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 2004 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel seized and became difficult to maneuver left or right. The ABS and engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle would overheat. The vehicle was taken to boyd Chrysler Jeep of south hill (200 w danville st, south hill, va 23970), but was not diagnosed or repaired due to the diagnostic and repair fees. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000. Consumer stated in the last few months the van has had problems. Smoke comes out of the engine and it has holes in the gas tank and by that it doesn't pass the inspection. Updated 7/26/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country. While attempting to make a left or right turn, the contact exerted force to turn the steering wheel. The power steering started to make a whining noise. Once the contact was able to check under the hood of the vehicle, he noticed that there was no power steering fluid left in the power steering canister. The contact had to constantly replace the power steering fluid every couple of days. The contact experienced identical failures as indicated in NHTSA campaign number: 04V386000 (power steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 168,000.
I have an '04 t and c which I bought a year and a half ago...great vehicle except for the steering whine...brought it in to the dealership and had it filled and bled (to remove supposed air bubbles) more than once...would seem to be improved then go back to same old thing...the noise would start when I started the car in the morning and would be worse in cold weather...was told to turn the wheel while I warmed up the car in the driveway..this seemed to get the groaning under control...one morning I was in a particularly bad mood and turned the wheel pretty violently and as I backed out I saw a puddle of red steering fluid on the ground...all the fluid just gushed out...had to have it towed to the dealership where they found one or more loose clamps in the steering system hoses...the clamps were replaced and the steering fluid filled and no more problem!!! …
The vehicle has had numerous problems related to quality and safety. In June of 2004 the serpentine belt split and all power assist was lost, Chrysler replaced the ac compressor and the belt but did not replace any ps hoses. The van is now leaking power steering fluid that must be replaced almost as often as I get gas. This is unsafe and annoying. The van also has a thumping sound when whenever you go over this slightest bump. It sounds like a strut or spring is loose in the front end. I took it to bcp in smyrna when it first started happening and they couldn't find anything wrong. In 2005 the transmission was shuttering whenever we came to a stop and it downshifted. The service foreman took a ride and said there was nothing wrong. I took it to world transmission in dover and he put a tester on it and determined that the defaults were off and he reset them. …
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.
The front bushings on my 2004 Chrysler Town & Country keep failing. I had them repaired under warranty. At that time, the technician reported that this was a common problem, and that an improved bushing would be used. Since, it is again having problems, and the dealer is saying that it needs to be replaced, again. This is a design defect. It seems unreasonable that this part needs continued repair and replacement. Is there a danger involved? Do I have to replace it? What happens if I don't replace it? There is nothing about this in the owner's manual, or scheduled maintenance.
My wife was driving our 2004 Chrysler Town and Country. She was unable to turn the steering wheel to the left. Luckily she was in a parking lot at low speed and was able to stop. I drove the van around some and the problem would come and go. Took to dealer for repair. $1300 to replace steering rack, pump, etc. I've read that this is a very common problem with this model. Manager at the dealer was in agreement. Told me that the replacement rack should hold up because it was an improvement over the original equipment. Chrysler must realize this is a defect. Hope no one gets killed.
Clicking in steering wheel that could be heard and felt. Date of service 9-09-2004 for first incident. Second incident 9-23-2004 repaired per tech bulletin. Third incident 9-29-04 taken in again as steering not repaired still clicking and hard to steer service claimed nothing noticeable to them. Fourth incident 10-08-04 steering wheel fell away from steering column rendering the vehicle inoperable. 10-09-04 vehicle back to dealer by way of tow truck. No injuries or accidents in this complaint but hoping to stop one from actually happening.
Power steering pump was replaced, then started making noise. Turned out to be a leaking upper power steering hose. There was a recall on this vehicle for this hose but our VIN was not included in the recall. We paid to get the hose replaced, and we are wondering if this is a continuing problem with this power steering hose that May affect more vehicles than originally were recalled. I do have the old power steering hose.
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.
Steering complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Chrysler Town and Country, 13% of the model year's 167 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 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 2004 Chrysler Town and Country steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire 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.