Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Multiple times the van will intermittently stall while driving down the road or stopped in traffic. First the dash lights flicker, speedometer and rpm gages go to 0, and warning lights such as esp, traction, abs, airbag, battery etc flicker on and off and occasionally hear almost a spark through radio speakers, then everything shuts off, both electrical and mechanically. When that happens I lose power steering and cannot get my hazards or brake lights to work. One time I could barely press the brake pedal, or steer and it was at night which means the vehicle was completely dark with no kinds of lights at an intersection with my 2 children and myself inside. So very scary! It gives me the worst anxiety to drive it and I'm too scared to sell it as I feel I would be knowingly selling a very unsafe vehicle. Occasionally the sliding side doors do not operate properly. …
My wife went to the car to unlock it the horn began blaring, locks going up and down, lights flashing, wiper fluid spraying everywhere, and the car actually started up w/o the key in the ignition and we do not have a remote starter on the vehicle. I arrived and removed the battery cable and it all stopped. After a few minutes I replaced the cable and was able to start the vehicle without incident. I was driving it home at approximately 65 MPH and the vehicle suddenly started doing the same thing but the car cut off and I lost all steering and braking ability but was able to coast to the side parkway I was on. I removed the cable and replaced it and drove home without incident took the key out but the van would not shut off. One night of the issue we were awakened by the vehicles horn and when I went outside it was doing the same thing and the car was running in the driveway. …
While driving the van the windshield wipers came on, instrument panel lights began to flash, doors locked and unlocked and the engine lost power. The alarm system went off and could not be turned off. This has happened several times when driving and all the power is lost to the power steering, engine and lights. It is a very dangerous situation as it can happen on the freeway as well as on a city street. We have been stranded so many times and have fears to drive this van anywhere! We were stranded in seattle on a city street and had to wait two hours for a tow truck to tow it to the nearest dealer there. …
On 6/25, while driving down the highway I experienced some type of a power surge. The car started bucking, the A/C went off the horn started going off, the wipers started going off, the engine started revving. I was able to get off the parkway and pull into a parking lot. The things kept on happening until I turned the vehicle off. I tried to restart the vehicle, but it seemed like the vehicle was dead. Nothing worked. I had to have the vehicle towed to my house. On 6/27 I tried to start the vehicle and it srarted right up. I turned it off and tried to restart it, but again everything was dead. On 6/30 without doing anything the lights in the vehicle started flashing, the rear windshield washer started squirted washer fluid until it was empty, but the washer motor kept on operating. This lasted for about 20 minutes until it finally stopped. …
I took my car in for a recall on an ignition win module recall. The car was given back to me with several electrical issues and is now very unsafe to drive. Dealer replaced the part 4x now says its my issue!! My car was working properly when it was given to the dealer and was not returned to me in the same condition. The dealer experienced and witnessed this issue and says they cant find anything wrong with it. The only way they will help me is if I pay. My car will randomly light up the dash like I just turned it on, wipers go on by themselves, I have no dials on the dash they all bottom out to zero so I have no idea how fast im going, my turn signals and head lights go on and off, even in the dark! My car doesnt register in park so my doors wont open. After I take the key out it will light up as if key is in it and its not. …
At first, passenger HID low beam headlight was not working. Swapped out light and module, still didn't work. Switched with working driver headlight assembly, did not work. Took into dealer and received a quote of over $1100 to replace TIPM. Thought it was a ridiculous cost to fix a headlight. Removed connector and put back on the TIPM and headlights worked fine for several days. Driving the vehicle shortly after, both headlights just shut off while driving on an unlight road. Quickly turn fog lamps on to see the road. Tried removing and reinstalling connector several times with always same result, both headlights work a couple of times, then both either don't come on or shut off after on. Running lights sometimes turn off as well. Drive the vehicle only in day time now.
The glass on the van steams up to easily during cooler weather when no heat is turned on or vent. The body of the van collects water in the doors housing the glass in the sliding doors on both passenger and driver's side. No repairs have been made to body and a recent visit to a break shop even replacement breaks the van still makes squeaks at times. A recent bumper accident I shared with a body detailer said the back bumper seems off and needs repair, I have done no repairs on the body and the van is in the original condition from owners that transferred it to me. I also feel the lighting for after leaving the van trunk light stays on anytime a door is not open and have noticed the lights in the front of the van take a while to go off after locking and turning off veichle
While driving I had all computer screens shut down on me, meaning going blank. My radio turned off , the dvd player shut off, as well as my driver panel lights. This is the first time it has shut off on me, usually when I turn on the van either those functions work or they don't work. I also have issues with the tps, ABS, lights flashing at me including the engine light. It randomally will come on and randomally go off. Chysler told me for $3,000-$4,000 I can have the van rewired and have no van for about a month. I can not and will not afford this. I have summited other complaints about this van including the module recall. I don't know what to do this van is a safety hazard and a money pit.
The van passenger side door keeps opening and closing all by itself. The lights flash, then it unlocks itself and opens and closes over and over. The key fob will not do anything except open the passenger door, it doesn't matter what button you push. The door just keeps doing it and it can go on for up to an hour. We now have to disconnect the battery when we go somewhere otherwise we come back to an unlocked vehicle and an open door. The flasher also go off when this happens, it does it randomly so you never know what to expect. I have talked to some friends who are having the same problems. I think it is some kind of defect that the company should take care of.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving 45 MPH, the turn signals failed and the headlights failed to illuminate. In addition, when the vehicle was in park, the ignition switch failed to release the key. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V373000 (air bags, electrical system) and stated that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Headlight complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the lights of the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country, 3% of the model year's 1,939 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Chrysler Town and Country headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 7 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 2008 Chrysler Town and Country headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
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.