Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The driver's side sliding door became inoperable suddenly. The locking mechanism was stuck in the locked position and would not release via key, manual, fob, or buttons. A buzzing noise occurred when trying to lock or unlock. This exit door being inoperable caused a safety concern to be able to exit the vehicle on the driver's side. It does now allow for quick, easy escape from the vehicle. If the danger was on the passenger side then the only exit is everyone climbing through the driver's door. This issue was verified by Dishman Dodge (Spokane Valley, WA) service team on 8/8/23. The lock actuator was the issue. They have replaced it at my expense. (This is the same issue referenced in: Chrysler TSB 23-017-20) There were no warnings or symptoms prior to this lock failing. We were on a trip July 22 when we first noticed the issue.
passenger side rear sliding door, this door is currently stuck half-way open (or closed). nothing works to open/close it. not by any button or manually. tried to reset and to disconnect battery. I push a button, it moves 3-4 inches and stops. i shutter to think if someone vulnerable like my wife was stuck in her wheelchair, trapped inside and it was zero outside. well i guess the fire department will be able to remove the door and lift her out. no response from either dealer, chrysler or accessible van. door seem to have open and closing issues when this cold or on any slight incline, but always worked manually. i don't understand why a sliding door with yearly inspections and maintenance does not always work manually, at least????
Both rear sliding door lock actuators have failed twice within the last 3 years. Before failure, they make a loud electronic honking noise. Sometimes they do not lock during this period, causing security concerns. After they fail, they stay locked and cannot be opened. This includes attempts to unlock manually. The passenger rear sliding door failed about 3.5 years ago, and the drivers rear sliding door failed soon after. They have both failed again currently. There is no way to open either door at the moment. This is a clear safety concern.
Driver side back sliding door lock is stuck in lock position and won't open. Safety issue! Took it to a mechanic he stated it was the lock actuator. This is very dangerous and frustrating needs to be a recall!
The van will just shut off while driving. I have been keeping track in the last 4 months it has shut off completely 32 times while in motions sometimes starting right back up other times takes so cranking to get it to turn over. Last Wednesday 10/14 the car shut off while I was driving my kids to school in a 45 MPH zone and the van went right off the road luckily no damage and no one being injures. If that was on the highway it would have been a lot more dangerous. I did some research and found that many of this year have the same problem. Also the sliding power doors will not shut and stay shut without holding them with pressure to close they also will close randomly and almost closed on my 4 year old in it luckily I was able to put my body in the door so she did not get squished. I can give me detail on either if you need any.
The automatic liftgate opened normally and moments later fell suddenly as the operator was placing items in the vehicle. The liftgate struck the operator on the head causing injury not requiring treatment. The liftgate was closed and latch engaged before the vehicle was in motion. Without warning the liftgate motor engaged while the vehicle was driving at a high rate of speed and the operator suffered property loss. The operator pulled off the highway and attempted to secure the liftgate but was unable to get the latch to engage. The operator continued to destination cautious with the liftgate opened. Once the vehicle was stopped, the operator was able to close the liftgate and engage the latch. The liftgate was secure when the operator proceeded to enter the building. Some time later, the operator was notified by a co-worker that the vehicle liftgate was opened. …
Driver side rear sliding door became locked and stuck in the closed position. It will not unlock electrically using any button inside the vehicle nor will it unlock using the key fob. The door lock cannot be forcefully disengaged manually either. This creates a great safety hazard because in the event of an accident, the rear passengers can egress only through the right sliding door (or out the back hatch if they are mobile enough to move by themselves). There is much documentation of this in online user forums and on Chrysler's own website, there is no user-level repair or bypass information available. The only available fix is to take it to a dealer for an approximate $1000 repair charge. The vehicle is unsafe without both sliding doors operational and the dearth of information how to fix the issue is worse. Occurred at approx. 110000 miles.
2012 Chrysler Town and Country 3/3 vehicle lift gate will not respond to remote prior to new TIPM installation and new remote reprogramming. The lift gate has almost squeezed and trapped an adult my size in it. It still does this. The doors do not lock despite manual or remote input to keep it lock and it doesn't respond or change with the new TIPM installed and the newly programmed remote, despite the problem commencing when all the electrical items in the computer started malfunctioning. The driver seat fuse will consistently burn out and stop working this can be changed as often as daily or every two days.
Vehicle was in park and the power liftgate malfunctioned, slammed shut and locked on pointer finger crushing my digital nerve. The liftgate malfunctioned two years previous to this incident and was repaired by the dealer. When I inquired about it being replaced when this happened, I was told the warranty ran out. There is a major safety issue with this part of the vehicle. Im very lucky the only thing that was injured was my finger. This could easily kill someone
Opened passanger sliding door now it stays open and will not close the doors melfunctioning the other one shuts on you and sometimes doesn't stop like the sensor is not picking up someone is between it power doors are not working the way they should and I can't drive down a highway with children and worry about having a door open very unsafe the van is parked and can't be used because the door will not close by ramote or button or even handle its stuck open
Body complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the body & structure of the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country, 5% of the model year's 634 complaints. The component named most often is body (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chrysler Town and Country body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country, though it has 5 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 2012 Chrysler Town and Country body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 11 injuries to body & structure 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.