RoadVitals

1997 Chrysler Town And Country

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
388
Latest Jul 13, 2017
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
9
Latest Aug 10, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
6
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
40
30 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 388 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Chrysler Town And Country, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and engine categories. 9 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 6 NHTSA investigations name it; and 151 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

9 campaigns cover this model year

View all 9

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10E034000

EQUIPMENT

Aug 10, 2010
6,686 units potentially affected
The defect: CURT MFG IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 3 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 13347, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1997-2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS, 1996-2007 DODGE CARAVANS, AND 1996-2004 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VANS. WHEN THE HITCH IS LOADED TO THE MAXIMUM RATING, THE HITCH MAY FRACTURE OR BREAK AT THE BEND LOCATION WHERE THE MAIN BODY OF THE HITCH MEETS THE HITCH MUFFLER STRAP.
The risk: IF THE AREA IN QUESTION FRACTURES OR BREAKS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING CONDITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The remedy: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE THE HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG AT 1-715-831-8713.
CURT MFG. INC.View on NHTSA.gov
03E053000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Oct 24, 2003
68,563 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, MODELS WIX FILTER PART NUMBERS 33576, 33577, 33734; NAPA FILTER PART NUMBERS 3576, 3577, 3734; AND CARQUEST FILTER PART NUMBERS 86576, 86577, 86734 USED ON 1996-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, DODGE CARAVAN, AND PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VEHICLES, CAN CAUSE THE FUEL LINES TO LEAK.
The risk: A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
The remedy: WIX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. NOTE: THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. NOR ANY DAILMERCHRYSLER DEALERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2003. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WIX AT 704-864-6711.
WIX FILTERATION PRODUCTS DIVISIONView on NHTSA.gov
03E045000

EQUIPMENT

Sep 26, 2003
45,870 units potentially affected
The defect: AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 17, 2002, AND JANUARY 20, 2003, SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES LISTED ABOVE. THE FILTER MAY EXPERIENCE MALFUNCTION OF THE QUICK CONNECTOR EITHER BLOCKING FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE OR CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THIS DOES NOT INVOLVE ANY PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP. NOR ANY DAILMERCHRYSLER DEALERS.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE ENGINE COULD STALL. ALSO, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, THE FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 1995-2000 SHORT WHEELBASE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS PART NO. 18232 AND DATE CODE 0237, 0249, OR 0252. REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 1995-2000 LONG WHEELBASE CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS PART NO. 18230 AND DATE CODE 0237, 0249, 0251, OR 0304. REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS FOR 2001-2004 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND DODGE CARAVAN MINIVANS PART NO. 28871 AND DATE CODE 0249. THESE PART NUMBERS AND DATE CODES APPEAR ON THE GOLD-TONE FILTER. DISTRIBUTORS AND RETAILERS WILL BE NOTIFIED TO ISOLATE AND RETURN AFFECTED INVENTORY. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE FUEL FILTER SERVICED ON ONE OF THE APPLICABLE VEHICLES AFTER SEPTEMBER 17, 2002 SHOULD RETURN THEIR VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE FACILITY TO BE INSPECTED TO SEE IF THE FUEL FILTER THAT WAS INSTALLED IS ONE THAT IS INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. IF SO, THE OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THE FILTER REPLACED. TO RECEIVE A FULL REFUND PLUS THE COST OF POSTAGE, OWNERS SHOULD CUT THE CONNECTORS FROM THE HOSES, RINSE THE CONNECTORS AND RETURN THEM TOGETHER WITH PROOF OF THE AMOUNT PAID FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART AND LABOR, TO INTERCONTINENTAL AT INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTS, INC., P.O. BOX 861, MAHWAH, NJ 07430, ATTN: FUEL FILTER RECALL. INTERCONTINENTAL WILL MAIL A FULL REFUND TO THE OWNER.
INTERCONTINENTAL AUTO PARTSView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA01007ClosedEngineering Analysis

AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING

Opened Feb 21, 2001
Closed Nov 22, 2002

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 02V293000
RQ00008ClosedRecall Query

DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK

Opened Mar 9, 2000
Closed Mar 18, 2002

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 00V268000
EA99013ClosedEngineering Analysis

POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM

Opened Jun 11, 1999
Closed Aug 10, 2001
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
PE99010ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY

Opened Feb 3, 1999
Closed Jun 11, 1999

There is no summary currently available

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 388
BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 13, 2017

VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO CONTROL OF THE GAS OR BREAKS.

NHTSA ID
11005156
Incident
Jul 12, 2017
Mileage
15 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL GRID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ID
10884860
Incident
Dec 19, 1997
Mileage
40,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 24, 2015

ON IGNITION THE VEHICLES DASH GAGE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS (ODOMETER, GAS GAGE, WARNING LIGHTS) DO NOT TURN ON WITH IGNITION, VEHICLE RUNS 2-3 SECONDS AND SHUTS OFF, WITH NO SPUTTERING OR KNOCKING. SEARCHING ONLINE FOR PROBLEMS OF A SIMILAR NATURE MANY SITES INDICATE THE ERROR MAY STEM FROM AN INCORRECTLY SOLDERED INSTRUMENT DISPLAY PANEL, SPECIFICALLY THE GROUND RETURN ON THE INSTRUMENT CIRCUIT BOARD.

NHTSA ID
10758961
Incident
Aug 24, 2015
Mileage
190,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 1, 2015

WELL I'AM HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES NOW I CLOSE MY HOOD AND MY 4 WAYS START BLINKING, I TURN ON MY VAN AND THE ABS & AND AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON WHEN I START IT BUT NEVER GO OFF.THE CV BOOT IS BAD AND THE HALF SHALF ON PASSENGER SIDE I THINK ITS MAKING ALOT OF SOUND WHEN I GO DOWN THE ROAD ,I ALREADY BROUGHT BRAND NEW OUTTER TIE ROD ENDS FOR BOTH SIDES, AND SWAG BAR LINGS BRAND NEW FOR BOTH SIDES SPRINGS AND MOUNTS, AND STRUTS THE RADIO SEEMS TO FADE IN AND OUT YOU CAN NOT SEE ANY STATION NUMBERS OR CLOCK TIME ON IT SO I FIGURED ITS AND ELEC ISSUES AND NOW IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAY LIKE ABOUT JULY29TH, 2015 , I GOT BACK HOME AND NOTICED MY TEMPERTURE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND IT SAID H IT WAS IT WAS HOT, THE DAY BEFORE I JUST PAID FOR AND OIL CHANGE AND THATS BECAUSE THEIR WAS OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND TO FIND OUT THE BOLTS WERE ALL LOOSE BUT 1 WHICH WAS STRIPED, BUT ANYWAYS NOW MY FANS ARE NOT GOING AROUND AND ITS NOT KEEPING MY VAN COOL MY HUSBAND HAS CHECKED ALL FUSES BUT CAN'T FIND THE RELAY FOR THE RADIATOR FAN IF THAT EVEN HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT, I HAVE PUT OVER 1,000 IN THIS VAN NOW, I'AM HANDID CAP AND I REALLY NEED MY VAN TO GET ME AROUND I ALSO DON'T HAVE THE REMOTE TO OPEN THE DOORS OR LOCK IT SO I HAVE TO DO IT WITH THE KEY , IT SURELY WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A REMOTE THAT GOES WITH THIS VAN , BUT IT SURELY WOULD BE GREAT IF THINGS WOULD WORK RIGHT TO, I CAN BE DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD AND THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS WILL BE LOCKING AND UN LOCKING WHILE I'AM DRIVING ALL BY THEIR SELF ALSO THE WINDOW WIPERS WIPE BUT THE FLUID WILL NOT COME OUT ON THE FRONT WINDOWS OR THE BACK WINDOWS, I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME OUT I WALK WITH 1 TO 2 CANES AND SOMETIMES A WALKER, I HAVE BRACES ON MY LEGS AND HAVE TO HELP MYSELF AT PUTTING MY LEGS IN , I REALLY NEED A MINI VAN THAT WILL WORK FOR ME, THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
10745582
Incident
Mar 23, 2015
Mileage
204 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 8, 2015
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND SMOKE FILLED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH MINOR INJURIES TO THE HAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10723945
Incident
Feb 27, 2015
Mileage
180,000 mi
Filed Apr 24, 2015

OXYGEN SENSOR CONNECTER MELTED TO MANIFOLD. WONT GO IN REVERSE KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712561
Incident
Jan 30, 2015
Airbags
Filed Feb 23, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V293000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ID
10690105
Incident
Feb 19, 2015
Mileage
175,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed May 1, 2014

THE VAN JUST DIED BY ITSELF WHILE RUNNING AT SPEED OF 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10586017
Incident
Nov 4, 2013
Mileage
160,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

08-049-20

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery replacements are necessary.

3100319

STRUCTURE

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

31-003-19

EQUIPMENT

Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.

31-006-19

STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

3100619

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.

31-005-19

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chrysler Town And Country by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020000—
2019000—
2018010—
2017010—
20165215256.5
20153824156.6
20146364361.4
20136804257.2
20126345258.2
20117733254.6
20101,5565256.2
20097076255.2
20081,9397255.7
20072192153.3
20064314460.4
20058577761.8
20041676155.3
20032456361.5
20024048661.8
20014627359.0
20003067463.7
19993629865.3
199829610663.8
1997Viewing3889664.3
1996938121463.3
1995584560.6
19941546663.5
1993214101262.5
1992135101361.7
199125101159.8
1990134145.9
1989121—
1988021—
1987021—
1986331—
1985021—
1984121—
1983200—
1982010—
1975020—
1974010—
1967110—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.