Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The vechile stalls while driving down the road regardless of whether highway/city street driving, when attempting to restart it sometimes it starts right back up and other times it doesn't..when it does this jumping the vehicle does nothing. I have seen lots of people on the Chrysler Town and Country site below with the exact same problem: https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-t27257_ds554284 sometimes when attempting to restart it there will be a click click sound when its not starting...
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. …
The serpentine belt came off our Chrysler Town & Country in a driving rain storm. We were stranded in charlotte, north carolina 70 miles from home until after midnight when a friend came and drove us home. We left our van in a parking lot overnight. We are hoping that it is not vandalized or stolen when we go today to repair it. When this belt comes off, power steering is gone, which can cause an accident leading to serious injury or death. This is a common problem that all automobile mechanics and Chrysler van owners know about, but Chrysler refuses to acknowledge the problem. The fix is an aftermarket parts kit by gates (part number 38379K) and Goodyear (parts number 49215K) that the consumer must bear the entire expense of installing.
1996 Chrysler t&c minivan with 78,000 miles, being operated by wife, broke down in heavy rush hour traffic with kids onboard. The serpentine belt broke due to faulty belt tensioner. The belt had been replaced only two months previously as part of preventative maintenance schedule (just to avoid exactly what happed). Mechanic indicated that Chrysler t&c tensioners were prone to premature failure causing shredding of the serpentine belt. Belt affects power steering, cooling fan, charging system, etc. Wife, who weighs in at 95 lbs, lost all steering ability and was left stranded in middle of rush hour traffic with two kids until good samaritan arrived and 'manhandled' van off the roadway.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the steering wheel became very difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they advised the contact that the serpentine belt detached from the vehicle and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a total of six times due to the recurring detachment of the serpentine belt. The contact stated that the serpentine belt would detach whenever the weather was rainy or if it became wet. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 153,000.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the serpentine belt would not remain in place on the pulley in her vehicle. The belt has been replaced at least three times. The contact had to replace the tension pulley and the water pump pulley to keep the serpentine belt secure. There are only two belts left to be replaced and they are currently working properly. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for this component; therefore, they could not assist. The failure mileage was 115,619.
The serpentine belt on my 1996 Chrysler Town & Country lxi, makes a loud squeal and then falls off a week later. When driving in rain and going over a puddle the serpentine belt falls off this has happened so many times that I have installed brackets one by the tensioner and one by the pulley. The immediate & dangerous result is loss of power steering and power brakes next is water pump fails causing engine to over heat so unless you have a spare belt in your van at the time and the tools to change it you are let stranded.
Subject vehicle involved in side impact accident. Subject vehicle pulled away from a stop sign and was broad sided by oncoming full-size van. Subject vehicle immediately burst into flames (per witness statements). Driver and passenger were both unconscious. Bystanders were unable to get either out of burning vehicle due to doors being locked (auto door locking mechanism) and were unable to break windows out before vehicle was fully engulfed.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving between 40-50 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and jerked violently. The vehicle was taken to a local tire facility where the tires were replaced, but failure was located at the front motor mount connector. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 137,308.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel leakeage from rollover valve
There is no summary currently available
Engine complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 164 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country, 17% of the model year's 938 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (92 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 28 fires and 5 injuries and 3 deaths to engine & cooling 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.