← New search

1998 Chrysler Town And Country

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Chrysler Town And Country do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 216.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

111 reports with mileage · 185 unknown

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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports20 fire reports9 injury reports

What owners actually said

296 reports
125,200 miles · Aug 23, 2005
Suspension

THANKFULLY THEY HAVEN'T FAILED YET, BUT THE STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTED VERY BADLY. MUCH MORE RUST THROUGH WOULD INEVITABLY LEAD TO COMPLETE STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE STRUT TOWER (WHICH WOULD LIKELY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY). DAIMLER CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THESE FAULTY STRUT TOWER MOUNTS DUE TO…

Read full complaint

THANKFULLY THEY HAVEN'T FAILED YET, BUT THE STRUT TOWERS ARE RUSTED VERY BADLY. MUCH MORE RUST THROUGH WOULD INEVITABLY LEAD TO COMPLETE STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE STRUT TOWER (WHICH WOULD LIKELY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURY). DAIMLER CHRYSLER NEEDS TO RECALL THESE FAULTY STRUT TOWER MOUNTS DUE TO THEIR LACK OF PROPER RUST PROTECTION AS THEY CAN LEAD TO A MAJOR PROBLEM (AND LIABILITY SUIT).

NHTSA ODI #10133887

Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: CONSUMER OWNED CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 1998 VAN. CONSUMER HAS A DOCUMENT THAT SHE RECEIVED FROM A CHRYSLER DEALER THAT DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM SHE WAS HAVING. IT WAS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION 771. STATING THE PROBLEM WAS RADIATOR FAN RELAY, AND THE NEED TO REPROGRAM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE OV…

Read full complaint

DT: CONSUMER OWNED CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY 1998 VAN. CONSUMER HAS A DOCUMENT THAT SHE RECEIVED FROM A CHRYSLER DEALER THAT DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM SHE WAS HAVING. IT WAS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION NOTIFICATION 771. STATING THE PROBLEM WAS RADIATOR FAN RELAY, AND THE NEED TO REPROGRAM THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. VEHICLE OVERHEATS DUE TO THE RADIATOR RELAY FAN NOT WORKING. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CONSUMER REPLACED THE RADIATOR RELAY FAN TWICE AND IT KEPT FAILING. CONSUMER TALKED TO MANUFACTURER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD NOT INCLUDE THIS VEHICLE IN THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN THE DOCUMENT THAT CONSUMER RECEIVED AT DEALER BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM. CONSUMER WANTED TO HAVE VEHICLE FIXED BY CHRYSLER, AND IF THEY WILL PAY FOR WHAT WAS DESCRIBED IN DOCUMENT 771. THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM CONSUMER WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR SERVICE. CONSUMER DID NOT HAVE A DEALER BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP CLOSED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10131102

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN IT RAINED, THE DRIVE BELT FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY COULD NOT TELL HER WHY THIS OCCURRED. THE DRIVE BELT WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AGO. THE TENSIONER WAS CHANGED, AND THIS DID NOT HELP THE BELT. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AT T…

Read full complaint

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN IT RAINED, THE DRIVE BELT FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO FIXED THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY COULD NOT TELL HER WHY THIS OCCURRED. THE DRIVE BELT WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY A MONTH AGO. THE TENSIONER WAS CHANGED, AND THIS DID NOT HELP THE BELT. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE SHOP AT THIS TIME , AND THE CONSUMER DOESN'T HAVE ANY INFORMATION WITH THE VIN ON IT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10127686

89,000 miles · Jun 2, 2005
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHT LENSES FOGGED TO THE POINT THAT THEY WON'T PASS INSPECTION. VISIBILITY IS VERY LIMITED. REPLACEMENT COST IS OUTRAGEOUS SINCE THE HEADLIGHT ITSELF WORKS AND ONLY THE LENS IS BAD. CANNOT JUST REPLACE THE LENS. COMPLETE RIPOFF BY CHRYSLER TO THE TUNE OF OVER $400.00 PER HEADLIGHT.

NHTSA ODI #10124025

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2005
Steering

1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE ROD AND THE RACK AND PINION SYSTEM. *MR THERE WAS BINDING AND POPPING WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR WAS REPLACED AND AN ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10122607

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2005
Seats

1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY SEAT LATCH BROKE.*MR....THE PASSENGER IN THE LEFT/CENTER ROW SEAT WAS NOT FASTENED TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION FOUND A PIECE OF A COIL SPRING ON THE FLOOR NEAR TO THE MOUNTING BRACKET LOCATED IN THE FLOOR. THE OTHER PART OF THE SPRING WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE SEAT FASTENER MECHANISM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10121463

190,000 miles · May 6, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING IN RAIN OR SNOW OR OVER ANY TYPE OF PUDDLE THE SERPENTINE BELT SLIPPED OFF. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK *BF *NM

NHTSA ODI #10111220

125,000 miles · Apr 10, 2005
Tires

SPARE TIRE FELL FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOTED OTHER CHRYSLER PRODUCTS THAT HAVE SPARE TIED IN PLACE WITH ROPE. I THEREFORE THINK THAT I AM NOT UNIQUE. EVENT OCCURED AT END OF DRIVEWAY. IF ON HIGHWAY, COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10116683

122,747 miles · Mar 8, 2005
Suspension

THE STRUT TOWERS IN THE CONSUMER'S 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY RUSTED. *NM THE LEFT STRUT SPECIFICALLY, HAD RUSTED. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10114901

81,475 miles · Feb 15, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

FAILURE OF THE FLEX JOINT IN THE REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THE 3.8 LITER V6 ENGINE. CAUSING EXHAUST NOISE UNDER THE HOOD AND EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN AREA WHEN THE HEATER IS IN USE.

NHTSA ODI #10110573

Official recalls

5

04V480000 · Air Bags

Oct 6, 2004

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY BECOME DISABLED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE CLOCKSPRING, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE HUB OF THE STEERING WHEEL.

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 COVERED VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. FOR THOSE VEHICLES WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES, DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY UNDER WHICH IT WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING AT NO CHARGE IF IT FAILS. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

02V293000 · 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.

97V231000 · Child Seat

Dec 15, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT WEBBING WAS INCORRECTLY ROUTED AROUND THE METAL REINFORCEMENT BAR ON THESE SEATS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE CHILD SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ROUTING OF THE SHOULDER BELT WEBBING AND ANY FOUND INCORRECT WILL BE PROPERLY ROUTED.

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

6

EA04013 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Jun 4, 2004 · Closed May 25, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

THE DRIVER AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING CAN DEVELOP AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CONDITION RESULTING IN NONFUNCTIONAL DRIVER-SIDE FRONTAL AIR BAG, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED), AND/OR STEERING WHEEL RADIO CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).IN ITS OCTOBER 5, 2004 LETTER TO NHTSA, DAIMLERCHRYSLER STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL AND REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL MY 1998.5-2000 DAIMLERCHRYSLER MINIVANS, BUILT BETWEEN MARCH 1998 AND AUGUST 2000, WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS.IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THIS COMPONENT ON MY 1998.5-2000 MINIVANS, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE.THE DETAILS OF THE CORRECTIVE ACTION ARE DESCRIBED IN DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S LETTER (SEE RECALL NO. 04V-480).THE AGENCY BELIEVES THAT FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH RESPECT TO THOSE VEHICLES COVERED ONLY BY THE LIFETIME WARRANTY.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE PAGE 2 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

RQ04001 · Driver Air Bag Clockspring Failure

Opened Jan 28, 2004 · Closed Jun 4, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal

COMPLAINTS REPORT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES, AND THIS MAY BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A NON-FUNCTIONING HORN AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED).THIS IS INDICATIVE OF AN OPEN-CIRCUIT CLOCKSPRING FAILURE (RESULTS IN NON-FUNCTIONING DRIVER'S AIR BAG), SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE CONDITION THAT WAS THE SUBJECT OF DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S RECALL OF MODEL YEAR 1996-1998.5 MINIVANS (RECALL NO. 02V-293).THIS RECALL QUERY HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-013).

EA01007 · 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