What 635 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 Chrysler Town And Country

While parked, the headrest on the driver side exploded causing my head to be forced forward abruptly and painfully. There was no warning before this happened. Had I been driving, I may have crashed and caused injury to myself and others.

NHTSA ODI 11741132

The contact owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the charging port located between the 2nd and 3rd row seating on the driver’s side caught on fire. No warning light was illuminated before the failure. The contact pulled off a busy roadway and pulled into a parking lot, all while her 3-year-old son was seated in the 2nd row rear driver's side seat and was being surrounded by smoke. The contact stated that it took approximately 10 minutes to pull over and safely exit the vehicle to remove her son from the vehicle. The contact's son received medical attention for smoke inhalation. The Police and local Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A Fire report was filed however, the Fire report number was not provided. The origin of the fire was the 110-Volt charging port due to an electrical failure. The contact stated that the child seat was also damaged and needed to be replaced due to the plastic being burned. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where it remained for several weeks. However, the vehicle was later towed back to the local independent dealer where the vehicle was purchased and remained at the dealer for further investigation. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI 11701442

Vehicle engine exploded in the middle of the night. Car would remote start on its own as I would lock the doors and walk away prior to the incident. Also the airbag light would come off and on. Notice the day of the incident that the dimmer would disappear and reappear. Very strange I thought. The house could've burned down while we were sleeping. If it wasn't for our neighbors and the quick response of those firefighters it could've possibly burned the house down while we were in there sleeping. The van was picked up by the insurance company two days ago. Not sure what happened as far as it being inspected yet. They have given me the silent treatment. Went to a Chrysler dealership, not where I bought it. This van has had one recall done in 2015. Rear quarter vent window switch.

NHTSA ODI 11676100

The contact owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, she crashed into the rear of a stopped Tesla, which crashed into another unknown vehicle. The floor air bag deployed and struck her knees. The driver's side air bag deployed. The passenger-side airbag deployed backward and struck the front windshield. No warning lights illuminated. The driver's side seat belt fractured. The passenger side seat belt was locked in its original position. The contact was able to continue to drive. A police report was filed. There were no reported fires. The contact sustained bruises to her chest and knees, but medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was not contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 84,135.

NHTSA ODI 11668520

Headrest on driver side exploded on 10/12/2024. I was reclining in the seat when it happened. Forced my head forward.

NHTSA ODI 11619477

Drivers Headrest Airbag went off unexpectedly causing minor whiplash to myself, the driver and causing uncomfortable head placement and high repair costs.

NHTSA ODI 11605935

The passenger seat headrest deployed without warning. I slowly pulled out of a parking lot and proceeded down the road. I heard a loud bang and looked over at my daughter to ask what was that. She said ouch my head. I looked at her seat and saw the headrest deployed. I took it to the dealership and they said there wasn’t anything they could do but it was equivalent to an airbag deploying. I called Chrysler and they say my van is out of warranty and they can’t help. This is a known safety issue and yet no recalls have been made. I fear my drivers side headrest will do the same. Someone needs to fix this issue. My daughter has whiplash.

NHTSA ODI 11585142

The rear power outlet caught fire while driving today 03/05/2024. Nothing was plugged in to the outlet.

NHTSA ODI 11575792

The contact owned a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle five minutes later, it caught fire. The contact's daughter opened the driver's side door and noticed flames emerging from the door panel. There were no reported injuries. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. There was no air bag deployment. The contact stated that the siding of the house had melted due to the fire. The vehicle was towed to a salvaged yard. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The contact mentioned that the failure may be related to NHTSA Action Number: PE20012 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11571606

Passenger Side Headrest literally exploded open due to a broken plastic tab. I was only mildly injured but definitely felt the after effects in my neck and back. Definite Safety concern. I'm worried the driver side headrest will do the same thing as we are driving. Absolutely should be a safety recall.

NHTSA ODI 11526578

I was sitting in my 2014 Town and Country and my active headrest restraint randomly activated hitting me in the back of the head. I was parked with one passenger in the vehicle. It hurt my neck as it shot my head forward.

NHTSA ODI 11525276

Vehicle caught on fire - flames coming out of driver's tail light. Interior smoke before flames coming out. Thank God, we were home and noticed and was not in the middle of the night.. There was a 5 gallon full gas tank within 3 feet of this fire. It could have taking my whole house out and my family. Clearly there is a problem with the electrical system on the drivers side toward the rear.

NHTSA ODI 11504458

Passenger headrest violently exploded forward without warning while car was parked and running with my wife in the passenger seat.

NHTSA ODI 11492527

The contact's wife owned a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while his wife was driving 30 MPH, there was an electrical fumes odor inside the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to park on the side of the road and exited the vehicle with his grandson before seeing fire coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated no one was injured nor sought medical attention. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a fire report. The fire department deemed the vehicle totaled. The contact stated a police officer also arrived at the location of the incident and filed a police report. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact had the vehicle towed to the tow lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11480150

The driver headrest popped out and struck me in the back of the head, nearly caused me to crash. I've seen online this is a previous reported issue, however no recalls. This is very dangerous and I was traveling with me one year old...

NHTSA ODI 11473103

The car was turned on and 3 children were getting buckled in both rear rows of the vehicle. Within seconds the cabin was filling with smoke. An electrical fire had started from the rear charging area which is located next to the second row drivers side seat. Everyone exited with no physical injuries, although panic was experience and a new anxiety now for driving in cars. Since then I’ve read that this year Chrysler T&C has had multiple reports of similar incidences yet no recall on file.

NHTSA ODI 11458872

Engine Leaked oil from oil filter housing, Thank goodness my boyfriend put the fire out. very big problem he had to repair wires and replace lots of expensive parts because the small fire melted some of the intake and the valve cover. Im just thankful my boyfriend is a mechanic and could fix it for me. 800.00 in just parts. just to find out that there is a updated part that would not leak. But Waldorf dodge Sold me the same part he took off. so its destined to happen again. Chrysler should be ashamed of their design. They put my family at risk and my vehicle. I checked for recalls on it and its not there.

NHTSA ODI 11450641

The driver head rest deployed while I was driving. It hit the back of my head very hard, causing my neck to hurt and I had a headache for 2 days. I did not go to the Dr. because it wasn't severe. However, I do have this on video because we have a dash cam in our van at all times. I found out these were defective, called the FCA and they told me I could go to any Chrysler dealer and I could get it replaced under warranty. So this is what I have done, but its on back order. Also, I wanted them to replace the other side since this could happen again, but they said they could not, unless it deployed. That's unacceptable if you ask me....its a safety issue for sure. This will happen again, just don't know when. Is there anything I can do about this? Thank you so much. FCA has been contacted and warranty number [XXX] and case [XXX] was given. Consumer has headache for couple of days, her neck hurt as well as in between her shoulder blades. Dealer was contacted on July 5th and head rest is backordered, dealer will install once it comes in. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

NHTSA ODI 11423524

Charge Hub mounted between trim panel on drivers side between second row and third row seat burned. I parked and smoke started rolling in van. Strong burning smell. Had to call Fire Dept.

NHTSA ODI 11423362

Driving in a subdivision at about 20 mi/hr and the passenger headrest AHR deployed for absolutely no reason and without warning hitting the passenger sharply in the back of the head. Looking at the unit it appears that the plastic component holding a retention pin gave out releasing the pin which was still in the grip of metal claws so we know the solenoid didn't accidently activate. The plastic simply broke!! Fortunately it didn't result in injury other then a sore head! There are a lot of reports of this happening with these headrests so it is recurring problem which I'm surprised hasn't been addressed yet. If/when the drivers side does the same thing it could result in an accident causing situation.

NHTSA ODI 11419892

GOING 65MPH ON MAJOR HIGHWAY WENT OFF ROAD TAKING OUT MULTIPLE BIG CONCRETE IN GROUND SIGNS. THEN WENT ON 2WHEELS SLAMMED BACK DOWN IN A DOWN HILL MEDIAN. NO AIRBAGS WAS DEPLOYED. TOWN & COUNTRY TOTAL LOSS. ENTIRE FRONT END DAMAGED AND BACK PASSENGER AXEL & WINDSHIELD HUGE CINDER BLOCK TYPE HOLES WITH SHARDS OF GLASS EVERYWHERE EVEN IN OUR EARS! NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED OR ATTEMPTED. I HAD ALMOST HALF TANK GAS NOW EMPTY LIGHT IS ON.

NHTSA ODI 11403622

I HAVE A TOWN AND COUNTRY 2014. WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR MINI VAN ON THE HIGHWAY AND I WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE HEAD REST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT DEPLOYED AND SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF MY HEAD TWICE FOR NO REASON. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS WAY TOO EXPENSIVE FOR US TO PAY FOR OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED IN OUR WARRANTY. THEN JUST A FEW DAYS AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING AND COME TO A STOP THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF MY HEAD AGAIN! WHY WOULD THESE DEPLOY FOR NO REASON WHAT SO EVER. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK. THEY CANNOT BE RESET BECAUSE THE SAME PIECE THAT BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT ARE THE CHANCE ?? THIS IS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND THE FAULTY HEAD RESET NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.*DT CONSUMER DID NOT CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11389817

CAR JUST PARKED IN PARKING SPOT AND PASSENGER TOOK SEATBELT OFF AND STARTED TO PULL DOOR LEVER. PASSENGER HEADREST AIRBAG BURSTED OPEN, KNOCKING THE PASSENGER HEAD FORWARD. HEADREST MADE A LOUD BANG. THE MOTION AND FORCE OF THE HEADREST BANGED AGAINST THE BACK OF PASSENGER HEAD CAUSING INSTANT HEADACHE AND WHIPLASH.

NHTSA ODI 11364220

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY TOURING VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY OF HIS HOME AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FLAMES QUICKLY ENGULFED THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE EITHER A POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED THE VEHICLE ALONG WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AS WELL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY SENT A LETTER DIRECTING THE CONTACT TO WORK WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO SETTLE THE CLAIM . THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 115,000. *LN*JB

NHTSA ODI 11362744

MY HEADREST DEPLOYED VERY SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING GOING ABOUT 40 MILES AN HOUR AND FOR NO REASON...MY CAR WASN'T HIT AND I DIDN'T EVEN HIT A BUMP. IT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION AND THE HEADREST HIT THE BACK OF MY HEAD SO HARD MY CHIN HIT MY CHEST. I'M VERY LUCKY I WAS NOT KNOCKED OUT AND DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.*DT CONSUMER STATED SHE SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION BUT STILL HAS DISCOMFORT ON HER NECK.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11349347