Model year record

1994 Chrysler Town and Country recalls & problems

The 1994 Chrysler Town and Country has 4 safety recalls and 154 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (35 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints154filed by owners

Crashes · fires14 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths20 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SteeringOct 12, 2000

Steering wheel/handle bar

Recall 00V305000679,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH 2-SPOKE LUXURY WHEELS MANUFACTURED JULY 1992 THROUGH JUNE 1993; OR EQUIPPED WITH 4-SPOKE SPORT WHEELS MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 1992 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1993. THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Risk: IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CRACKS AND ANY WHEELS WITH CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.

StructureSep 2, 1999

Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Hinge and attachments

Recall 99V2130001,318,189 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
Risk: PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.

Air bagsMay 6, 1999

Air bags

Recall 99V113000736,824 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE WIRING THAT INITIATES THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER AIR BAG COULD ELECTRICALLY SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND. A SHORT CIRCUIT TO GROUND THAT EXISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "ON" OR "START" POSITION CAN CAUSE THE AIR BAG(S) TO INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY.
Risk: INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN INJURE A FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. ANY SHORT CIRCUITS IDENTIFIED IN EITHER THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INITIATOR WIRE CIRCUIT WILL BE REPAIRED.

WheelsDec 14, 1993

Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs

Recall 93V21500090 vehicles

Problem: WHEELS WITH MISFORMED LUG NUT SEATS WERE INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. THIS CAUSES REDUCED NUT TO WHEEL CONTACT AREA AND LIMITS THE WHEEL SELF-CENTERING CAPABILITY DURING INSTALLATION. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF WHEEL LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION.
Risk: LOSS OF LUG NUT TORQUE RETENTION MAY LEAD TO WHEEL LUGFAILURE WHICH MAY CAUSE WHEEL SEPARATION AND AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: INSPECT THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY PLANT CODE; REPLACE WHEELS KNOWN TO HAVE THE PROBLEM AND INSTALL NEW LUG NUTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Town and Country 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Town and Country 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	35	1	0	—
StructureBody › Hatchback/liftgate; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments	26	2	7	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module	25	2	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	17	11	11	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHatchback/liftgate › Lock; Doors › Latch	15	0	1	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield wiper/washer	15	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	14	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist › Pump; Hydraulic power assist › Power steering fluid	9	1	1	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Other › Labels	6	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Anchorage	5	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system › Fuel rail; Storage › Tank assembly	5	0	0	150,000 mi
TiresTread/belt; Sidewall	4	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
I TOOK MY CAR TO GET IT SMOG TESTED AND THE GUY TOLD ME IT WASN'T GOING TO PASS BECAUSE HE SHOWED ME WHERE THE FUEL RAIL WAS LEAKING GAS AND TOLD ME TO GET IT FIXED AND BRING IT BACK. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FROM 1996 AND UP BUT WHAT ABOUT MY VAN. I DROVE MY VAN AND IT STARTED SMOKING SO I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HAVE IT TOWED HOME SO IT DIDN'T CATCH FIRE.
Nov 10, 2018 · 143,713 miles
Engine
ENGINE COOLING FAN QUIT , ENGINE OVERHEATS POPPING NOISE IN SUSPENSION WHEN CORNING
Aug 6, 1999 · 98,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN FUEL BEGIN TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY O-RING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 00V268000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,000.
Jan 10, 2012 · 204,000 miles
Air bags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER; HOWEVER, FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONSTANTLY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V113000 (AIR BAGS) WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND HAD BEEN REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE RECENT FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 189,000.
Apr 1, 2011 · 189,000 miles
Latches/locks/linkages
I HAVE HAD TWO PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LATCHES. THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE PLASTIC COATING WORE OFF THE LATCH AND CAUSED IT TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION, THEREFORE NOT ALLOWING THE DOOR TO CLOSE. OCCASIONALLY THE DOOR WOULD CLOSE AND THEN GET STUCK IN THE CLOSED POSITION. I FINALLY HAD TO HAVE THE LATCH REPLACED AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THAT LATCH SINCE. NOW, 8 MONTHS LATER, THE SIDE SLIDING DOOR HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THE DOOR WILL APPEAR TO BE FULLY CLOSED AND THEN FLY OPEN WHILE DRIVING. OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT OPEN. I WILL BE REPLACING THIS LATCH SOON AND I AM JUST WAITING FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LATCH TO FAIL. I HAVE SPOKE TO NUMEROUS PEOPLE…
Dec 5, 2008 · 194,327 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING REALLY ROUGH AROUND 116,000. PREVIOUS OWNER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THEY SOLD IT TO US AT AROUND 150,000, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING HARD AGAIN. NOW AT 169,000 IT SHIFTS BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS AND IS VERY ROUGH. WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, IT CLUNKS. THIS IS AFTER WE EVEN TOOK IT IN AND HAD TRANSMISSION FIXED. NO GOOD. *TR
Feb 13, 2008 · 116,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE SLIDING DOOR IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD ONTO THE VEHICLE BY ONE OUT OF THREE HINGES. THE DOOR HAS TO BE PUSHED VERY HARD IN ORDER FOR IT TO CLOSE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR WIPER DOES NOT WORK AND THE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT HAS DECIDED NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. WHEN HE PLACES THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, IT TAKES A WHILE TO SHIFT. THE VEHICLE MAKES A THUMPING SOUND WHEN IT DOES SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NOT WORKED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ON A HOT DAY, THE GEARS SKIP AS IF THEY ARE NOT GRIPPING PROPERLY IN THE REAR OF THE…
Feb 8, 2005 · 116,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel rail
SMELLED FUEL, OPENED HOOD TO FIND FUEL DRIPPING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAIL. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM LEAKS FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE FUEL INJECTION RAIL. CAUSING A FIRE HAZARD. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ADDRESSED ON OTHER CHRYSLER 3.8L ENGINES BUT NOT THE 1994 TOWN AND COUNTRY. SPOKE TO CHRYSLER REP AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT HELP SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS ONLY ON OVER 1.2 MILLION SIMILAR CHRYSLERS *NM
Nov 1, 2006 · 150,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

STEERING COLUMN SEPARATIONClosed
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENTIFIED A POTENTIAL PROBLEM, THE SCOPE COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED IN AN INVESTIGATION.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATA BASE SHOWS NO RECENT COMPLAINTS AND A LACK OF A COMPLAINT TREND CONCERNING THE SUBJECT ISSUE ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AS A WHOLE OR BY INDIVIDUAL MODELS.THEREFORE, THE PETITION IS DENIED.FOR…
DP03002 · opened May 7, 2003 · closed Jul 22, 2003
STEERING WHEEL SEPARATIONClosedLed to recall 00V305000
There is no summary currently available
RQ00011 · opened May 1, 2000 · closed Apr 1, 2002
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSClosedLed to recall 99V113000
COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG (S) DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY--IN MOST CASES WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE.
EA98006 · opened Feb 27, 1998 · closed May 24, 1999
INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENTSClosed
COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES' AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY (IN MOST CASES WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE).
PE97046 · opened Oct 24, 1997 · closed Feb 27, 1998
DEFECTIVE AIR BAG CRASH SENSOROpen
CFAS SENT A FOLLOW-UP LETTER ON DECEMBER 12, 1996, TO CHANGE THE INTENT OF THE PETITION TO AIRBAG AGGRESSIVITY AND DEPLOYMENT VARIABILITY.NHTSA RECEIVED THE LETTER ON 12/12/96; ACCORDINGLY, THE PETITION DUE DAY WAS CHANGED TO APRIL 12, 1997.CFAS PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS FOR THE 1991-92 CHEVROLET CORSICA/BERETTA, 1990-92 FORD TAURUS, AND 1994-96 CHRYSLER MINIVANS ARE DEFECTIVE.CFAS ALLEGE THAT INFORMATION ON LOW SPEED CRASHES HERE OCCUPANTS HAVE SUFFERED FATAL INJURIES SUGGESTS [THAT THE ABOVE VEHICLES] HAVE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CRASH SENSOR AND/OR DEPLOYMENT SYSTEMS.
DP96014 · opened Nov 14, 1996
SAFETY BLT LATCH OPERATIONClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE96008 · opened Jan 25, 1996 · closed Jun 28, 1996