Home · 2012 Chrysler Town And Country · Complaints

What 632 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Chrysler Town And Country

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (632)Crash / fire / injury (35)Electrical system (393)Engine (100)Fuel system (58)Transmission & drivetrain (35)Body & structure (33)Visibility & wipers (25)Brakes (22)Airbags (18)Lights (17)Steering (16)

Newest first · 632 complaints · page 1 of 26

Jul 23, 2026Electrical systemFuel system

The TIPMs system has been recalled in multiple vehicles and has causes a fuel pump relay failure and numerous other electrical issues . Chryslers recall has yet to include this year make and model despite the fact the identical part is used in the recalled vehicles. Chrysler is picking and choosing which vehicles this recall applies to and it’s putting families at risk of the TIPM failing and leaving them stranded at any time. Chrysler has a packaged replacement part under “recall pricing” but refuses to cover labor to install the new part on certain vehicles.

NHTSA ODI 11752428

Jan 2, 2026Electrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to turn off. The contact stated that after wiggling the ignition key in the ignition switch, the vehicle started. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall on the VIN related to a faulty ignition switch. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,288.

NHTSA ODI 11708382

Dec 26, 2025Fuel system

Fuel Relay System Failure When searching online apparently this is such an extremely common issue there is a special bypass part that was made, and part of a recall for durangos and jeeps but not the town and country, even though this part is failing all the time in this vehicle as well. Before it went completely dead, it did fail once when I was driving, which is a huge safety issue. I was lucky it started again and that I wasn’t going very fast. I didn’t know at the time that is was the fuel relay system failing until it finally stopped working and my car no longer started. Once bypassed with the bypass part it started immediately, however I had to buy the bypass part to confirm. This should be a recalled issue though, since it is an extremely hazardous issue if it causes failures while driving

NHTSA ODI 11707187

Nov 15, 2025Electrical systemEngine

Vehicle randomly shuts off while driving. No warning lights are illuminated. Shutoff can occur at any speed and causes loss of power steering, braking etc. Shutdown requires immediate pull off to the side of the road. Once key is turned off and back on, car restarts.

NHTSA ODI 11699567

Nov 14, 2025Engine

Catalytic converter is reported to me as needing to be replaced. Check Engine light came on which indicated this error. It’s only at 84k miles. Followed by needing new O2 sensors if the catalytic converter is replaced. Another error was the thermostat which needs replacement. We are looking at over $5k in repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11699337

Oct 8, 2025Electrical systemEngine

My van will frequently lose power and die while I am driving it, with NO WARNING. I have to pull off and put it either into park or neutral then turn the key again to get it started again. This has happened more than 40 times over the last 15 monnths. My speeds have ranges from 25mpg in town to 65 mpg on the highway.Most recently on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

NHTSA ODI 11692168

Aug 1, 2025EngineSteeringElectrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the instrument panel turned black, and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred temporarily, and the vehicle restarted independently. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and advised the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11677805

Aug 1, 2025SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

The vehicle randomly shuts off while driving dash goes black and then randomly starts back up or I have to put it in (n) to start it back up while Im at a free role i lose control of the power steering and braking this is a dangerous for myself my children and grand kids also others Im the road this is seriously gonna get someone hurt this issue should not be occurring this is very dangerous

NHTSA ODI 11677903

Jul 30, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Couldn't reverse vehicle after buying the vehicle three days ago. My safety and my passengers safety wasn't safe I almost got hit from the front and back trying to reverse the vehicle to go. I can put the vehicle in any other gear and it works but the reverse. i called the vehicle repair shop and bring it in to the shop where I was told they were going to work on the vehicle for free since I only had it for three days. I paid for the warranty part and everything. This the second car I bought from Fett's city motors that been dangerous to operate on roads and highways.

NHTSA ODI 11677399

Jul 17, 2025Fuel system

The TIPM is malfunctioning and causing the fuel pump to never turn of on the car. the only way to turn it off is to pull the fuse.

NHTSA ODI 11674267

Apr 30, 2025Electrical system

Our van's engine shuts down while driving. It has done it multiple times and our local auto mechanics can not figure out why it is doing it. We are concerned about our safety driving our van. Luckily, we have been able to brake and restart the van quickly to avoid a collision. We have now stopped using the van.

NHTSA ODI 11657821

Mar 31, 2025AirbagsSeats

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the front driver's side head restraint deployed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred immediately after the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed of an unknown recall repair with a similar failure; however, the contact was informed that the recall had expired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 11651734

Mar 4, 2025Electrical systemFuel system

Has had some issues trying to turn on after sitting over night. It will just kill the battery but it just started to die while driving and the entire system shuts off. All the lights, the steering wheel locks up and gas goes out. All you can do is brake and hope that you can stop in a good spot before it dies fully. This has happened a few times with my kids in the car and now I just don’t dare to drive. The tipm needs to be recalled.

NHTSA ODI 11646300

Jan 6, 2025Electrical system

While in motion at various speeds, this vehicle has, on numerous occasions over the last year, abruptly lost power in the middle of traffic disabling the power steering and braking making stopping and steering out of traffic almost impossible. Most of the time the vehicle restarts after turning the key fob off and on. On the NHTSA website I have found numerous reports of the same or similar incidents reported with this vehicle. It is logical to the most casual observer that there is a problem with the ignition system, most probably, the key port and/or the ignition control module. How many of these incidents have to be reported before it is obvious to the experts in the agency to that there is a safety problem with these vehicles being left powerless in motion, in traffic? Or maybe a more appropriate question is: how many people have to be injured or killed before the "experts" and/or bureaucrats decide to do their job.

NHTSA ODI 11634442

Dec 27, 2024Electrical system

My car would randomly shut down while I am driving leaving me with no power steering. I took it to my mechanic who discovered it was a faulty ignition switch module and recommended I take it to a dealership. If I touch the key fob on my car or hit a bump while it is running, the car will shut down. No power steering. There are multiple recalls for faulty ignition switch modules but not on my particular vehicle (recall L25 is one of many I have discovered). I have been carefully driving the vehicle because I don't have $1500 to repair. Dealership will fix it at my expense because there is no recall on my particular vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11632661

Dec 12, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The driver was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ODI 11630452

Aug 1, 2024Electrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted after approximately two attempts. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wireless ignition node module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11605934

Jul 1, 2024Engine

Hard starting mostly in the mornings sometimes in the hot afternoon I have to turn the key several tries to get it to start the most of the rest of the day it’s OK the Ignition seems loose sometimes the key will not pull out right I’ve heard about the recalls on the other years causing the vehicle to shut off while I’m driving I hope this does not happen.Other years of the Chrysler Town an Country was recalled,Same engine same parts.Win ignition was bad.Please don’t let us get seriously injured if the vehicle ever shuts down on us while driving.Many other owners having the same issues.We got many new parts trying to fix.But no luck.But it is now. Narrow down to this problem with the ignition.

NHTSA ODI 11598084

Jun 24, 2024Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shifting hard between gears and the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000.

NHTSA ODI 11596279

Jun 21, 2024Seats

Driver's seat active headrest deployed while vehicle was in motion with cruise control set at 35 MPH. Loud bang accompanied by the headrest hitting the driver in the back of the head causing the driver to jerk the steering wheel.

NHTSA ODI 11595807

Apr 29, 2024Electrical systemFire

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, he detected smoke from the vehicle, which caught fire in the rear electrical compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment or police report filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11585730

Mar 12, 2024Brakes

I have a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country van. In 2021 I had brake calipers replaced on the rear end because they were leaking brake fluid. Again this year same problem. What is going on with brake systems on todays cars? I do not think this is normal wear. How often are consumers dealing with brake problems? Are manufacturers using poorly made parts? I think this needs to be investigated.

NHTSA ODI 11576964

Mar 10, 2024Electrical system

Last year, when I purchased this used minivan, it stalled at highway speed 2 hours after purchase on my way home. This random stalling at highway speed continued for at least six months. Then, it began having problems starting. The dealer said I needed a new computer, which I spent nearly $1,000 to get. The stalling at speed continued. It is now getting worse again and seems related to the vertical movement of the key fob in the ignition. Here's what I don't understand: You issued a recall for, what, the 2008-2010 version of this minivan, yet I can also find comments on here and elsewhere online that the problem is still happening. I drive with my grandkids in this minivan. How many people will have to die before another recall is issued? Chrysler did not fix the problem at the manufacturing stage. Please be a government and protect us. Please force them to fix it in a recall. BTW, you leave space for only a single date and speed. It happens all the time at any speed, including startup. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11576486

Dec 5, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started jerking while the transmission was shifting between gears. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the vents while driving in hot weather. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Several unknown dealers were notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.

NHTSA ODI 11558567

Nov 21, 2023SteeringTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

While taking turns or going over bumps/ potholes the vehicle will turn off and need to be restarted. All systems shut down including power steering, dash, and engine. The driver and occupants are put in life threatening danger due to the total shutdown of the vehicle and all of its accessories. The vehicle has not been taken to a dealer or service center but instead a independent auto mechanic. Through their research they found there was similar recalls on Mopar vehicles on earlier year models. The vehicle has NOT been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others. There were NO warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11556215

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Working with the data? Download all 632 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 27, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Chrysler Town And Country verdict →