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 1997 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Town and Country. While the vehicle was parked, the driver and passenger side air bags deployed without warning and smoke filled the vehicle. The contact was able to safely exit the vehicle with minor injuries to the hand. The manufacturer was not notified. The dealer was notified. The contact was afraid to drive the vehicle. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was aware of NHTSA campaign number: 02V293000 (air bags) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 175,000.
At an impact of approx 100mph, the passenger airbag on my 97 Town & Country lxi deployed however the driver airbag didnot. The impact was the front driver side and down the side. Why would the driver airbag not deploy?
My 16 year old son was driving our 1997 Chrysler Town & Country Mini van. He was traveling at about 30 MPH. He hit a truck that was parked along our street. The impact to our van was on the passenger front side. Neither the driver side airbag nor the passenger airbag deployed. Both passengers in the front hit the windshield. The driver was wearing his seatbelt, but hit both the steering wheel (which bent) and the windshield. My van is totalled and the truck needs a new bed and back fender all replaced. I am concerned that the seatbelt did not restrain my son and also that the airbags did not deploy from this impact. Please respond - thank you, kari kienitz
Purchased as used vehicle with the premium warranty offered by dealer. Air bag light remains on, warning horn does not work and cruise control is inoperative. Took the vehicle to Chrysler dealer this morning and seemed to me the other three customers at the counter had the same complaint all echoed my problem. While discussing it another customer "chimed in" I had mine fixed last week- under warranty. Got called 2 hours later to inform me it needed the clock spring replaced to the tune of $227.60. Would like to get all or some of this back and a warranty on repair. **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*763547
Request reimbursement for numerous multi-function switch replacements. The problem caused the turn signals and horn to work intermittently, also the windshield wipers turned on by themselves. By the fourth failure the consumer took the vehicle to an independent car center and the problem was diagnosed as a broken clockspring. After two years of the ongoing problem and asking if there was a recall, the consumer then discovered there was a recall on the clockspring.
I went to dmv to have my car inspected and was given a report that stated several parts on my vehicle were recalled. I am trying to find out if vehicle can be serviced for free from dealer because of the defects or will I have to pay for them? Parts listed under recall were rc-j25-09 emissions recall j25 mopar value line catalytic converters my car failed for emissions problems b24-clockspring safety recall - lifetime warranty 895- safety recall fuel rail seals.
When slamming on the brakes to stop in an emergency, brake pedal went to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance, and the vehicle crashed into the rear end of vehicle in front. There was no deployment of the driver's side or passenger's side air bags. Owner waiting for help from Chrysler about the crash. Prior to crash brake service light can on and dealer turned it off and said nothing was wrong.
This defect effects air bag and horn at the same time. This is a safety issue. We can not count on the air bag to work nor the horn to function in an emergency. I think its quite unusual that both are not functioning. Thank you for your concern and attention. Ph **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**765869
Van unexpectedtly surged forward at high speed from a parked position to cause a crash of incredible destruction to the church, without foot on accelerator. The air bags did not deploy. Consumer is smelling gas, consumer can not find any problems. Consumer states vehicle is hard to start.
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.
Airbag complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 84 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country, 22% of the model year's 388 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 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 1997 Chrysler Town and Country airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries and 1 death 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.