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1996 Chrysler Town and Country problems

The most common problem on the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 99,000 miles. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical Town and Country model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
925
Recalls
7
Service bulletins
154
Worst area
Fuel system
Fuel economy
16-18mpg
Typical repair
$200

The worst 1996 Chrysler Town and Country problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country

Airbag light 77Wipers 68Fuel leak 60Adaptive cruise 55Stalling 55Transmission failure 39Fire or smoke 34Loss of power 32Door locks 29Power steering loss 25Headlights 18Fuel pump 17Fuel smell 15ABS 14Brake failure 13Overheating 11Fuel gauge 9No deployment 7Slipping 7Grinding brakes 6Jerking 6Won't start 6Engine failure 5Seat belt 5Steering lock-up 5Won't shift 5

Recalls 7

Air bags: frontalReported November 7, 2002 · 1,500,521 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain mini vans, the clockspring assembly may have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
Risk
This condition will manifest itself through illumination of the air bag warning lamp, and could eventually result in a driver's air bag open circuit, if the part is not replaced in a reasonable amount of time.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. An extended lifetime warranty will also be placed on this component for all affected vehicles, regardless of mileage. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. Owner notification began november 18, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 02V293000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection systemReported September 13, 2000 · 1,163,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: mini vans built with 3.3l and 3.8l engines have fuel rails with nitrole rubber o-ring seals that can degrade over time. Fuel leakage from the underhood fuel injection fuel rail could result, increasing the likelihood of a vehicle fire.
Risk
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install a seal on the vehicle fuel rails to prevent external leakage of fuel from the fuel rail crossover tube, should the existing o-rings continue to degrade. Owner notification began on january 25, 2002. Due to the large quantity of vehicles involved in this campaign, the owner notification will be phased over the next several months. However, if a vehicle is leaking fuel from the o-rings, the vehicle should be taken into a dealer to have this repaired as soon as possible. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 00V268000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pumpReported August 9, 1999 · 635,469 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: minivans. Fuel can leak from the fuel tank at the interface of the fuel pump module attachment.
Risk
If a fuel leak occurs in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel pump module attaching nut with a nut that includes tighter design tolerances. The sealing o-ring will also be replaced.

Recall number 99V216000 · Recall details

Child seatReported August 6, 1998 · 157,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: mini vans equipped with integrated child seats. The shoulder harness restraint on the integrated child seat can become difficult to extract when the safety belt latch plate becomes contaminated.
Risk
This can cause difficulty in releasing a child from the restraint.
Remedy
Dealers will clean the latch mechanism. An extender will be added to the emergency release anchor for the child seat safety belts so that the release clips are more visible and accessible to the operator in the event that the retractor mechanism can not be unlocked. In addition, an instructional owner's manual supplement card will be provided.

Recall number 98V185000 · Recall details

Seat belts: integrated child seatReported July 18, 1996 · 200 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The bolts which secure the integrated child seat modules to the seat frame can break.
Risk
In the event of a vehicle accident, the child seat may not provide adequate protection to the occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the integrated child seat module bolts.

Recall number 96V136000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and capReported January 16, 1996 · 265,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
A static electric charge can build up on the ungrounded metal section of the fuel filler tube.
Risk
This condition could cause a spark to occur when fueling the vehicle and possibly ignite the fuel vapors.
Remedy
Dealers will install a ground strap for the fuel filler tube.

Recall number 96V002000 · Recall details

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsReported December 8, 1995 · 80,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
The fuel tank rollover valve can allow fuel to pass into the vapor canister resulting in the potential for fuel leakage.
Risk
Fuel leakage increases the potential for a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuel tank filler tube with a filler tube that has an additional rollover valve. The associated rollover valve vapor hoses will be rerouted.

Recall number 95V236000 · Recall details

See all 7 recalls for the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country

Defect investigations

Air bag clockspringOpened February 21, 2001, closed November 22, 2002

There is no summary currently available

EA01007

Air bag clockspringOpened August 8, 2000, closed February 21, 2001

There is no summary currently available

PE00032

Dc minivan fuel injector rail leakOpened March 9, 2000, closed March 18, 2002

There is no summary currently available

RQ00008

Post collision fuel systemOpened June 11, 1999, closed August 10, 2001

EA99013

Post-collision fuel system integrityOpened February 3, 1999, closed June 11, 1999

There is no summary currently available

PE99010

Fuel tank leaksOpened January 31, 1997, closed February 10, 1998

This engineering analysis was opened on january 31, 1997 based on information gathered during preliminary evaluation (pe), pe96-051. The pe was opened on august 19, 1996, to investigate allegations of fuel leakage from the area where the fuel pump/sending unit joins the fuel tank.for brevidy, this area will be referred to as the pump/tank interface.these allegations were first received by odi on august 2, 1996 while investigating allegations of chrysler minivan throttle shaft hand-up, and uncontrolled engine speed, in pe96-036.while discussing that issue with a fleet, it was alleged that at least 10(out of 40) 1996 early production chrysler minivans leaked fuel from the pump/tank interface.analysis of the complaint and warranty data indicate fuel tank leakage incidents in the subject vehicles predominatly affected early production vehicles.the data involving confirmed incidents of tank/pump interface leaks suggest that those failures have been declining since july 1996.odi has received no reports of the subject condition involving original equipment pumps and tanks since september, 1997.currently this isssue does not reqresent a continuing field concern.odi will continue to monitor the subject vehicles for fuel leaks of any type.a safety related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resoured does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

EA97002

Integrated child seat belt lockupOpened January 31, 1997, closed August 19, 1998

This investigation is closed.chrysler corporation has submitted a defect information report identifying a safety defect and outlining the proposed remedy.recall number 98v‑185 has been assigned to this safety recall.

EA97003

Defective air bag crash sensorOpened November 14, 1996, still open

Cfas sent a follow-up letter on december 12, 1996, to change the intent of the petition to airbag aggressivity and deployment variability.the federal safety agency received the letter on 12/12/96; accordingly, the petition due day was changed to april 12, 1997.cfas petitioned the agency to conduct an investigation to determine whether the airbag crash sensor and/or deployment systems for the 1991-92 chevrolet corsica/beretta, 1990-92 ford taurus, and 1994-96 chrysler minivans are defective.cfas allege that information on low speed crashes here occupants have suffered fatal injuries suggests [that the above vehicles] have defective airbag crash sensor and/or deployment systems.

DP96014

Sliding door latch failureOpened October 15, 1996, closed July 30, 1998

Analysis of known incidents indicates a declining trend over the last five calendar quarters.extensive testing of incident vehicles has failed to reproduce occurrences of full latch disengagement.no failure mode which could cause a properly latched door to lose full latch engagement while driving has been verified as a causal factor in any of the known incident vehicles during this investigation.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.however, odi will continue to monitor complaint input for the nexy year and will request updated reports from chrysler during that process.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

EA96025

Integrated child seat belt lockupOpened September 18, 1996, closed February 4, 1997

Odi continues to receive complaints alleging latching/retractor mechanism problems.chrysler's assessment of the problem indicates that owners of the vehicles are not adhering to the cleaning requirements for the seat.the seat appears to malfunction if crumbs of food or beverage residue accumulates on the latching tongue in thewell located between the child's legs.odi has 19 complaints of retract lockup.seven of these complaints report cutting the straps to remove the child.two of the seven consumers allege the child was choking.chrysler reports 60 owner/field reports which indicated 19 harnesses were cut to remove the children.additional information is needed to fully assess the safety consequence of the alleged defect and to evaluate the chrysler corporation's rational for not conducting a safety recall campaign.

SQ96016

Fuel leaks from the gas tankOpened August 19, 1996, closed January 31, 1997

Analysis to date indicates that some of the subject vehiclescontinue to experience fuel leaks from the fuel tank at the sending unit interface.most often the leak involves the o-ring seal.

PE96051

Sliding door latch failureOpened May 16, 1996, closed October 15, 1996

Chrysler maintains that the common factor contributing to known sliding door opening incidents is prior incorrect dealer latch adjustment.chrysler attributes this problem to an inaccurate service manual procedure - sliding door latch/lock control, removal and installation.chrysler furnished information showing that six of its complaints, and two of odi's, involved vehicles that had undergone prior repairs to the affected sliding door.chrysler has addressed the problem by issuing two technical service bulletins.tsb 26-06-96, service manual revisions, was issued in june 1996 and includes a service revision (#81-370-6105a) correcting service manual sliding door repair procedures.tsb 23-39-96, sliding door(s) difficult to open from the outside and/or inside, was issued june 28, 1996.chrysler identified three design changes involving the subject components: (1)sliding door latch pawl spring force increased from 5.4 newtons to 8.0 newtons in september 1995 to enhance pawl rotation return to neutral position; (2)adjustable sliding door hinge implemented in november 1995 to reduce variation in sliding door fit; and(3)sliding door striker attachment holes revised in january 1996 to eliminate up/down adjustment of striker to improve installation process and reduce variability of alignment between latch and striker.at present, odi is not aware of any incidents involving vehicles built in or after january 1996.odi has continued to receive complaints of sliding doors opening while the vehicles are in motion, including vehicles with no prior service history to the affected sliding door assembly.owners allege that the doors open anywhere from a few inches to fully open, at speeds ranging from 15 to 60 MPH.odi has also received numberous complaints alleging difficulty in latching the subject sliding doors and/or difficulty in opening one or both sliding doors.

PE96038

Safety blt latch operationOpened January 25, 1996, closed June 28, 1996

There is no summary currently available

PE96008

Fuel leakeage from rollover valveOpened October 25, 1995, closed December 22, 1995

There is no summary currently available

PE95053

Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country 154

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 154 bulletins for the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country

1996 Chrysler Town and Country fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.3L 6‑cylFWD152218
3.8L 6‑cylFWD152218
3.8L 6‑cyl4WD142016

What 1996 Chrysler Town and Country owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 1, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 150,000 miles · MI

The vechile stalls while driving down the road regardless of whether highway/city street driving, when attempting to restart it sometimes it starts right back up and other times it doesn't..when it does this jumping the vehicle does nothing. I have seen lots of people on the chrysler town and country site below with the exact same problem: https://www.cargurus.com/cars/discussion-t27257_ds554284 sometimes when attempting to restart it there will be a click click sound when its not starting...

Filed Mar 16, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 60,000 miles · PA

Transmission stopped worked, electrical cluster waving back and forth before and after transmission repair, newly installed transmission broke down 5 days after installation, repair shop claims electrical system not working properly and is cause of transmission breakdown.

Filed Mar 14, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 247,424 miles · CA

My minivan has been not wanting to start, the speedometer has been jumping all over the place . I had my fuel pump and filter replaced in december 2014 due to it not starting. Now within the last 2 weeks or so it started to act like it was going to die as I would be driving and sometimes it would jump out of gear. All this last week it has been giving me problems with starting and every time I would get out of the van it would smell like somethings burning. When I turn the key to start it all you could hear is a click, try to start it a couple more times and finally get it to start. Today it wouldn't start no matter how many times I tried to start it. I open the hood and looked at the battery and one terminal looks like it is burnt.

Filed Aug 5, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

I was driving on the highway in the pouring down rain when my windshield wipers stopped working, I could hear the windshield wiper motor still going but the wiper arms would not move. We had pulled off the highway but there was nothing around for miles. We got back on the highway and my son would push the wiper arm down when it had went to his side so we could drive a little further to pull off the freeway in an occupied area. It had stopped raining and as we were driving the engine completely died on us, it would not start back up. My minivan had to be towed from a town over 50 miles from where we live. I had my children in the minivan with me and it was a really terrifying ordeal.

Filed May 22, 2012 · Engine · 150,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler town and country. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the steering wheel became very difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they advised the contact that the serpentine belt detached from the vehicle and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a total of six times due to the recurring detachment of the serpentine belt. The contact stated that the serpentine belt would detach whenever the weather was rainy or if it became wet. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 153,000.

Filed Jan 9, 2012 · Engine · 137,308 miles · OR

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that while driving between 40-50 MPH, the vehicle vibrated and jerked violently. The vehicle was taken to a local tire facility where the tires were replaced, but failure was located at the front motor mount connector. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 137,308.

Filed Dec 19, 2011 · Fuel system · 230,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised the contact that fuel rail needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 00v268000 (fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system). The failure and the current mileages were approximately 230,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2011 · Suspension · 228,500 miles · NH · crash · 1 injury

Rear axle spit in two while driving at 50 MPH on back road, lucky not on highway. Tires slammed into wheel wells, caught on fire almost, lots of smoke. Could not control vehicle well, and went off the road at approx 25 MPH and hit a bunch of small trees, injured both knees, refused ambulance transport. Car was towed to my garage and axle replaced with junkyard part and vehicle is back on the road. Scary incident ,could have been worse or fatal if this happened on a highway instead of a local road. Axle tube is just thick sheet metal, not really an iron pipe like you would think, very flimsy. Have nice pictures ifyou are interested. Should recall this flimsy axle.

Filed Jun 25, 2011 · Electrical · 188,888 miles · FL

When coasting through left hand turns only engine and all electrical components shut off for 1 to 4 seconds causing power steering not to work and braking reduced. This does not happen when accelerating through left turns or coasting through right hand turns.

Filed Apr 1, 2010 · Seats · 114,000 miles · IL · crash · 2 injuries

1996 chryler town and country seat back collapse in rear end collision causing children in second row seats to be injured or killed!

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 1996 Chrysler Town and Country before you buy

Compare the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country

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Other model years

199019911992199319941995199619971998199920002001200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016

Questions about the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country

Is the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country reliable?

Owners have filed 925 complaints about the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country, 1.5 times a typical Town and Country model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 177 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles. Next is engine (154).

How many recalls does the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country have?

7 recalls, covering air bags, fuel system, gasoline and child seat.

Was there a recall on the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country fuel system?

Yes, 4 recalls: 00V268000, 99V216000, 96V002000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chrysler Town and Country have the most fuel system problems?

The Chrysler Town and Country model years with the most fuel system complaints are 1996 (177 complaints), 2011 (110 complaints) and 2005 (95 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country get?

Official estimates for the 1996 Chrysler Town and Country range from 16 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.3L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 22 highway.

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