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)

35 of 632 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters · page 1 of 2

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

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

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

May 15, 2023Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The Flexplate/Flywheel cracks every 4 years for us, this is our second repair same part. Dealership says now there is a reinforcement plate. That we have to buy, Seriously, give us a break with a broken Flexplate that is either to thin or made of a inexpense product. IDK. Dealership told my Mechanic they keep a lot on hand because they know it’s a problem. Help Please At least give us the reinforcement plate, for Heavens sake!!! Then come up with a Fix to this ongoing Problem, Please and Thank you... God Bless/SAVE America again, in NC a Jesus name!!!

NHTSA ODI 11522076

Apr 21, 2023Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

El motor se apaga inesperadamente como si se cortara la corriente del switch

NHTSA ODI 11518261

Mar 19, 2022Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFire

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

Oct 1, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

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

Sep 10, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON NEIGHBORHOOD STREET, APPROX 25MPH IT LOST TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV, THE VEHICLE THEN CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT AND WOULD NOT MOVE. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN STARTED AGAIN, MOVING FROM PARK, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO COMPLETE FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 11354273

Sep 1, 2020Transmission & drivetrainSeatsEngine

OIL COOLER HOUSING DEFECTIVE CRACKS UNDER PRESSURE OR OVERHEATING. DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT FAILURE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. POWER TRAIN ROUGH SHIFTING.

NHTSA ODI 11352446

Sep 1, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

ERROR CODE P083B

NHTSA ODI 11352599

Aug 13, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF INDETERMINATELY. WILL HAVE TO PUT IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 11349050

Feb 15, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE HAS STARTED SLIPPING AT 94000 MILES. I NOTICED IT HAPPENS WHEN TAKING OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11309316

Jan 3, 2020SuspensionTransmission & drivetrain

FRONT PUMP IN TRANSMISSION FAILED. VAN WILL NOT DRIVE.ALSO HAVE KEEP REPLACING SWAY BAR END LINKS, FOR YEARS SINCE NEW. HAD TO REPLACE REAR WHEEL HUBS DUE TO BEARING FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 11297019

Nov 16, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

OUT OF THE BLUE ONE DAY, I WAS HEARING A CLANGING WHEN MY CAR WAS IDLING BUT WHEN I GAVE IT GAS THE NOICE SEEMED TO STOP. SEVERAL DIFFERENT AUTO SHOPS TOLD ME IT WAS THE ENGINE GONE BAD. I FOUND A SHOP THAT WENT A LITTLE FURTHER IN CHECKING AND FOUND THAT MY "FLYWHEEL " WAS BROKE. THE INNER CIRCLE HAD JUST CRACKED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE OUTER CIRCLE, WHICH IS VERY ODD BECAUSE IT IS A COMPLETE SOLID PIECE. I DID NOT HAVE ANY ACCIDENDENTS OR BLOWS TO THE VECHICLE SO ITS A BIG SURPRISE THAT IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11280464

Oct 1, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 30 TO 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE COMPUTER FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO DOWNSHIFT. THE ENGINE COMPUTER FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, AND PSC AND ASD RELAYS WERE REPLACED BY THE CONTACT AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11265432

Sep 26, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 50-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 20 MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AUTOWORLD DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (1370 AUTO CENTER DR, PETALUMA, CA 94952, (707) 762-2712) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI 11258394

Sep 10, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemWheels

CAR WILL BE MOVING AND AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT TO A DIFFERENT GEAR AND SOMETHING GOING ON ELECTRICALLY WITH CAR. AS WELL IT SHAKES A GREAT DEAL

NHTSA ODI 11254555

Sep 27, 2018Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

MY CAR START BUT DON'T RUN . SOME VEHICLES HAS THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAY THAT IS THE TIPM MODULE. I WISH TO KNOW IF THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS

NHTSA ODI 11131894

Aug 1, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

STARTED HEARING HUMMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE 35-70 MPH. THOUGHT IT TO BE TIRES. REVIEWED RECALLS AND FOUND RT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS RECALL M13 / NHTSA 12V-141 ON MY MODEL. CALLED THE DEALER WHO SAID MY CAR NOT INCLUDED . $60 CHECK OUT AND $500 REPAIR. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE PAID $350 (ATTACHED). CALLED CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION,. NO WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER ASSISTANCE. UNPROFESSIONAL DEALER ATTITUDE AND ONLY A SORRY FROM CHRYSLER.

NHTSA ODI 11115237

Jul 17, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

AT 106000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT MAKING A LOUD NOISE. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC MAKING THE REPAIR, THE PARTS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WERE COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED.

NHTSA ODI 11111853

May 13, 2018Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

DRIVING VEHICLE 45MPH ON LEVELED ROAD, VEHICLE JOLTED, ENGINE DISABLED AND SHUT DOWN IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY CAUSING TRAFFIC BACKUP. TRY TO TURN VEHICLE BACK ON AND IGNITION RESTART WAS DISABLED. POWER REMAINED. NEITHER KEY OR KEY REMOTE WOULD RESTART VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11093582

Oct 1, 2017Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFire

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR QUARTER VENT WINDOW SWITCH. THIS CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE MY VAN CAUSING ALL OF THE WINDOWS AND ELECTRIC DOORS TO CEASE OPENING, LITERALLY TRAPPING MY THEN 3 YEAR OLD TWINS INSIDE THE VAN ON 11/30/16. SUPPOSEDLY FIXED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN 8/31/17. THE SECOND ISSUE INVOLVES A RECALL ON THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE WHEN THE VAN WAS BRAND NEW. IT HAD TO HAVE REPROGRAMMING OF SOFTWARE BECAUSE OF POOR SHIFT QUALITY. THIS WAS DONE ON 1/1/12. THE LAST ALMOST 2 YEARS OF MY LIFE HAVE REVOLVED AROUND THIS ISSUE. MY VAN FREQUENTLY THINKS IT'S STUCK IN REVERSE WHEN IT IS ACTUALLY IN PARK SO IT WON'T START. THIS CAN GO ON FOR DAYS. IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 10/18/16, 11/3/16, 11/30/16, AND AGAIN ON 8/31/17 ALL FOR THIS EXACT REASON. I HAVE NUMEROUS TIME STAMPED PICTURES FROM THE 9 MONTH GAP THAT I STOPPED BRINGING IT IN TO SHOW IT WAS STILL DOING IT. I DIDN'T BRING IT IN, HOWEVER BECAUSE THE ISSUE WAS NEVER RESOLVED BECAUSE NO CODE CAME UP. THIS TIME CHRYSLER HAS CAME UP WITH 8 THINGS THAT IT IS BUT THEY ARE WAITING ON THE BACK ORDERED POWERTRAIN MODULE TO COMPLETE THE LAST OF THE 8 ITEMS. IN THE MEANTIME THEY ARE MAKING ME PAY OVER $1000 OUT OF POCKET FOR A RENTAL I CAN'T AFFORD. THE FIRST TIME THE ELECTRICAL FIRE HAPPENED I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESS WAY IN AN ICE STORM WITH MY CHILDREN AND DOG WHERE THERE WERE NO EXITS. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING WITH THE GIRL I BABYSIT ON A 50MPH ROAD. WHEN THE CAR THINLS IT'S IN REVERSE, IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS WHEN I AM IN THE PICKUP LINE AT SCHOOL CAUSING OTHER PARENTS TP GET ANGRY WHEN I AM BLOCKING EVERYONE. SOMETIMES I GO TO START MY CAR AND IT'S FINE, OTHER DAYS OR MINUTES IT THINKS IT'S IN REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN THE BAIN OF MY EXISTENCE. *TT NO INSPECTION, RO WITH COMPLAINT OF "VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE": 1/11/2016, P25 OPEN AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT UPDATED 7/23/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 11030759

Aug 19, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngine

FLY WHEEL FLEX PLATE IT WAS A SOUND LIKE MARBLES RATTLING IN A TIN CAN AT IDLE AND AT LOW SPEED . IT WOUND UP BEING THE FLY WHEEL / FLEX PLATE CRACKING ALL AROUND THE BOLT PATTERN. MY MECHANIC FOUND AND REPAIRED IT BEFORE IT BLEW APART.

NHTSA ODI 11016310

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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 →