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 2003 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Hello my name is [redacted] I am a survivor of a car crash I was on the way from picking my son up from school driving a man in front of me was drunk driving and as a mother I swerved to protect my son from getting hit which I didn't know was I actually didn't save him he suffered from multiple brain injuries and fractured bones in his face broken ribs he later died from the airbags not deploying in my 2003 Chrysler Town and Country lx his seatbelt didn't protect him and he was thrown out of the van. I have been trying and trying to get chryslers attention don't know why airbags didn't deploy. My son's name is [redacted] born August 18 2008 died on my birthday January 29th 2016 I just want justice for my son. See also odi 10872127.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler Town & Country Mini van. While driving 35 MPH the contact lost steering power and control of the vehicle after driving on an icy patch on the highway. The contact tried to turn right into the direction of the skid but the steering wheel locked and it would not move. Due to the steering locking the vehicle spun to the rear end and hit an embankment. The vehicle crashed into a ditch and rolled over 3 times and returned to the upright position. The front driver's side tire blew out and the airbags didn't deploy. The seat belts did not secure the contact and the passenger. The contact and passenger were transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital due to their injuries. There was a previous recall on the vehicle campaign# 04V386000 with steering, hydraulic power assist; hose, & piping connections. …
The airbag on the passenger side blew up. On robin hood rd when car was almost stopped for a traffic light on buena vista rd. When the airbag blew up with my daughter-in-law in that seat. Calling Chrysler they said there was no recall on it and they would do nothing because of the age of the car. A month earlier I spent $2000 on repairs on this car and now it is useless. Starting the car it smells like it's going to catch on fire. The car was in motion and almost at a complete stop for a traffic light when the airbag exploded which was very scary. When I first called Chrysler they ask the location of the car and LED me to believe someone from Chrysler would examine the the van and then a week later calling I found out they were denying anything because of the age of the car. …
I came to a stop - 3 other cars in front of me. I was driving a 2003 Town & Country van. Was hit in the rear by a pick up truck going around 40-45 miles per hour. When he hit my drivers seat went back and broke. I was then thrown forward thru my seat belt and uptowards the windshield. He he me again (car jerked and I went back) seat broke - air bag never deployed. Have severe neck problems - torn disk in lower back - pain all down the right side of my body constantly - never sleep - seen doctors waiting for injections. If that doesn't work next step is surgery. Why did my seat break - if it didn't I probably wouldn't have such medical problems. If my child was sitting behind me, they would have been crushed, paralized, killed. Seats should withstand crashes. Airbags should also have been deployed. Close to $10,000 in rear and front damages. Something should have worked.
Please note that my mother's airbag detonated on it's on while she was driving home. She had brought the vehicle in twice as you can see from the attached documentation. Gandrud and Chrysler are refusing to repair the faulty air bag. My mother's car is not drive-able without a horn per our understanding and a danger to her without said air bag. We need your help as these seems to be such an injustice especially when she is not going after them for damages to her for being whipped around in her car. She just wants her car repaired and the defective airbag replaced. We pray you can help us get answers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler Town Country. The contact was exiting a parking lot and crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis where the dealer stated that the air bag sensor was not activated. The contact stated that the air bag senor was never turned off. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 123,000 and the current mileage was 123,510.
The airbag did not inflate while the vehicle ran off the highway and into a ditch and over turned onto the passenger side, then came back upright on it's tires. The passenger was seriously injured, he later died as a result of his injuries sustained in the accident. See also odi 10917404. ...updated 12/11/17
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving at various speeds, the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was sporadic. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure milage was approximately 118,000.
We were hit broadside by a vehicle that ran a stop sign on the passenger side. We are equipped with side airbags that failed to deploy. Chrysler investigated and stated the airbags operated correctly and gave us no contact information to discuss this with them. My wife received hip and back injuries.
Possible defect 2003 Chrysler t & c limited - air bag failure - offset left front crash at approx. 25 MPH - all air bags failed to deploy - force was strong enough to break left front axel and upper control arm. Dealer notified of problem.
Airbag complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country, 10% of the model year's 245 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chrysler Town and Country airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 2 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 2003 Chrysler Town and Country airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 16 injuries and 2 deaths 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.