1997 Chrysler Town and Country problems & reliability
388 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
20 complaints report injuries (30 injured, 2 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 1997 Chrysler Town and Country vehicles were involved in 1 fatal crash with 1 occupant death. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 84 | 22% |
| Electrical System | 78 | 20% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 52 | 13% |
| Power Train | 42 | 11% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 42 | 11% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 38 | 10% |
| Visibility | 34 | 9% |
| Steering | 29 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 21 | 5% |
| Suspension | 18 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 97,077 miles (middle 50% between 63,100 and 131,564 miles), based on 85 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Electrical System · filed Jul 14, 2016
“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…”
Electrical System · filed Aug 24, 2015
“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…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Aug 1, 2015
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING
Engineering Analysis EA01007 · opened Feb 21, 2001 · closed Nov 22, 2002 · led to recall 02V293000
- DC MINIVAN FUEL INJECTOR RAIL LEAK
Recall Query RQ00008 · opened Mar 9, 2000 · closed Mar 18, 2002 · led to recall 00V268000
- POST COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM
Engineering Analysis EA99013 · opened Jun 11, 1999 · closed Aug 10, 2001
- POST-COLLISION FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
Preliminary Evaluation PE99010 · opened Feb 3, 1999 · closed Jun 11, 1999
- INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
Engineering Analysis EA97003 · opened Jan 31, 1997 · closed Aug 19, 1998 · led to recall 98V185000
- INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT BELT LOCKUP
Investigation SQ96016 · opened Sep 18, 1996 · closed Feb 4, 1997
Technical service bulletins
151 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country. The 10 most recent:
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Return: Wiring Assy - Engine You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return stock packaged before 2016/07/31 (31 July, 2016)of follow ing part…
23027 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 23, 2016
05182535AD - Lamp Assy ?Tail Light LT You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part number 05182535AD . See attachments for identifying…
23104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2016
Inspect and Return: Trim Cover Assy - A-Pillar Rt/Lt You have been identified as either having stock, or have stock in transit to your dealership. Please return suspect stock of part numbers: 1ZA04DX9AE, 1ZA05DX9AE. See…
23137 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 22, 2016
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1997 Chrysler Town and Country has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1997 Chrysler Town and Country?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 97,077 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.