CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY · model year

1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

546 NHTSA complaints, 40 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1997CHRYSLERTOWN AND COUNTRY carries 546 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 40 crashes, 20 fires, 40 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1997 TOWN AND COUNTRY is air bags with 69 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (38) and power train:automatic transmission (31). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 3 investigation files overlapping the 1997 TOWN AND COUNTRY. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

546
Complaints
40
Crashes
20
Fires
40
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

546 filings

Crashes Reported

40 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS69
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL38
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN28
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS19
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE14
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP13
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER10
STEERING:RACK AND PINION8

Recent Complaints

20170713SERVICE BRAKES

VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO CONTROL OF THE GAS OR BREAKS.

Mileage: 15

20170713ENGINE

VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO CONTROL OF THE GAS OR BREAKS.

Mileage: 15

20170713UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VEHICLE SUDDENLY TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING WITH NO CONTROL OF THE GAS OR BREAKS.

Mileage: 15

20160714ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL GRID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Mileage: 40,000

20150824ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON IGNITION THE VEHICLES DASH GAGE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS (ODOMETER, GAS GAGE, WARNING LIGHTS) DO NOT TURN ON WITH IGNITION, VEHICLE RUNS 2-3 SECONDS AND SHUTS OFF, WITH NO SPUTTERING OR KNOCKING. SEARCHING ONLINE FOR PROBLEMS OF A SIMILAR NATURE MANY SITES INDICATE THE ERROR MAY STEM FROM AN INCORRECTLY SOLDERED INSTRUMENT DISPLAY PANEL, SPECIFICALLY THE GROUND RETURN ON THE INSTRUMENT CIRCUIT BOARD.

Mileage: 190,000

20150801ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WELL I'AM HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES NOW I CLOSE MY HOOD AND MY 4 WAYS START BLINKING, I TURN ON MY VAN AND THE ABS & AND AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON WHEN I START IT BUT NEVER GO OFF.THE CV BOOT IS BAD AND THE HALF SHALF ON PASSENGER SIDE I THINK ITS MAKING ALOT OF SOUND WHEN I GO DOWN THE ROAD ,I ALREADY BROUGHT BRAND NEW OUTTER TIE ROD ENDS FOR BOTH SIDES, AND SWAG BAR LINGS BRAND NEW FOR BOTH SIDES SPRINGS AND MOUNTS, AND STRUTS THE RADIO SEEMS TO FADE IN AND OUT YOU CAN NOT SEE ANY STATION NUMBERS OR CLOCK TIME ON IT SO I FIGURED ITS AND ELEC ISSUES AND NOW IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAY LIKE ABOUT JULY29TH, 2015 , I GOT BACK HOME AND NOTICED MY TEMPERTURE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND IT SAID H IT WAS IT WAS HOT, THE DAY BEFORE I JUST PAID FOR AND OIL CHANGE AND THATS BECAUSE THEIR WAS OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND TO FIND OUT THE BOLTS WERE ALL LOOSE BUT 1 WHICH WAS STRIPED, BUT ANYWAYS NOW MY FANS ARE NOT GOING AROUND AND ITS NOT KEEPING MY VAN COOL MY HUSBAND HAS CHECKED ALL FUSES BUT CAN'T FIND

Mileage: 204

20150801UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WELL I'AM HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES NOW I CLOSE MY HOOD AND MY 4 WAYS START BLINKING, I TURN ON MY VAN AND THE ABS & AND AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON WHEN I START IT BUT NEVER GO OFF.THE CV BOOT IS BAD AND THE HALF SHALF ON PASSENGER SIDE I THINK ITS MAKING ALOT OF SOUND WHEN I GO DOWN THE ROAD ,I ALREADY BROUGHT BRAND NEW OUTTER TIE ROD ENDS FOR BOTH SIDES, AND SWAG BAR LINGS BRAND NEW FOR BOTH SIDES SPRINGS AND MOUNTS, AND STRUTS THE RADIO SEEMS TO FADE IN AND OUT YOU CAN NOT SEE ANY STATION NUMBERS OR CLOCK TIME ON IT SO I FIGURED ITS AND ELEC ISSUES AND NOW IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAY LIKE ABOUT JULY29TH, 2015 , I GOT BACK HOME AND NOTICED MY TEMPERTURE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND IT SAID H IT WAS IT WAS HOT, THE DAY BEFORE I JUST PAID FOR AND OIL CHANGE AND THATS BECAUSE THEIR WAS OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND TO FIND OUT THE BOLTS WERE ALL LOOSE BUT 1 WHICH WAS STRIPED, BUT ANYWAYS NOW MY FANS ARE NOT GOING AROUND AND ITS NOT KEEPING MY VAN COOL MY HUSBAND HAS CHECKED ALL FUSES BUT CAN'T FIND

Mileage: 204

20150801WHEELS

WELL I'AM HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES NOW I CLOSE MY HOOD AND MY 4 WAYS START BLINKING, I TURN ON MY VAN AND THE ABS & AND AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON WHEN I START IT BUT NEVER GO OFF.THE CV BOOT IS BAD AND THE HALF SHALF ON PASSENGER SIDE I THINK ITS MAKING ALOT OF SOUND WHEN I GO DOWN THE ROAD ,I ALREADY BROUGHT BRAND NEW OUTTER TIE ROD ENDS FOR BOTH SIDES, AND SWAG BAR LINGS BRAND NEW FOR BOTH SIDES SPRINGS AND MOUNTS, AND STRUTS THE RADIO SEEMS TO FADE IN AND OUT YOU CAN NOT SEE ANY STATION NUMBERS OR CLOCK TIME ON IT SO I FIGURED ITS AND ELEC ISSUES AND NOW IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAY LIKE ABOUT JULY29TH, 2015 , I GOT BACK HOME AND NOTICED MY TEMPERTURE LIGHT ON DASH CAME ON AND IT SAID H IT WAS IT WAS HOT, THE DAY BEFORE I JUST PAID FOR AND OIL CHANGE AND THATS BECAUSE THEIR WAS OIL ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND TO FIND OUT THE BOLTS WERE ALL LOOSE BUT 1 WHICH WAS STRIPED, BUT ANYWAYS NOW MY FANS ARE NOT GOING AROUND AND ITS NOT KEEPING MY VAN COOL MY HUSBAND HAS CHECKED ALL FUSES BUT CAN'T FIND

Mileage: 204

20150608AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND SMOKE FILLED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY EXIT THE VEHICLE WITH MINOR INJURIES TO THE HAND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

20150424UNKNOWN OR OTHER

OXYGEN SENSOR CONNECTER MELTED TO MANIFOLD. WONT GO IN REVERSE KEEPS BLOWING FUSES. *TR

20150223AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V293000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20140501FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE VAN JUST DIED BY ITSELF WHILE RUNNING AT SPEED OF 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

20140501ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THE VAN JUST DIED BY ITSELF WHILE RUNNING AT SPEED OF 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

20140501ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE VAN JUST DIED BY ITSELF WHILE RUNNING AT SPEED OF 60 MPH ON FREEWAY. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

20140419VISIBILITY/WIPER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING, THEN START WORKING, THEN STOP AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY WILL WORK OR NOT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR PLACES AND THEY CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE WIPERS HAVE NOT COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. IT IS VERY HAZARDOUS NOT KNOWING IF THE WIPERS WILL WORK OR NOT, AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO FIX THEM PERMANENTLY. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

20130712ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL GRID. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,900. UPDATED 08/15/13*LJ

Mileage: 84,900

20120915SERVICE BRAKES

I WENT TO DMV TO HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED AND WAS GIVEN A REPORT THAT STATED SEVERAL PARTS ON MY VEHICLE WERE RECALLED. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF VEHICLE CAN BE SERVICED FOR FREE FROM DEALER BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTS OR WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM? PARTS LISTED UNDER RECALL WERE RC-J25-09 EMISSIONS RECALL J25 MOPAR VALUE LINE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS MY CAR FAILED FOR EMISSIONS PROBLEMS B24-CLOCKSPRING SAFETY RECALL - LIFETIME WARRANTY 895- SAFETY RECALL FUEL RAIL SEALS. *TR

Mileage: 195,045

20120915AIR BAGS

I WENT TO DMV TO HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED AND WAS GIVEN A REPORT THAT STATED SEVERAL PARTS ON MY VEHICLE WERE RECALLED. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF VEHICLE CAN BE SERVICED FOR FREE FROM DEALER BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTS OR WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM? PARTS LISTED UNDER RECALL WERE RC-J25-09 EMISSIONS RECALL J25 MOPAR VALUE LINE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS MY CAR FAILED FOR EMISSIONS PROBLEMS B24-CLOCKSPRING SAFETY RECALL - LIFETIME WARRANTY 895- SAFETY RECALL FUEL RAIL SEALS. *TR

Mileage: 195,045

20120915POWER TRAIN

I WENT TO DMV TO HAVE MY CAR INSPECTED AND WAS GIVEN A REPORT THAT STATED SEVERAL PARTS ON MY VEHICLE WERE RECALLED. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF VEHICLE CAN BE SERVICED FOR FREE FROM DEALER BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTS OR WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM? PARTS LISTED UNDER RECALL WERE RC-J25-09 EMISSIONS RECALL J25 MOPAR VALUE LINE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS MY CAR FAILED FOR EMISSIONS PROBLEMS B24-CLOCKSPRING SAFETY RECALL - LIFETIME WARRANTY 895- SAFETY RECALL FUEL RAIL SEALS. *TR

Mileage: 195,045

20120608SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE SURFACE AROUND THE STRUT ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS CORRODED BECAUSE OF POOR DRAINAGE FROM THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A CAP ON THE CORRODED SURFACE TO MINIMIZE CORROSION OF THE ORIGINAL PART. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 1997CHRYSLERTOWN AND COUNTRY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY have?
The 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY has 546 NHTSA complaints, 40 crashes, 20 fires, 40 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY?
The most-complained component for the 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY is AIR BAGS with 69 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.