15 problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 1999 Chrysler Town & Country. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
There is not a locking mechanism to putting the car in gear while depressing the brake. I noticed it by accident one day while I was cleaning it and accidentally pulled it into gear. Not only is this a major safety concern but is also a theft issue. Chrysler really needs to step up to the plate with some of the major safety issues with this vehicle!.
I was vacuuming my 1999 Chrysler Town & Country van before church when my 1 year old son pulled the shifter out of park and the van rolled down our driveway. The drivers door struck a tree causing $1800 damage. The keys to the van were in my pocket. Chrysler was contacted and sent an investigator out to determine what had occurred. I never received a copy of the investigation and contacted Chrysler to obtain a copy and was told by them that I would need a court subpoena to have a copy sent to me. My van taken to the local dealer by the Chrysler investigator to determine what was wrong. I was not given a copy of what they found and Chrysler would not send one as well without a subpoena. While the van was at the body shop, I noticed that nothing was done to correct the fact that the van can be taken out of park without keys in the ignition. Chrysler had the opportunity to fix this while they were doing their investigation and did nothing.
The vehicle is a 1999 Chrysler Town & Country lx. Consumer took vehicle to tanner motors Dodge Chrysler Plymouth and Jeep 703 washington st. P. O. Box 484 brainerd, minnesota 56401 ph. No. 218-829-3597 on 6-23-05 because transmission broke. He picked it back up from dealer on 6-24-05, and on 7-11-05 the transmission exploded because of the drive train pin broke. At the time that transmission exploded there were 5 passengers in the vehicle. However, there were no injuries. Consumer stated that at least 80 percent of the pin broke. Consumer kept the pin. When the consumer contacted tanner motors he talked to a mechanic, who he told him that there was a known problem with 1997-1999. Models. When consumer asked for some kind of compensation mechanic told him he would have to consult the manager. As of now no one has gotten back with the consumer, who contacted the better business bureau. Consumer has not contacted the manufacturer. Consumer has hadrecall repairs done NHTSA recall. 00v268000 on 5-6-04 for the nitrole rubber o-ring, invoice no. Chcs168552, job 3 14chzz1. This was done at consumer' s expense, and he was not informed that it was included in a recall. Consumer purchased vehcile used, it had 70,000 miles on it.
I was cleaning out my van on Friday, February 4, 2005 after work while my 3 kids played outside. My van started rolling backward down the driveway (in park, car off, key out of ignition enough so it wouldn't beep at me) my 8 year old daughter had been sitting in the driveway behind my van drawing with sidewalk chalk. She had gotten up to get something out of her dad's car just in time to avoid being run over. My passenger door was open and so was his so they collided as my van rolled backwards down the drive. I hopped in the van and tried to apply the brake, but the only thing that stopped my van from rolling in to the road was his car. They "locked" together. I contacted Chrysler and they did send an inspector out, but a couple weeks later denied any responsibility. I am very thankful that my daughter was not behind my van and hurt or killed by this freak accident, but needed to record this incident in case others have similar problems.
Transmission needed to be rebuilt at 60,000 miles because the service engine light came on while driving, and the transmission stayed in first gear only.
Vehicle shifts from drive to neutral while moving.
Vehicle accelerates making it hard for consumer to regain control to decelerate. Dealer has been notified. Ph.
Following a routine oil change service by a sears auto center my transmission began to malfunction. I checked the fluid level and found it over-filled by over a pint. I pulled the excess out to get it to the proper level. When it continued to get worse I took it to the dealer. They found particles in the pan and said the transmission had to be replaced. Ts in talking to the sears auto center about the issue, it was revealed they do not even carry the proper atf (atf+3 or +4) for Chrysler transmissions. Obviously, when they "topped it off" they used dexron/mercon. Curious if sears auto centers generally did the same, I checked with another center and found the same procedure (I. E. Using the wrong fluid) to be in place, although their service manual specs tell them to use only atf +3 in that Chrysler transmission. It appears this may be a larger problem than local and could have contributed significantly to the poor record of Chrysler transmissions in recent years. It is hard to believe this has not surfaced (or made public) by either sears or Chrysler.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Child placed van in drive by falling on gear shift, van crashed into garage wall.
At 68,000 miles jerks harshly down shifting at low speeds. Upon removing pan, metal pieces in pan. Towing to transmission shop with expected rebuild required.
Parked and put the vehicle in reverse. Vehicle behaved like it was in neutral. Let the car idle for few minutes, and car overheated. Consumer contacted dealer.
Whenever I come to a stop sign while on a hill, the vehicle rolls backward while in drive unless I keep my foot on the brake continuously. My Ford van and escort and my Volvo do not do this when on the same hills. This has happened since the vehicle was first purchased, and nearly caused an accident the first time as I was rolling backward into another car. Luckily the other car honked and alerted me. I spoke with the dealer salesman and the dealer mechanic who said that is the way all new transmissions are. We then test drove another Chrysler town and country that also did the same thing. This concerns me; if the new owner is not made aware of this rolling backward hazard they are at high risk of having an accident.
When consumer attempted to move or pull into traffic, the vehicle hesitated, and at times the vehicle did not go into reverse.
Brakes do not have to be applied when changing gears. Please give any further details.