My Chrysler Town & Country Needs A Rebuilt Transmission :(

@schulzie (4061)
United States
November 13, 2012 8:22am CST
This week my husband and I brought our Chrysler Town & Country Minivan into the transmission shop because it would not shift gears at all. The mechanic looked at it and informed us that the transmission will have to be rebuilt. It has over 160,000 miles on it and it is the original transmission. The cost will be about $2100 for the job. Does this sound like a fair price? I was looking into transmission maintenance, etc. online just a few minutes ago and they suggest that the transmission fluid be changed on a periodic basis. I asked my husband about this and he informed me that he has never changed or had the transmission fluid changed on any of our cars! He only makes sure there is fluid in there and fills it if it is running low. I'm no mechanic myself but I am pretty sure we got lucky that the transmission lasted this long! So, from now on I will make sure that we get the transmission fluid changed at least every year going forward. How about you? How often do you actually change or have your transmission fluid changed? Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
3 people like this
6 responses
jillhill
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
13 Nov 12
It sounds like you got alot of miles out of the tranny...good for you. I haven't heard this but I don't really take care of my car. I take it in to the dealership and they do what needs to be done. Like even windshield wipers....
2 people like this
finlander60
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
28 Nov 12
If you are going 30,000 miles on an oil change I would really hope that you are using a good brand of SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT, otherwise your engine isn't going to last, either.
schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
14 Nov 12
We are very good about changing the oil every 30,000 miles though... We are lucky we made it that far on that transmission though. Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
2 people like this
MsTickle
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
19 Nov 12
Hi, I don't change my brake fluid or the transmission fluid. I change the engine oil but I only top up the other two along with the power steering fluid as required. That's a big chunk of money. Is it worth repairing or would it be better used toward a new vehicle?
2 people like this
schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
21 Nov 12
No it's definitely worth repairing. We take very very good care of our cars, and other then the transmission needing to be rebuilt this car is in cherry condition. We have a tendency to hang onto our cars for a long time. My husband is driving a car from 1975 car. Thanks for your comment and happy myLotting!!!
1 person likes this
Thoroughrob
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
13 Nov 12
It sounds about right. My brother in law just had his rebuilt for $1800 at a transmission shop, but it was a truck. We change our fluid every couple of years. You might be able to get one from a junk yard for less and pay someone to change it, but then you take the chance of something going wrong with it soon.
2 people like this
schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
13 Nov 12
We are getting it done at that transmission shop, it comes with a 12 month/12000 warranty so it is what it is. I'm going to be sure that we get it changed about once a year from now on and hopefully that will avoid another replacement/repair in the future. The mechanic said he could not tell what made the transmission lock up, it would not move from park to drive, reverse, etc. He said we were lucky that it got to 168,000 miles on the original transmission. I know my husband said he has NEVER had the fluid changed, only topped it off! Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
2 people like this
finlander60
@finlander60 (1804)
• United States
28 Nov 12
The very first thing everyone should do when they get a car is sit down and read the owners manual, completely. My first suggestion to you would be to, at least, get another opinion. This problem COULD BE AS SIMPLE AS CHANGING THE FLUID AND FILTER. This could be a inexpensive as $70.00 It might be worth a try.
1 person likes this
schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
2 Dec 12
No, it wasn't that at all. And I had 2 opinions on it. It would not shift from park to drive to reverse, etc. It just would not go into any gear, period. It is fixed and runs perfectly now. Thanks for your comment, happy myLotting!!!
dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
13 Nov 12
That price sounds about right. Sorry for your troubles, few of us can afford such an expensive repair bill but it's much better than having to buy a new vehicle. I get the fluids in my car completely changed once a year--the radiator, tranny and of course I get the oil changed regularly. Your car fluids are what keeps it running, essentially. They lubricate the parts and prevent wear. It's one of the most important things you can do to keep your car running as long as you need it!
2 people like this
schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
13 Nov 12
Yes it is pretty expensive. We had the car sitting there waiting to be repaired since May so that we could save up enough money to get it repaired. I guess I gotta get on myLot a whole lot more in order to put a dent in that repair bill!!! Thanks for your comment and have a great day!!!
2 people like this
soyporteno
@soyporteno (406)
• United States
15 Nov 12
It is really important to keep up with vehicle maintenence for just this type of reason. I hope it doesn't end up being more expensive than $2100 for you. Good luck.
2 people like this
schulzie
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
21 Nov 12
No it actually ended up being $2100 like the mechanic said. [b]Thanks for your comment and happy myLotting!!![/b]
1 person likes this