IllustrationCONSUMER ABLE TO SHIFT GEARS WITHOUT APPLYING BRAKES. *AK
1997 Chrysler Town And Country
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Chrysler Town And Country do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 216.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Town And Country years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 90 of 388 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 84 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 78 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 52 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
26 crash reports14 fire reports20 injury reports
What owners actually said
388 reportsCLOCK SPRINGS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND HORN/CRUISE CONTROL HAVE GONE OUT DUE TO THIS DEFAULT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT WAS THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *YH
REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE VAN WAS IN PARK. TEMPERATURE WAS NORMAL, AND CONSUMER DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. *AK
I OWN A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY SX. MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS MINI-VAN BACK IN 09/97. MY PROBLEM IS THIS, DURING THE RAINY SEASON, EVERYTIME I STEP ON THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATE FROM THE FULL STOP, I CAN HEAR WATER SPLASHING BACK AND FORTHE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. LOCAL DEALERSHIP WERE ABLE TO GET RID OF THE WATER, AT NO…
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I OWN A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY SX. MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT THIS MINI-VAN BACK IN 09/97. MY PROBLEM IS THIS, DURING THE RAINY SEASON, EVERYTIME I STEP ON THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATE FROM THE FULL STOP, I CAN HEAR WATER SPLASHING BACK AND FORTHE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE. LOCAL DEALERSHIP WERE ABLE TO GET RID OF THE WATER, AT NO COST, THAT WAS TRAPPED ON THE "SEAM PLATE" (THAT'S WHAT THEY CALLED IT). AFTER 36,000 MILES, I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SAME SITUATION, AND THEY SAID THAT MY NEW CAR WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND THAT IF I WANTED THE PROBLEM FIXED, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT ON MY OWN. ISN'T TRAPPING WATER INSIDE THE "SEAM PLATE" WOULD CAUSE FOR ITS COMPONENTS TO RUST AND THAT RUSTING COULD MAKE THOSE TAINTED AREAS FRAGILE? PLEASE ADVISE IF I SHOULD BE CONCERNED REGARDING MY VEHICLE'S SITUATION OR WHAT I SHOULD DO TO GET THE PROBLEM FIXED. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME READING THIS COMMENTS AND HOPING TO GET A RESPONSE. YOURS TRULY, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
HORN/CRUISE CONTROL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN FAILED. I NOW UNDERSTAND THE AIR BAGS WERE ON THAT CIRCUIT AS WELL, BUT I HAD NO WAY OF CHECKING THAT AT THE TIME, AND THE GARAGE DID NOT GIVE ME ANY INDICATION THAT THIS FAILURE WAS DANGEROUS. PLEASE FORCE THEM TO FIX THESE THINGS ON OTHER CHRYSLER MINI-VANS BEOFRE SOMEONE GET…
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HORN/CRUISE CONTROL WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN FAILED. I NOW UNDERSTAND THE AIR BAGS WERE ON THAT CIRCUIT AS WELL, BUT I HAD NO WAY OF CHECKING THAT AT THE TIME, AND THE GARAGE DID NOT GIVE ME ANY INDICATION THAT THIS FAILURE WAS DANGEROUS. PLEASE FORCE THEM TO FIX THESE THINGS ON OTHER CHRYSLER MINI-VANS BEOFRE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT.*AK
WHILE DRIVING 55-60 MPH VEHICLE WAS HIT ON SIDE, WENT DOWN A RAVINE AND HIT A TREE FRONT AT AN ANGLE. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF. IT CUTS ON FOR A WHILE, THEN IT WILL GO OUT FOR A WHILE.*AK
BELT AND THE TENSION ROD IN POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY BROKE WITH 30,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. BOTH COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. ON 04/10/2001, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH HERE WAS A POPPING NOISE, AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BELT AND TENSIONER ROD WENT OUT AGAIN AT …
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BELT AND THE TENSION ROD IN POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY BROKE WITH 30,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. BOTH COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. ON 04/10/2001, CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH HERE WAS A POPPING NOISE, AND POWER STEERING WAS LOST. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT BELT AND TENSIONER ROD WENT OUT AGAIN AT 63,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 30,000 MILES. *AK
THIS MORNING WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, I HEARD A LOUD CONSTANT SQUEALING NOISE. I ATTEMPT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, BUT THE VAN TOOK OFF STRIAGHT AHEAD AND WOULD NOT TURN AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR, WHICH WAS TOTALLED AFTERWARDS. ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES AT ALL TIMES, MY VAN CONTINUED TO PROPEL F…
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THIS MORNING WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, I HEARD A LOUD CONSTANT SQUEALING NOISE. I ATTEMPT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, BUT THE VAN TOOK OFF STRIAGHT AHEAD AND WOULD NOT TURN AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR, WHICH WAS TOTALLED AFTERWARDS. ALTHOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKES AT ALL TIMES, MY VAN CONTINUED TO PROPEL FORWARD. IT THEN KNOCKED OVER A TREE APPROX. 12 FT. TALL AND FINALLY STOPPED WHEN IT RAN INTO A NEIGHBORS SHRUBS. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS INJURED OR WALKING IN FRONT OF THE VAN AT THE TIME OR PERHAPS SOMEONE MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THERE WAS VISIBLE SKID MARKS FROM WHERE MY VAN WAS PARKED TO WHERE IT FINALLY STOPPED, WHICH WAS OVER 60 FEET AWAY. IRONICALLLY, MY VAN WAS STILL DRIVABLE AFTER ALL THE DAMAGED IT HAD DONE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP, THEY CONDUCTED A TEST DRIVE AND FOUND NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. I HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATION ABOUT EVER DRIVING MY VAN AGAIN. IF THERE HAVE EVER BEEN ANY SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I CAN BE CONTACTED AT 011 49 6202 29935 OR EMAIL RUSSOBEY@YAHOO.COM.*AK
CONSUMER NOTICED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THAT HORN STOPPED WORKING, AND AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. *AK
Official recalls
502V293000 · Air Bags:frontal
Nov 7, 2002
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
02V076000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
Mar 8, 2002
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: 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.
00V268000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System
Sep 13, 2000
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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.
98V185000 · Child Seat
Aug 6, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.
Remedy: 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.
96V215000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
Oct 29, 1996
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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).
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
6EA01007 · Air Bag Clockspring
Opened Feb 21, 2001 · Closed Nov 22, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
There is no summary currently available
RQ00008 · Dc Minivan Fuel Injector Rail Leak
Opened Mar 9, 2000 · Closed Mar 18, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
EA99013 · Post Collision Fuel System
Opened Jun 11, 1999 · Closed Aug 10, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
No summary supplied.
PE99010 · POST-COLLISION Fuel System Integrity
Opened Feb 3, 1999 · Closed Jun 11, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
There is no summary currently available
EA97003 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Jan 31, 1997 · Closed Aug 19, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Child Seat
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Child Seat
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.
Child Seat
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.
SQ96016 · Integrated Child Seat Belt Lockup
Opened Sep 18, 1996 · Closed Feb 4, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:integrated Child Seat
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.