The 2011 Chrysler Town and Country steering cluster contains 21 complaints centered on complete loss of electrical power and steering function while driving. The most alarming pattern: engine and all electrical systems shut down suddenly at highway speeds, stranding owners without power steering or brakes. Owners describe coasting to stops in breakdown lanes and feeling unable to control the vehicle safely. One owner reports this happened twice over 2–3 years; a dealership test drive and service technician could not reproduce the failure, and diagnosis remained "possible computer glitch."
A second major issue is steering wheel shimmy when braking, particularly above 50 mph, that worsens over time and occurs at lower speeds as the months pass. One owner, a former Motorola reliability engineer with 30 years' experience, notes the mileage is too low for brake wear and suspects a mechanical design flaw unrelated to the brakes themselves.
Owners also report oversensitive steering that oversteers easily, causing the van to wander and drift across lanes—one owner complained three dealer software updates to the PCM, WIN, and steering sensor modules did nothing. Fuel pump relay failures on the TIPM board shut off the engine mid-drive at 70 mph, causing steering loss and dangerous deceleration. The TIPM has been on national backorder, leaving some owners without repairs for weeks. Premature tire cupping and feathering on the outside edges compounds handling instability. One owner states Chrysler and Dodge have known about the TIPM fuel relay problem for 10 years without issuing a recall.
Failure modes owners describe
Complete loss of electrical power and engine shutdown while driving
Engine and all electrical systems shut down completely during highway operation, resulting in loss of power steering and power brakes. Vehicle must coast to a stop. Power restored after restart.
When: At highway speeds (40–70 mph), sporadic occurrences over 2–3 year period
Symptoms owners cite: Warning/indicator lights flash; Digital odometer speed indicator fluctuates; Engine stalling/missing; Complete engine shutdown; Loss of all electrical power; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes
Codes mentioned: Check engine light illuminated (prior to failure in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate failure; diagnosis suggested possible computer/PCM glitch. One owner reports PCM confirmed as cause. TIPM board fuel relay noted as problematic in related reports.
Power steering failure during operation
Power steering suddenly fails while driving, leaving steering wheel difficult or impossible to maneuver. Often accompanied by engine stall.
When: At various speeds (25 mph to highway speeds); multiple occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure; Steering wheel difficult to maneuver; Tight steering wheel; Engine stall; Check engine light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Electronic throttle control warning light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports fuel pump relay replacement needed. One owner had power steering module replaced at Sears Auto Center. One owner needed power steering pump replaced three times. Power steering fluid replacement did not resolve shimmy issue in another case.
Steering wheel shimmy/pulsation during braking
Steering wheel shakes, shimmers, or pulsates when brakes are applied, especially at highway speeds. Condition worsens over time and occurs at lower speeds. Accompanied by humming noise in some cases.
When: Initially above 50 mph, progressing to 35 mph and lower; sporadic becoming frequent
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shimmy when brakes applied; Severe steering wheel shake/pulsation; Steering wheel humming noise; Steering wheel making loud squealing sound
Repairs/costs cited: One owner with 30 years mechanical engineering experience notes mileage too low for normal brake wear; suspects design issue unrelated to warped discs. Another owner replaced power steering fluid without resolution. Brake service performed 5–6 times without correcting issue.
Oversensitive steering and handling instability
Steering responds too quickly and vehicle oversteers easily, causing drifting and instability at highway speeds. Vehicle wanders on freeway requiring frequent steering corrections. Multiple dealer software updates did not resolve.
When: Throughout ownership; present from early mileage (3,500 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Steering is oversensitive/too responsive; Vehicle oversteers easily; Vehicle wanders on freeway; Requires frequent steering corrections; Easy to drift into other lanes; Vehicle feels unstable at high speed
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed 3 software upgrades to PCM, WIN, and steering sensor modules without improvement. One owner reports caster alignment or front end design issue suspected.
Fuel pump and TIPM electrical failures
Fuel pump relay on TIPM board fails, causing loss of fuel pump and engine shutdown while driving. Starting problems and fuel pump staying on continuously, draining battery.
When: Intermittent early on; fuel pump shut-off at 70 mph reported; after 5 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent starting trouble; Fuel pump shuts off while driving; Fuel pump stays on continuously; Engine stalls while driving; Loss of control of steering when fuel pump shuts off; Vehicle deceleration without brake input; Check engine light
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Owner had to unplug fuel pump fuse each time exiting vehicle to prevent battery drain; paid $200 for battery replacement. Fuel relay on TIPM board identified as failing component. TIPM on national backorder delaying repairs; tow/repair cycle extended to 3+ weeks. Bad connector also found in related electrical diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes Dodge and Chrysler have known about TIPM fuel relay issue for 10 years without recall.
Tire wear and front-end stability issues
Front tires show premature cupping and feathering on outside edges, causing steering sensitivity, poor steering stability, and handling wander. Alignment in spec but design/components suspected as root cause.
When: Early ownership; cupping noted at 3,500 miles and within first few thousand miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tire feathering on outside edges; Tire cupping on outside edges; Steering oversensitive at high speed; Vehicle wanders on freeway; Requires frequent steering correction; Noisy tires
Repairs/costs cited: Alignment checked and found in spec. Tires are Michelin Energy Saver/AS 225 65R17. Owners attribute to soft-riding, hard-rubber tire combined with front-end component weakness and FWD weight design.
Brake system pulsation and noise
Brake system produces abnormal pulsation and noise; shimmy in steering during braking. Brakes serviced multiple times without resolution.
When: At 45 mph and various speeds; recurring issue
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal pulsation in steering during braking; Abnormal brake noise (front and rear); Brake pads melting; Steering wheel shake when braking
Repairs/costs cited: Brake service performed 5–6 times without resolving issue. Brake pads replaced more than once. Owner notes brake system as consistent weakness across Chrysler Town & Country models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner references recall on 2009 Chrysler T&C for brake issues.
Ignition/starting intermittency
Vehicle fails to turn over or start. Ignition lock-up after recall repair. Starting problem resolves after waiting or multiple attempts.
When: After recall repair; within 5 months of ownership; intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition will not turn over; Starter stays engaged after engine starts; Starter keeps trying to start while engine running; Vehicle will not crank/start; Key fobs not working
Repairs/costs cited: After 2012 recall repair, ignition would not turn over initially. Bad connector found during electrical diagnosis; TIPM identified as part of starting circuit issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall performed in 2012 (campaign number unknown).
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.