Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
Three failures between 40000-69,500 miles! Windshield wipers are erratic. Some times operate by themselves, won't return to normal position, etc. Paid dealer to repair defective switch the first time, 'defective' motor the second time, and now have exact same problem again. I refuse to pay for repairs third time. Obviously a factory defect. ---dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis----769749.
He owns a 1996 Chrysler, Town& Country, only owner with 70,000 miles on the vehicle. Steering wheel popped off, mostly when turning the wheel to left. This happened often since 2005. Also, front and back windshield wipers came on at separate times when it was in off position for about one and half year.
Windshield wiper blades turned on by themselves, and door would not latch at times. Also, transmission/ fue lines/gas tank, and air conditioner went out and were replaced. Aftet warranty expired, thermostat overheated, causing a fire. Owner said vehicle has been a constant problem since purchasing it.
Windshield wipers ceased to function unexpectedly. Was able to start by using windshield washer function. This was a temporary solution as wipers only operated for two or three cycles. Starting or stopping selection switch did not correct the defective operation.
Intermittently the windshield wipers stopped working. The problem has occurred fifty times in a year and a half. The dealer had examined the wipers. The left front window was inoperative, the regulator assembly was replaced.
Automatic transmission occasionally would not shift into overdrive. Often occurred after deceleration from highway speeds. Only way to know was to observe engine RPM. Sometimes could reset by pulling off to side of road and turning engine off for a few minutes, then re-start. First remanufactured transmission also had problems. Second has been okay. Wipers on intermittent settings would wipe several times in a row, then not wipe for an extended period. Created visibility problems. First repair replaced multifunction switch. This didn't solve problem. Second repair replaced wiper motor. Noticed that the heater was not working. Shop determined the evaporator was not working correctly due to leaks. Only way to replace evaporator is to remove instrument panel; very expensive and time consuming.
Air bag light permanently on due to failed clock spring assembly, air bags disabled, also affected horn and cuise control. Vehicle suffers from unusual power drains/fluctuations, battery replaced 3 times within 3 1/2 years. Electronic door locks (four doors) frequently fail, can only service when failure is consistent. Vehicle occasionally stalls (abruptly) at any speed, throttle system serviced a few times (outside of tune-ups) with little benefit. Front and rear windshield wipers activate by themselves quite often (but never at the service shop/dealership), with no set pattern, multifunction switch replaced twice. All problems except for air bag (customer paid for repair as well as for other problems) still persist.
I was driving on the highway in the pouring down rain when my windshield wipers stopped working, I could hear the windshield wiper motor still going but the wiper arms would not move. We had pulled off the highway but there was nothing around for miles. We got back on the highway and my son would push the wiper arm down when it had went to his side so we could drive a little further to pull off the freeway in an occupied area. It had stopped raining and as we were driving the engine completely died on us, it would not start back up. My minivan had to be towed from a Town over 50 miles from where we live. I had my children in the minivan with me and it was a really terrifying ordeal.
This van has been nothing but a failure since I bought it. I have kept up the oil changes and maintenance as needed. The paint is coming of off the grill and the paint on the rest of the van is not holding up. I have replaced: timing belt 3 times power steering pump once the thermostat twice the relay switch three times and it still does not work the relay on the motor once the air conditioning is failing in the front the rear door lock on the passenger side doesn't work my transmission is going out very soon I am a single parent in a large metroplex. I need my car to get to work. I cannot afford to buy another car now.
(I believe this is a safety issue.) I have a 1996 Chrysler Town & Country. The windshield wipers turn on at will. Straight road, right turns, left turns - they just turn on for no reason at all. It is very startling. My local dealership said they're well aware of the problem, have always known about it, but it's my problem which I can take care of at my own expense. I think perhaps it should be looked at as a recall/safety issue. Your form asks for an incident date which I will put down, but this is an on-going *daily* issue. The date I put is the date I purchased the car.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country, 8% of the model year's 938 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Chrysler Town and Country window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.