Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Consumer state while traveling 70-75 MPH consumer heard a bang the the right rear end started to shutter and hit the ground causing loss of control, the right rear wheel and axle unit broke off the van and rolled across the freeway causing the van to roll over two and a half times, both occupants of the vehicle sustained injuries. * ts
On Monday, July 26, 2004, while on a Mini-vacation with my family in covington, kentukcy, without warning the transmission failed on our 1998 Chrysler Town & Country xli, which is well kept and has only 63,000 miles. This transmission failure placed my family in danger in a strange city, and required towing to the local dealer and rental of a vehicle to return home to louisville, kentucky, over 100 miles away. Marshall Dodge dealership in covington determined that the transmission required replacement and offer to conduct such replacement for nearly $2,500. Upon further investigation and inquiry, we had the vehicle towed to mr. Transmission to replace the transmission. Representatives at mr. …
Tl* - the contact owns a 1993 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving 10 miles or more and accelerating the vehicle shook. The contact stated it was not related to the steering. The front axle was replaced 3 times, new tires were installed, the wheels were rotated to ensure they weren't bent, and new motor mounts were installed and the failure continued to occur. This failure had occurred for over 2 years. The dealer and the transmission mechanic were unable to diagnose the vehicle. The ABS and brake warning lights illuminated each time the engine was turned on and stayed on for a 1/4 of a mile. This failure occurred for more than one year. The dealer stated that the failure was due to the ABS pump. The current and failure mileage was 130,000.
I own a 1998 Chrysler Town & Country lxi with 55,400 miles on it and the transmission completely failed with my wife and 4 kids in the car. Specifically, the parts that failed were: the sun gear, input hub, clutch drum and torque converter resulting in a $2837 repair bill. How in the world can a car with so little mileage have a major failure like this? This car isnt abused, its driven by my wife (around Town only) who shuttles 4 kids to school, scouting, soccer games etc... And is maintained by me, meticulously.
First problem occurred three days after we purchased this used. Transmission locked into neutral and would not disengage. This happened while driving. Vehicle had to be towed. Rebuilt transmission cost $1500. Got it back and 4 days later the fan to cool the engine went out. In the shop another 2 days costing an additional $180.00. Feel like I am hemmorhaging money on this car. Left drivers window switch doesn't work at times and window gets stuck in the open position.
First transmission problem was on a secondary road, had to turn around and when I went to back up would not go in reverse or forward. Had to be towed. Again having a problem with the transmission on August 23, 2003. It is jerking when I go into reverse or forward. Will have to be towed to garage. Last December was coming of an exit and bolt broke off from steering that goes into the transmission
I took my car in for an inspection and front brakes. They were working on it for awhile and asked the problem and they told me that my transmission was going didn't I hear the noise. Spent 2200 and brought it home and then didn't even get it in the garage and the cellanoid went. Fixed that and the van still doesn't shift right.
While driving on route 206 in new jersey (speed limit 50), I had slowed for a turning vechile. When I went to accelerate, the car would not go more than 30 miles per hour. I traveled on the shoulder of the road until I got it to a service station. The mechanic told me the overdrive was shot. The car had just traveled 80 miles on the parkway and interstate without any sign of trouble. I called chrsyler. Although my warantee had expired, due to the age of my car they offered to supply the parts and I paid the labor for repair. I paid roxbury chrsyler $1020 in labor for the repair. Three days later while on interstate 80, the same thing happened! I don't know how I managed to get off the road without injury. I took the car back, they said it was an unknown code. Chrsyler told the mechanic to reset and return the car. Even the mechanic was hesitant to give me the car. …
When we tried to back the vehicle out of our garage, we discovered that it would not engage reverse gear. We pushed the vehicle out of the garage to the street and found that it still had all forward gears. We took the vehicle to tuttle-click Chrysler in irvine. We were told that a differential gear had failed. It seems to us that this would prevent the vehicle from moving in either direction, so a broken differential gear probably was not the reason we couldn't use reverse gear. However, we still needed reverse, so the dealer replaced the transmission. Within the two weeks preceding the transmission failure, the windshield wipers began to operate spontaneously and the ignition lock became very difficult to operate. …
1998 Chrysler Town and Country transmission failed while driving on the highway. There was no warning prior to the failure. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer who indicated that the vehicle needed a new transmission. The consumer contacted the manufacturer for financial assistance but since the vehicle was out of warranty they refused any assistance. The belt and tensioner were replaced because they were noisy. The handbrake did not hold. The dealer replaced the lever and cable assembly. The front struts were replaced. The sway bar link was replaced because it was noisy. The rear hatch lock was inoperative.
Transmission complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Chrysler Town and Country, 10% of the model year's 296 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Chrysler Town and Country transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1998 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 1998 Chrysler Town and Country transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.