Model year record

1997 Chrysler Town and Country recalls & problems

The 1997 Chrysler Town and Country has 8 safety recalls and 388 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (85 complaints).

Recalls8safety recalls

Complaints388filed by owners

Crashes · fires27 · 14reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths30 · 2reported in complaints

Safety recalls

EquipmentAug 10, 2010

Equipment

Recall 10E0340006,686 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE AREA IN QUESTION FRACTURES OR BREAKS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN UNSTABLE DRIVING CONDITION, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineOct 24, 2003

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 03E05300068,563 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A POSSIBLE FIRE CAN OCCUR IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentSep 26, 2003

Equipment

Recall 03E04500045,870 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsNov 7, 2002

Frontal

Recall 02V2930001,500,521 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Seat beltsMar 8, 2002

Rear/other

Recall 02V076000545,311 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Fuel system, gasolineSep 13, 2000

Fuel injection system

Recall 00V2680001,163,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Child seatAug 6, 1998

Child seat

Recall 98V185000157,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BECOMES CONTAMINATED.
Risk: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.

Service brakes, hydraulicOct 29, 1996

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 96V21500018,997 vehicles

Problem: THE MASTER CYLINDER REAR SEAL, BETWEEN THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE VACUUM RESERVOIR, MAY NOT SEAL ADEQUATELY ALLOWING HYDRAULIC FLUID TO BE DRAWN INTO THE POWER ASSIST VACUUM RESERVOIR.
Risk: AS THE HYDRAULIC FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES, THE LEVEL SENSOR WILL DETECT THE LOSS OF FLUID AND ILLUMINATE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE WARNING LAMP. CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE WITH THE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED CAN RESULT IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. ADDENDUM (4-14-97): VEHICLES INSPECTED PER CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 707 AND FOUND TO BE OUTSIDE THE LISTED SUSPECT MASTER CYLINDER DATE CODE RANGE, MUST NOW HAVE THE MASTER CYLINDER PRIMARY PISTON REPLACED (CHRYSLER RECALL NO. 714).

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

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Town and Country 2WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Town and Country 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 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	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module	85	7	0	13	109,000 mi
Electrical systemHorn; 12v/24v/48v battery	84	1	8	5	147,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys; Engine › Gasoline	60	2	5	0	59,966 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	44	6	0	3	88,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	44	9	2	8	97,077 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	39	5	0	1	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Rearview mirrors/devices › Exterior	37	1	0	0	50,187 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Rack and pinion	32	3	1	5	57,199 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Fuel injection system	23	2	2	0	98,900 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Macpherson strut	19	0	0	0	101,000 mi
StructureBody › Door; Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut	14	0	1	2	100,600 mi
Exterior lightingHeadlights; Turn signal › Switch	14	0	0	0	88,500 mi

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

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO CONTROL OF THE GAS OR BREAKS.
Jul 12, 2017 · 15 miles
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
Dec 19, 1997 · 40,000 miles
Electrical system
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.
Aug 24, 2015 · 190,000 miles
Electrical system
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…
Mar 23, 2015 · 204 miles
Air bags1 injury
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.
Feb 27, 2015 · 180,000 miles
Unknown or other
OXYGEN SENSOR CONNECTER MELTED TO MANIFOLD. WONT GO IN REVERSE KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. *TR
Jan 30, 2015
Air bags
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.
Feb 19, 2015 · 175,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline
THE VAN JUST DIED BY ITSELF WHILE RUNNING AT SPEED OF 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. *TR
Nov 4, 2013 · 160,000 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

AIR BAG CLOCKSPRINGClosedLed to recall 02V293000
There is no summary currently available
EA01007 · opened Feb 21, 2001 · closed Nov 22, 2002
DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAKClosedLed to recall 00V268000
There is no summary currently available
RQ00008 · opened Mar 9, 2000 · closed Mar 18, 2002
POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEMClosed
EA99013 · opened Jun 11, 1999 · closed Aug 10, 2001
POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITYClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE99010 · opened Feb 3, 1999 · closed Jun 11, 1999
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUPClosedLed to recall 97I001000
THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.CHRYSLER CORPORATION HAS SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT IDENTIFYING A SAFETY DEFECT AND OUTLINING THE PROPOSED REMEDY.RECALL NUMBER 98V-185 HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS SAFETY RECALL.
EA97003 · opened Jan 31, 1997 · closed Aug 19, 1998
INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUPClosed
ODI CONTINUES TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LATCHING/RETRACTOR MECHANISM PROBLEMS.CHRYSLER'S ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM INDICATES THAT OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES ARE NOT ADHERING TO THE CLEANING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SEAT.THE SEAT APPEARS TO MALFUNCTION IF CRUMBS OF FOOD OR BEVERAGE RESIDUE ACCUMULATES ON THE LATCHING TONGUE IN THEWELL LOCATED BETWEEN THE CHILD'S LEGS.ODI HAS 19 COMPLAINTS OF RETRACT LOCKUP.SEVEN OF THESE COMPLAINTS REPORT CUTTING THE STRAPS TO REMOVE THE CHILD.TWO OF THE SEVEN CONSUMERS ALLEGE THE CHILD WAS CHOKING.CHRYSLER REPORTS 60 OWNER/FIELD REPORTS WHICH INDICATED 19 HARNESSES WERE CUT TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO FULLY ASSESS THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT AND TO EVALUATE THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION'S RATIONAL FOR NOT CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.
SQ96016 · opened Sep 18, 1996 · closed Feb 4, 1997