general problems of the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler town and country. While attempting to make a left or right turn, the contact exerted force to turn the steering wheel. The power steering started to make a whining noise. Once the contact was able to check under the hood of the vehicle, he noticed that there was no power steering fluid left in the power steering canister. The contact had to constantly replace the power steering fluid every couple of days. The contact experienced identical failures as indicated in NHTSA campaign number: 04v386000 (power steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 168,000.

This vehicle turns off when driving and there is no power to the car at all, no brakes, steering, headlights and the car can not be restarted, you cant even unlock it too get out or get the windows down. The dash lights go out, check engine light cant be reset, fan and a/c controls never turn off if the car is running and dings and beeps went it wants to like its crying for help.

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler town and country. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver left or right. The abs and engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would overheat. The vehicle was taken to boyd Chrysler Jeep of south hill (200 w danville st, south hill, va 23970), but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the diagnostic and repair fees. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.

We had to get our steering rack replaced (under warranty) at about 16,000 miles because it was groaning and hard to steer. About 16 months after that at about 42,000 miles the van was in for something else and the dealer told me the steering rack was leaking and needed to be replaced for $1100. They did not even warranty the replacement part itself which did not last.

I have an '04 t and c which I bought a year and a half ago. . . Great vehicle except for the steering whine. . . Brought it in to the dealership and had it filled and bled (to remove supposed air bubbles) more than once. . . Would seem to be improved then go back to same old thing. . . The noise would start when I started the car in the morning and would be worse in cold weather. . . Was told to turn the wheel while I warmed up the car in the driveway. . This seemed to get the groaning under control. . . One morning I was in a particularly bad mood and turned the wheel pretty violently and as I backed out I saw a puddle of red steering fluid on the ground. . . All the fluid just gushed out. . . Had to have it towed to the dealership where they found one or more loose clamps in the steering system hoses. . . The clamps were replaced and the steering fluid filled and no more problem!!! that was several months ago (winter time) and the problem has not resurfaced. . . But had to go through an awful lot to get to this point. . . Looks like there are a lot of other owners dealing with this problem as well.

The front bushings on my 2004 Chrysler Town & Country keep failing. I had them repaired under warranty. At that time, the technician reported that this was a common problem, and that an improved bushing would be used. Since, it is again having problems, and the dealer is saying that it needs to be replaced, again. This is a design defect. It seems unreasonable that this part needs continued repair and replacement. Is there a danger involved? do I have to replace it? what happens if I don't replace it? there is nothing about this in the owner's manual, or scheduled maintenance.