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 1997 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On ignition the vehicles dash gage instrument panel lights (odometer, gas gage, warning lights) do not turn on with ignition, vehicle runs 2-3 seconds and shuts off, with no sputtering or knocking. Searching online for problems of a similar nature many sites indicate the error May stem from an incorrectly soldered instrument display panel, specifically the ground return on the instrument circuit board.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving various speeds, the instrument panel gauges failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the electrical grid. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 40,000.
Well I'am having electrical issues now I close my hood and my 4 ways start blinking, I turn on my van and the ABS & and air bag light come on when I start it but never go off.the cv boot is bad and the half shalf on passenger side I think its making alot of sound when I go down the road ,I already brought brand new outter tie rod ends for both sides, and swag bar lings brand new for both sides springs and mounts, and struts the radio seems to fade in and out you can not see any station numbers or clock time on it so I figured its and elec issues and now in the last couple of day like about july29th, 2015 , I got back home and noticed my temperture light on dash came on and it said h it was it was hot, the day before I just paid for and oil change and thats because their was oil all over the engine and to find out the bolts were all loose but 1 which was striped, but anyways now my fans …
As we were driving down the expressway one day the gauges all froze for about 3 days and from that moment on the locks lock and unlock while the car is in motion, it is a continuous thing every time we get in the vehicle. My wife was driving oneday and the doors unlocked on her and the driver door slung open , the only way that I have been able to deal with this is by driving with the door not fully closed so that it will stop locking and unlocking, but that only lasts for so long then it does it at times when the door is not fully closed as well. This has got to be some kind of a manufacturers thing because my horn is not working either and it all has to do with my drivers side door. If there is some type of recall or answer please inform me in a hurry, this is a dangerous problem that really needs to be rectified.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the instrument panel gauges failed. The check engine warning indicator illuminated at the time of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician informed that the failure was related to the electrical grid. The vehicle had not been repaired due to the part being unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 84,900. Updated 08/15/13
Tl-the driver owns a 1997 Chrysler Town and Country. The driver began to notice that all of the gauges on the instrument panel would drop to zero intermittently. The failure recurred while driving or while stopped. The check engine light also began to illuminate on the dashboard so the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure continues. The failure mileage was 91,500 and the current mileage was 92,000. Sm.
Tl contact owns a 1997 Chrysler Town and Country. After starting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the instrument panel no longer functioned. The failure continued to occur. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000. The current mileage was approximately 164,000. Updated 9/1/10 the consumer stated the problem was due to a bad connection at the end of the wiring harness. Updated 09/14/10
1997 Chrysler t&c van repeatedly loses all dash gauges so you can not tell how fast you are going etc.. ABS light and service engine soon light come on. No remedy as of yet . Had one mechanic tell me it was the body control module but it would cost over $900 to replace{and that might not fix the problem!}. Also lost wiper function, I have to use the wash function to clear windshield when it's raining or snowing. Mechanic said that is related to the BCM also.
The evaporator heater coil and expansion valve malfunctioned. Prior to this, the air conditioner was not cooling the van. This happened since January 2002. The consumer was told by the manufacturer there was no recall on the above parts. The battery had been replaced on four occasions, the rear brake drums, the serpentine belt and tensioner had been replaced. Also the horn, driver seat rack and grill were replaced.
While driving 45 MPH electrical system failed. As a result, headlights/windshield wipers, and horn failed. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, and mechanic determined that electrical wiring harness failed, and it will cost $1300 at consumer's expense to fix it. The harness was installed at the factory under the battery. The battery corroded and acid leaked onto the harness which caused varying electrical problems. Nm
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 1997 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 78 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country, 20% of the model year's 388 complaints. The component named most often is horn (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chrysler Town and Country electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 5 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 1997 Chrysler Town and Country electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 145,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 5 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.