Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
While driving the van in town it completely shut off. I was driving straight at 35 mph. It would not restart and had to be towed to service garage. When it shut off the first time all of the dash warning lights came on for a second then shut off. The garage said the ignition switch had to be replaced and the main computer. Then the Chrysler dealership had to flash the computer. They said they did and I drove the van 20 miles at 55 mph and it shut off again. No codes were shown when tested. I was able to get it started again after 20 minutes of sitting and tried to drive it again and it kept shutting off while driving 65 mph on the interstate. After several shut offs and finally getting it restarted I was able to get the van to a safe place to have it towed. …
I purchased the van from a private owner 2 hours prior to this happening. He told me it overheats some. I called my Chrysler mechanic in mt. Victory, oh and asked him if he could look at him. He told me to bring it down. I was traveling about 35mph on st rt 31 s and it started overheating. I pulled over and turned it off. Smoke was coming from under the hood. I was calling for a tow and I heard the sound of fire crackling and smoke was coming through the vents. I immediately got out of the van and told the person I was talking to I needed to call 911 because it sounded like the van was on fire. Flames and heavy smoke started shooting out from under the driver's side of the hood. I had called 911. The hardin county sheriff's dept, ohio state highway patrol, kenton fire department, and bkp ambulance service arrived. …
Power steering failure and water pump failure smoking under hood and power steering fluid all on the exhaust system almost caught fire.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the brakes squeaked and pulsated when depressed. All of the brakes and rotors were replaced. The air conditioner compressor made a grating and scraping sound and was replaced, along with the alternator. The contact was afraid to remove the key from the ignition because it would take ten minutes of jiggling to get it back in and start the vehicle. The vehicle would make a clunking noise when shifting into gear. The cylinoid was replaced. The gasket and seal on the water pump and the accessory belt were replaced. The contact was informed that the water pump needed to be replaced within six months. The liftgate was replaced as well. …
We are the original owner of a 2003 Chrysler t & c. In August, 2009, my wife began experiencing problems with the window motor suddenly becoming inoperable for a short period of time, then suddenly working again. One day, as I was driving the van, the check engine light came on. I immediately parked the vehicle. After a few days, the car restarted and the check engine light went off. However, on August 20, the check engine light came on while I was leaving a conference. After less than mile, then van began shuddering, the lights began blinking then the vehicle died. I was traveling at approximately 40 MPH when this occurred. The van would not restart, in fact the only thing I received was a click. I had the car towed home and again left alone. This time, the when I turned the key, the response was just a click. Also, there was an electrical drain that caused me to replace two batteries. …
Engine will die at a stop sign. Engine will also die while coasting between 30 to 65 MPH. There is no warning signs when this occurs. Obviously power steering will be lost instantly. Power brakes will also fade after three applications. After bringing the car to a full stop or placing the gear shift lever to neutral and cranking the engine it will re-start. This is an intermittent problem since 2009. Chrysler dealers are unable to pin point the problem due to lack of engine service codes. Over time they have changed fuel filters, throttle body cleaning, tune ups, crankshaft position sensor replacement, BCM re-learn etc. Internet blogs indicate this is a common problem with Chrysler Mini vans. Some technicians attribute it to electrical harness shorting. I wonder if there are any safety recalls or service bulletins issued by Chrysler. …
Dash board instrumentation failure and additional engine issues. Fuel gauge pegged. Tachometer and other gauges fluctuating, engine falters and stalls, all warning lights illuminate, radio becomes intermittent. Car alarm activates and will not shut off. Low voltage to dashboard cluster circuit board. Instrument error codes e400.1, e100.1, e100.3, e100.4, e100.5 dealership can not diagnose or repair issues, which happen while driving, often the car stalls and will not restart in traffic. Numerous internet reports of same problem by many people. (see edmunds.com, under Town & Country electrical problems) suggested repairs are re-soldering of circuit board cold solder joints in cluster board, and replacement of the cluster board. Recommend a safety recall of Town & Country's and voyagers from 2000-present to inspect for this issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that accelerating from a traffic stop the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that he was able to restart the vehicle after unplugging the battery for several hours. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ECM was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 154,511.
Noise started coming from engine compartment. Water indicator went to hot. Pulled over and car was steaming. After allowing car to cool, checked anti-freeze which was low. Refilled and started car. Anti-freeze was pouring out of coolant tubing at bottom and towards rear of engine. Shut car off. Inspected tubing. Tubing was rusted out. Called dealer and had car towed to dealer. The dealer replaced tubing under warranty ( 40 miles remaining). Dealer also mentioned that 10 cars were brought in for the same problem this week.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while decelerating at 25 MPH. There was no warning light illumination. The vehicle was taken to the contact's personal mechanic for a diagnosis, but no failure was discovered. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and again there was no failure discovered. The failure continued to occur and progressively got worse, so that the vehicle stalled while accelerating. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 94,000.
Engine complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Chrysler Town and Country, 10% of the model year's 245 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.