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

Starting in 2019 our 2012 Chrysler Town and Country had stalled out while driving. The entire engine cut out with no warning, losing all power steering, and even braking seemed hard. The vehicle would not start and would only crank over. The only solution was to disconnect and reconnect the battery and the vehicle would start. Problem did not happen again until June of 2022 when my wife along with her mother and our two children were traveling to Los Angeles, CA from Wyoming and the vehicle died while driving on the interstate putting them in situation which could have been deadly. Vehicle would not start again after that and only fix was to disconnect and reconnect the battery and vehicle started again. This has happened another 3 times since June of 2022. Our vehicle has approximately 138,000 miles on it and has had no other issues. From reading other complaints it sounds like this is related to a faulty TIPM. However since it never throws a code, no one can tell what is causing the issue since it cannot be replicated and happens randomly without warning. Latest incident occurred around Oct 1, 2022.

NHTSA ODI 11490008

The driver-side rear sliding door lock actuator has failed to operate any longer and because of this part failure, the driver-side sliding door will not unlock or open. The safety of my family is being put at risk because should we be in an accident on the passenger side of the car, for example and "t-bone" or a roll-over that does not allow us to use the passenger side doors, everyone in the back (we have a 7-person family, 5 children in the back) will not be able to exit the minivan without climbing over the driver seat or climbing over the rear seat. And assuming the accident is severe enough to not allow us to exit on the passenger side of the car, I believe it is also safe to assume that injuries will have occurred and the children and/or adults will be unable to climb over or around seats and could be at great risk of injury trying to get out of the car by themselves or by emergency support since no access will be available for them to get safety support boards into the car or for them to get into the car and to the children safely. This problem has been confirmed by a local body shop since the door will not open or close they had to completely remove the door to get into the panel to inspect. I have not had the vehicle inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representative but it has been inspected by my mechanic and auto body shop. There were no warning lamps or messages warning of this problem or part breakage. It was a situation where we left the house and used both sliding doors and while we were out, the driver side sliding door stopped working. This appears to be a very common problem with chrysler/dodge/jeep/ram products and has been going on for years. There are numerous videos on youtube showing people talking about this problem and recalls have been issued for other model vehicles and need to be put in place for my vehicle as well.

NHTSA ODI 11488318

Vehicle has shut off, while driving, multiple times over the past year and a half. The first instance was Summer 2021. Coming to a stop from a highway exit ramp and the van shut off for no reason. I was eventually able to restart and drive within a few minutes. A few days later, the van would shut down, or try to shut down, every time I would slow to a stop during a 2 hour trip. A few months ago, while driving approximately 35 mph, the van dashboard lights shut off, windshield wipers turned on and all other lights and power steering / brakes shut down temporarily. Luckily we were driving in a straight line because I had no power brakes or steering at that moment. Most recent issue occurred 8/27/2022. Driving van on highway, shut off at a light at bottom of exit ramp. We do not feel safe driving this van.

NHTSA ODI 11488004

The can has issue starting due to tipm malfunctions effecting the fuel pump. Also causes battery to die from fuel pump not shutting off when car sure off. The car has shut off on me. A few times. Most recently on the highway while being in the left lane. It was very dangerous. And hard for me to get it somewhere safe.

NHTSA ODI 11481113

Rear drivers sliding door constantly opens and closes, luckily not when the car is in drive. Had a new key fob made with no satisfied results. Chrysler dealer tech found codes loosing signal. Also key fob will not open or unlock car doors, needed to use a key to operate. [XXX] E-mail: [XXX] Thank you for any info on this problem. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11468420

The vehicle totally turns off while driving. The steering locks and brakes don't work. It has something to do with the key or ignition. It's not an engine stall. It's loss of everything as if the key was turned off. This is very dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11467231

The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle surged. The ABS warning light and the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that as she continued to drive, the RPM’s revved up. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned on the hazard lights. The vehicle then lost electrical power. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact took the battery to a local Pep Boys where the battery was charged and advised the contact that the battery was operative. However, the vehicle would not start. The contact replaced the battery herself. However, the alternator started smoking and the contact could smell an electrical burning odor. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V634000 (Electrical System). The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

NHTSA ODI 11464542

The External Fuel Pump Relay has failed causing stalling conditions while driving and starting problems. Along with that, it has drained the battery due to not turning the fuel pump off after the car is turn off. The part was recalled on the Jeep and Durango models with the same 3.6L engine. There have been many reports of this online with Town and Country and Dodge Caravan models with the 3.6L and 5.7L engines.

NHTSA ODI 11461868

FUEL PUMP RELAY STICKS AND CAUSES BATTERY TO GO DEAD. FILED COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER IN 2021. THEY EXPLAINED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIPM IN MULTIPLE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME FUSE RELAY BOX WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE. MY 2012 WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS. DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. ORDERED CHRYSLERS RELAY BYPASS KIT FROM MULTIPLE OUTLETS INCLUDING OEM CHRYLER PARTS DEPARTMENTS ONLY TO GET CANCELLED DUE TO AVAILIBILITY FOR ONLY RECALLED VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE SHUTS OUT RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT START . THE FUSE BOX FINALLY DID START SMOKINING AT THE FUEL PUMP FUSE #25. i HAD TO ORDER A COMPLETE TIPM NOW BECAUSE IT DAMAGED THE CIRCUIT BOARD.ALSO,WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THE FLEXPLATES (FLYWHEEL) IT SHATTERED AT THE CRANKSHAFT BOLTS

NHTSA ODI 11457377

Bad relay module: 1. Battery drained while parked in garage overnight, multiple occasions. 2. Fuel pump continued to run and make noise when the vehicle is shut off. 3. Chrysler dealer performed diagnosis and confirmed that the TIPM require replacement, replacement part will take additional two months to arrive. 4. Engine stalled while making low speed right turn at high traffic intersection and nearly caused accident with children onboard. Likely caused by shut off fuel pump. 5. The vehicle is absolutely unsafe to drive and require immediate repair.

NHTSA ODI 11456894

I was driving my 2012 town & country van on the expressway and the van started slowing down and were jerking backwards and forward it was trying to shut off. I became very afraid for my children safety as well as mine. Ignition switch was stalling while I was driving. The car behind me was driving so fast ,that I had to pull off the expressway before me and my family would die. This should be a recall so other family member would not die. Bad ignition switch can cost a family their life's. Please look into this I thank God that me and my kids are still alive. I would like to have a recall on this item( ignition switch) before it cause someone life. Please fix my van. Thank you

NHTSA ODI 11447074

It's the timp the big black box with all the fuses in it I have had so much problems with it it messed up the alternator and the battery and the doors and the fule pump now I have to get a new box and a fused pump because it won't start at all now it have quite on me while I was driving before it broke all the way down I don't know why they ain't a recall on it yet

NHTSA ODI 11442755

Vehicle shuts off with no warning. Doors have opened on their own. Just got out of shop as could not start the vehicle or lock the doors. This has been a dangerous experience. There was a recall for this Wireless Ignition Node Module on 2008-2010. I believe this recall should be extended to the 2012 also.

NHTSA ODI 11419654

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ORIGINALLY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MAP SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE PART FOR REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. Garden City Jeep Chrysler Dodge Ram (283 N Franklin St, Hempstead, NY 11550) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH. East Hills Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram SRT AND Westbury Jeep Chrysler Dodge RAM Service & Parts (111 Bond St, Westbury, NY 11590) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED WITH THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V115000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

NHTSA ODI 11417511

CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NO INDICATE ANY ENGINE LIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS ALMOST CRASH W MY 4 KIDS IN CAR. I WANNA NOW IF I CAN SUE THE CHRYSLER COMPANIES

NHTSA ODI 11407357

VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING SHUTTING DOWN ALL POWER CONTROLS

NHTSA ODI 11402798

WHEN TRYING TO START START BUTTON IS PUSHED, VAN TURNS OVER, STARTS FOR ~2 SECONDS AND SHUTS OFF. TAKES SEVERAL TRIES TO GET IT TO COMPLETELY START AND CONTINUE RUNNING. ALSO WHEN TURNING VAN OFF. PUSH BUTTON, VAN STOPS RUNNING, HOWEVER, IT SWITCHES TO ACCESSORY AND TAKES SEVERAL TIMES PUSHING BUTTON TO SWITCH TO OFF AND STAY THERE. VEHICLE IS ON LEVEL GROUND AND STATIONARY PARKED POSITION. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A MONTH OFF AND ON. RECENTLY THE LAST WEEK.

NHTSA ODI 11399943

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILED TO GET POWER FROM THE TIPM AND THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY NEEDED TO BE BYPASSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11396635

I HAVE PROBLEM WITH MY 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY FUEL PUMP RALY THE FUEL PUMP KEEP RUNNING WHEN THE CAR OFF. SOME COMPANY RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI 11388934

VEHICLE WILL CRANK WITH IGNITION SWITCH IN ON POSITION. HOWEVER, IT WILL KEEP CRANKING AND WONT START. AFTER A COUPLE TRIES IT WILL FINALLY ROLL OVER AND START. VEHICLE HAS TURNED OFF WHILE IDLE FOR NO REASON BUT WILL START AFTER A COUPLE OF CRANKS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN A STATIONARY POSITION. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS OPERATED BY A KEY FOB. THE IGNITION SWITCH IS GETTING WORSE. IT TAKES MORE TRIES TO START.

NHTSA ODI 11388121

THE VAN WOULD NOT CRANK WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE WORK. I WAITED A BIT, PUT MY HALO CHARGER ON IT AND IT CRANKED. THE NEXT MORNING IT WOULD NOT CRANK. IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO KEPT IT FOR 4 DAYS AND TOLD US WE NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TIPM, $1600 TO REPLACE, BUT $400 TO DO A BYPASS.

NHTSA ODI 11388232

WHEN I'M DRIVING THE REAR HATCH OPENS I HAVE TO PULL OVER TO CLOSE , I HAVE REPLACED THIS ONCE IT COST ME $300.00 & IT IS DOING IT AGAIN THE MACHANIC SAID IT IS THE COMPUTER I CALLED WHERE I BOUGHT Y CAR THEY SAID NO RECALL , THE BACK HEATER ALSO SMELLS LIKE BURNING WIRES HAS STARED TO SMOKE ON ME AS WELL , , I HAVE TO TIE THE REAR DOOR AT THIS TIME WHICH STILL OPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING I HAVE MY GRANDBABIES IN THE CAR MAKES ME VERY WORRIED ON THIS

NHTSA ODI 11366602

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO CRANK OR START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER SWITCHING THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION, THE VEHICLE REMAINED RUNNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED AND THE TIPM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AUTOLAND CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (170 ROUTE 22 EAST, SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, NJ 07081, (800) 288-6526) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V530000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NEITHER THE VIN NOR THE YEAR/MAKE/MODEL WERE INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,750.

NHTSA ODI 11365404

THE VAN WILL JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE BEEN KEEPING TRACK IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS IT HAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY 32 TIMES WHILE IN MOTIONS SOMETIMES STARTING RIGHT BACK UP OTHER TIMES TAKES SO CRANKING TO GET IT TO TURN OVER. LAST WEDNESDAY 10/14 THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL IN A 45 MPH ZONE AND THE VAN WENT RIGHT OFF THE ROAD LUCKILY NO DAMAGE AND NO ONE BEING INJURES. IF THAT WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE DANGEROUS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT MANY OF THIS YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO THE SLIDING POWER DOORS WILL NOT SHUT AND STAY SHUT WITHOUT HOLDING THEM WITH PRESSURE TO CLOSE THEY ALSO WILL CLOSE RANDOMLY AND ALMOST CLOSED ON MY 4 YEAR OLD IN IT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY BODY IN THE DOOR SO SHE DID NOT GET SQUISHED. I CAN GIVE ME DETAIL ON EITHER IF YOU NEED ANY.

NHTSA ODI 11365267

ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND ALL ELECTRICAL GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. TYPICALLY VAN RESTARTS FINE BUT DOES IT AGAIN WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11362204