Power Steering Fluid problems of the 2003 Chrysler Town & Country

I went to change the oil on our 2003 Chrysler t&c and noticed a leak which I assumed to be transmission fluid. I took it to the dealer the next day. The transmission was fixed under warranty for the second time, but I'm not complaining about the transmission, yet. The leaking fluid was also part power steering fluid. Imagine my surprise when I was told the van needed a new steering rack and seals at 72,000 miles. Imagine my surprise when they told me the price and that I was paying for it. I hereby add my voice to this probably futile litany of complaints about these steering racks. Fortunately, I happened to notice the leaks before anything went dry. The kicker was that after the rack repair, my wife said it still sounded funny. Ended up taking it back. That was when they decided to do the steering hose recall repair which we never heard about. Of course, the parts were on backorder so my wife and I got to have our schedules screwed up with 3 separate visits to the shop. Chrysler/fiat - meant to be? ( as in f. I. A. T. If you get my drift. . . ).

I purchased the 2003 town/Chrysler van about 3 months. Ago as soon as I got it it started to make noises, I took the vehicle back to the dealer ,they stated it need power steering fluid in which they did put in the van . A couple of days later the van started making noises again. I later got a letter in the mail stating that there was a recall concerning the power steering pump, I also found out there is a recall on the rear back door in which they the Chrysler dealer states they will fix for free. The biggest problem they want fix for free is the steering rack which is leaking. I don't feel that this is my fault and the finance people are hounding me to pay $529. 00 a month on a vehicle that is soon to be out of remission. Is there someone that can help me get out of this deal.

I bought a 2003 Town & Country in may '06. In June of '06 I would here a whining noise when I turned the steering wheel. It seems to be a lot worse when it is cold outside. I took the vehicle to the dealership and they advised me that my steering column was bad and the steering pump needed to be replaced. They said that is was going to be over $1100. 00. I did not even have the van for a month yet and they were not even willing to fix it. So we are dealing with the problem but the more we drive it the noise continues to get worse. We have not had any help from the dealership and I have a feeling that they knew that part was bad when they sold us that vehicle because having it for less than month I'm sure that I didn't put much wear and tear on it.

: the contact stated while starting the vehicle and turning the steering wheel a loud noise was observed. There were no warning lights illuminated. After driving at no particular speed the noise was intermittently present and the steering wheel became hard to operate. The vehicle was taken to the dealership several times, however the problem could not be duplicated. When the warranty terminated the dealership determined the steering rack had to be replaced at the contact expenses. A recall letter # 04v386000 was received and the dealership performed the required replacement of the hoses, piping and fittings indicated in the letter. After a year the defect intermittently recurred with the same symptoms as before but this time the air bag warning light illuminated consistently. The dealership determined that the steering rack had to be replaced again but later advised to replace the entire steering system. The manufacturer was contacted who open a case, however a call back has not been received. The contact was very concern for the safety risk entailed in the vehicle's operation.

This vehicle was purchased new by me on 03/29/03. After 6 months the power steering pump became noisy and the steering would shudder. I brought the vehicle to the dealer on 11/03/03 @ 10,450 miles. Dealer replaced power steering return hose under warranty. The steering is still noisy and still shudders. On 02/02/04 @ 13,083 miles, vehicle brought to dealer due to power steering fluid leak and shuddering. Leak fixed, power steering still noisy and shudders. On 03/25/04 @ 15,622 miles brought to dealer because power steering is noisy and still shudders. Told by dealer that they couldn't find anything wrong. On 03/29/05 @ 30,408 miles brought to dealer because power steering still noisy and shudders. Dealer performed recall d-37, replaced power steering return hose. This did not correct the problem. This problem still continues to this day. I have all the records pertaining to this problem.