Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact was driving at speeds of 25 MPH when the vehicle began to veer to the right without warning. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and proceeded to crash into three mailboxes. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the mechanic advised that the lower control arm had fractured. There was also other unknown body and suspension failure as a result of the crash. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure and current mileages were 82,000.
1-reported vibration in steering wheel between 20-50 MPH [2-possible exhaust leak, I was getting sleepy after 20-30 min drive time, I use recycle mode on A/C due to having asthma [ 3-reported noise from the muffler/exhaust area[4- A/C compressor makes a laboring noise [5-vibration and a growling noise in rear suspension, axle or transmission[6-transmission seems to slip or jerk into and out of gear between 15-45 MPH. Service department could not duplicate any of my concerns but by the same token my mileage out was the same as my mileage in so I'm not sure it was even driven. …
In November 2006, I began hearing a clunking noise from the front end. The mechanic told me that the tie rod end was broken. This failure was at 32,463 miles and cost me $170. In March 2007, I heard the same clunking noise from the front end. The mechanic told me that the sway bar links, sway bar bushings, and stabilizer control links were broken. This failure occurred at 38,347 miles and cost me $350. I heard the same clunking noise again in March 2008. The mechanic said that the sway bar bushings were broken again. Fortunately, this was under warranty. This failure occurred at 55,214 miles. I heard the same clunking noise again in December 2008. The mechanic said that the sway bar links and stabilizer bar control links were broken again. This failure occurred at 67,579 miles and cost me $200. After this repair was made, I continued to hear the noise. …
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. …
Upon hearing a noise while driving, I checked under the car and noticed a lubrication seal was no longer performing its function. My local mechanic inspected the control arm and related ball joints and informed me the control system was good at this time, but the steering rack was leaking and would require replacement soon. Since I only had about 64,000 miles on my 2005 Town & Country, I was surprised especially since I had not had this type of failure in the 40 plus years of car ownership, exceeding 100,000 miles on each car. Rich in Chrysler customer assistance informed me the Town & Country does not have an historical problem with the power steering rack & pinion; thus a recall to fix the problem is not necessary. All that is required to show the stance Chrysler is taking is false is a simple internet search and a search on the NHTSA website. …
Vibration and in brake petal and/ or steering wheel. When turning sharply to left makes a grinding noise also has a bumping feeling like something is loose. Service department checked and had warped rotors and needed front disk brakes for the vibration, the grinding and the bumping noise was loose suspension sway links front brakes were replaced and rotors were resurfaced- I had to pay for the brake and rotor repair; the suspension loose sway bar links were replace listed was replaced front sway bar link and a link-sway eliminator. Driver seat feels like it has lost its cushion sometimes feels like there is a hard knot of something in the tail bone area of the anatomy. The A/C vents are unable to adjust for cooling the front and side windows. The floor vents do not line up with the openings in the floor console causing any air to be moved toward the front and under the dash. …
Summary: potential failure of emergency brake cable on 2005 Chrysler Town and Country minivans due to incorrect routing of cable alongside rear suspension link. Detail: I was doing some maintenance on our '05 t&c touring the other day when I noticed that the driver's side emergency brake cable is rubbing on one of the vertical rear suspension links. It has worn through the outer sheath of the cable, and the cable itself has been exposed. That cable is very, very stiff, and it looks like it was routed that way at the factory. I have no idea how I would re-route it to get it away from that suspension link. The problem appears to be a factory defect. Anecdotal evidence in an inquiry at the Chrysler minivan fan club website's forums would indicate other owners have encountered the same problem. …
1.) events: noticed a loud noise when turning sharply at slow speeds, and a different but locally the same noise, when braking hard. 2.) failure: hasn't failed yet because I am having the problem repaired at a cost of $800.00. Vehicle has less then 50,000 miles. 3.)replace both upper and lower control arms,(they are one part so regardless of which fails, both have to be replaced doubling the cost to me). Parts are available. After reviewing many entries on line from other owners of this vehicle, this seems to be a problem that is endemic to the model. Chrysler refuses to assist with the service, stating that the vehicle is out of warranty. According to my repair tech, this is not a problem that should be left un-attended and could cause a serious accident at any speed.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Town and Country. In December of 2007, the contact heard a clicking noise while turning the vehicle at 35 MPH. She took the vehicle to the dealer, but they did not make any repairs. She returned to the dealer in January of 2008, but the dealer still could not find any failure. Most recently, the dealer stated that the power steering rack was leaking. The dealer recommended that she replace the power steering gear at the cost of approximately $800. The current mileage is 62,020 and failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Updated 06/16/08
I bought a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country on June 29 , 2007 with 48,000 miles . I had a loud noise in the front end sounding like the struts were bottoming out on all bumps. The dealership contacted Chrysler ref to the problem, the dealership was told to replace the stabilizer bushings,the dealership also stated that alot of 2005 Town & Country's had the same problem and tat the bushings were redesigned. Chrysler refused to discuss this only stating that they could only discuss my vehicle only. Still refusing to help in any way.
Suspension complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Chrysler Town and Country, 3% of the model year's 857 complaints. The component named most often is front (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chrysler Town and Country suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2005 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 2005 Chrysler Town and Country suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to suspension 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.