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 2012 Chrysler Town and Country owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the A/C was blowing out hot air. The contact stated that smoke began emanating from the engine compartment and the vehicle started smoking and it caught fire. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road where the hood was opened and the fire was out by a passenger. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine and engine cooling system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue but stated that the parts to complete the repair have been discontinued. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start intermittently. The contact stated that the battery was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started jerking while the transmission was shifting between gears. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from the vents while driving in hot weather. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Several unknown dealers were notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 189,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the instrument panel turned black, and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the failure had occurred temporarily, and the vehicle restarted independently. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently while driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and advised the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, and the rear brake lights failed to illuminate. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure almost caused a collision. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 151,602.
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.
Starting in 2019 our 2012 Chrysler Town and Country had stalled out while driving. The entire engine cut out with no warning, losing all power steering, and even braking seemed hard. The vehicle would not start and would only crank over. The only solution was to disconnect and reconnect the battery and the vehicle would start. Problem did not happen again until June of 2022 when my wife along with her mother and our two children were traveling to Los Angeles, CA from Wyoming and the vehicle died while driving on the interstate putting them in situation which could have been deadly. Vehicle would not start again after that and only fix was to disconnect and reconnect the battery and vehicle started again. This has happened another 3 times since June of 2022. Our vehicle has approximately 138,000 miles on it and has had no other issues. …
Vehicle has shut off, while driving, multiple times over the past year and a half. The first instance was Summer 2021. Coming to a stop from a highway exit ramp and the van shut off for no reason. I was eventually able to restart and drive within a few minutes. A few days later, the van would shut down, or try to shut down, every time I would slow to a stop during a 2 hour trip. A few months ago, while driving approximately 35 mph, the van dashboard lights shut off, windshield wipers turned on and all other lights and power steering / brakes shut down temporarily. Luckily we were driving in a straight line because I had no power brakes or steering at that moment. Most recent issue occurred 8/27/2022. Driving van on highway, shut off at a light at bottom of exit ramp. We do not feel safe driving this van.
Van engine dies while driving. Has happened four times at high rate of speed- once on the expressway going 65 mph. Dash lights come on when driving and engine dies. Power steering and brakes go out. No codes. I coast to a stop on side of road. When trying to restart, van will have power, but will not turn over. After about 45-60 minutes, starts and runs normally. Could not replicate problem at auto repair shop. Had it towed first time. Three times since it restarted after sitting an hour. Almost was rear-ended on expressway overpass the last time it died. Children were in the car. Also died in the rain at dusk on county highway. Unsafe location. No warning prior to the failure. Also happened to another driver. First event May 2022. Again June 2022. Again July 2022. Again September 2022.
Confirmed cylinder number 2 misfire. Performed relative compression test and intake trace pull. Confirmed that number two has low compression and is directly affecting cylinder number fives intake pull. removed spark plug and did a compression test on cylinder 2 it had 90psi of compression and the rest of the cylinders were at 148psi of compression. used a bore scope and found cylinder damage in video attached vehicle needs a new engine to correct customers concern. When going up a small incline at 30-45mph engine would stall out. I have 3 little kids and I drive a lot for my job and want to be safe on the road! Also my blind spot detectors have constantly been on since about 75,000 miles. It's kind of a distraction when you are driving at night.
Hard starting mostly in the mornings sometimes in the hot afternoon I have to turn the key several tries to get it to start the most of the rest of the day it's OK the Ignition seems loose sometimes the key will not pull out right I've heard about the recalls on the other years causing the vehicle to shut off while I'm driving I hope this does not happen.Other years of the Chrysler Town an Country was recalled,Same engine same parts.Win ignition was bad.Please don't let us get seriously injured if the vehicle ever shuts down on us while driving.Many other owners having the same issues.We got many new parts trying to fix.But no luck.But it is now. Narrow down to this problem with the ignition.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 Chrysler vehicles, including 200 and town and country models, Dodge vehicles, including charger, durango, grand caravan and journey models and Jeep grand cherokee vehicles manufactured from August 31, 2011, through September 13, 2011, that are equipped with 3.6l engines.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners and replace the engine free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or about November 18, 2011. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Engine complaints in other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA has 104 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country, 16% of the model year's 634 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › emission control › catalytic convertor (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-487 (engine and engine cooling, Sep 29, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 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.