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 1999 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was cleaning out my van on Friday, February 4, 2005 after work while my 3 kids played outside. My van started rolling backward down the driveway (in park, car off, key out of ignition enough so it wouldn't beep at me) my 8 year old daughter had been sitting in the driveway behind my van drawing with sidewalk chalk. She had gotten up to get something out of her dad's car just in time to avoid being run over. My passenger door was open and so was his so they collided as my van rolled backwards down the drive. I hopped in the van and tried to apply the brake, but the only thing that stopped my van from rolling in to the road was his car. They "locked" together. I contacted Chrysler and they did send an inspector out, but a couple weeks later denied any responsibility. …
I was vacuuming my 1999 Chrysler Town & Country van before church when my 1 year old son pulled the shifter out of park and the van rolled down our driveway. The drivers door struck a tree causing $1800 damage. The keys to the van were in my pocket. Chrysler was contacted and sent an investigator out to determine what had occurred. I never received a copy of the investigation and contacted Chrysler to obtain a copy and was told by them that I would need a court subpoena to have a copy sent to me. My van taken to the local dealer by the Chrysler investigator to determine what was wrong. I was not given a copy of what they found and Chrysler would not send one as well without a subpoena. While the van was at the body shop, I noticed that nothing was done to correct the fact that the van can be taken out of park without keys in the ignition. …
I was driving on street and brakes went out. Did not hit anyone but had to drive to shop do to no brakes very slow. Brakes line rusted out and had to replace brake lines used emergency brake to stop and go. All parts of van is rusting frame that holds motor in rusted and can not trade in do to dealer said it is a safety factor and it can not be repaired do to rust.
Consumer's 3 years old child was able to put the key into the ignition switch, start the vehicle, and shift it out of park into drive without applying the brake pedal. This caused the vehicle to crash into a tree. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries to report. The dealer and manufacturer were notified.
Dt: the vehicle is a 1999 Chrysler Town & Country lx. Consumer took vehicle to tanner motors Dodge Chrysler Plymouth and Jeep 703 washington st. P.o. Box 484 brainerd, minnesota 56401 ph. No. [phone] on 6-23-05 because transmission broke. He picked it back up from dealer on 6-24-05, and on 7-11-05 the transmission exploded because of the drive train pin broke. At the time that transmission exploded there were 5 passengers in the vehicle. However, there were no injuries. Consumer stated that at least 80 percent of the pin broke. Consumer kept the pin. When the consumer contacted tanner motors he talked to a mechanic, who he told him that there was a known problem with 1997-1999. Models. When consumer asked for some kind of compensation mechanic told him he would have to consult the manager. As of now no one has gotten back with the consumer, who contacted the better business bureau. …
I have a 1999 Chrysler Town and Country limited edition, it started having transmission problems, I got that replaced, the lights that turn on the wipers and air keep blinking and will not turn off, the vans' panel lights won't cut on and the van won't start. When it does start, it cuts off after about 3 seconds. After it does that, it won't start again for 24 hours. Sometimes I unlock the doors and the locks relock themselves before I can open the door. The alarm cuts itself on and sometimes locks me out the car to where I can't put the key in the door. When I am able to cut the alarm off and try to start it, it will start for 3 seconds then cut off constantly until it doesn't start again. I have had my vehicle towed a number of times, no dealership I have talked to seems to know how to fix the problem. Some dealers won't even take the van as a trade-in. …
Following a routine oil change service by a sears auto center my transmission began to malfunction. I checked the fluid level and found it over-filled by over a pint. I pulled the excess out to get it to the proper level. When it continued to get worse I took it to the dealer. They found particles in the pan and said the transmission had to be replaced. Ts in talking to the sears auto center about the issue, it was revealed they do not even carry the proper atf (atf+3 or +4) for Chrysler transmissions. Obviously, when they "topped it off" they used dexron/mercon. Curious if sears auto centers generally did the same, I checked with another center and found the same procedure (I.e. Using the wrong fluid) to be in place, although their service manual specs tell them to use only atf +3 in that Chrysler transmission. …
On this day I was siting in my van with the ignition in the on position resetting my clocks in the vehicle I rested my hand on the shifter when it released from park into reverse gear without the engine running there are no brakes because of power braking you cant stop on a dime so I quickly engaged the parking brake to stop the vehicle from rolling down my drive. I immediately contacted Chrysler who claims they are not responsible for this issue since they did not install this saftey feature on any Chrysler Town and Country van to date also I have an issue with when it rains the serpentine belt falls off the pulleys if water splashes up onto the belt itself causing loss of brakes and steering due to this defect Chrysler is aware of this issue but again refuses to recall the vehicles for a safer fix something needs to be done beofe they kill someone.
I purchased the vehicle on July 14, 2005. When the weather turned colder, I would back the vehicle out of my driveway and it would fail to engage into drive for 25 to 30 seconds. At times it would also fail to engage after making a full stop. I believed this to be a dangerous problem. When I took it to the dealer, I was told they were using a "new and improved fluid". There was nothing they could do to remedy the situation. The service manager told me it happens on his new car also. If what he says is true I can't believe there aren't many thousands of complaints. What can I do about this dangerous situation? I used a November date as the incident date, but it happens many times.
While driving at any speed vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Driver applied the brake pedal and the vehicle vibrated. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The consumer stated that there is 12 month wait on repairs to his vehilce.
Transmission complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1999 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1999 Chrysler Town and Country, 12% of the model year's 362 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Chrysler Town and Country transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1999 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 4 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 1999 Chrysler Town and Country transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries and 9 deaths 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.