RoadVitals

2012 Chrysler Town And Country Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints 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.
395
Latest Jul 29, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
62%
of 634 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
16
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
7

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Chrysler Town And Country submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 395 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 395, in the owner's own words

ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 29, 2026

The ignition switch AKA WIN MODULE has to be broken, making it extremely dangerous to drive my vehicle. Any time I go over a bump or the key wiggles slightly the car will turn right off and I lose full control over the car. I have to find a safe place to pull over and restart the car by taking the key out and putting the key back in. The part where the key goes in is very very loose. This puts myself and my kids at risk especially driving on the highway! Whenever this happens I would have to find a way to come to a complete stop in which the brakes start skipping because of the malfunction. After research , I have found that there was a recall with the other Chrysler town and counties from year 2008-2010. I’m not surprised that this is now happening with my vehicle . This is extremely dangerous.

NHTSA ID
11753587
Incident
Jul 28, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jul 26, 2026
Fire reported

The vehicle caught on fire with my [XXX] and me inside. Its currently located at a tow yard and Chrysler has not inspected the vehicle yet. I have a report from the fire department stating the fire was hotter on the left drive side which directly lines up with the current recall of the drivers side door switch. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11752863
Incident
Jul 20, 2026
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jul 23, 2026

The TIPMs system has been recalled in multiple vehicles and has causes a fuel pump relay failure and numerous other electrical issues . Chryslers recall has yet to include this year make and model despite the fact the identical part is used in the recalled vehicles. Chrysler is picking and choosing which vehicles this recall applies to and it’s putting families at risk of the TIPM failing and leaving them stranded at any time. Chrysler has a packaged replacement part under “recall pricing” but refuses to cover labor to install the new part on certain vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11752428
Incident
Jul 23, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jan 2, 2026

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to turn off. The contact stated that after wiggling the ignition key in the ignition switch, the vehicle started. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN related to a faulty ignition switch. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,288.

NHTSA ID
11708382
Incident
Dec 25, 2025
Mileage
90,288 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 15, 2025

Vehicle randomly shuts off while driving. No warning lights are illuminated. Shutoff can occur at any speed and causes loss of power steering, braking etc. Shutdown requires immediate pull off to the side of the road. Once key is turned off and back on, car restarts.

NHTSA ID
11699567
Incident
Nov 13, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 8, 2025

My van will frequently lose power and die while I am driving it, with NO WARNING. I have to pull off and put it either into park or neutral then turn the key again to get it started again. This has happened more than 40 times over the last 15 monnths. My speeds have ranges from 25mpg in town to 65 mpg on the highway.Most recently on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

NHTSA ID
11692168
Incident
Oct 4, 2025
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 1, 2025

The vehicle randomly shuts off while driving dash goes black and then randomly starts back up or I have to put it in (n) to start it back up while Im at a free role i lose control of the power steering and braking this is a dangerous for myself my children and grand kids also others Im the road this is seriously gonna get someone hurt this issue should not be occurring this is very dangerous

NHTSA ID
11677903
Incident
Jun 11, 2025
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Aug 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the instrument panel turned black, and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred temporarily, and the vehicle restarted independently. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and advised the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11677805
Incident
Jun 9, 2025
Mileage
120,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 30, 2025

Our van's engine shuts down while driving. It has done it multiple times and our local auto mechanics can not figure out why it is doing it. We are concerned about our safety driving our van. Luckily, we have been able to brake and restart the van quickly to avoid a collision. We have now stopped using the van.

NHTSA ID
11657821
Incident
Apr 17, 2025
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Mar 4, 2025

Has had some issues trying to turn on after sitting over night. It will just kill the battery but it just started to die while driving and the entire system shuts off. All the lights, the steering wheel locks up and gas goes out. All you can do is brake and hope that you can stop in a good spot before it dies fully. This has happened a few times with my kids in the car and now I just don’t dare to drive. The tipm needs to be recalled.

NHTSA ID
11646300
Incident
Mar 3, 2025
Electrical
Filed Jan 6, 2025

While in motion at various speeds, this vehicle has, on numerous occasions over the last year, abruptly lost power in the middle of traffic disabling the power steering and braking making stopping and steering out of traffic almost impossible. Most of the time the vehicle restarts after turning the key fob off and on. On the NHTSA website I have found numerous reports of the same or similar incidents reported with this vehicle. It is logical to the most casual observer that there is a problem with the ignition system, most probably, the key port and/or the ignition control module. How many of these incidents have to be reported before it is obvious to the experts in the agency to that there is a safety problem with these vehicles being left powerless in motion, in traffic? Or maybe a more appropriate question is: how many people have to be injured or killed before the "experts" and/or bureaucrats decide to do their job.

NHTSA ID
11634442
Incident
Dec 15, 2024
Electrical
Filed Dec 27, 2024

My car would randomly shut down while I am driving leaving me with no power steering. I took it to my mechanic who discovered it was a faulty ignition switch module and recommended I take it to a dealership. If I touch the key fob on my car or hit a bump while it is running, the car will shut down. No power steering. There are multiple recalls for faulty ignition switch modules but not on my particular vehicle (recall L25 is one of many I have discovered). I have been carefully driving the vehicle because I don't have $1500 to repair. Dealership will fix it at my expense because there is no recall on my particular vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11632661
Incident
Jun 10, 2024
Electrical
Filed Dec 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11630452
Incident
Dec 12, 2024
Electrical
Filed Aug 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted after approximately two attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wireless ignition node module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11605934
Incident
Jun 1, 2024
Electrical
Filed Apr 29, 2024
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, he detected smoke from the vehicle, which caught fire in the rear electrical compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or police report filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11585730
Incident
Apr 26, 2024
Electrical
Filed Mar 10, 2024

Last year, when I purchased this used minivan, it stalled at highway speed 2 hours after purchase on my way home. This random stalling at highway speed continued for at least six months. Then, it began having problems starting. The dealer said I needed a new computer, which I spent nearly $1,000 to get. The stalling at speed continued. It is now getting worse again and seems related to the vertical movement of the key fob in the ignition. Here's what I don't understand: You issued a recall for, what, the 2008-2010 version of this minivan, yet I can also find comments on here and elsewhere online that the problem is still happening. I drive with my grandkids in this minivan. How many people will have to die before another recall is issued? Chrysler did not fix the problem at the manufacturing stage. Please be a government and protect us. Please force them to fix it in a recall. BTW, you leave space for only a single date and speed. It happens all the time at any speed, including startup. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11576486
Incident
Mar 4, 2024
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started jerking while the transmission was shifting between gears. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the vents while driving in hot weather. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Several unknown dealers were notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

NHTSA ID
11558567
Incident
Dec 5, 2023
Mileage
189,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Nov 21, 2023

While taking turns or going over bumps/ potholes the vehicle will turn off and need to be restarted. All systems shut down including power steering, dash, and engine. The driver and occupants are put in life threatening danger due to the total shutdown of the vehicle and all of its accessories. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer or service center but instead a independent auto mechanic. Through their research they found there was similar recalls on Mopar vehicles on earlier year models. The vehicle has NOT been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were NO warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA ID
11556215
Incident
Sep 11, 2023
Electrical
Filed Nov 3, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the vehicle was consistently unable to be started. The vehicle was jumpstarted and operated as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated before the failure occurred. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11553409
Incident
Oct 31, 2023
Mileage
110,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 9, 2023

Car shut down twice while driving. Then car crank but don't start. Alternator, starter, fuel pump, battery changed and still having same issue.

NHTSA ID
11543579
Incident
Aug 31, 2023
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Aug 12, 2023

The driver's side sliding door became inoperable suddenly. The locking mechanism was stuck in the locked position and would not release via key, manual, fob, or buttons. A buzzing noise occurred when trying to lock or unlock. This exit door being inoperable caused a safety concern to be able to exit the vehicle on the driver's side. It does now allow for quick, easy escape from the vehicle. If the danger was on the passenger side then the only exit is everyone climbing through the driver's door. This issue was verified by Dishman Dodge (Spokane Valley, WA) service team on 8/8/23. The lock actuator was the issue. They have replaced it at my expense. (This is the same issue referenced in: Chrysler TSB 23-017-20) There were no warnings or symptoms prior to this lock failing. We were on a trip July 22 when we first noticed the issue.

NHTSA ID
11538107
Incident
Jul 22, 2023
Electrical
Filed Jul 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the speedometer and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact had assistance from another driver, who disconnected and reconnected the battery to correct the failure. The contact related the failure to a faulty electrical system; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11531896
Incident
Jul 12, 2023
Mileage
200,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2023

Vehicle will randomly shut off when driving. The first time it happened was as I was pulling out onto a very busy road. It also has a hard time turning over to start sometimes. I will have to readjust the key fob and try again.

NHTSA ID
11528450
Incident
Apr 5, 2021
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 21, 2023

El motor se apaga inesperadamente como si se cortara la corriente del switch

NHTSA ID
11518261
Incident
Jun 30, 2022
Electrical
Filed Jan 30, 2023

MOVING STALL Complete shutdown of the vehicle without warning while driving. Dash dials completely blank, loss of power steering, brake assist and engine power. Presumed loss of airbag function also. The issue first happened a few weeks ago but started to re-occur multiple times in recent days. Last occurrence captured on video (see attached GIF). Fortunately it was possible to bring the vehicle to a stop without incident in each case, but the potential for a injury is obvious. Prior to the issue a worsening problem over previous year or so was observed in that while in Accessory position, the slightest touch of the inserted key fob would sometimes cause similar shutoff ('off ' position).

NHTSA ID
11504394
Incident
Jan 29, 2023

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.

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