2000 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY

Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Delayed engagement into reverse or drive, Slipping between 2nd and 3rd gear under load, Burnt transmission fluid smell, dark red/brown fluid, Hard shifts or complete loss of forward gears, Check engine light with transmission codes P0700, P0841, P0733

Fix: The 41TE four-speed automatic is notorious for solenoid pack failures, governor pressure sensor issues, and clutch pack burnout. Most fail beyond economical repair. Rebuild requires 12-16 hours labor plus torque converter. Many shops recommend remanufactured units due to poor rebuild longevity on this platform.

Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Milky oil on dipstick or under oil cap (coolant in oil), White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Rapid coolant loss with no external leaks, Engine overheating despite full coolant level, Rough idle, misfires on multiple cylinders, Catastrophic bearing failure if driven after mixing coolant and oil

Fix: The plastic lower intake plenum gaskets deteriorate and allow coolant into the crankcase. If caught early, gasket replacement takes 6-8 hours. If driven with contaminated oil, rod and main bearings get wiped out, requiring short block replacement or complete engine rebuild (25-35 hours labor). This is the leading cause of engine rebuilds on this platform.

Estimated cost: $800-1,200 gaskets only, $3,500-5,500 short block, $4,500-7,000 full rebuild

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, typically passenger side, Rapid transmission fluid loss leading to slipping, Rusty or corroded steel lines visible at radiator connections, Low fluid level on dipstick with burnt smell

Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they connect to the radiator. Replacement requires 2-3 hours labor for both lines. Critical to catch early because running the transmission low on fluid accelerates the internal failure described above. Some techs replace with braided stainless lines for longevity.

Estimated cost: $250-450

Typical onset: 60,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Sudden no-start, cranks but won't fire, Intermittent stalling while driving, restarts after cooling, Check engine light with P0320 or P0339 codes, Loss of tachometer reading during stall

Fix: Sensor mounted on transmission bellhousing fails from heat exposure. Replacement is 1.5-2 hours labor but requires removing the starter and working in tight quarters. Common enough that many owners carry a spare. Always the first check on a no-start with these engines.

Estimated cost: $180-320

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Severe clunk or thud when shifting from park to drive or reverse, Visible engine movement when accelerating or braking, Vibration at idle that smooths out at higher RPM, Torn rubber visible on mounts during inspection

Fix: Both hydraulic engine mounts and the rear transmission mount fail from age and stress. Transmission mount is notorious for breaking its bracket, requiring 2-3 hours to replace properly. All three mounts typically need replacement together (4-5 hours total labor). Delaying this causes accelerated wear on CV axles and exhaust system.

Estimated cost: $450-750 all mounts

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Check engine light with P0441, P0455, P0456, or P1494 codes, Fuel smell near rear of vehicle, Difficulty refueling, pump shuts off repeatedly, Rough idle only when fuel tank is near full

Fix: The leak detection pump (LDP) diaphragm cracks and the purge solenoid sticks. LDP is mounted above spare tire, requires 1-1.5 hours. Purge solenoid is on engine, 0.5 hour. Often both fail within 20,000 miles of each other. Won't cause breakdown but will fail emissions testing in many states.

Estimated cost: $200-400 LDP, $120-180 purge solenoid