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 1997 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When vehicle is in park and the key is not in the ignition, the consumer can still shift the gears to reverse. Dealer has been notified. The rearview mirror had fallen. (assumed due to the heat) the consumer's daughter moved the gear shift down and in reverse and the second vehicle was adjacent but several feet behind the vehicle. The driver's side door was severely pushed forward and the front end of the second vehicle was damaged.
The flimsy plastic clips that hold the windows to the track of the power door windows are a hazard. They brake extremely easy and could leave a person trapped inside the car in a event of not being able to open the door. Our van is currently disabled to the plastic retainer clip braking. As an engineer myself I am appalled at the poor design. I'm sure the design was cheap to manufacture, but its totally incapable of surviving any stress. ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis***761559
Windshield wipers stop working, then start working, then stop again without warning. I never know when they will work or not. I have taken it to two different repair places and they can't diagnose the problem because wipers have not completely stopped working. It is very hazardous not knowing if the wipers will work or not, and no one seems to be able to fix them permanently.
Dear NHTSA: the problem is simple. The rearview mirror fell off the windshield because, I assume, the heat of the afternoon. Luckily, it did not occur while I was driving, but happened while the car was parked outdoors. It was a hot and humid day. (in newark, n.j.) I understand from friends this is becoming something of a regular problem and auto parts stores are now stocked with replacement kits. I went back to my dealer, and there was no problem getting it fixed. There is a problem, however, that it happened to a car that has only been on the road for 2 years 7 months. I've owned cars far longer -- from three to eight years -- and this has never happened before. …
While the vehicle was parked in front of my residence at approx. 8:30 pm I heard an exploding sound come from the van. I went outside to see what had happened and saw the rear window blown out from the inside. It was obvious that the window broke from the inside out because the glass was pushed out and completely shattered, a few chips of glass were on the outside of the van approx 3 to 4 feet away from the rear of the van, indicating the force with which the window blew out. I took some pictures to try and show the window and the obvious direction the glass was broken out in but since the window was shattered the glass started breaking apart and falling all over. I feel this is and extreme saftey hazard which might have been caused by the hot temperatures we were having or a defect in the rear window. …
Windshield wipers will not operate in cool damp weather (25-45 degrees f with high humidity). They cannot be controlled- sometimes operating for 10 minutes without being able to turn them off, sometimes they go into delay mode by themselves, and sometimes will not even turn on. This has been going on since we bought the vehicle in 2002. The same problem occured with our 1997 Dodge intrepid es which we sold in 2002 due to it being an electrical nightmare, a lemon from the factory. Though purchased new, the dealer would not make any effort to having the car replaced though we suffered through 3 years of warranty "repairs" for the same problem. Anyway, I digress...
From 27,928 mile up to the present had four serpentine belts replaced & repaired by various independent repair shops, but, problem still appears to be reoccurring, dealer / manufacturer were not notified at this time. Discharge line leaking from compressor to condensor causing ac not to work. Water pump failed. Windshield wiper switch shorted and was replaced. Exterior power mirrors shook while driving, dealer replaced switch. Transmission hard to downshift to first gear on slight downgrades, dealer made no repairs.
Rearview mirror keeps dislodging from windshield since the car was purchased in 1997. Last incident occurred during a lane change in traffic. Service manager indicated that this is a common problem especially with cars with heavy mirrors (electonics such as a mirrordimmer). Problem also appears to involve other brands. Recall to correct problem before a fatal accident occurs.
When you start up the vehicle, the intermediate wipers and wiper button both flash continuously, other buttons (ac and circulation) do not light up at all. Airbag indicator light goes on and off. Horn doesn't work on occasion. Wipers turn on by themselves sometimes. Occasionally doesn't start when raining or will die while driving in the rain.
The courtesy light in the door burned out. Nlm consumer states while his wife was driving vehicle the steering wheel suddenly became extremly difficult to turn, consumer was told that the vehicle needed new struts and a new rack an pinion, also the windshield wopers come on by themselves and the air bag light on the dashboard stays on.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1997 Chrysler Town and Country, 8% of the model year's 388 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Chrysler Town and Country window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.