Chrysler / Town And Country / 1996

1996 Chrysler Town And Country problems

Owners have filed 1,411 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Town And Country with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 14% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 13.4%.

Complaints1,411

Crashes42

Fires89

Injuries40

Deaths14

What owners report breaking

Engine and engine cooling 14.0% · 198

Fuel system, gasoline 13.4% · 189

Power train 11.5% · 162

Electrical system 9.5% · 134

Air bags 9.0% · 127

Visibility 6.0% · 84

Service brakes, hydraulic 5.5% · 78

Steering 5.5% · 77

Severity

Of those complaints, 42 describe a crash, 89 describe a fire, 40 report an injury and 14 report a death.

Reading the numbers

Across the 24 model years of the Chrysler Town And Country in this data, 1996 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2008 draws the most.

Filings are rising — 10 in the last three years against 6 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.

The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 97,500 miles.

In owners' own words

Auto transmission failed and was replaced after 46,856 miles. Fuel gauge reads empty when 5 or 6 gallons remain - tank replaced, problem never fixed. Windshield wipers will come on by themselves, switch replaced problem still exists. Electric cooling fans failed, module and relay replaced. Driver window moter and regulator failed. Air conditioning compressor leaked, a/c hoses leaked all new system put in. Engine and engine cooling

Cylinder head towers supporting rocker arm assemblies on both cylinder heads cracked and cylinder heads had to be replaced. Mechanic stated he had seen this on at least two other Chrysler 3.8L v-6 engines. Replacement cylinder heads had beefed up towers. Chrysler refused to pay for replacements as warranty was for 60,000 miles and problem was not diagnosed until 64,000 miles. *Nlm Engine and engine cooling · reported at 64,000 miles

During a light rain, I drove my 1996 Chrysler town & country through 2 inches of standing water. The water splashed into the engine compartment and caused the serpentine belt to jump off the pulleys. Internet discussion groups shows that this is common complaint among 1996 - 2000 Chrysler t & c owners. I have purchased an aftermarket kit designed to prevent this from occurring. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 215,000 miles

Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Safety recalls

Checking NHTSA for open recalls…

Other Chrysler Town And Country years

1992 167 complaints · 39.5% service brakes, hydraulic 1993 273 complaints · 44.7% service brakes, hydraulic 1994 198 complaints · 17.7% power train 1997 546 complaints · 15.6% air bags 1998 397 complaints · 18.6% engine and engine cooling 1999 485 complaints · 13.6% electrical system

Compare all 24 model years →