Engine Exhaust System problems of the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country

Exhaust clamp failure or defect under the cabin allows hot exhaust gases to spray onto fuel lines and potentially allow harmful gases into the van cabin.

I started hearing a whinning noise coming from the hood of the van a couple of months ago. The noise was worse when the weather was colder and then the engine light came on. Took it in and discovered that the powersteering fluid had leaked out and the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The reason the engine light came on wasn't because of the powersteering but because the egr valve needed to be replaced as well as the brakes (front/back) needed replacing. Just had them replaced not that long ago. $2300. 00 later. Drive away, 1 week later engine light comes on again, now I have an engine oil leak and the emissions exhaust system is faulty. I only have 55,000 miles on this vehicle and it is less than 4 years old, I would expect this from an older car. I have a family of 6 to worry about their safety and I am not very confident in this product that Chrysler has produced. It is a shame that they are not willing to step up to the plate and admit their faults. They have lost me as a future customer as well as my family and friends. In today's economy, our hard earned money on a teacher's salary is quickly going down the drain with this vehicle. Are they waiting for a death to actually occur before they start to honor a recall? I wouldn't have known about this forum if it wasn't for consumer reports. How many chrsyler consumers are out there who don't know where to look and find out that they have a faulty vehicle,that they really aren't down on their luck. You can be sure, that every Chrysler owner I come across, I will definitely share this information with.

I went to a mechanic to find out why the engine light was on. He told me it was the egr valve (exhaust system emission control gas recirculation valve) that had to be replaced. The engine light has been on ever since. I cannot take it to be fixed because I do not have the money to replace it, but have to have the emission test done by March 31, 2009.

2005 Chrysler Town & Country had to replace the egr valve at 57,322 miles.

Egr valve failed and was not considered covered under warranty by the dealer.

My daughter had a size one soccer ball roll under our 2005 Chrysler town and country minivan last night (8/11/05). She stuck her leg under the car, under the passenger side sliding door, to kick the ball back out and came into contact with the exhaust pipe that runs directly under the door. I then reached under to get the ball for her and burned my wrist on the same pipe. Our burns were second degree. Mine was small but hers was 4 inches long by 1-1/2 inches wide on her left thigh. We went to the emergency room and are following up today with her pediatrician. I fear for infection in the short term and scaring in the long term. As to correcting the failure, I will be taking the car to our Chrysler dealer and asking them to come up with a solution. I consider this a serious design failure, bound to lead to burns on others who reach under their cars. I don't want my children near the car anymore!.