I am writing to complain about brake pads and rotors on Chrysler Town and country minivans. I was told today, 3/4/11 that I need all new brakes (rotors and pads on my 2009 Town and country minivan.) the vehicle has 14,500 miles on it. I have researched the vehicle and found on edmunds.com that there are numerous complaints regarding this vehicle and its brake system. I am going to replace the pads and rotors because I have 5 kids and their safety is more important than the cost. Please take this complaint seriously. Thankyou.

- Eastchester, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Chrysler Town and country. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact applied the brakes but the vehicle did not stop. The contact used the emergency brake to stop. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the front rotors had overheated and warped. The dealer replaced the front rotors and brake pds. Two months later, the failure occurred again. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the front rotors and brake pads. In August 2010, the failure occurred again. The front rotors and brake pads were replaced again. The failure occurred again January 2011 and the front brakes were cleaned. The same failure occurred again so the vehicle was taken to a different dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle needed new front rotors and brake pads. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 9,912 and the current mileage was 21,000.

- Mineola, NY, USA

Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) Chrysler Town and country limited, vehicle id: [xxx] purchased 10/6/2008 front brakes failure 12/12/09. Needed to replace front pads and resurface rotors. Mileage 21,576. Rear brakes at only 20%. at 24,112 miles wheel shimmys a little. Found even pad wear but rotors are glazed over from heat. Front rotors machined. Rear brakes pulsate and replaced rotors and and pads. Appears brakes are insufficient in material and size. Other vehicle currently owned: Mzda MPV 2005 model - front brakes replaced at miles 59,000 which still had 19% on pads Buick 1998 model le sabre replaced brakes at 66,000 and 125,000 miles. Driving conditions: About 80% freeway long distance and 20% city slow traffic with stop and go. Brakes should not wear this fast.

- Puyallup, WA, USA

I own a 2009 Chrysler Town & Country LX which I purchased in December 2008. About 2 months ago I noticed a high pitched noise periodical coming from the van. When I lightly applied the brakes the noise went away. About a month ago the noise began occurring more regularly and for more prolonged periods of time. I took the vehicle in to the dealership from which I bought it a couple of times and described my problem to the service manger. He told me to drop by at the dealership when I noticed the sound occurring. On 3 occasions I tried to do that but when I got to the dealership the noise was no longer occurring. On Friday April 16th, I heard the noise and drove to the dealership. I noticed the service manager drive off in another van, so I followed him to see if I could catch him while the noise was occurring. When I pulled next to him at a traffic light, the noise was no longer happening. I spoke to him then left for home. When I arrived at home I smelled something and touched the rear wheel and found it extremely hot. I drove to the dealership and they pulled the van in for inspection. They found the "rear brake pads worn and dragging on rotors. Replaced rear brakes & resurfaced rotors." That cost me $180.88. The car only had 34,149 miles on the odometer. Although no accident occurred, it seems unreasonable for brakes and rotors to be so worn with such low mileage. Neither my wife nor are speedy drivers and do not drive aggressively, (jack-rabbit starts, tailgate, etc.) I've never owned a car that needed brakes at such low mileage, yet I see no complaints or defect notices on your web-page. I thought it prudent to advise you of this issue before an accident occurred regarding similar issues with Chrysler brakes.

- Lakeport, MI, USA

The are are many issues that I have faced with my 2009 Chrysler Town and country touring (25th anniv. Edition). First are the brakes which make this metal on metal sound after 6,000 miles; the transmission is always slipping and you can feel it big time while driving, whether its down shifting or shifting up. The steering makes way too much noise. Dealer has said nothing is wrong with transmission, but you can definitely feel it. Online forums people have complained about having the same problem with all three. Take a look at it! the transmission is always slipping and steering is very frequent almost every day.

- Brentwood, TN, USA

Last week while taking my son to karate we were stopped at a red light. After coming to a complete stop about 10 seconds later my brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I wasn't sure what had happened and didn't think too much about it. My vehicle is a 2009 Town and country Chrysler - we purchased this mini-van brand new in may of 2009. On the way home this happened one more time. I told my husband about the issue and he mentioned something like there may be air in the lines. I am not too familiar with car problems so the next morning I was prepared to drop it off at the dealership for them to see what was going on. As I got myself and two small children (7 & 5) situated to go - I began driving off, relatively slow, and as I came to a stop sign - I couldn't stop. I began pumping the brakes and finally coasted to a stop. The vehicle was towed to the nearest Chrysler dealership where they looked at it and told me that my master brake cylinder was "shot." I asked how this could have happened and he told me that I just must have had a faulty cylinder. It is being replaced but I am a bit hesitant on receiving another defective part. Since I am not that educated in "car stuff" I have been doing a bit of research on this part - this is serious business. Just to think the kids and I were going to the shed aquarium in downtown Chicago this weekend - what if I had no brakes on the highway driving 65mph.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

Premature brake system component failure.

- Conyers, GA, USA