Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
My minivan has been not wanting to start, the speedometer has been jumping all over the place . I had my fuel pump and filter replaced in December 2014 due to it not starting. Now within the last 2 weeks or so it started to act like it was going to die as I would be driving and sometimes it would jump out of gear. All this last week it has been giving me problems with starting and every time I would get out of the van it would smell like somethings burning. When I turn the key to start it all you could hear is a click, try to start it a couple more times and finally get it to start. Today it wouldn't start no matter how many times I tried to start it. I open the hood and looked at the battery and one terminal looks like it is burnt.
Soon after starting the car, the passenger power seat motor began to spontaneously smoke, emitting a putrid odor. After traveling approximately 2 miles (10 min in traffic) the smoke increased to the point that the whole compartment of the vehicle was filled. At that point the vehicle was parked and the engine was shut off. All passengers (two mothers and four children 3 or younger) evacuated the vehicle. The smoke continued to worsen and ultimately the fire department was notified. A fire extinguisher was used and after about twenty minutes all smoke stopped. The manufacturer was notified and recently claimed they had no responsibility or liability in the matter.
1996 Chrysler Town & Country lxi Mini-van parked at an off-airport parking lot was totalled due to a fire originating in the engine compartment. The vehicle was parked at approx 8:00 am. At approx. 1:00 am the following morning, parking attendants noticed vehicle on fire. Fire department called, responded and extinguished the fire by approx 3:00 am. Fire department foreman responding says fire originated in the engine compartment and suspected that it started from a engine compartment fuse box near the battery. Vehicle deemed a complete loss due to the extent of the fire.
Transmission stopped worked, electrical cluster waving back and forth before and after transmission repair, newly installed transmission broke down 5 days after installation, repair shop claims electrical system not working properly and is cause of transmission breakdown.
I have already filed a verbal report on the phone, however my van that we purchased new caught fire on sept. 19. 2000. I, e. Amanda harris wasthe primary operator of the vehicle. I just wanted to add some additonal info. To the original report. We had always taken the car to be serviced and at one such time I complained to the dealer that whenever I filled the van up with gas I smelled gas fumes inside of the van as if something was leaking. They returned the van indicating nothing was wrong. During the first 30 days after I purchased the vehicle one of the sealent rings fell off and the transmission fluid poured out. I was stranded dangerously on the side on the road during rush hour traffic with five children. We used the van for family travel also. On the day of the event it was the grace of god that the vehicle didn't blow up with my children in the vehicle. …
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. …
Entire vehicle electrical system shuts down without warning while driving, causing loss of engine power, power steering, and power brakes. This is extraordinarily dangerous during any but the slowest, straight ahead driving, as it results in a nearly complete loss of maneuverability. In the event of such a complete shutdown the vehicle cannot be effectively accelerated, braked, or turned, and lights and windshield wipers also fail. Furthermore, the windshield wiper delay malfunctions continuously in cold weather, resulting in complete loss of wiper function at times. Multiple attempts at diagnosis and repair, including some parts replacement by the dealer, have failed to eliminate any of the aforementioned problems.
On a few seperate occasions while driving my 1996 Chrysler Town and Country my daughters seatbelt has just released without any warning. During 3 sudden stops the seatbelts have unlatched by themselves and one time while driving down the road my seatbelt came undone after I adjusted myself in my seat. We just bought this van 2 months ago. Also, without warning the body control module took out my entire electrical system, including my radio. There should be a sensor that it is going bad before it actually goes. Even after going to jack powell Dodge to have it all fixed, the horn doesn't work , the stereo is messing up, the instrument cluster is messing up, and the windshield wipers don't seem to work properly.
Consumer brought vehicle in for repairs to the dashboard lights. The problem had fixed with no further difficulties. Two and a half weeks later on aug 25 the vehicle burned up from a fire which originated from the dashboard area. This was an electrical fire that came about with out any warning. Consumer is requesting monetary reimbursement for expenses. The visor hooks were replaced prior to incident.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
Electrical complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 120 complaints about the electrical system of the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country, 13% of the model year's 938 complaints. The component named most often is horn (52 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chrysler Town and Country electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Chrysler Town and Country electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 11 fires and 3 injuries to electrical system 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.