Ten problems related to power steering fluid have been reported for the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler town and country. The contact stated that a loud whining noise emitted from the steering column while driving. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who performed a diagnostic test. The failure was located at the power steering pump. The dealer replaced the power steering pump, but the failure continued. The dealer performed a second diagnostic test that located the failure at the rack and pinion. The rack a pinion was leaking fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 138,000.
Leaking steering rack causing abnormal grinding sounds in the power steering reservoir and potentially damaging the power steering pump. This low level of power steering fluid could result in loss of ability to steer the vehicle effectively.
My 2005 Town & Country has been leaking power steering fluid for the last couple of years. A mechanic just told me that the rack & pinion needs to be replaced, estimate of $1000. My van has 67,000 miles on it, but this problem has been going on for a couple of years. My car was at the dealer a couple of years ago, and they told me they added power steering fluid, but never said anything about it needs to be replaced. Of course, at that time, it was still under warranty. Makes me feel like I was deceived. My mechanic said this happens often with this van. Why hasn't this been recalled yet? this isn't something that should need to be replaced.
Power steering whine developed. Steering never subjected to rough service. Mechanic discovered low fluid and leak in steering rack. Rack had to be replaced at a cost of $820. 00 for parts and labor. Loss of power steering definitely safety hazard. Obviously a design flaw. Steering rack should outlast the vehicle.
This complaint is in reference to a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country minivan. The approximate mileage is 67,000. Upon noticing what appeared to be a fluid leak on the ground in my driveway, I looked but could not find the source of the fluid. After a scheduled visit to a local Chrysler dealer repair center, I was told that the power steering pump/rack & pinion would need to be replaced at a cost of roughly $1400. This is ridiculous - in all of my years I have never seen a failure of a major steering system in such a short period of time. After researching complaints online I have found that many other owners have experienced similar problems with this same vehicle. What can be done to force a safety recall on this product??.
We own a 2005town & country touring, with 52,000 original miles. Took it in for scheduled maintenance and an oil change this morning (it's last service was about 4 mos. Ago at around 43,000 miles). The service manager said the technician noticed the power steering fluid level was low and upon inspecting the bushings noted a leak which he attributed to the (rack and pinion steering assembly). The service manager said that the rack and pinion assembly will have to be completely replaced, estimated cost $800 parts and labor. I've done some research and apparently this is a problem most owners are having. I was alarmed to learn that there was a several month back order on these assemblies with in Chrysler. I smell a rat, there's either an impending recall or perhaps a class action lawsuit brewing here. They have people waiting for this part (back order) because is such a huge problem. . Read more...
Our 2005 Chrysler t&c began making a strange noise when turning. We then began to notice power steering fluid under the van. We took the vehicle back to dealer 3 times to have the problem fixed while under warranty. The problem stopped for a few months, but the problem begins again each year when the weather gets cold. It's that time of the year again and the van is no longer under warranty. It's making that awful sound again and leaking like crazy. I looked on line to see how to replace the hose the dealer supposedly replaced each time we took it in and I was surprised at the sheer number of people who were having the same problem with their vans. I really began to be concerned when I read that there were van engines that actually caught fire from the power steering fluid leak. This seems to be a serious problem with this vehicle that needs to be addressed before something more disastrous occurs.
2005 Chrysler town and country , turn on the van there is an immediate whine. While turning corners and going at slower speeds vehicle will whine and grind. Has continually gotten louder over the last 3 months. Replaced power steering pump after consulting repairman and did not fix problem. Now we are leaking power steering fluid and whine and grind is even louder. Have read many forums about power steering racks going out, that is our next try, to fix whining problem.
Rack & pinion steering assembly failure. Seals in the assembly have failed and power steering fluid has leaked out. Was told by repair shop that it all the fluid drains out the steering system could freeze up causing an accident. The problem was only discovered during a state inspection, so was lucky that it was caught, before it was completely empty. I was told the whole assembly would need to be replaced. I have read that this is a major problem with this vehicle and has happened to thousands of these vehicles.
Currently this vehicle has approx. 18,000 miles. Has been to the dealer 4 times with a 5th visit coming soon. Chrysler should give away complementary cots and pillows to new car customers so that they can sleep at the service departments at dealerships, especially the union shops that don't work on saturdays (and seem not to care about the vehicle in the first place). 1. Broken forward engine mount, 2. Loose sway bar/sway bar mounts replaced, 3. High pitched grinding noise on cold startup (maybe the starter but since it never does it at the dealership I'll never know for sure), 4. Cruise control does what it wants to (set it to 55 mph, it can actually go down to 51 or up to 59 depending on the terrain, dealer says it's normal), 5. Power steering (red) fluid is leaking, now there's a surprise! and finally 6. The driver's side window makes creaking noises when it's going up, I know it's not a safety issue but it is annoying. I should have forked over the extra cash for a sienna or odyssey minivan, you get what you pay for. This is my first and last Chrysler.