Mini-vans. The tow truck driver said that this should not have happened, my van has a defect. Thank you for your time!.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
During service had transmition oil & filter changed at 69,000 miles. No silver sparkles in old oil noted. At 86,000 compleat trans failure. When pan removed from trans. "chunks" of metal noticed in oil!!!!! warranty did not cover $3,700 to replace trans. Regardless of temp, trans shifts when it wants to and will stall engine in a minute for no reason.
While driving, transmission went out. There were no prior warnings. Please fill additional information.
Consumer was traveling around 55mph on highway and shaft broke to transmission. There was no prior warning. Vehicle would shift into third gear. Dealership was aware of problem.
No summary.
No summary listed for abov evehicle.
Transmission needs to be replaced at 60k miles. A review of the internet reveals lots of people with similar problems.
Consumer got into vehicle to start engine. After driving approximately 15minutes, transmission overheated. In stop and go traffic problem becomes persistent. Transmission fluid boils and overheats. Vehicle becomes smoky and gives off an odor.
Transmission stays in neutral while in drive position.
While driving 70 mph the transmission shifted to second gear and then shut down completely.