Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 | 1% | 77,000 miles |
| 2015 | 11 | 3% | 71,000 miles |
| 2014 | 30 | 5% | 39,000 miles |
| 2013 | 40 | 6% | 50,000 miles |
| 2012 | 23 | 4% | 42,000 miles |
| 2011 | 54 | 7% | 31,000 miles |
| 2010 | 165 | 11% | 55,000 miles |
| 2009 | 69 | 10% | 34,000 miles |
| 2008 | 319 | 16% | 25,000 miles |
| 2007 | 24 | 11% | 31,000 miles |
| 2006 | 36 | 8% | 36,000 miles |
| 2005 | 72 | 8% | 28,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 6% | 31,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 6% | 67,000 miles |
| 2002 | 23 | 6% | 28,000 miles |
| 2001 | 33 | 7% | 25,000 miles |
| 2000 | 32 | 10% | 90,000 miles |
| 1999 | 27 | 7% | 100,000 miles |
| 1998 | 25 | 8% | 131,000 miles |
| 1997 | 46 | 12% | 97,000 miles |
| 1996 | 73 | 8% | 114,000 miles |
| 1995 | 4 | 7% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in reverse(R), the vehicle stalled, and the power steering became inoperable. Additionally, the failure recurred while making right or left turns at various speeds. The contact depressed the brake pedal, shifted to park(P) and restarted the vehicle after each failure. The failure recurred intermittently. The check engine, power steering, and the ABS warning lights and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. While researching on the NHTSA.GOV website, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train). The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. …
My wife had just gotten on the interstate and had accelerated to ~75 mph. Then without warning, the steering system locked up making it hard to navigate. Both the gas pedal and breaking system went off line as well. Luckily, there wasn't any vehicles in the immediate vicinity. She was able to allow the vehicle to coast to a stop as she wrestled with the steering wheel to try and get the vehicle to the side of the road. As the vehicle was slowing down (to around 25 mph), the speedometer indicated that she was at 100+ mph. This could have been devastating in most situation. Just prior to getting on the interstate, she was on a one lane road with 18-wheelers passing by her head-on. What if this was to occur if she was approach a cross walk with pedestrians crossing, or other vehicles (to include motorcycles), she would not have been able to stop. …
The vehicle randomly loses all power, which means no power steering and no brakes. It happens randomly and after searching online it appears others have the same issue faced back to the wireless ignition node being faulty. However the previous recall doesn't cover the vehicle I have which is experiencing the exact same symptoms. My wife has already had a close call as she is unable to steer the vehicle without power steering and the brakes don't work at all.
We have had multiple times when we are driving, and our vehicle shuts off and we lose power steering and power brakes. When the van does come to a stop, we are able to restart it and continue on. There is no warning that the van is going to shut off, it just does it. This is our family vehicle. I have found multiple forms online with customers complaining of the same issue with no positive results from the dealerships.
While traveling at highway speed 65 MPH when the engine and electrical went off without warning, causing all lights, in and out to go off, power steering to be lost and I'm sure power brakes to be compromised. Was able to put vehicle in neutral and restart the engine while coasting. This did happen at night leaving the vehicle without lights while it is coasting and loosing speed on a busy freeway. This has happened a few times previously but this is the first time on the freeway.
I got into the car which had been parked on a hill. The front of the vehicle faced upward. I turned on the engine and put my foot on the brake. (at that moment I didn't notice that the brake was stiff). I switched gears into drive and it slowly slid backward down the hill. My foot was on the brake the entire time. I pressed harder without any reaction from the brakes other that a grinding noise. The car did not slow down but gained momentum as it rolled down the hill and crashed into a parked car. Due to the fact that it was a slow motion accident, I had time in which I double checked that there was nothing under the brake and that I was indeed pressing the brake and not the gas. I have a dashcam video if you need. …
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. Additionally, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving uphill on a very narrow street. The contact was able to shift the vehicle into park, while using both feet to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle was stopped, and the contact turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that her four-year-old granddaughter was a passenger in the vehicle and the situation was very scary. The contact waited for several minutes, before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and approaching a stop sign while depressing the brake pedal the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she began to forcefully depress on the brake pedal and was able to stop and park the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated she continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic
Eldorado national is recalling model year 2008-2009 amerivan mobility vehicles built on Chrysler town & country and Dodge grand caravan platforms vehicles. The rear brake lines May have been improperly routed and not secured properly during the alteration.
Remedy: Eldorado national amerivan dealers will inspect the vehicles and if the brake lines were improperly routed they will be correctly reinstalled free of charge. The safety recall began on October 13, 2009.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
The master cylinder rear seal, between the hydraulic fluid and the vacuum reservoir, May not seal adequately allowing hydraulic fluid to be drawn into the power assist vacuum reservoir.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder on all affected vehicles. Addendum (4-14-97): vehicles inspected per Chrysler recall no.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chrysler Town and Country years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (319), 2010 (165), 1996 (73), 2005 (72) and 2009 (69) model years. Brake complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Chrysler Town and Country brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 09V-351 (service brakes, hydraulic, Sep 11, 2009); 96V-215 (master cylinder, Oct 29, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chrysler Town and Country brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles; 61% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (77 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › rotor (51).
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.