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

In August 2025, the front passenger Active Head Restraint (AHR) experienced a sudden mechanical failure and deployed unexpectedly. I immediately contacted my local Chrysler dealership, where a replacement headrest was ordered. The part was placed on an indefinite backorder with no estimated time of arrival (ETA). After several months of receiving no communication, I followed up with the dealer and was given an ETA of May 2, 2026. When that date passed with no word or resolution, I returned to the dealership on June 18, 2026, only to be informed that the parts delivery date had been pushed back yet again to July 3, 2026. In an attempt to make the seat usable, I initially attempted to secure the broken mechanism with heavy-duty zip ties, but the internal spring tension was too strong for them to hold. I was forced to use a ratchet strap to compress it; however, over time, the strap slips under the constant pressure and must be repeatedly retightened. Because Chrysler has failed to provide a critical replacement safety component for nearly a year, I am trapped in a double-sided safety hazard. If I leave the headrest exploded, the seat is physically unusable. Because I am forced to temporarily bind the headrest flat just to utilize the seat, the front passenger now has zero whiplash protection in a rear-end collision. Furthermore, this unstable, makeshift binding poses a continuous, unvetted impact and projectile risk to the middle-row passenger sitting directly behind it. By failing to maintain a reasonable parts supply for a known defect, Chrysler is forcing me to drive a vehicle with a structurally compromised safety system.

NHTSA ODI 11745130

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 after starting the vehicle, the driver reached the back seat area, and the front driver's seat headrest erroneously exploded. During the incident, the driver sustained a mild concussion. No medical treatment was required. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.

NHTSA ODI 11718414

The contact owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's seat headrest exploded. No warning lights were illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA ODI 11690943

The contact owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling, the contact's wife sat down in the front passenger’s seat, and several minutes later, the front passenger's seat headrest deployed. The headrest struck the contact's wife on the back of the head; however, no injuries were sustained. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that an unknown plastic piece had detached from the head restraint. The vehicle remained at the dealer pending the repair. The contact stated that two years previously, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver's side head restraint deployed unintendedly. The headrest struck the contact on the back of the head; however, no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the headrest was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the warranty on the headrest had expired in September 2023. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11681816

I was adjusting the headrest and the active headrest Broke Free and released. No excessive pressure just a standard adjustment.

NHTSA ODI 11674093

The active headrest on the driver's seat malfunctioned and deployed while the car was parked in my driveway. I have seen reports where there has happened while driving and has caused concussions. The local Chrysler dealer is in the processes of fixing the failure.

NHTSA ODI 11634965

2014 Chrysler Town and Country: While in motion, headrest and back of seat sounded like they "exploded". Headrest had broken and snapped forward thrusting head downward towards steering wheel. Back of seat lunged forward at the same time. Now air bag light is on in vehicle. This caused headache, neck pain, back pain, and pain sensitivity to hearing.

NHTSA ODI 11628085

Seat release for the middle right seat does not work when the seat release lever is pushed up. Failed more than 3 years ago. Prior owner did not disclose the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11619241

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

While driving on the highway, the passenger side headrest deployed without any warning or accident causing it to. A plastic part that holds a metal bar in place seems to have broken. No one was injured at the time. This seems to be a common problem. Chrysler needs to fix this! Who knows when the driver side one will deploy on its own with no accident.

NHTSA ODI 11572525

I am the original owner of a 2014 Chrysler Town & Country minivan. In the Spring of 2023 I went out to go run and errand and when I got into my van I saw that the headrest on the passenger side front seat had opened up. I tried to close it but it wouldn't move. When I got home I started checking to see what the deal was with the headrest and found out that the headrest had deployed without there being any sort of accident and fortunately there was no one in the seat at the time. Chrysler is not taking any responsibility for the problem. Now I have a failed headrest that is supposed to prevent injuries to passengers that is inoperable. And I have a questionable headrest on my driver's side seat that I don't know when it might decide to deploy one day when I am driving my vehicle. This is totally unresponsible of Chrysler and I think they need to be held responsible for this and replace their headrests at their own expense.

NHTSA ODI 11563120

Active head rest deployed without collision (or even being hit slightly).

NHTSA ODI 11559600

Driver and Passenger headrests have both deployed without an accident occuring.

NHTSA ODI 11554682

Passenger headrest randomly deployed. No accident no reason to deploy. Deployed when getting inside the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11532667

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

The active headrest on the driver seat, sprang open with a loud pop, hitting me in the back of the head while I was driving. I have heard of many other drivers having the same problem. There was no accident. There was no collision. Or was no warning. I have not taken this in to get fixed yet. People online are saying it costs up to $750 to get fixed. It is uncomfortable to drive the car with the headrest in this position.

NHTSA ODI 11525730

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

The headrest on the front passenger seat deployed when there was no accident. The car has been stopped and was still running. My son was driving and it hit me in the back of the head. If this had happened to the driver's side headrest while driving, it could have easily caused an accident by distracting the driver.

NHTSA ODI 11523113

Active headrest deployed without collision

NHTSA ODI 11521798

Passenger headrest violently exploded forward without warning while car was parked and running with no passenger seated. Should be recalled!!!!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11519398

The passenger seat headrest has internal damage and fallen forward. There have been no accidents and nothing has disrupted the Headrest. It is now unsafe for a passenger to be in the seat with a faulty headrest.

NHTSA ODI 11505697

The contact's son owns a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, her son noticed that the passenger's side front headrest had exploded. The passenger's side front seat was inoperable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11505339

The safety feature of the front row headrest released during transit. Upon inspection it was found that the plastic retaining arms failed releasing the tension arm which controls the safety feature of the part. No one was injured in this instance but it represents a substantial safety issue particularly because it occurred as part of the safety features of a large capacity family vehicle. The failed piece could easily lead to death or injury. The premature release of the headrest tension was very loud and constituted a major distraction. In the event of this happening to the driver while in motion it could cause injury to the driver which may, in turn, result in injury to other passengers if a wreck occurs.

NHTSA ODI 11504583