Steering Rack And Pinion Problems of Chrysler Town & Country - part 2

Noise in front end of 2005 Chrysler t&c. Told to replace rack and pinion. 73,000 miles.

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We had our rack and pinion replaced by Chrysler over a year ago. It would become hard to steer whenever we would go over any puddles/snow. They say they replaced it, but it still does the same thing. Even when we leave it out in the rain over night, the next day it squeals and we can't move the steering wheel. It's the same thing, puddle, rain or snow, squeal and loss of steering anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. There is a definite design defect with this particular model and it will take someone dying because of it for them to recall this van. We also have always had a rubber burning smell from the front left tire side whenever we have a change in the temperature, around 30-40degrees, usually in wet/slush weather conditions. Very strange and nothing has ever been done about it nor can Chrysler tell us what it's coming from.

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Failing steering on 2005 Chrysler Town & Country ltd. New rack and pinion, power steering pump, reservoir all need replacement.

Vehicle steering rack and pinion bad. I bought this vehicle new/used. The first time I drove it home it started to "whine" when braking and turning the wheel. The steering gets very hard at times, also now makes "popping" noises and feels like the wheels are coming off. My mechanic said has a bad rack and pinion. There are numerous amounts of claims on this vehicle for the very same problem, but still no recall. I feel for my safety and I can't afford to have this repaired. Chrysler still hasn't issued a recall for this matter. My mechanic said it is definitely a safety issue. . Read more...

We use our 2005 Chrysler Town & Country for 2. 5 years. We purchased the van used with roughly 25000 miles on it in July of 2006. We now have 77000 miles on it and now the front end makes a clanking noise while going over bumps and the is a whining grinding like sound underneath the hood close to the dash. It is worse with cold weather and when the stirring wheel is turned completely in either direction. I did an internet search and found a blog forum at townhall-talk. Com. Everyone one on this particular blog had t&c vans and had the same problem I have experienced and dealers have said the rack and pinion needing replacement for roughly$850. 00 plus. I have not had the problem assessed (will be today). Our warranty is expired and now we are having problems. Sounds typical right? if Chrysler t&c vans all seemed to have the same problem with the stirring system. I read about many different dealer saying that they replace many of those racks and the parts are on back order. If the parts are on back order that should be a sign that there is an issue across the board and there should be a recall. In these trying economic times people don't have money to spend on crappy made parts and Chrysler cant afford anymore negative publicity either. Something needs to be done!.

2005 Chrysler Town & Country purchased new. Grinding sound from the front end starting at 17,000 miles. Numerous parts replaced under warranty. Steering rack leaking/failing with only 56,000 miles. Local dealership denies any knowledge of steering rack and pinion problems. Steering problems are potentially very dangerous. I feel that there should be a recall on this vehicle.

My vehicle began making a slight whirring or grinding noise in June 2008. I noticed that it felt like the car was pulling to one side and it seemed difficult to steer. I took it into the dealership thinking it might have something to do with just having our tires balanced. They said the rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. At that time we had about 40,000 miles on the car, and feel that is way too early for such a replacement. This 2005 Chrysler town and country has had nothing but problems! (right sliding door, seat belt, gas gauge, air bag sensor, electrical problems. ).

I purchased a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country touring edition brand new in July of 2005. During December of 2007, I noticed a slight hum under the hood during startup. This sound eventually kept getting louder and lasting longer. This sound is more drastic during turning of the steering wheel. I had the vehicle inspected by a Chrysler dealership service center. They said it was due to a leak in the rack of the rack and pinion system. They said that the whole rack and pinion assembly needs to be replaced ($800+). They also said that is the system fails further, it could result in loss of steering (during driving!). I have seen a lot of complaints for the same exact issue. My vehicle has 37,000 miles on it (warranty expired at 36,000). This is definitively a recall issue. Steering systems should not need replacement in less than 3 years and 37,000 miles.

Steering rack and pinion system failed. Began leak ng profusely. Chrysler would not offer assistance as problem was out of warranty. Second failure - unit had between replaced under warranty on 30 Mar 06.

I started to hear a low roar (not unlike turning the starter while the car is running) coming out of the right front of the van, usually upon starting, usually intermittent, but sometimes briefly while driving or turning, and sometimes when starting the van, the noise would continue until the engine was shut off. Took it to the mechanic who diagnosed it as a rack and pinion failure, with fluid leaking out, which he says they would not usually see in this "young" a vehicle. Mileage = 53,000. He wanted me to call the dealer to see if they knew about the problem, or if the repair would be covered. The dealer claimed to have no knowledge of this issue at all. I have researched and now see that this has been a recurring problem for this van, and Chrysler should own up to it and repair. This van is not even four years old, has not been in any accident or driven abusively, and this kind of a failure must indicate a defect in design or materials. I am now looking at a very expensive repair bill.

Grinding/whining sound from the front end. Steering rack is failing with only 22k on the vehicle but 4 months out of warranty.

The 2005 Chrysler Town & Country made a whirring noise at start up and lasted for several minutes until the vehicle warmed up. Asked dealer service rep to check out the noise. I was told there was a steering fluid leak in the rack component of the rack (steering component) and it needed to be replaced at about $800. Service rep stated that it was a common problem but there was no recall on the part. Service rep said that if it was not fixed it could result in a steering failure and needed to be replaced. I authorized the dealer to complete the work. This has been a one owner vehicle with regular service and only about 70,000 miles.

The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler town and country. The contact had her vehicle inspected. All the fuel levels were checked and she was informed that there was a leak in the rack and pinion steering system. The dealer stated that the parts were on a national back order. The contact assumed that because the parts were in such high demand, many other vehicles must have experienced the same failure. Chrysler stated that nothing could be done and referred her to NHTSA. The current mileage was 43,283 and failure mileage was 43,001. Updated 05/05/08.

My 2005 Town & Country had been making a whining noise for last month. The noise will increase as the accelerator was pushed,but noise disappeared after the car had been driven for 5 - 10 minutes. Mechanic found that the power steering fluid was really low, filling the fluid to the correct level fixed the noise problem. Upon inspection, it was found that the rack has a leak. It seems like this is a common occurrence in these vans, I believe this should be investigated and possibly a recall should be done as this is an expensive repair.

I have a Chrysler Town & Country van 2005. I heard a sound when driving the car. I took it to the mechanics and I was told that the rack & pinion needed to be replace. $550 dollars. After doing some research on line noticed thousands of complaints about the same. Please help!! the rack & pinion is broken and needs replacement. $550 dollars.

I bought a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country with 48,000 miles on June 29,2007. In January 2008 while driving my van I had a loud squeal coming from the steering,upon checking I found that I was losing power steering fluid, I set an appointment up with the dealership to have the problem checked. On 01/29/2008 I was told by the dealership that the rack and pinion was leaking. The dealership also told me that there was alot of problems with the rack and pinion in my year van, and that there is a 6 month back order on the rack and pinion, the new ones have been redesigned to stop the problem. I contacted Chrysler about this they would only state that it was my problem, and they would not discuss anything but my vehicle,or about the back order of the rack and pinion. I also contacted other dealerships asking about this problem, they stated there is a back order on the rack and pinion, and they have had several problems with the rack and pinion in the 2005 town and country's.

I have a 2005 Chrysler town county lx. I have been having this problem since I got the car as always there is nothing wrong they say, but had to replace rack and pinion and now I am back to the same thing again I feel that this is a problem with all 2005 town county from what I have heard. I have gone through three front end alignments a set of tires and I get the same old story blah blah, something needs to be done please help all of us on this issue.

I started having a whining noise when I started but my 2006 Chrysler town and country. Now the noise has gotten louder and continues when you turn the wheel. I have taken it to a mechanic and they said I need a new rack and pinion, hoses, reservoir and power steering pump. This is a major problem for these vans and Chrysler know about the issue because the mechanic at the dealership says that they see a lot of these in. . Read more...

Rack & pinion on 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. A noise when turning steering. Was told by dealer it was a problem with the 2005 vans and was not being covered. Was told it would be around $750. 00 plus tax to fix. If there are this many problems with the vans, Chrysler should fix them as a recall. Was told by another mechanic to put an additive in the power steering and it has slowed down the loss of power steering fluid but keep wondering how safe I am driving it on the highway at high speeds.

Power steering rack assembly on 2006 Chrysler town and country touring minivans: pre-mature failure causing possible loss of control of the vehicle. Experienced intermittent hard steering, causing possible loss of control due to defects in the oem power steering rack design. Diagnosed by dealership as bad power steering rack. . . Internet data supports that multiple vehicles of this type are all failing at between 35k and 50k miles. . .

The steering rack and pinion has started to leak and make noise at 45000 miles. The Chrysler dealership in town said that there is no warrant on this,as I would have to pay for it at 850. 00. In reading the chat lines it appears to be happening to a lot of folks.

Power steering noise found to be leaking/fault steering rack. Upon inquire to dealer for repair/replacement found that 13,000 were on back order!!! many similar problems found posted. Some individuals have had multiple replacements. Chrysler should recall due to negligence, danger to human life and the sheer volume of defects.

On my 2002 Chrysler Town & Country with 38,000 miles, the rack and pinion began leaking in oct 2007. The internal 'falling apart' of the rack caused a clog of the steering pumps screen filter which caused a loud whining noise when turning the wheel. In April 2008, both the rack & pinion and the power steering reservoir needed to be replaced to fix the leak and the whining noise: parts - $320, labor - $900.

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My 2004 Chrysler town and country is having steering problems. The dealer put a new rack and pinion in it July 5, 2007. We bought it on July 6, 2007. It had 42,729 miles on it. By July 30, 2007 two bolts fell out of said unit, and the other bolt was halfway out also. The dealer replaced the missing ones with used bolts from another van, and did an alignment. I picked it up late evening on July 31, 2007. By mid-day August 3, 2007 the bolts were so loose that my mechanic could spin them with his fingers. He tightened them, and it took two full turns with a torque wrench. Now it's August 6, 2007 and my steering is loose again. Nobody can explain why the bolts keep coming loose.

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The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler town and country. When the vehicle was driven approximately five times, the contact noticed that the steering wheel became difficult to steer and began making loud, squeaking noises. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they discovered that the rack and pinion was failing and needed to be replaced. The current mileage was 67,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 02/15/08.

- the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. The vehicle started making a grinding and clicking noise when turning at 40 mph. The contact could smell the engine running hot. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing a new power steering rack. The dealer paid for the part. However ,the contact had to pay for labor charges. The failure mileage was 38,723. The contact has the repair invoice. The current mileage was 39,330.

Steering made a clunking noise and pulled to the right. Had vehicle checked three times while under warranty and was told the alignment was the issue. Aligned and tires balanced each time, but problem continued. Took car in with a copy of the NHTSA bulletin and they replaced rack & pinion at my cost. Vehicle steering is now tight and pulling to right is gone. I don't feel I should have had to pay for this repair.

The contact owns a 2003 Chrysler town and country. While driving 5 mph, the contact heard a groaning sound coming from the steering column when making turns. The power steering fluid level decreased due to a leak. The dealer stated that the seals for the rack and pinion steering failed and the rack and pinion steering needed to be replaced. As of December 19, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. Failure mileage was 26,000 and current mileage was 34,500. Updated01/08/08 updated.

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Groaning sound was coming from the vehicle when steering, clunking sound was coming from the vehicle when going over bumps in the road. Dealer diagnosed groaning sound as leaking/bad steering rack and said it must be replaced, which was very costly. Dealer diagnosed clunking sound as bad sway bar links and bushings, which they replaced. Filing complaint because those items shouldn't go bad after only 3 years of normal use.

Back in early 2005 we had a problem with the sway bar, sway eliminators & sway bushings having to be replaced on our 2001 Chrysler Town & Country lx with only 31,000 mile on it (purchased new in 2001). We contacted Chrysler with the problem & this was resolved promptly by Chrysler. Same car 1 1/2 years later and now with only 40,000 miles on it a "thunking" noise in the front end again. Upon taking it to a local Chrysler dealership for a routine oil change the mechanic told us that the rack & pinion steering needed to be replaced at a cost of approximately $900. A representative of the Chrysler dealership informed me to contact Chrysler about this problem since it seemed to possibly be a premature failure. We immediately had the rack & pinion steering replaced by our mechanic because we didn't know what would happen if it failed while driving. The continuing problem with the failure of major parts on this van starting with only 29,000 miles on it suggests something wrong with the manufacture of this vehicle. Chrysler was contacted in regards to the rack & pinion steering and replied with a sorry past warranty reply.

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2002 Chrysler Town & Country, 3 years 11 months old, 46,000 miles, rack and pinion failed. The gentlemen at the Chrysler dealership said he has seen quite a few of these rack and pinion system fail. He said you could lose your steering and control of the vehicle. Rack and pinion replaced.

Rack and pinion unit on 2003 town and country with 42000 miles had to be replaced due to an internal failure.

Rack & pinion defective in 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. System is on back order for 2-3 weeks and dealership (eastside Chrysler & Jeep) have informed that this car is safe to drive and I will only completely destroy the system, which is "being replaced anyway".

Consumer 2004 Chrysler town and country ball sockets were loose, rack and pinion was leaking red and pink fluid. The bushings had worn out, which was due to the rattle the consumer was hearing from the front of the vehicle.

During the cooler months of the year the steering on my 2001 Chrysler town+country becomes exremely stiff to the point that I am unable to turn it and im 6'4" 280 lbs, my mechanic told me it could be a valve inside the rack+pinion isn't working properly he said the only thing to do is replace that steering component, I told a friend who has the same car what was happening and he told me he experiences the same thing. I was wondering if this is happening to other owners of this car and maybe could be a safety hazard.