CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY · model year

1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY

397 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1998CHRYSLERTOWN AND COUNTRY carries 397 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 26 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 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 1998 TOWN AND COUNTRY is air bags with 35 filings, followed by electrical system (28) and engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:belts and associated pulleys (24). 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 1998 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.

397
Complaints
13
Crashes
26
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

397 filings

Crashes Reported

13 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS35
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS24
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE16
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN15
STEERING12
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP8
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8
SUSPENSION:FRONT7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY7

Recent Complaints

20170613SERVICE BRAKES

THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER NO BRAKE HAD TO QUICKLY TURN OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND TRY TO RESTART IT IS HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAD A RECALL PART REPLACED BY DEALER AND STILL NOTHING SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE AS I SEE THIS IS A COMMON FACTOR AND EVENTUALLY WILL CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT

Mileage: 106,549

20170613ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER NO BRAKE HAD TO QUICKLY TURN OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND TRY TO RESTART IT IS HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAD A RECALL PART REPLACED BY DEALER AND STILL NOTHING SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE AS I SEE THIS IS A COMMON FACTOR AND EVENTUALLY WILL CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT

Mileage: 106,549

20170613ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER NO BRAKE HAD TO QUICKLY TURN OFF TO THE SHOULDER AND TRY TO RESTART IT IS HAPPENING ON A DAILY BASIS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS I HAD A RECALL PART REPLACED BY DEALER AND STILL NOTHING SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE AS I SEE THIS IS A COMMON FACTOR AND EVENTUALLY WILL CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT

Mileage: 106,549

20151213ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AND RAIN FOR ONE DAY THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE UP, THE BATTERY LIGHT WENT ON, AND I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE. I WAS ON A FLAT STREET AND IN MOTION WHEN IT OCCURRED.

Mileage: 152,000

20151213ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AND RAIN FOR ONE DAY THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE UP, THE BATTERY LIGHT WENT ON, AND I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE. I WAS ON A FLAT STREET AND IN MOTION WHEN IT OCCURRED.

Mileage: 152,000

20151213STEERING

WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW AND RAIN FOR ONE DAY THE STEERING WHEEL FROZE UP, THE BATTERY LIGHT WENT ON, AND I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE. I WAS ON A FLAT STREET AND IN MOTION WHEN IT OCCURRED.

Mileage: 152,000

20150912SERVICE BRAKES

COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM DUE TO A RUPTURE OF A BRAKE LINE. LUCKY FOR US WE WERE ON A FLAT SECTION OF ROAD AND DRIFTED TO A STOP. IF WE HAD BEEN THREE SECONDS LATER WE WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO CROSS TRAFFIC.

Mileage: 195,000

20150130CrashSEAT BELTS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT AND THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO SECURE THE FRONT DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT DRIVER AND THE FRONT PASSENGER BOTH SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V076000 (SEAT BELTS).THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20141106FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TURN OFF WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND MUST RESTART VEHICLE WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT OR GOING UP A HILL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP PRIOR AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE, REPAIR SHOP CONFIRMED ISSUES. HAVE REPORT FROM SHOP INDICATING CONCERN FOR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. LOOKED FOR RECALLS REGARDING THIS AND NOTHING REPORTED. AGAIN, VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING INTERMITENTLY AND MUST RESTART VEHICLE. ALL POWER TO VEHICLE STOPS. *TR

Mileage: 300,000

20141106STEERING

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TURN OFF WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND MUST RESTART VEHICLE WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT OR GOING UP A HILL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP PRIOR AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE, REPAIR SHOP CONFIRMED ISSUES. HAVE REPORT FROM SHOP INDICATING CONCERN FOR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. LOOKED FOR RECALLS REGARDING THIS AND NOTHING REPORTED. AGAIN, VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING INTERMITENTLY AND MUST RESTART VEHICLE. ALL POWER TO VEHICLE STOPS. *TR

Mileage: 300,000

20141106AIR BAGS

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO TURN OFF WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND MUST RESTART VEHICLE WHILE APPROACHING A LIGHT OR GOING UP A HILL. VEHICLE TAKEN TO REPAIR SHOP PRIOR AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE, REPAIR SHOP CONFIRMED ISSUES. HAVE REPORT FROM SHOP INDICATING CONCERN FOR SAFETY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. LOOKED FOR RECALLS REGARDING THIS AND NOTHING REPORTED. AGAIN, VEHICLE STOPS RUNNING INTERMITENTLY AND MUST RESTART VEHICLE. ALL POWER TO VEHICLE STOPS. *TR

Mileage: 300,000

20141008VISIBILITY/WIPER

WIPER BLADES UNABLE TO SHUT OFF AT TIMES, SOME TIME DELAY OF STARTING, I HAVE HAD THE WIPER MOTOR REPLACE. *TR

20141002SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY, ABS, TRAC OFF, AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,986.

Mileage: 146,986

20141002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY, ABS, TRAC OFF, AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,986.

Mileage: 146,986

20141002TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY, ABS, TRAC OFF, AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,986.

Mileage: 146,986

20141002SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BATTERY, ABS, TRAC OFF, AND SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,986.

Mileage: 146,986

20141002ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CRANKED, STARTED, RAN FOR 1 SECOND, AND STALLED. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN A ROW. THEN IT WOULD NOT CRANK UNTIL WE RETURNED THE NEXT DAY AND IT STARTED AND RAN FINE. THIS BECAME AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY FAILED ALTOGETHER. VERY MYSTERIOUS BUT I FOUND THE CAUSE AND REPAIRED IT. IT HAS NOT FAILED SINCE I REPAIRED IT 7-21-2012. THE PROBLEM WAS A COLD SOLDER JOINT ON THE BCM LOCATED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL EXPLAIN. *TR

Mileage: 185,000

20141002ENGINE

CRANKED, STARTED, RAN FOR 1 SECOND, AND STALLED. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN A ROW. THEN IT WOULD NOT CRANK UNTIL WE RETURNED THE NEXT DAY AND IT STARTED AND RAN FINE. THIS BECAME AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM OVER TIME AND EVENTUALLY FAILED ALTOGETHER. VERY MYSTERIOUS BUT I FOUND THE CAUSE AND REPAIRED IT. IT HAS NOT FAILED SINCE I REPAIRED IT 7-21-2012. THE PROBLEM WAS A COLD SOLDER JOINT ON THE BCM LOCATED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL EXPLAIN. *TR

Mileage: 185,000

20140909ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE PARKED FOR SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,000.

Mileage: 203,000

20140829ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN IN ACCESSORY MODE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO WAIT SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 246,000.

Mileage: 246,000

Compare 1998CHRYSLERTOWN AND COUNTRY to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY have?
The 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY has 397 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 26 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY?
The most-complained component for the 1998 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY is AIR BAGS with 35 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS.
Is the 1998 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.