Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a front end collision in which it was impacted by another vehicle at 55 MPH. Front passenger's side air bag deployed with so much force and speed that it caused severe bruising to the passenger's upper body. The passenger was unable to lay flat, and was taking pain killers to ease the pain.
The vehicle was traveling westbound when it hit the left lane guardrail at 65 MPH, then spun to the right shoulder lane and hit the other guardrail head on. It then came to a halt upon spinning 180 degrees facing the south part of the highway.
While driving the transmission failed and the vehicle was unable to shift gears. Transmission was replaced twice, however the problem recurred. The horn airbag and cruise control have been replaced. The vehicle had brake problems. The dealer determined that the front brakes were at 45% but the rear brakes were at 70%. The dealer cleaned and adjusted the brakes. The A/C failed, the dealer replaced the fan module. The power door locks failed. The cd player doesn't work. The low beam head lights do not provide enough light therefore the consumer has to leave the high beams on to see. This problem has been checked three times but the dealer said they seem correct. The passenger seat broke. The starter failed and as a result the vehicle would not start. The steering pump failed and as a result the steering wheel became tight when making turns. The rear heater lines were leaking. …
I have a 1996 Chrysler Town and Country minivan and for over a month the air bag light began to stay on. I didn't worry about it as I believed that it was likely that my air bag still worked, but I was certainly wrong about that. My cruise control was and still is operating erratically. Yesterday I discovered that the horn did not work. I also was told that all three problems were likely caused by a broken or damaged clock spring. I believe that Chrysler should definitely b e required to issue a recall regarding these serious safety defects (the air bag and the horn are safety equipment) and repair it completely for the owners at no charge. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*763081
Consumer was traveling 55mph and another vehicle cut in front, causing a head on collision. Front airbags didn't deploy. Consumer and passenger sustained major injuries. Both vehicles were totaled. Weeks before accident, consumer had been back and forth complaining that airbag light was going on and off, and horn stopped working. Dealer didn't have a remedy as to why the ABS light was coming off.
The spring in my steering wheel has broken, airbags are inoperative, horn is inoperative, not to mention the other things that won't work because of it. I understand there was a recall on it...up to 70,000 miles, I never received anything about this, I was only told that it would cost 250 dollars to get it fixed by Chrysler.
1996 Chrysler Town and Country minivan airbag light comes on and stays on. Horn does not work. Cruise control does not work. Article in newspaper indicated that the national highway traffic safety administration is investigating model years 1998 and 1998, but I am experiencing this problem with 1996 model.
The air bag light started coming on intermittently. Currently, the air bag light stays on all the time. Consumer does not have air bags, and the dealer wants $200.00 to make the repairs. Dealer repair airbags at no cost to consumer. Consumer added dash lights are not working properly.
Vehicle experienced a 45 MPH frontal collision in which driver's side air bag did not deploy, impact was on front of driver's side. Dealer/manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Vehicle was involved in a rear end collision at 45 MPH or less and neither air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer have not been notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
On certain Mini vans, the clockspring assembly May have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. An extended lifetime warranty will also be placed on this component for all affected vehicles, regardless of mileage.
NHTSA investigations
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
Defective air bag crash sensor
Cfas sent a follow-up letter on December 12, 1996, to change the intent of the petition to airbag aggressivity and deployment variability.NHTSA received the letter on 12/12/96; accordingly, the petition due day was changed to April 12, 1997.cfas petitioned the agency to conduct an investigation to determine whether the airbag crash sensor and/or deployment systems for the 1991-92 Chevrolet corsica/beretta, 1990-92…
Airbag complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 124 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country, 13% of the model year's 938 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (16 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chrysler Town and Country airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-293 (frontal, Nov 7, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Chrysler Town and Country airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.