Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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 July 5th my fiancee and my 2 daughters were driving to meet her aunt in new jersey interstate 80. While driving my Chrysler Town and Country 1997 at the normal speed limit she noticed the vehicle smoking in the front vents. As the smoke progressed she was concerned and went to pull the vehicle over, as she did she was not able to use the brake initially and rode several meters before the car would come to a stop (over on the highway). As she pulled over she saw the car start to catch fire, while driving with our children ages 2 and 10 months in the back from the gas line side, she quickly unfastened the kids and was able to single handedly rescue them from the vehicle as the minivan was on fire. I am extremely concerned that a car from 1997 maintained well would just explode into flames during a trip without any warning or without being hit. I have owned this vehicle for 5 years. …
Nar 06/19/2003. Soon after the consumer purchased the vehicle he noticed the parking brake did not work. The vehicleh had a flat tire before entering the interstate. The car was taken to the service dealer to have the brakes repaired, but it was evident that the parking brake was defective. Along with the parking brakes several other problems existed with the vehicle. A belt tensioner and tune up was needed. There were two recalls were issued for the fuel rails and clocks springs. However the dealership failed to recognize other malfunctions like the parking brakes in which the consumer felt a recall needed to be issued. Please investigate and give prompt response. The consumer was told the reason the parking nrake did not work was because the vehicle needed disc pads, brake shoes rotors and drums because they were glazed and could not be resurfaced. …
Consumer put vehicle in drive and vehicle experienced surged, crashing into a church, consumers foot was not on the accelerator at any time, the air bags failed to deploy. Consumer recently experienced a bad fuel smell and difficulty starting vehicle, a dealer stated that they could not find any problems and that the consumer needed to take the vehicle back to the dealer where it was purchased, consumer had the fuel pump replaced.
January 2003 - r & r cross over pipes had a crack. Had to replace January 2003 - 3 lugnuts fell off. Had to replace July 2003 - key cylinder locked up. Had to replace and had the car towed. October 2003 - fuel pump went bad. Part broke inside the gas tank. Had to remove the tank and buy a new part. I have a Toyota with 128K miles and it has never had any of these problems! I'm thinking about trading the van in.
Defective fuel sending unit malfunctioned, causing incorrect reading in the fuel gauge which indicated the tank was full, but actually did not have any fuel. This could cause vehicle to stall. Vehicle has had a serious rear end collision. There was a recall for 1997 cherokee, but not for the Town and Country which hs the same problem. Please provide further information.
Fire started in engine compartment burning the fuel rail. There is recall 00V268000 for a fuel rail leak on this vehicle. Dealer has been contacted. The vehicle was burned but not destroyed.
Engine has quit without warning while being driven six times between 1/1/00 and 5/17/00. It has occurred at all speeds, sets no codes, does not hesitate, stumble, spudder, just quits like you turned off the key! On several of these occasions accidents were almost caused by vehicles behind my vehicle not realizing my deacceleration and stop. Replaced fuel pump, knock sensor, crankshaft sensor..
I replaced the fuel filter about 6 months ago and put about 6 months ago. We were going to church and the van quit on me. I pulled off to the side of the road and could smell gas. Gas was leaking almost onto the muffler. This could have been catastrophic. The fuel line shouldn't be running so close to the exhaust line. I thank god that the van didn't catch on fire.
Dt: the contact smelled gasoline when parking her vehicle in the garage. She took the vehicle to the mechanic. He took the vehicle apart and the mechanic found there was a recall #00V268000 for the fuel injection system. He took the vehicle to the dealership. They state the recall work had already been performed prior to her purchase.
Was told that plastic fuel tank warped and allows gasoline to leak from the connector between fuel tank and line leading to engine. This created a very dangerous situation by puddling gasoline under the van. Was told by the dealer that this defect was not uncommon. Dealer indicated that the entire gas tank must be replaced.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
Vehicle description: Mini vans built with 3.3l and 3.8l engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail could result, increasing the likelihood of a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Dealers will install a seal on the vehicle fuel rails to prevent external leakage of fuel from the fuel rail crossover tube, should the existing o-rings continue to degrade. Owner notification began on January 25, 2002.
NHTSA investigations
Post-collision fuel system integrity
There is no summary currently available
Post collision fuel system
Fuel System complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country, 6% of the model year's 388 complaints. The component named most often is fuel injection system (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chrysler Town and Country fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-268 (fuel injection system, Sep 13, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1997 Chrysler Town and Country fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.