Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I am receiving the exact same issue as a complaint I found on your site #10065581, I am being forced to pay $300+ for the same repair. If I had known about this issue in 2002 when the TSB was issue I would have fixed it then while I was under warranty. Why do I have to pay for this repair, when it is a known design/manufacturing issue? I also found a investigation performed by the usdot, number pe 03-012, which looks like they were supposed to contact me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, ted make: Chrysler model: Town and Country type: multipurpose passenger vehicle year: 2002 complaint number: 10065581 summary: I just started having this steering problem/shuddering and I did some research and found the following: 5- 'technical service bulletins' on this website. …
While driving at 35 MPH consumer's son heard a loud popping sound coming from the steering column. Moments later, the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a guard rail on the driver's side. The seat belts were worn, and the air bags did not deploy however, there were no injuries . Before the collision the consumer heard ticking sound coming from the steering column. Also, there was a TSB concerning this problem. The vehicle was taken to the dealer once before the collision and once after the collision. Vehicle was repaired by the dealer, but the problem still persisted. In June 2003 the consumer had a problem with a major draw on the engine with the heat or A/C running. The consumer was told that the compressor was replaced so the A/C and the heater would work properly. …
2002 Chrysler Town & Country ex (mileage 50,000) caught fire. Drove car from the university of michigan to my office on platt road, ann arbor. As I turned into the parking lot, power steering failed, was not able to move it. Noticed dense white smoke comming into the car from the dashboard and through the door pillars. Got out of the car, and after about 5 minutes, opened the hood of the car and carefully opened it. Noticed a fire at the back of the engine compartment. My associate rushed into the office building and extinguished the fire using a fire extingusher. After the fire was extinguished called aaa to tow the car to the dealership. Dealership the following day did inform me that the steering wheel hose containing the steering fluid has failed, the steering fluid had leaked onto the exhaust manifold and caught fire.
Problems with engine when air conditioner or heater was operative. (nar) the consumer noticed that when the heat or A/C were on the engine strained. The dealer replaced the compressor but that did not alleviate the problem. The consumer also noticed a clicking sound coming form the steering wheel and the steering wheel seemed loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the parts were ordered to make the repair. Prior to the repairs being made the consumer's son lost control of the vehicle damaging the entire driver's side. The driver indicated that he was attempting to make a right hand turn when he heard a pop and lost control of the vehicle. The steering box was replaced under warranty but a few months later the pop noise returned.
The power steering quits working at times when its raining. It will not work many times when I crank it up if its been raining. Its has stopped working while on the interstate, city streets, while turning onto another street or road, and at stop signs. I have had the drive belt, power steering pump, tension idler replaced and nothing helps. I have taken it to john greene Chrysler Dodge in morganton nc, and other repair centers. No one has been able to fix the problem.
The consumer lost control of the vehicle due to a defect in the power steering which was being recalled by the manufacturer. In the process, not only did the consumer loose steering control but the air bags failed to deploy upon impact. Provide further details.
1) at low speeds, especially turning there was noise and shaking in the front of the Chrysler 2002 Town and Country. It was identified at a garage as a power steering cooler hose problem and in fact there was a recall for this. I then took it to a Chrysler dealer - doan in rochester ny - who agreed that was the problem, but my vehicle identification number was not on the list for replacement. I found it very hard to believe that the correct problem did not qualify. I called Chrysler customer service and got the same story. They said that the VIN numbers listed were determined by NHTSA and they - in so many words - were off the hook. I did have it replaced with my own money, but I am upset about it. 2) my air bag light started to go on telling me that the air bags were turned off. Then the light would go off for a little and come back on for no reason , speed, or outside temperature. …
We noticed a noise and feeling like the power steering was binding,then went away. It came and went away, but start to do it more often. In March. When we took in for a oil change, we told them about it,but it would not do it for the service dept. They told us to bring it back when it was doing it. We did and they and they explained the same problems and repairs that was happening.to the 2003 models. I had them do the hose repair to the sum of $218.36. The power steering repair and upper strut bearing would be a total of $962.70. I told them I would get back to them on that problem.that's when I went to this site on the advice of someone,and found out that all these problems are the same as the 2003 Town and county when I went back to the dealership and asked why the charged me for the service update. Which they told me about they gave me some vague stupid answer. …
I bought this 2002 Mini-van in January from my sister. She took meticulous care of it. So when I found my steering failing, I never thought it was an issue with the steering. I thought it was the power steering. I blew a power steering hose one day after weeks of smelling something burning. Got that fixed and then found the steering column was still locking up, not letting me turn the car, running over the curb because I could not steer it. And I can still smell something out of the ordinary, it almost smells like anti-freeze. Not sure what it is. It usually happened when I first started the car and did not let it warm up for a long period of time. Now it will do it when I am driving.it has happened at least 10 times in the last month. I am getting annoyed with this. …
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. …
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
On certain minivans equipped with 3.3 or 3.8l v-6 engine, the upper power steering cooler hose May split and cause a fluid leak.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper power steering cooler hose. This recall began on September 27, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA investigations
Power steering hose failure
Please see attached report.
Steering complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2002 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Chrysler Town and Country, 19% of the model year's 404 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist › hose, piping, and connections (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chrysler Town and Country steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-386 (hose, piping, and connections, Aug 5, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Chrysler Town and Country steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to steering 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.