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 2006 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My son hit a 2000 pound cow at 40 MPH. It was standing in the road after a curve. He never had time to hit the break but stopped instantly. It hit head on and then flew up into the windshield. The front end caved in and the radiator was bent into the engine. The van is a total loss. The airbag never deployed. We checked on line and other years around our van had a recall but not ours. I reported it to Chrysler but they said airbags don't go off when you 'drive through an animal'. I've known people who have hit deer with less damage and their airbags did go off.
2006 Chrysler Town Country. Vehicle uses approximately 1 quart of oil every 2,000 miles. This has been doing this since vehicle was purchased new. Was told by dealer normal oil consumption. Oil usage is through exhaust system that causes damage to catalytic convertor that restricted exhaust gas flow. Vehicle restricted exhaust gas flow caused engine power loss sufficient enough not to be able to maneuvers roadway grades. Vehicle not being able to maintain posted speed limit caused vehicles behind to pass that almost caused head on accident. Catalytic convertor was replace at owners expense for safety reasons. Was told by dealer vehicle is more than 10 years old and out of warranty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who was unable to diagnose the failure. In addition, the contact mentioned that the vent fans stopped working and the check engine light stayed on. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The vehicle will stall after filling the fuel tank, usually within the first quarter mile. It will stall one or two times, requiring a restart, often in the middle of an intersection or pulling into traffic. This happens nearly every time the fuel tank is filled. There are many online forums that attest to how common this problem is in Dodge caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, and Jeep models.
When purchased in 2009 the vehicle had a just under 36000 miles on it and needed the electronic lock/unlock mechanism replaced on the passenger rear door. At ~40000 we had to replace the rotors and brake pads. We bought ceramic brakes with life time warranty. Vehicle returned to the service station 4 times in the next 6 months for squealing/grinding brakes. Each time they had to shave the rotors because they were warped. We were told this was a default with t&cs. We again need new rotors. The awful grinding noise when braking is horrific. Late 2010 the air bag light started randomly going off and on when turning the wheel. Though I am registered at Chrysler.com I never received recall information but have recently found there was a recall for this exact thing. Now, at just turned 64000 miles we need a new engine because of a rod. …
We purchased on 11/06/07 a used 2006 Town and Country from VIN devers [phone]) in toledo ohio. We also bought a service contract and the 8 year 80K mile warranty as this vehicle would be our family car. We have three young children. The first time we used the ac (05/19/08) we discovered it didn't work. It only blew warm air. We called VIN devers and they said it was not covered so we tried another Chrysler dealership in the area. They too explained it was not covered. Both dealership advised not to take it to the other dealership. After several phone conversations with both dealerships and being totally confused we finally gave up and paid for the repairs ourselves. I later called Chrysler's service center in auburn hills and they explained the repairs should have been covered. I am now working with the service center to have the moneys refunded. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Town and Country. While having the oil changed by an independent mechanic she was informed the vehicle was low on oil. The oil was replaced. Approximately 3 months later while having the oil changed by the same independent mechanic she was informed the vehicle must be burning oil because it was again extremely low on oil and there were no leaks. The oil was again replaced. Approximately 3 months later while parked the oil light began illuminating on the dashboard. More oil was added to the vehicle and the oil light stopped illuminating. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where she was informed it was burning oil at a normal rate so it was not repaired. The failure continues to recur. The failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 59,000.
Have owned this unit for over 1 year, after purchase in 2013, noted that on fuel tank fill up, after leaving the gas station, the engine would either die, or stumble. Potential hazard at the stop light pulling out into traffic. Would only happen after full fill up and not every time. Being aware of this I could plan accordingly. Research shows that the stumble or die happens with the purge system activation after eng start and short driving, ie, leaving gas station . If you do some research on line you will find the threads that lead you to the same conclusion. As a mechanic, I do feel that this issue, as reported in the press, is as big a problem if not more than the GM key recall issues. ( I have one of those cars too. )
Right after filling up her 2006 Town and Country with gas, my daughter and 2 small children pulled out of the gas station into a busy intersection and the van sputtered and stalled out right in a busy intersection. The van did restart and thank god no one was hurt or killed. Then 2 min. Later it stalled again. It started again and was able to get it home. I am her father and have some background in auto mechanics. I did some checking and it seems there is some problems with the charcoal canister on the fuel tanks that are the problem with these vans. Sounds to me like there should be a recall for this problem before someone gets killed. I know if my daughter and granddaughters get hurt or worse, I will sue the pants off Chrysler.
I have had multiple incidents with my van of it totally shutting down while driving both at high speeds and low. I have had it checked by Chrysler and they replaced a cam shaft sensor twice. The vehicle always restarts but all but one of the incidences when it shut down have left me/us in a very dangerous situation. Chrysler tells me they can not diagnose unless I do not restart the vehicle. I have a case # with Chrysler of [redacted]. The most recent incident was on vacation in florida 2/14 at highway speed and it was to dangerous to not restart and go.
Engine complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Chrysler Town and Country, 7% of the model year's 431 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 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 2006 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.