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 1998 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This vehicle had two clock spring failures with the air bag warning light staying on. The first occurred at 3000 miles. The second failure caused cruise control to cease working. With power steering complaint, the vibration and grumbling in the steering at slow speeds was a cause of concern. After the steering rack was replaced, and longer steering hoses placed on the vehicle, the vibration continued in the steering, although somewhat subdued. The steering pump flow control valve was worn. When the fluid reached operating temperatures, the vibration increased and became more noticeable when driving for several hours. The steering felt non-responsive going into turns at slow speeds. …
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while starting the ignition, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The failure recurred when driving various speeds. Additionally, the horn and cruise control became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. There was a recall associated with the failure under NHTSA campaign id number 04V480000 (air bags) however, the contact's VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000. Updated 05/19/14 ma the consumer repaired the clockspring. The consumer stated the failures all occurred before 118,000. The vehicle needed to be repaired when it was purchased. Updated 06/04/2014
Vehicle continues to turn off when slowing down and must restart vehicle while approaching a light or going up a hill. Vehicle taken to repair shop prior and could not find anything wrong with vehicle, repair shop confirmed issues. Have report from shop indicating concern for safety while driving vehicle. Looked for recalls regarding this and nothing reported. Again, vehicle stops running intermitently and must restart vehicle. All power to vehicle stops.
The airbag light had been on for months and was on when I bought the car last November, 2013. So it had been on for an unknown period of time. The horn and cruise control stopped working after I blew the horn at someone who did not turn on green arrow in front of me. I am sure it was the clockspring which operates those three features. The dealer would not fix it at Chrysler's cost because the VIN number was not part of the clockspring recall.
My air bag light would come on and go off and now it just stays on and horn does not work, I just learned there was a recall on the clockspring part a few years ago but I just bought the car used in April of 2006 and a few months ago I just had a brake problem fixed because light came on and that cost over $400.00 which I had to open an account to pay for as I am on disability and could not afford that amount so I sure can't pay hundreds of dollars again for something that is a defect. So far have not taken in to be checked as did not know what problem was until I started searching the web, had asked others in prior month but no one knew what could be causing it and had no cash to take it in.
There has been a recall of the 1996-98 minivans for the clockspring failure. Dealer says that my van is not covered under this recall and Chrysler's customer service center is of no help either. My 1998 t&c exhibits the exact same issues as the other minivans affected by this defective device (airbag light, cruise & horn not functional). The airbag and horn are safety devices and must be replaced/repaired. I have had to replace this part at my own expense. Why is my vehicle not covered under this recall? It has the same manufactured date, same issues, same defective part... I expect Chrysler to pay for this repair ($233.94).
Recently, my air bag light went on and is now illuminated continuously. Simultaneous to this, the horn stopped working. I have seen on the internet where others have had similar problems. Apparantly, it is a defective "clock-spring" device. This is a serious manufacturers' defect which renders the horn and the air bag useless. The vehicle cannot be driven nor will it pass inspection. What can I do to have Chrysler repair rthe defect? Thnak you.
Air bag light has come on and will not go off also, the cruise control and the horn assembly is inoperable. Consumer has not taken vehicle in to dealership to be examined. Consumer states the horn went out, as well as the steering column which locked and vehicle had to be towed into dealership and the parts had to be replaced, also the cigarette lighter does not work.
Air bag light started flashing on and off while cruise control failed to engage or operate properly. Also, cigarette lighter recepticle failed to operate. The dealership has not examined vehicle to determine a cause for these problems. Consumer states horn is inoperable for the second time now. Ignition switch failed and was replaced.
The airbag light kept coming on, took to dealer, couldn't find problem. Cruise control stopped working. Found out it was the clockspring. Had to replace it myself at a cost of $90.00, would have cost almost $400.00 to have dealer install.
Related recalls
Air bags
On certain minivans, the driver's air bag May become disabled due to a failure of the clockspring, which is located in the hub of the steering wheel.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all covered vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. For those vehicles with more than 70,000 miles, daimlerchrysler will offer an extended lifetime warranty under which it…
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.
NHTSA investigations
Driver air bag clockspring failure
Complaints report air bag warning light illuminates, and this May be accompanied with a non-functioning horn and/or cruise control (if equipped).this is indicative of an open-circuit clockspring failure (results in non-functioning driver's air bag), similar to the failure condition that was the subject of daimlerchrysler's recall of model year 1996-1998.5 minivans (recall no.
Driver air bag clockspring failure
The driver air bag clockspring can develop an open-circuit condition resulting in nonfunctional driver-side frontal air bag, horn, cruise control (if equipped), and/or steering wheel radio control (if equipped).in its October 5, 2004 letter to NHTSA, daimlerchrysler stated that it will conduct a safety recall and replace the clockspring assembly on all my 1998.5-2000 daimlerchrysler minivans, built between March…
Airbag complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1998 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Chrysler Town and Country, 15% of the model year's 296 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chrysler Town and Country airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-480 (air bags, Oct 6, 2004); NHTSA recall 02V-293 (frontal, Nov 7, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Chrysler Town and Country airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries 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.