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).
While I was driving on the on-ramp to a highway my car hit a bump and lost control and I started sliding. Thankfully there happened to be no one coming. I noticed that when my van stopped halfway in a ditch and halfway on the left lane I went to move my vehicle it wouldn't move so I then noticed it was off but still in drive and the key was still on. So I put it in park and shut it off then turned it back on then was able to proceed driving but since then my ESP/bas, and traction control light have been on. After having that happened I had the recall on my van fixed. Well the lights are still there and now the driving is worse. I cant control my steering and they say it is my steering angle sensor. They also say my catalytic converter needs fixed and a PCM flash. Which I don't understand how all these problems started since my ignition unwillingly shut off. …
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. …
While driving on the road the motor dies as if I turned it off, so of course it's difficult to steer. I managed to get off to the side of the road. I decided to put it in neutral and try to start it. It started and off I went. Several days later the same thing happened so as I was coasting along, I just put it in neutral and was able to continue on. This has happened periodically over the past few years. Also, awhile ago, I pulled into my parking place at work and just as I was getting ready to turn the ignition off, everything went wild, horn honking, alarm going off, both front and back windshield wipers going full bore with the washer fluid spraying out! This continued for several minutes even though the key was out of the ignition! It finally stopped, all the washer fluid ran out! This has happened periodically over the past couple years. …
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. …
My vehicle shuts off while driving making it very dangerous. The ignition switch clicks and the van shuts down at the same time consequence: if the ignition key inadvertently moves into the off or accessory position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems May increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash. This is what I found out to be the issue in most cases. …
The van will shut off while driving on the road the steering and brakes didn't work, I have to make sure I make it to the side of the road because it doesn't always want to start. It could be 5 or 10 minutes before I get it to start and I have had to leave it on the side of the road over night until the next day and have a tow truck pick it up.. I could of been killed or killed someone else. The horn, windshield wipers and window wiper water is spraying, flash lights flashing randomly go on at any time some times while I'm driving, some times late at night and the only way to stop all of this is to disconnect the battery or let it keep going until the battery drains. The speedometer goes on when I open the door but when I turn the vehicle on the speedometer goes off/blank. This scares me I'm afraid to drive it!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the traction control warning lamp kept illuminating intermittently. The vehicle veered to the right and the power steering seized. The contact mentioned that excessive force was required to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V139000 (electrical system). The dealer was notified of the failure and indicated that the part needed was not available to repair the failure. The contact constantly had to turn off and restart the vehicle to reset the computer. The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V394000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
All four brake system lights are lite up. Steering has become loose and steering wheel wobbles. I have changed the pads on brakes 4 times in a year and my rotors are still very grooved. Dust is sucking up into the cab of the vehicle for no reason. There is a knocking coming from the engine that sometimes is there but most of the time its present was told by the dealer I bought from that was normal in these vans. Has a hard time coming to a stop now. I can not believe this has not been recalled codes on machine that are indicated are c2200 and c2205 which are ridiculous to buy and from what I have read everyone is having problems with them
Clockspring causing electrical malfunction very similar to that in which was a recall on this same vehicles just a few years prior. Seat belt light flashes and dings even when seatbelts are locked while driving. ABS lights come on periodically while driving, vehicle gear shift locks while vehicle is in park running causing vehicle to have to be shut off before it will release. Cruise control malfunctions while driving. Done research to other owners of this vehicle style and others have complained of similar findings, however seems noone has contacted you yet. When these problems started they have been an ongoing issue daily.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred approximately eight times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the totally integrated power module failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. Consumer stated independent dealer works for dealership and owns their own diagnostic testing module.
Traction Control complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country, 2% of the model year's 1,939 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Chrysler Town and Country traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.