200 of the
1,411 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Town AND Country are about the
engine — 14% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
115,619 miles.
F
200
Complaints
1
Crashes
48
Fires
5
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Gasoline
9246.0%
Engine
3417.0%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys
2613.0%
Cooling System
199.5%
Engine AND Engine Cooling
84.0%
Radiator Assembly
63.0%
Emission Control
52.5%
Exhaust System
31.5%
FAN
31.5%
Engine
21.0%
Engine & Cooling across every Chrysler Town AND Country year
THE VECHILE STALLS WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD REGARDLESS OF WHETHER HIGHWAY/CITY STREET DRIVING, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART IT SOMETIMES IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AND OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T..WHEN IT DOES THIS JUMPING THE VEHICLE DOES NOTHING. I HAVE SEEN LOTS OF PEOPLE ON THE CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY SITE BELOW WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM: HTTPS://WWW.CARGURUS.COM/CARS/DISCUSSION-T27257_DS554284 SOMETIMES WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART IT THERE WILL BE A CLICK CLICK SOUND WHEN ITS NOT STARTING...
NHTSA complaint #11240994 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yuba City, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN THE POURING DOWN RAIN WHEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING, I COULD HEAR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR STILL GOING BUT THE WIPER ARMS WOULD NOT MOVE. WE HAD PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY BUT THERE WAS NOTHING AROUND FOR MILES. WE GOT BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY SON WOULD PUSH THE WIPER ARM DOWN WHEN IT HAD WENT TO HIS SIDE SO WE COULD DRIVE A LITTLE FURTHER TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY IN AN OCCUPIED AREA. IT HAD STOPPED RAINING AND AS WE WERE DRIVING THE ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED ON US, IT WOULD NOT START BACK UP. MY MINIVAN HAD TO BE TOWED FROM A TOWN OVER 50 MILES FROM WHERE WE LIVE. I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE MINIVAN WITH ME AND IT WAS A REALLY TERRIFYING ORDEAL.
NHTSA complaint #10619029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesLynnwood, WA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES DUE TO THE RECURRING DETACHMENT OF THE SERPENTINE BELT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD DETACH WHENEVER THE WEATHER WAS RAINY OR IF IT BECAME WET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 153,000.
NHTSA complaint #10459270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 137,308 milesGaston, OR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL TIRE FACILITY WHERE THE TIRES WERE REPLACED, BUT FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT CONNECTOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,308.
NHTSA complaint #10443183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,619 milesInverness, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WOULD NOT REMAIN IN PLACE ON THE PULLEY IN HER VEHICLE. THE BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE TENSION PULLEY AND THE WATER PUMP PULLEY TO KEEP THE SERPENTINE BELT SECURE. THERE ARE ONLY TWO BELTS LEFT TO BE REPLACED AND THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS COMPONENT; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,619.
NHTSA complaint #10276740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hendersonville, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE 1996 TOWN & COUNTRY VAN LOST ITS HEAT..UNKNOWN TO ME, IT WAS LOSING ANTI FREEZE ALSO. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY SAID I BETTER FIX IT THEN. OR MY MOTOR WOULD BURN UP A HOSE CONNECTS TO RADIATOR TO HEATER CORE...METAL. IT COST ME 60/00 TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10248999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,000 milesBrooklyn, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE SERPENTINE BELT ON MY 1996 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY LXI, MAKES A LOUD SQUEAL AND THEN FALLS OFF A WEEK LATER. WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN AND GOING OVER A PUDDLE THE SERPENTINE BELT FALLS OFF THIS HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES THAT I HAVE INSTALLED BRACKETS ONE BY THE TENSIONER AND ONE BY THE PULLEY. THE IMMEDIATE & DANGEROUS RESULT IS LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES NEXT IS WATER PUMP FAILS CAUSING ENGINE TO OVER HEAT SO UNLESS YOU HAVE A SPARE BELT IN YOUR VAN AT THE TIME AND THE TOOLS TO CHANGE IT YOU ARE LET STRANDED.
NHTSA complaint #10234146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesMelbourne, FL1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE SERPENTINE BELT ON OUR 1996 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY LXI, MAKES A HORRIBLE SCREECHING SOUND, THAT WE'VE ALMOST COME TO APPRECIATE, WHEN FACED WITH IT'S ALTERNATIVE SILENCE, WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT GETS WET & SLIPS OFF. THE IMMEDIATE & DANGEROUS RESULT IS LOSS OF POWER STEERING, LEAVING THE DRIVER SURPRISED WITH THEIR INABILITY TO SAFELY MANEUVER THE VAN. WITHIN LESS THAN A MINUTE, A FAST HAZARD BELL SOUNDS & THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE SENSOR IS PINNED AT HOT. IF THE DRIVER IS QUICK, STRONG, & LUCKY ENOUGH, TO GET THE FAMILY "SAFELY" OFF THE ROAD, BEFORE THE WATER PUMP FRIES, STALLING THE VAN IN TRAFFIC, THEY ARE NOW LEFT STRANDED. WE'VE HAD THE SERPENTINE BELT & TENSIONER PULLEY REPLACED TWICE, THE LAST TIME AT CHRYSLER, AND STILL THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. WE'VE CHECKED FOR RECALLS BUT CHRYSLER STATES THAT THIS IS NOT A LIFE THREATENING FAILURE, SO NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE. THIS HAS HAPPENS TO US OFTEN ENOUGH THAT WE KEEP A WRENCH IN OUR VAN, SO MY HUSBAND CAN ATTEMPT TO RETRIEVE & RE-SEAT THE BELT ONTO THE TENSIONER, IN THE POURING RAIN. WE'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM & CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY CHRYSLER DOESN'T THINK LOSS OF STEERING & SUDDEN HEAT PUMP FAILURE IS NOT LIFE THREATENING. IF ONE OF THEIR CEOS WERE TO FIND THEMSELVES STRUGGLING THEIR FAMILY VAN QUICKLY OFF THE ROAD, STANDING OVER, OR EVEN LYING UNDER THEIR ENGINE, IN THE POURING RAIN, WHILE THE REST OF THE FAMILY HOPES THAT HE ISN'T INJURED MAKING THE REPAIR, HIT BY LIGHTENING, OR BY A DISTRACTED DRIVER, PERHAPS THEY WOULD RECALL THIS SYSTEM. WE'VE SPENT A LOT OF TIME & MONEY ON REPAIRS, & HAVE COME ACROSS AN OFF-MARKET PRODUCT DESIGNED TO FIX THIS SPECIFIC, WIDELY RECOGNIZED CHRYSLER PRODUCT ISSUE, AND JUST PURCHASED IT. WE FIND IT DISGUSTING TO SEE THAT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS PROBLEM BEING ADDRESSED MAY DEPEND ON THE NUMBER OF DEATHS, OR PERSONS INJURED, BEFORE CHRYSLER TAKES ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THEY COULD AT LEAST ACQUIRE OR COVER THE COST OF THE OFF-MARKET REPAIR KIT.
NHTSA complaint #10232952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesWilmington, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DURING A LIGHT RAIN, I DROVE MY 1996 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY THROUGH 2 INCHES OF STANDING WATER. THE WATER SPLASHED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CAUSED THE SERPENTINE BELT TO JUMP OFF THE PULLEYS. INTERNET DISCUSSION GROUPS SHOWS THAT THIS IS COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG 1996 - 2000 CHRYSLER T & C OWNERS. I HAVE PURCHASED AN AFTERMARKET KIT DESIGNED TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #10231120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,000 milesAsheboro, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE SERPENTINE BELT CAME OFF OUR CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY IN A DRIVING RAIN STORM. WE WERE STRANDED IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA 70 MILES FROM HOME UNTIL AFTER MIDNIGHT WHEN A FRIEND CAME AND DROVE US HOME. WE LEFT OUR VAN IN A PARKING LOT OVERNIGHT. WE ARE HOPING THAT IT IS NOT VANDALIZED OR STOLEN WHEN WE GO TODAY TO REPAIR IT. WHEN THIS BELT COMES OFF, POWER STEERING IS GONE, WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT LEADING TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT ALL AUTOMOBILE MECHANICS AND CHRYSLER VAN OWNERS KNOW ABOUT, BUT CHRYSLER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. THE FIX IS AN AFTERMARKET PARTS KIT BY GATES (PART NUMBER 38379K) AND GOODYEAR (PARTS NUMBER 49215K) THAT THE CONSUMER MUST BEAR THE ENTIRE EXPENSE OF INSTALLING.
NHTSA complaint #10225806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Peters, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
SERPENTINE BELT SLIPS/COMES OFF DURING WET CONDITIONS. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN PAST 3 MONTHS AND SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THAT.
NHTSA complaint #10177928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesColumbia Falls, MT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUT OFF. DEALERS SERVICED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY DEFECTS. *AK THE CONSUMER CLAIMS THE VEHICLE IT STALLS OUT RANDOMLY.
NHTSA complaint #10090324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,000 milesWaconia, MN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT GEARS. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE HORN AIRBAG AND CRUISE CONTROL HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES WERE AT 45% BUT THE REAR BRAKES WERE AT 70%. THE DEALER CLEANED AND ADJUSTED THE BRAKES. THE A/C FAILED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN MODULE. THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAILED. THE CD PLAYER DOESN'T WORK. THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH LIGHT THEREFORE THE CONSUMER HAS TO LEAVE THE HIGH BEAMS ON TO SEE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN CHECKED THREE TIMES BUT THE DEALER SAID THEY SEEM CORRECT. THE PASSENGER SEAT BROKE. THE STARTER FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE STEERING PUMP FAILED AND AS A RESULT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME TIGHT WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE REAR HEATER LINES WERE LEAKING. THE WATER PUMP LEAKED.
NHTSA complaint #10079478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisville, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THIS VAN HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT A FAILURE SINCE I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE KEPT UP THE OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE AS NEEDED. THE PAINT IS COMING OF OFF THE GRILL AND THE PAINT ON THE REST OF THE VAN IS NOT HOLDING UP. I HAVE REPLACED: TIMING BELT 3 TIMES POWER STEERING PUMP ONCE THE THERMOSTAT TWICE THE RELAY SWITCH THREE TIMES AND IT STILL DOES NOT WORK THE RELAY ON THE MOTOR ONCE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS FAILING IN THE FRONT THE REAR DOOR LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOESN'T WORK MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT VERY SOON I AM A SINGLE PARENT IN A LARGE METROPLEX. I NEED MY CAR TO GET TO WORK. I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10069822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalamazoo, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS? WE CANNOT GET IT TO GO AT A STOP SIGN OR TURNING A CORNER, WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STILL GO ON INTERMITANTLY SURPRISING THE DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10071223 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesGreenville, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1996 TOWN & COUNTRY MINIVAN 3.8 L ENGINE, CRACKED ROCKER ARM PEDESTAL. AFTER A LITTLE INVESTIGATION ON MY PART THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. CHRYSLER MODIFIED THE ENGINE IN 98 TO IMPROVE PART PERFORMANCE AND MY REPLACEMENT HEAD HAS THIS MODIFICATION. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10054878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,400 milesBronx, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THE AIRCONDITIONER CONTINUES TO MALFUNCTION AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT BY MY MECHANIC. AFTER THE SECOND SETTING THE VAN BEGINS TO OVERHEAT.THE CLUTCH IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER 63,500 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10033376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, PRIMARILY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AT HIGHER SPEEDS THERE WAS A CLUNKING SENSATION. . *AK *CB *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10026371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesWoodland Hills, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE ENGINE SENSOR FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL.
NHTSA complaint #10015789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE CRANK SHAFT FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #10012134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburg, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE CRANK SHAFT BROKE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10012048 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesWayne, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CYLINDER HEAD TOWERS SUPPORTING ROCKER ARM ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH CYLINDER HEADS CRACKED AND CYLINDER HEADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. MECHANIC STATED HE HAD SEEN THIS ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER CHRYSLER 3.8L V-6 ENGINES. REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEADS HAD BEEFED UP TOWERS. CHRYSLER REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENTS AS WARRANTY WAS FOR 60,000 MILES AND PROBLEM WAS NOT DIAGNOSED UNTIL 64,000 MILES. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10008361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesTampa, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #10009579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middleboro, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE SERPENTINE BELT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10009259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Middleboro, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10009261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesEtters, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1996 CHRYSLER T&C MINIVAN WITH 78,000 MILES, BEING OPERATED BY WIFE, BROKE DOWN IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH KIDS ONBOARD. THE SERPENTINE BELT BROKE DUE TO FAULTY BELT TENSIONER. THE BELT HAD BEEN REPLACED ONLY TWO MONTHS PREVIOUSLY AS PART OF PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE (JUST TO AVOID EXACTLY WHAT HAPPED). MECHANIC INDICATED THAT CHRYSLER T&C TENSIONERS WERE PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE CAUSING SHREDDING OF THE SERPENTINE BELT. BELT AFFECTS POWER STEERING, COOLING FAN, CHARGING SYSTEM, ETC. WIFE, WHO WEIGHS IN AT 95 LBS, LOST ALL STEERING ABILITY AND WAS LEFT STRANDED IN MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH TWO KIDS UNTIL GOOD SAMARITAN ARRIVED AND 'MANHANDLED' VAN OFF THE ROADWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10000191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harleysville, PAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WITHIN 90 SECONDS VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. TS
NHTSA complaint #8021317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Scottsdale, AZ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS PARTIALLY OR FAILS COMPLETELY. MUST SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND CRANK FOR RESTART. NEVER FAILS TO RESTART IMMEDIATELY. MY GARAGE AND CHRYSLER GARAGE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE. POWER FAILURE IS INSIDIOUS AND DANGEROUS WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. NO CODES STORED. DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT? DT
NHTSA complaint #767791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brier, WAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED. FIRST SIGN WAS A BRAKE FAILURE THEN WHITE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER ENGINE HOOD. MR
NHTSA complaint #767877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warner Robins, GA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE VEHICAL LOST POWER AND BRAKE PEDEL BECAME HARD TO PRESS. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.