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 2006 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had an accident where the vehicle suddenly steered to the left. I did a 360 plus 90. I was going around a bend to the left at the time. There was a light rain at the time but I was not exceeding the speed limit and I have driven this road many times in the past. The front passenger tire was completely torn form the car. After it was towed and I had a chance to see the damage, I noticed a dark black mark about 5/8 of an inch by 1/4 inch on the broken ball joint. I think the ball joint had a defect in it and that a the accident was caused by the ball joint breaking where it flattens out to connect to the steering rod or connecting rod. At the present time the vehicle is at thomas Chevy dealership in bedford, pa I am going to have the adjuster take pictures to have some evidence of this and will ask to keep the parts or give them to me. …
My Chrysler Town and Country van started having what looked to be battery issues at the beginning of 2015. The engine would turn off and all the dash dials would begin to puslate until I turned it off and restarted it. At first it would do this only when it was raining out, so we changed the battery and it seemed to work. Then one afternoon it just completely shut down as we were driving down the road, sun shining, and completely dry out. We check the battery connections and replaced a few, seemed OK but then it happened again! This time as we were driving down a 70mph highway! Thankfully the highway was not busy as the moment and near our exit and were able to safely get to the side and restart the van. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that his 30 pound infant pulled on the automatic transmission lever while no key was in the ignition. The vehicle began moving and crashed into a stop sign. The dealer stated that a pin in the steering column failed and needed to be replaced at the cost of over $1,595. The technician further stated that it normally takes excessive force to break that pin, which is impossible for a 30 pound infant. The steering column did not lock properly to prevent the gears from shifting. The vehicle has not been repaired. He is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 46,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. While making a turn at an unknown speed, the steering wheel locked up without warning. While attempting to regain control, a loud bang noise was heard. The contact was able to regain control of the steering wheel, but a clicking sound was heard constantly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the clock spring and multi-function switch were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,416. Updated 02/12/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized without warning while driving in rainy weather. The steering wheel became hard to turn and caused the contact to crash into a mail box. The failure was experienced several times when the vehicle was driven in rain. The driver did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving, the power steering seized and the steering wheel could not be turned. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rack and pinion failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Parked car at foodlion car engine catch on fire local fire department came out to put out the fire. Fire department stated it was the power steering line or transmission line that caught on fire which in turn caught the back of the motor on fire.
Issue #1: as I was driving on a rainy day and went through a puddle, I lost steering capability. The wheel just stayed in the same place that I was going in...imagine that happening while trying to turn...accident waiting to happen...I took it back to where I bought the vehicle and was told nothing is wrong with my van. I took it to another dealer and they said I have to go back to the place I bought it to get work done on it....for years I took it in to no avail...then as I made 60K miles I did a tune up on my van and changed the serpentine belt even though it did not need it and you won't believe it...my issue had went away...I didn't know I was supposed to go behind the maker and make sure my vehicle's nuts and bolts are secured on a new vehicle! …
I have encountered a very serious problem with the steering wheel of my 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. After doing some research, I have found that many others have experienced the same issues. As far as I can tell, no one has been able to solve this problem. This is a link to one of the forums that I encountered while doing research. Http://www.topix.com/forum/autos/Dodge-grand-caravan/tc37vjlp6md4pohvj/p2 here is a comment left by one of the many people experiencing difficulties,"this is my second Chrysler/Dodge Mini-van that developed this problem. My first was a 1996 Dodge caravan and no one was ever able to fix the problem. Now my 2002 Chrysler Town & Country has the same problem. We have replaced everything....including the belt tensioner which was horribly expensive but the problem just comes back. I will have the mechanic check the drain hole. …
I am hearing a loud whine. It sounds as though it is coming from the front of the vehicle and can be heard more loudly inside the vehicle than out. It is constant. It is usually louder in cold weather. It is not as loud immediately following when I have my vehicle service and all fluids are topped off. Lately it has began to make a bit more of a grinding noise. The noise is very noticeable at low speeds--not so much at higher speeds, but then again there is more road noise at high speeds. If parked and I turn the steering wheel, the whine gets louder. The pitch seems to change with engine speed, not movement. I took it to an auto shop and they said it is the power steering pump, rack & pinion. I have researched this on the internet, and there are hundreds of identical complaints. This is clearly a defect in the vehicle. Why hasn't this been recalled yet? …
Steering complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 110 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Chrysler Town and Country, 26% of the model year's 431 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chrysler Town and Country steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2006 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 2 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 2006 Chrysler Town and Country steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 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.