2007 Town & Country, Shutters in Reverse

[ssgvc]

I recently purchased a 2007 Town & Country from Mac Haik in georgetown TX. After 2 days of driving the van we noticed when backing up our driveway it shuttered and hesitated. We took it back to the dealer several times and they confirmed with Chyrstler Engineers that the vehicle shutter in reverse occurs in all the Town and Contry models when on a slight incline, due to a presssure change in the transmission fluid.

I asked if there was a fix for this or if I could exchange the vehoicle for one that has more power in reverse, they said they would have to get back to me and they wanted to do what it took to make my family and I happy.

After several weeks of cat and mouse on the phone to the dealer and to Chyrstler customer service they still insist this is normal for that vehicle and I should have chosen my vehicle better. They will not allow me to exchange the vehicle or even do a buy back. What ever happended to customer satisfaction and quality vehicles?

As for my family and I we will never but a Chrystler or any affiliate vehicles and I will never deal with Mac Haik again!!

I have tried to get the number for Mr Haik or the regional manager, but the dealer and Customer service refuse to give me the phone numbers or e-mails.

SSGVC

[Stretch58]

Sorry to hear you have had that problem. They have a National Customer Service number you can call. 1-800-922-1997. Have the VIN handy, where and when you brought it , who has done service, what the problem is. I don't see any Technical Service Bulletins listed on Alldata.com on that problem. Also don't see any TSBs at all, after April so not sure if it is up to date.
Hope you have some luck.

[RIP]

Originally Posted by ssgvc

After several weeks of cat and mouse on the phone to the dealer and to Chyrstler customer service they still insist this is normal for that vehicle and I should have chosen my vehicle better. SSGVC

So from that I take it your Chrysler dealer is telling you you bought an inferior product and should have gone to another automaker to get a better product. Interesting. If you don't get anywhere with your dealership, try another dealership or your states consumer affairs division.

[Cntrysthbst]

Agreed with Rip! Can you call another dealer? The warranty coverage is nationwide.

[ssgvc]

I have been back and forth with the dealer and Chrystler Customer service. The only thing Chyrstler Customer service does is contact the dealer to see what they have done and then comes back on the phone line repeateing what the dealer has already told me.

They had a district engineer checked the van, and also tested similar new vans on the lot, and agreed that when backing up a slight incline the transmission line looses pressure and causes a shutter and slow backing. He then stated it is the way the vehicle was designed and there is no mechanical problem from the main design so there is no fix for the problem.

To top all of this off, the original manager no longer works at this dealer and the current manager would not do a buy back of the vehicle. My wife still likes the van and it is a pretty good van( with the exception of the shutter and loss of power in reverse) so we settled with the manager and recieved a "Good Faith rebate".

I would never have thought to test drive a vehicle in my own driveway before buying it, but from now on I will waste a full tank of fuel when test driving a vehicle before signing the purchase agreement!!!

SSGVC

[genegr]

My 07 Grand Caravan (10K miles) is having a new tranny put in it today, It did the same thing backing out my driveway(100 ft). Wednesday night I ran down to the store to get the cranberrys I put it in reverse to back out of the stall, it bucked real hard twice and than just slipped. No forward, no reverse. Had it towed in. Got the call Monday morning from the dealer and said they would have a new tranny in it Tuesday night ready to go. The service manager didn't want to spend alot of time talking about it. If I get more info I will pass it on.

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by genegr

My 07 Grand Caravan (10K miles) is having a new tranny put in it today, It did the same thing backing out my driveway(100 ft). Wednesday night I ran down to the store to get the cranberrys I put it in reverse to back out of the stall, it bucked real hard twice and than just slipped. No forward, no reverse. Had it towed in. Got the call Monday morning from the dealer and said they would have a new tranny in it Tuesday night ready to go. The service manager didn't want to spend alot of time talking about it. If I get more info I will pass it on.

Thats the first early failure story I have heard on the newer gen vans , they have generally been pretty good since like 2002 . I have a 2004 and 2007 so I'll keep my fingers crossed , have the lifetime warranty on the 07 so i am not too worried about the 2007 but the 2004 is almost off the 7/70000 warrany.

[genegr]

Picked up the van tonight, invoiced said transmission had planetay gear failure that distoryed almost all internal parts. warranty replaced transmission and flushed cooler. Disassembled old transmission for inspection TSB21-003-07. Old transmission was damaged beyond repair. I knoticed a shutter at 30 miles per hour on the way home. Also they replace an ATM20 fuse. does anyone know what that would be for and where it's located. thanks