Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly jerk and hesitate. Also, the speedometer failed to operate as needed. Additionally, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop with the pedal extended to the floor. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,346.
Over the last four years I have experienced several instances of partial front brake application when no driver input is initiated. This results in the feeling of the car dragging. It is subtle but if the car is put into neutral the car comes to a stop even with no driver brake input. In several instances the front brakes get extremely hot and begin to smoke. This is a serious fire hazard. After allowing the brakes to cool for about an hour the brakes return to normal and driving can resume. I have taken the car several times to the Chrysler dealer and other mechanics. They can find nothing wrong. There does not seem to be any recalls or alerts concerning this problem. I would estimate that this problem has occurred about seven or eight times, the most recent one on July 8, 2017. Weather does not seem to be a factor nor does highway or local driving.
Loss of brak power, pedal travels to floor. ; after replacing master cylinder, caliper on the left front.. Must re-bleed left front** only . Must performe this procedure every 2 weeks...and this is a frequent occurence on left front wheel.the only option is to replace the original ABS hydraulic unit? Why was this not a recall, it seems lot of owners of 2002 have had this problem..,it's only the left front wheel that has this problem, after bleeding, the brakes last only few weeks and same thing, brake pedal is spongy and travels to the floor. And must re-bleed left front wheel. It seems that there is a lot of very minute boubles. ## VIN passed ## Chrysler truck 2002, Town & contry,2002 3.3 l ##
Dt: consumer stated the left rear speed sensor malfunctioned 4 times and it caused the ABS to become ineffective. The ABS light came on . The regular brakes worked when this happened, just not the ABS. The van has 47,500 miles on it. The first time it went out was at 7,500 miles, the second time was around 15,000 miles, third time around 23,000 miles, and most recently at 47,000 miles. She bought the van brand new, and 4 different dealerships repaired the vehicle. One of the dealerships said it was very rare for speed sensors to go out. The mechanic at warner robins told her that Chrysler engineers were aware there was a problem with the speed sensor, and were working on it. She spoke to Chrysler twice about this problem. They said they would give her a one time $50.00 charge to fix it. She did get it fixed and paid the $50.00. …
I have talked to someone about a couple of months ago at the Chrysler dealer call center and have complained about my rear tire locking up and brakes has been changed twice in one year and when they lock up only on that rear tire it starts to smoke and smell like the rubber is burning and my other complaint that started yesterday July 24,2010 I was returning home and pulling off from where I was parked as I was pushing the gas for acceleration is was hesitation like it wasn't getting the gas. Then as I proceeded to continue to accelerate it continuously done the same thing like it was going to cut off. I was at the stop light in a city area and it had major hesitation and it was dangerous and very frightening. …
Vehicle in service 11/02. At 12,000 miles one rotor replaced under warranty due to brake pulsation. At 15,000 miles brakes squealed when applied at slow speeds (good pads). Light brake pulsation started at 24,000 miles. Rotors turned at 33,350 miles due to heavy brake pulsation in steering wheel. At 35,787 was told both front rotors needed to be replaced as they were warped. Have owned two previous disk brake Chrysler products and had poor performance in reference to pulsating brakes that I have not had from GM or Ford products. Friends that have chrylser vehicles have same brake pulsation problem. Contacted Chrysler customer service and asked to speak to a supervisor and was denied. Chrysler complaint # 11578986. Would not assist at all in resolving issue with brakes.
Automatic transmission disengaged while driving. Dealer was unable to duplicate or correct the problem. The service dealer manager verified and experienced these conditions and was unable to correct the problem. Two days after the purchase, the van shuttered at low speed, low rpms in reverse, slipped out of gear when attempting to ascend in grade, the check engine light had come on. Other problems that occurred, were as followed: the brake calipers were squealing which May have been due to sticking, the vehicle leaned to the left, and the right sliding door didn't open from the inside switch.
Premature brake component wear on Chrysler Mini-van. Brakes have been noisey since 2000 miles, multiple trips to dealer for repairs finally noise progressed to harsh grinding @ 20,000 miles. Dealer replaced pads and claims this is abnormal but nothing he can do about it. I have never had a vehicle require brakes so soon, never had a vehicle which made so much brake noise after only 2000 miles. My complaint is that the braking system is not designed to handle the vehicle weight under normal operating conditions. This could result in a serious accident if not resolved.
While driving check engine light came on, and a gear shift light illuminated. When this occurred automatic transmission failed to shift out of second gear. Dealership performed a drb test, in which the failure code found was a low voltage battery and loose cable. The cable was tightened. Then, dealership test drove the van. No other problem was found. The failure recurred within 2,347 miles. Dealership test drove the van for 15 miles, and found no problems. Also, the ABS light came on and stayed on. Dealership replaced the ABS sensor 3 times.
When slowly pulling into a parking space (my foot was on the brake) with approximately two to one foot to complete this action, there was a tremendous surge of energy that drove the car forward into a building leaving a hole in the brick wall and broken windows. The air bags were released, but the bag on the driver's side got stuck in the steering wheel. Usaa is my insurance company, and they trashed the car because the replacement of the bags was too expensive. ....(?) fortunately, this didn't happen on the highway.
Brake complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Chrysler Town and Country, 6% of the model year's 404 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chrysler Town and Country brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Chrysler Town and Country brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.