9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$570
Average Mileage:
97,550 miles
Total Complaints:
19 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (15 reports)
  2. egr valve replacement (2 reports)
  3. new engine and oil pan (1 reports)
  4. replaced electronic control module, battery (1 reports)
2008 Chrysler Town & Country engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Chrysler Town & Country Owner Comments

problem #19

Apr 042017

Town & Country LX 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My mother was driving down the highway when the engine stalled and the brakes and wheel locked up. Thankfully she was able to stop at an exit. Started up after and was taken to a mechanic, when it stalled while pulling in. Apparently the oil pan rusted and had leaked out on the highway. No oil pressure lights or check engine lights came on. This vehicle also needed a new headgasket at 100,000 miles. Also had electrical issues with the rear lights. These were not built very well, and the 3.3L V6 isn't the best out there.

- Noah D., Gregory, MI, US

problem #18

Mar 012014

Town & Country Limited 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 186,000 miles

The engine stalls occasionally while driving. There is absolutely no warning and the stalling is unpredictable. It usually happens while coasting or attempting to accelerate from a low speed. I have taken it to dealers three times. First, one dealer replaced the EGR valve. Another dealer did a complete tune-up. Neither solved the problem. The car was recalled to replace the ignition switch and FOB type keys. The diagnostic tests don't provide a trouble code. I am afraid to drive it for fear it will stall in heavy highway traffic. I have spent a lot of money at dealer service departments to resolve this serious issue and nothing has been successful. I can't understand why the Highway Transportation Safety Board refuses to take action against Chrysler since this is a life-threatening defect. It doesn't seem like anyone cares until lives are lost.

- David B., Raleigh, NC, US

problem #17

Jun 142016

Town & Country Touring 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

My 2008 Town and Country was diagnosed with a bad Totally Integrated Power Module. The damn thing shuts down completely whenever the hell it feels like it. I have discovered that this part has been recalled on many models but I'm told that my vehicle isn't one of those recalls. I have all the symptoms but I don't have the Flu !! I was real close to a fatal collision because of this problem and Chrysler won't do anything about it except to say , " Pay for the repairs and if there's a recall later, you MAY be reimbursed." I depend on this vehicle to earn a living and now I'll have to drive it to work everyday, wondering if I'm gonna get seriously injured or killed until I can manage to get enough money to have it fixed. I was quoted $700 for the part plus labor. They know how serious this is but they will watch me drive off and not think twice about it...

- Michael B., Baden, PA, US

problem #16

Feb 012014

Town & Country Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My children and I almost lost our lives the other night. We're on 95 and as usual the car cuts off and a truck almost pummeled us! When this happens it's hard as hell to operate the steering wheel because it darn near locks on you. I complained to the dealership when I brought the car and they told me the couldn't do anything about it unless the engine light came on. We were relieved to get the recall notice and thought that would take care of the problem and ummmmmmm...... NO😡 ! I hate that I ever looked into this vehicle at all and I make sure I share with EVERYONE how horrible Chryslers are and how they don't stand by their product.

- Tameka R., Claymont, DE, US

problem #15

Nov 162015

Town & Country 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

EGR was the problem for me. BUT Chrysler diagnostics did not pick this up. The problem is intermittent, so I told them not to charge me for a $115 diagnostic, and just replace the EGR valve. Symptoms: Intermittent stalls, at 20-30mph (neighborhood driving in the morning), when not accelerating. Very consistent when it would happen, about 3-4 minutes from home, but not every day.

- rvbran, Sherwood, OR, US

problem #14

Dec 252015

Town & Country Limited 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

gauges and warning lights start flickering/blinking while driving. Then, computer shuts down and restarts while driving. The stalls but doesn't die. Pulled over. Turned off and on. Then it worked ok until 2 days later.

- Michael W., Houston, TX, US

problem #13

Dec 022015

Town & Country Limited 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Problem was sudden engine stoppage while driving.

Dealer was able to duplicate problem and determined that the electronic switch module was defective.

However, the next morning after replacing the switch assembly it was DOA, wouldn't start. Battery dead.

They replaced battery with my approval and I've driven the van on two trips totaling about 25 miles with no problems------so far. Time will tell. This weird problem may be two problems, Intermittent bad battery AND intermittent electronic module. Paid $160 for them to install the battery and the new switch module was previously replaced on a recall so there was do charge for it this time either.

- H C., Allen, TX, US

problem #12

Dec 022015

Town & Country Limited 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

The engine just quit shortly after starting. Restarted several times but would quit in seconds. Steering and brake power is lost when engine quits. Fortunately was in neighborhood and managed to get van home. Started and allowed it to run until normal engine temp was attained and was able to drive it 12 miles without problem. Had code checked and there was no code showing up. This vehicle had sat through 3 or 4 days of rainy, humid weather when first start attempted and it quit immediately then started and drove it about 0.1 miles when it quit. Possibly humidity related in computer unit. Will never feel comfortable driving this van again due to possible accident waiting to happen. I've had 3 T&C's counting this one and they have all left me stranded--the only brand out of 7 brands I've owned to quit on the road. No more.

- H C., Allen, TX, US

problem #11

Jul 212015

Town & Country Limited 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,500 miles

We have been loyal customers or Chrysler for decades, but that no longer cease to exist. This Christine of a car will swear anyone away from ever even looking at a Dodge/Chrysler product. Lets list the the fixable problems; replaced the transmission, knocking sound coming from engine requiring valve job, replaced head, sliding door doesn't close all the time, brakes wear out every 20k, and lift gate makes contact with the rear bumper during open and close.

The last issue finally did Christine in. The van would stop at low speeds with loss of steering and braking power. No codes would be triggered, it was as if the ignition was just turned off while moving. The electrical power would still be on like the radio and instrumentation panel but the steering and braking would tighten up; very scary feeling. It has happened to my wife driving the kids eight to ten times and myself two times. The dealer said the ignition recall would take care of the problem but I think it is something else. It got so bad that my wife would have me warm up and drive the van around before she would use it.

Five days before the appointment for the recall, my wife with kids and parent were in the van entering an on-ramp to the freeway when the engine cut off again causing the van to rearend the car in front. The accident totaled the van even though the speed was around 8mph; no airbag deployment. Chrysler opened an investigation but found no evidence of any failure from the vehicle. How can they find anything when no codes are triggered when the engine cuts off?

As much as I loved the car, I am finally rid of Christine with my family still safe and sound. Going into the car I knew I would encounter brake and tranny issues (typical Chrysler vehicles), but the engine cut off was the last straw... I will never buy a Dodge/Chrysler product again.

- David L., Millbrae, CA, US

problem #10

Oct 122015

Town & Country Limited 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,850 miles

I HAVE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE ENGINE CUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. HAVE NO POWER STEERING. HAVE TO STOP TO RESTART ENGINE. VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC WITH SOMEONE ON YOUR BUMPER. HAVE HAD IT TO DEALER AND HE PLUGS IN HIS INSTRUMENT AND TELLS US THERE IS NOT CODE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT. ON FEBRUARY 14,2015 THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH ON AUGUST 25, 2015. WE ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM OF IT SHUTTING OFF DRIVING. THE LAST DAY WAS YESTERDAY OCTOBER 11, 2015. A WARNING TO CHRYSLER CORP. IF THERE IS A ACCIDENT THAT RESULTS FROM THIS PROBLEM.

- farrisw, Maryville, TN, US

problem #9

Aug 162015

Town & Country Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,894 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is the 5 time this has happened! The engine quits for no reason while driving. This in turn shuts off everything with power like; brakes, steering, airbags, everything! When this happens; put van into neutral & restart with key. We have nothing else on the key ring as told by Chrysler. There is a waiting list at the dealer for this recall on the ignition switch. I was told the part has not been made yet by my dealer. Chrysler called to say they do have the new part made, but only so many per dealer. Scared to drive my van! I will not take passengers so I have all back seats stowed away! No long travel vacations this year either as I heard a fire could start too?

- gingras, LEDUC, AB, Canada

problem #8

Aug 082015

Town & Country Limited 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

I was in the main lane of the toll road about 50 yards from booth when my van dies and of course will not start as mentioned before. I have a van full of kids in the main lanes of a toll road at midnight. Very dangerous! I was able to turn on hazard flashers, but as I was calling a tow truck, every thing dies including the hazards. My wife was able to call 9-1-1 and luckily a toll road authority truck and officer showed up promptly. We were totally disabled and lucky to survive without any lights. The truck pushed me about a half mile to shoulder where after about an hour the van suddenly decided to turn over and start. Drove fine getting home. Next day broke down again. I hope the dealer will find something; last visit they said they could not find anything wrong.

- Michael W., Houston, TX, US

problem #7

Aug 022015

Town & Country Limited 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Very dangerous! Van dies while driving. Hard to steer and brake. Has happened many times; usually at low speeds, but lucky we were able to steer off road and restart.

- Michael W., Houston, TX, US

problem #6

Dec 052014

Town & Country Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

While driving this piece of crap, my power steering and power brakes went out. I had it towed to a dealer. Some 800 dollars later: after they fixed a sensor, found a short and fixed it in the wiring harness.......I brought it home. I didn't use it afterwards because I needed new tires. Went to start it up, and it won't start. It will turn over, but it won't start.

I would never buy another Chrysler product in my lifetime,ever again. I had two Dodge Caravans that never caused me this amount of problems in such a short time. I bought it used from a dealer. My bad.

- Amy B., Marquette,, MI, US

problem #5

Sep 222014

Town & Country Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

Just bought the van. They keep telling me it is the starter recall. Chrysler has no date in when parts will be avaliable or if they will be made. Car stalls when I stop. RPM drops and car stalls. Has not happened when I am driving but it is embarrassing and dangerous. I am not a two footed driver but I have been trying to find ways to keep it running. I have had it into the shop multiple times.

Update from Jul 8, 2015: I waited until July of 2015 for the parts to come in for the ignition switch to see if it corrected the problem. It did not. The call stalls a couple times a day. I stall when I come to a stop and the car lurches forward. The engine starts back up but the vehicle does not show any codes. We have had new spark plugs and wires. they now think it could be the torque converter. This has been a frustrating process and I do not feel that the dealership is happy with me brining it back multiple times. I feel I have bought a lemon.

Update from Jul 27, 2015: The fix for me was to get out of the Vehicle. This was a safety hazard and no one seemed to know what the problem was. It was in the shop several times in 10 months. The last idea another dealership had was it was the transmission. the van I had was loaded and was a beautiful car. it simply would not run without dying. Before I got rid of it the lights would all come on. it on occasion would not start. Huge Lemon

- Raechelle P., Eaton, CO, US

problem #4

Jul 182014

Town & Country Touring

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

My van died three times while I was driving. I called Chrysler and was told, sorry they would take my info and put into a system. About 2 months later I received a recall letter for the FOBIK. The letter states, could cause a crash, could cause a crash, and lastly not replacement parts are available. I called my attorney general who said they would send a letter on my behalf, not sure that will help.

I am scared to drive my vehicle it's a frightening feeling when you loose power. Power steering shuts down you can excel no lights ect.... And Chrysler is just sitting back waiting for people to die before they do anything about it. I called the Better Business Bureau and guess what they don't participate in it. How do you not participate in the BBB? They are sweating us under the rug and we need to to stop them from doing this. Allowing people to drive the unsafe vehicles is crazy, yeah if I had the money I would get a new van. I want a class action lawsuit filed.

- amanda55316, Champlin, MN, US

problem #3

Apr 142014

Town & Country Limited 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

We have had several annoying problems:(1) Heater/Air-conditioning fan failure; replaced resister and not fixed. (2) transmission would not complete shift series and would just hang; had to drive about 25 mph. Shut off engine after arriving at destination, waited about a half hour and then it shifted as expected. (3) This past April while leaving our resort in South Carolina the engine suddenly quit; had no brakes or steering; stopped, turned off ignition and restarted and it seemed to work fine. I called dealer back in Michigan for advice and they told me bring it in when I returned home which I did and they were not able to find anything wrong; no codes etc.

I don't think I need to tell you what could have happened if that happened in traffic at the right time.

- tomhenrymi, Dorr, MI, US

problem #2

Dec 092013

Town & Country Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,301 miles

Engine has stalled while driving in 4 lane traffic in stop & go traffic. The engine stalled while driving down my residential street going about 15 mph. The engine has stalled on the highway while merging into traffic.

You have to put the van in neutral and restart the engine all while hoping you will not be hit by other vehicles.

- John S., Springfield, OH, US

problem #1

Mar 152014

Town & Country Limites V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

While driving minivan in slow speed (under 30), van completly shut off! Has happended twice over the course of 2 months. No power steering and breaks hardly worked. DVD and radio kept playing so not a "power outage". The next day the check engine light came on. Took to the dealership and the only code was for EGR valve. At first the technician didn't connect the two. He said there was no code explaining to stall. After they contacted Chrysler, apparently the EGR valve under low RPM's (if fully open) can cause the vehicle to stall and it would affect breaking power. With that said, 2009/2010 van were recalled for an ignition problem that was fixed by a plastice insert into the ignition housing. Am having both done to my 2008 just in case. Hopefully that will fix it.

- April J., Lima, OH, US

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