Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road to check the engine oil, but no failure was found. The contact continued driving to his residence. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the converter clutch solenoid circuit to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,990.
"P0740" OBD2 code, causing vehicle to Fail state Safety Inspection. issue is due to a defect within the transmission, very common with the 2011 Chrysler Town & Country. "Dealer Only Repair" , very costly. Serious Safety Issue. Vehicle cannot be diagnosed by most Certified Mechanics. this faulty reading could mask very serious issues with the Transmission. This issue needs to be expedited to review ASAP. Thank You.
For a week I had trouble getting vehicle to start, on 9/10/15 only 5 months after buying vehicle it starting loosing power while I was driving 45 MPH down a busy highway. No lights came on indicating there was no power it just started slowing down, so I pulled over which was very hard to do because the steering wheel was tight and the brakes were tight as well. Finally got it to crank so I could get to a safe place off of the side of the road. I had it towed to a local mechanic who stated it was fuel pump but he wanted dealership look at it to be sure that was the only thing. They towed in on 9/16/15. Was not able to get it fixed until 9/23/15, when I had my husband take me to pick it up. I drove it across Town to work, at lunch would not crank. They had to tow it back to dealership where they informed me there was a bad connector and was fixing that. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and Country. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to operate. The vehicle was towed to autonation Jeep (16300 w colfax ave, golden, co 80401) where it was diagnosed that the power train control module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The battery was replaced twice, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to operate with the key, but not with the remote. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster panel and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but, when the technician tested the vehicle, it misfired. …
My van started to have problems with the RPM, surging from 2 to 5 and then to 6 or 7 RPM with speeds ranging from 40mph to 65 MPH. The van also sort of stalls for seconds which makes it terrifying. We took the van to bob caldwell in columbus ohio three times to repair the issue and they updated the software, added fluid to the transmission and allegedly "drove the car for 60 miles" yet couldn't duplicate the issue. All the times that this has happened the car was running. The first time only happened when going 65 or 70 miles per hour on the highway but now it happens on regular roads when traveling 40 MPH. I don't know if this related but earlier this year, my car was sent to bob caldwell because it stall/ stop completely while being driven.... The problem with the RPM started 3 months later and just last month it wouldn't start. …
Reverse slipping / shudder transmission slips and shudders when in reverse on even a slight incline and sometimes even on level ground. On steeper uphill grade it is very hard, almost impossible to reverse. I took it to the dealer. They said they found no problem and tests showed everything according to spec. (it would be true if testing reverse on a flat surface). Also, most occurrences I have experienced have been just after starting the vehicle (when parts / fluid are cold). The problem is a safety issue because the driver May have to accelerate more aggressively in reverse in order to move the vehicle (unsafe speed in parking lot or when backing onto a roadway). I am concerned the problem will be ignored until after the powertrain warranty has expired.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle independently surged forward without warning. In addition, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate intermittently. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred with additional electrical failures. The contact was informed by an independent mechanic that the TIPM failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Fuel pump relay prematurely fails inside the total integrated power module (TIPM) causing loss of control while driving. The fuel relay fuse is not replaceable as it is hard wired inside the TIPM. The entire TIPM unnecessarily needs replaced at great expense and labor of nearly $1,800 for what should be an inexpensive fuse. Other Chrysler/ Dodge/ Jeep vehicles have been recalled and repaired for the same issue, but not the Chrysler Town & Country minivans. The manufacturer and its dealerships is avoiding a recall so that this model 'ages out' and permanently disposed so that it doesn't have to do a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and Country. While driving at any speed, the vehicle slowed down and gradually accelerated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer (cornerstone Chrysler Jeep Dodge, elk river, mn, [phone]) for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump relay was faulty and was not under recall. The failure recurred and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated the vehicle was brought for transmission repairs at the dealer in August of this year. When the vehicle was engaged in reverse, the transmission shuddered. The vehicle was driven back to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a normal occurrence unless the vehicle was driven above 4 MPH. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,621.
Transmission complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 Chrysler Town and Country, 5% of the model year's 773 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Chrysler Town and Country transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2011 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 3 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 2011 Chrysler Town and Country transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.