Power Steering Fluid Problems of Chrysler Town & Country - part 1

In September 2018 I notice smoke coming underneath the hood and upon opening the hood my friend said that I had a fire in the engine compartment and put the fire out. After calling my insurance company and them towing it to a garage I was informed that a power steering hose had busted that they said caused the fire. I then later online looked up more information and found out that there was a NHTSA campaign:04v386000 concerning the upper power steering hose that may split that can cause a fluid leak that in the presence of an ignition source can result in an under hood fire like want happen to me. I see there was never a recall on my vehicle but should have been. My van was in my friend's driveway when it happened on a Saturday.

See all problems of the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

My car completely locks up on me while driving down the middle of the road. Before the engine wasn't shutting off. Now it is. My wheel locks up and will not reset unless I turn the car off. I have brought the car to 2 different dealerships as well as another well trusted mechanic. No one can find the issue. All the codes are fine, there are no leaks, and the power steering fluid is good. I have 4 small children and this has already happened on 4 separate occasions with them in the car. Thank god we have not been in an accident due to this happening. This morning I sat at the dealership for 4 hours to tell me they can't find the problem. I leave the dealership and the car locks up on me again and shuts down in the middle of the road. Why can't any one help me or diagnose the problem?!? we paid big bucks for this Chrysler Town & Country! I expect answers and the issue to get fixed!.

See all problems of the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

Steering the van was hard because both steering hoses had leakage. I was lucky that the fluid leakage didn't cause a fire and that I was driving very fast at the time of the incident.

The contact owns a 2001 Chrysler town and country. While driving approximately 70 mph, the steering tightened when the contact attempted to make a left turn. The contact added power steering fluid to the vehicle and noticed fluid leaking under the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN provided was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 270,000.

See all problems of the 2001 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

While slowing for a turn my van started making whining noises then the power steering stopped working. Got out and looked and found fluid leaking on the ground. Now theres no power steering.

See all problems of the 2002 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

Power steering hose keep breaking, fluid leaks out when hose breaks. Hard to turn steer wheel when hose broke.

Took my vehicle to get a new set of tires. Upon the free fluid checks being done, the power steering fluid was noticed to be low. When the mechanic started looking into the issue, he noticed that the rack and pinion is leaking. This is certainly what is causing the loud whining noise. This was a month after the bolts for the alternator broke off leaving my wife and kids stranded. Fortunately I was able to get the broken studs out with vise grips.

See all problems of the 2006 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

While conducted an oil change, I noticed that both rack and pinion boots are wet with power steering fluid. This is a low mileage vehicle and am disappointed that the steering is already leaking fluid. I have not had this checked with a mechanic as of yet but I imagine that after reading complaints here and on other sites, I will end up having to replace the entire rack and pinion assembly to correct this leak. A simple boot replacement will not be sufficient as dirt and water will already have damaged the assembly. I would recommend having Chrysler conduct a recall and replacing these with quality components at no expense to the vehicle owners.

Power steering started to whine. I took it to a Chrysler dealership. They said I needed a power steering kit and fluid change. They also said the water pump was leaking. Only thing is I took it to the same dealership at 22,000 miles with the same power steering problem, that was only 12,000 miles ago. Do I have to have the power steering redone every 12,000 miles????? and isn't 32,000 a bit early for water pump leak. I think Chrysler should pay.

Rack and pinion failure as end seals on left and right hand sides failed. The power steering fluid leaked into the ribbed boots and later onto the ground resulting in hampered steering ability.

January 2nd 2012 replaced hose fluid and clamps by an ase certified mechanic. Van was leaking power steering fluid on the engine and smoking. Mileage 63,893 February 21st 2012 had to add more power steering fluid April 20th 2012 van hose busted again leaving fluid all under the vehicle. We replaced the power steering pump, hose and fluid by an ase certified mechanic . Mileage 66,091 today the van is doing the same thing with a whining of the power steering and sometimes stiffens up when driving and you can smell the fluid burning on the engine. Seems to be worse during colder weather. There is also a popping noise in the frontend when your turning. According to Chrysler my vehicle VIN number is not part of the national recall #04v386000. This vehicle is an ada compliant vehicle and is used to transport our son who is permanantly in a wheel chair. I believe this van is a danger to our family and should be put on the registry of recalled vehicles for repair.

A loud whine started in the engine compartment and steering became difficult. Dealership stated that the rack of the steering system had leaked and lost the power steering fluid. The dealership stated this was a common problem. The rack and pinion of the steering had to be replaced.

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.

See all problems of the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

I own a 2006 town and country with 44,925 miles. At 38,000 mile (just out of warranty I noticed a whine in the engine compartment after interstate driving. After checking I noticed that the power steering fluid was low but not empty. I filled the unit and the noise subsided but didn't go away. I read that the power steering reservoir sometimes has a plugged filter so I chsnged the reservoir but no change. I've continually had to add small amounts of atf +4 most recently 2 weeks ago. After checking today the level is down again. And the rack and pinion ass'y boot is leaking. Cost to replace . . . About $1000 if the pump is ok. My first and last Chrysler product.

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.

Purchased my van in 2008, used with 40000 miles on it. In winter of 2009 I noticed a loud whining noise when turning but once engine warmed up would stop. Had power steering fluid check and was low. Filled stopped noise. Same in 2010, 2011, and now 2012. Have to constantly fill fluid. It has to be leaking somewhere. From what I have read this is not a cheap fix. And more importantly if someone's power steering goes out going down a highway or interstate. . . Very very dangerous. This is a part defect and consumers should not be paying for the fix. Chrysler should. With all the complaints, what will it take for a recall?.

Power steering rack seals failed, fluid leaking from power steering system. Failure was proceeded by long-term low-pitched whining noise coming from power steering system. Fluid drained from system while driving making it very difficult to steer vehicle. Dealer recommends replacing power steering rack, out of warranty, cost $900. 00.

The power steering pump being low on fluid duo to a leak from the rack and pinion. That cause the power steeering whining is extremely loud.

Power steering fluid leaking from crack in rack and pinion housing on our 2006 Chrysler t&c at 60,000 miles. Fix is $800 to replace entire rack and pinion system.

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.

2006 t&c van bought new 21,400 miles. Winning sound due to defective steering pump. Dealer says pump is full of fluid and no leaks; wants $600 to replace pump. Passenger side window doesn't go up and down. No events leading up to either failure. Constant problem. I have yet to come up with the $1000 that dealer wants to fix problem. "old" part still in car waiting your reply. Thanks!.

2006 Chrysler town and country. Power steering failure at 29352 miles lost all fluid and replaced power steering cooler now at 42703 I am told power steering gear leaking at outer boots $800 repair.

Power steering fluid leak. Requires replacement of rack and pinion.

Noise in front end whining noise took to carrols auto was told this is the 12th one this year already. Rack and pinion mechanism leaking fluid at boots. Replace rack and pinion assembly. There are others on website with same issues. Cost is roughly $1000 to replace with labor. This could cause failure of pump assebly also.

There was a fluid leak at the power steering rack they replaced gear-rack and pinion. Parts $394. 60 labor $456. 00 fluid power steering $19. 60 - service completed under iws. Extended warranty total invoice $ 850. 60 mileage 61,394.

I feel good now that companies are repairing their defective automobiles, a process that saves consumer lives and money. One would assume that regulators are controlling the automobile companies and protecting the public, but this assumption is not true. The public spends billions on defective products that department of transportation does little about defective american cars. My power steering fluid leaked out of my Chrysler town and country. I entered Chrysler power steering problems and received 6,480,000 responses. Then I realized that Chrysler is unable to produce a workable power steering system, or they plan for it to fail. I believe their power steering system has been a component of their planned obsolescence for the last quarter of a century. I owned a 1987 Chrysler fifth avenue and the power steering system failed in that car. Why must consumers pay for auto makers incompetence or planned breakdowns? we lose millions of dollars every year while regulators draw pay for ignoring larceny and keeping seats warm.

I have a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country with 42,000 miles. After the last oil change I noticed a loud whining noise after starting it & continued to sound like a jet taking off until it warmed up. My husband had a friend look at it & noticed there was very little power steering fluid, so he filled it up & the sound disappeared. Today I took it to the Chrysler dealer again for another oil change & they said they noticed a leak coming from the rack & it needed to be replaced for $800+! how can this be since it only has 42,000 miles??!! unfortunately the warranty expired at 36,000. They said I had to replace it or the power steering could go out at any time. Luckily nothing horrible happened while driving on the highway recently with my daughter!! there should definitely be a recall on this!! I have been hearing from others & reading tons of posts online about this very problem with newer t & c. Please look into this major problem!!!!.

I have a 2006 town and country 35,635 miles - bought it new but the warranty ran out in April. I have had a terrible whining problem that was just diagnosed as my rack and pinion was leaking. $375 for the part, $357 for labor, $16. 00 fluid and $59. 95 for the alignment after. I asked the dealer about complaining to Chrysler and she said to try it. Well Chrysler is going to pay the part and warranty it for 1 year or 12,000 miles. So I"m still not happy about the $432. 95 left for me, which I think Chrysler should pay also because of the numerous reports. I think there should have been a recall and the whole shot paid for.

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.

I have a 2006 Chrysler town and country that the rack and pinion is leaking power steering fluid.

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...

Squealing power steering during winter months when van was inspected I was told I needed rack and pinion replaced leaking power steering fluid.

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. . . ).

See all problems of the 2003 Chrysler Town & Country 🔎.

The steering began to whine and groan, particularly when cold and not having been driven for a day or more. It often continues to whine, especially when being turned more than one full circle, but sometimes even when sitting still and straight. The repair shop identified leaking steering rack boots and the fluid is a bit low. At this time, we have not done anything, because replacement of the boots is very expensive and replacement of the rack is more expensive. At the time, we had the minivan less than 3 years and it had just over 40,000 miles on it, just out of warranty.