NHTSA Complaint #10200502 — 2001 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

I PURCHASED A 2001 CHRYSLER T&C NEW ON 9/10/2001. PRESENTLY I HAVE 38,000 MILES ON IT. FIRST ITEM REPLACED WAS THE SWAY BAR AT ABOUT 30,000 MI. THEN ON 5/22/07 THE TIE RODS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO FRONT WHEEL PLAY. ON 8/13/2007 AFTER ARRIVING ON VACATION, THE NEXT MORNING I WENT TO A LOCAL STORE ABOUT 4 MILES FROM THE RESORT. ON THE WAY BACK THE VAN STARTED TO OVER HEAT AND THE ALARM SOUNDING. I PULLED OVER AND WAITED FOR IT TO COOL. AFTER ARRIVING AT THE RESORT I CHECKED THE COOLANT. REMAINING WAS ABOUT 4 1/2 QUARTS OF THE REQUIRED AMOUNT. I FILLED IT TO CAPACITY AND RAN ENGINE NOTICING COOLANT LEAKING. I HAD IT TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALER. THEY WERE ABLE TO PLACE IT ON A LIFT IMMEDIATELY ADVISING ME THAT THE DUAL COOLANT TUBES MADE OF STEEL PIPE HAD RUSTED UNDER THE VAN ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD 37,800 MI AT THIS POINT. REPAIRS COST $423.22. AMAZINGLY CHRYSLER CHANGED THE REPLACEMENT TUBES WITH ALUMINUM TUBES. I NOTICED IN READING REPORTS REGARDING MY SAME PROBLEM, MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME SITUATION. SURPRISINGLY THIS WAS NOT COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ALONG WITH THE TIE ROD REPLACEMENT. ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE EVER OWNED NEVER NEEDED TIE ROD REPLACEMENTS. REGARDING THE USE OF STEEL TO RUN COOLANT UNDER A VEHICLE TO THE REAR HEATER KNOWING ROAD SALTS, RAIN, ETC HAVE A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON THIS METAL, CHRYSLER ENGINEERING GOOFED AT THE COST OF THE CUSTOMER, AVOIDING LISTING THIS PART UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. AT THIS POINT HAVING OWNED A 1990 DODGE CARAVAN WITH 2 TRANSAXLES REPLACED AND GIVING CHRYSLER ANOTHER CHANCE TO PROVE THEMSELVES IN BUILDING A BETTER VEHICLE I GUESS I OVERESTIMATED THEM ALONG WITH PLACING MY FAITH IN THEIR COMPANY. I HAVE SENT CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE MY COMPLAINT AND BILL FOR THE COOLANT PIPE REPLACEMENT PLACING LITTLE HOPE IN REIMBURSEMENT. NOW I SEE WHY THE AMERICAN CAR MANUFACTURERS ARE LOOSING OUT TO FOREIGN CAR MANUFACTURERS. *TR