Chrysler Minivan Recall: Risk of Sudden Engine Shut Down

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About 248,000 Chrysler and Dodge minivans have been recalled due to a risk that the engine may unexpectedly shut off, which is suspected of being a factor in at least two auto accidents. 

The minivan recall (pdf), announced earlier this week, affects Chrysler Town & Country minivans as well as the Dodge Journey crossover and Dodge Grand Caravan, all from model year 2010. About 3% of the vehicles may have a defect that allows the key to slip while driving, potentially turning off the engine suddenly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the defect may have been the cause of at least two car crashes, but no injuries have been reported.

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Chrysler Group LLC, now run by Italy’s Fiat SpA, received 32 customer complaints on the issue and also has received 465 warranty claims. The company opened an investigation into the defect in September, and says that it has determined the key can be jostled into the accessory position by harsh road conditions or interactions with the driver.

All of the recalled Dodge Grand Caravans, Dodge Journey and Chrysler Town & Country minivans were manufactured between August 3, 2009 and June 17, 2010 with an ignition assembly manufactured by the same company; Michigan-based Continental Corporation. Chrysler has reported to the NHTSA that the parts supplier was replaced by a company who made ignition switches that were more “robust”.

Chrysler will recall all of the affected vehicles and replace the key entry port, known as a WIN module. In addition, the company said that it will request that any customers who have already had repairs made on their own send the original receipt or other proof of payment to the company so that it may reimburse them for their expenses.

Affected owners will begin receiving notices in April.

Photo courtesy of alv1nW/Flickr via Creative Commons

Tags: Auto Accident, Auto Recall, Chrysler, Dodge
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67 Comments

LeeAnn
We bought our 2005 Chrysler Town and Country new. Over the last few months its been randomly shutting off while driving. No warning just dead. It happened again yesterday, I am not strong enough to turn the van without the power steering. Now I read all these year models doing the same thing, even the new 2013. We were about to go buy a new 2013 model. I love this beautiful van for my Family, Grandchildren and Great Danes. But SAFETY FIRST. So now we WILL NOT be purchasing another Chrysler.
Vickie
I purchased my Dodge Caravan in 2009 as a new vehicle, but it was actually put on the market in 2008. In the past month I have taken it back to the shop twice with the problem of the engine just shutting off. At first it would shut off when I hit a slight bump in the road and would only happen once in a while. It has shut off now over five times as I turn into the highway and most recently the engine just shut down in the middle of the four lane with traffic close behind. My daughter-in-law and grandchildren were in the car and could have easily been hurt. Because the dealership has been unable to duplicate the problem, they have not been able to repair it. Because I carry my grandchildren with me , I do fear for their safety. Since the problem doesn’t happen every day, I’m not sure how to get it repaired.
Ziaul
Same thing happened so many times to me and my son too on highway we are lucky so far and it happened again today. When contacted dealer they said no recall and there is no problem
Cyrila
I have a brand new 2013 Chrysler Town & Country with odometer reading at only 4,101 miles. Yesterday, 3/20/2013, I also had an experience of my vehicle’s suddenly shutting off. I was driving in slow bumper to bumper traffic in perfect Hawaii weather condition on a well paved road. With no power steering, I had difficulty coming to a stop. Finally, I was able to put the car in park and restart the car. That was a disconcerting experience! This beautiful car was bought and shipped from Cincinnati, Ohio. I will call the local dealership here on Kauai and see if they can help.
nechune
I have a 2013 caravan and it too has been shutting off on me while driving. They are yet to find the problem and it has been in the shop 4 days now. Don’t know what to do
Yommy
Hello, Please, I have a problem with my car. When I start the engine of my car, the engine goes off sometimes and when I start it again, it comes on. Secondly, I could be driving and suddenly, the engine may go off, I will have to put it on park and start it again. What could be responsible for this? My car type is a Town and Country Chrysler, 1998/99 Model. I await your reply. Thank you. Yommy.
Tawnya
I have a 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and have also had problems with the door closing on me, thank god it was not my children. We have went through brakes and rotors, the engine just dies all the time and has almost caused a accident. Also it burns oil like crazy, very frustrated!
chris
my wifes town and country 1999 did this on the freeway today just shut down no steering and no breaks .this needs to be investigated. american familys should feel safe driving american cars.instead we consider buying our next car from forieners.
angelea
I have a 2006 Chrysler town and country touring and it does the same thing! It has shut off while I was driving and s few times while I was turning. Why hasn’t it been recalled and fixed! Make it right Chrysler! You are putting my family in danger!!!
kim
Half the Chrysler workers are high on percocet, or drinking booze, it’s a wonder their cars even start…….I think that if workers are on some type of medication like the above that alters (opiate), they should not be building cars, or anything else, SAFTY should be the biggest consideration, for other workers and the public safty!
okiedookie
We have a Dodge Journey 2009 yr model–we have had a couple of problems. One, was due to driving at night and the console, headlights, shorted out, then windshield wipers came on-had to pull over several times. Dealers could not locate-finally we basically told either repair or give us another car. Car was in shop for couple of weeks-they even brought in service personel from other locations. Turns out the sun visor flip lid had broken and light was staying on-we had earlier taken it in to have visor replaced. What they finally did was literally traced all wiring to best of ability. Finally, they went back to visor installation-turns out that when screwing in bracket to hold visor-wire dropped down and was “nicked”-thus at certain times if hit a bump just right etc, it GROUNDED out all lights and turned on wipers????? They replaced again and viola problem solved..Now, the sudden engine dying-we have suddenly started having that problem dying when just backing up, dying when give gas at traffic light, dying at 20 miles per hours, etc. So hopefully, we will be able to get repaired as out of warranty. So I hope the console situation might be of assistance if you are having that problem.
Donna
Just got the part installed on the recall; now I can hardly turn the key on and when I try to put it in the ‘on’ position it goes to the ‘start’ position. Taking it back next week — the ‘recall’ for the ‘recall’ I am calling it. The fix is NOT good. Too bad the engineers don’t try parts out before sending them out. These must have been made in Mexico too. NOT HAPPY>
a Parent
Just received the notice last week. Not in April as indicated. First time it shut down was about 6 months ago when we were accelerating to cross a 4 lane highway – it shut off mid way through the lanes and we luckily coasted to the other side – with my two kids in the car. Then in the last two weeks it has happened 3 times. Driving on a highway at 70mph it stopped after a minor bump on the road – with my two kids and their friend in the car; next going over rail road tracks doing 30mph – with one child in the car, then the last time going into a friends driveway that was on a slight incline – with one child in the car. None of which were HARSH road conditions. And we’ve been told by the dealerships it’s going to take months to get an appointment as Chrysler has only made approx 1 key fob a week available to them for replacement. Unacceptable! This has been a known issue for awhile now – this is not how it’s suppose to work.
Millie
We too, have been told there was no problem with our van suddenly shutting down twice. Once in AZ. at the dealer we purchased our van from, and now at home base. We have checked our van in with the dealer here in Minn. and said we do not want the van back until it is fixed! I am one of those “older drivers” and pride myself with a perfect driving record. I don’t want that to change nor to cause an accident. Yes, compensation would be great for anxiety but MOST unlikely!
Angela
We purchased our 2010 dodge grand caravan 2010 last year and had big problems with is just dying when driving I complained to 2 dealers and was brushed off , finially the dealer we purchased it from tested it and found nothing I was told to lighten my key chain ( it was not heavy to begin with) Being very upset I complained to higher up the ladder and finially was taken care of and I am not crazy my win module was replaced and we were given new keys so far no problem , but the year of fustration and lack of safety should be compinsated for some how?
Sheleece
I have a 1996 Chryler Town and Country van and even though it is not the year specified I have had this problem for several months now.
shay
I have a 2006 dodge caravan and the key will turn while the vehicle is in motion, shouldn’t this be recalled as well? It can actually shut on and off while driving..
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