1998 Chrysler Town and Country airbags problems

45 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 86,050. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints: 45
of this car's complaints: 15%
typical mileage: 86,050
crashes: 1
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Frontal
8
Side/window
1
Frontal: sensor/control module
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Chrysler Town and Country airbags problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Chrysler Town and Country airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 26

Related recalls

Air bagsReported October 6, 2004 · 955,344 vehicles affected

What is wrong: On certain minivans, the driver's air bag may become disabled due to a failure of the clockspring, which is located in the hub of the steering wheel.
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 covered vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. For those vehicles with more than 70,000 miles, daimlerchrysler will offer an extended lifetime warranty under which it will replace the clockspring at no charge if it fails. Daimlerchrysler will also reimburse owners who have paid to have the clockspring replaced on their vehicles. The recall began on october 12, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 04V480000 · Recall details

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

Related investigations

Driver air bag clockspring failureOpened June 4, 2004, closed May 25, 2005

The driver air bag clockspring can develop an open-circuit condition resulting in nonfunctional driver-side frontal air bag, horn, cruise control (if equipped), and/or steering wheel radio control (if equipped).in its october 5, 2004 letter to the federal safety agency, daimlerchrysler stated that it will conduct a safety recall and replace the clockspring assembly on all my 1998.5-2000 daimlerchrysler minivans, built between march 1998 and august 2000, with 70,000 miles or less.it will also provide a lifetime warranty for this component on my 1998.5-2000 minivans, regardless of mileage.the details of the corrective action are described in daimlerchrysler's letter (see recall no. 04v‑480).the agency believes that further expenditure of agency resources 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 with respect to those vehicles covered only by the lifetime warranty.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see page 2 for additional information.

EA04013

Driver air bag clockspring failureOpened January 28, 2004, closed June 4, 2004

Complaints report air bag warning light illuminates, and this may be accompanied with a non-functioning horn and/or cruise control (if equipped).this is indicative of an open-circuit clockspring failure (results in non-functioning driver's air bag), similar to the failure condition that was the subject of daimlerchrysler's recall of model year 1996-1998.5 minivans (recall no. 02v‑293).this recall query has been upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea04-013).

RQ04001

What 1998 Chrysler Town and Country owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 6, 2014 · Airbags, Fuel system · 300,000 miles · WA

Vehicle continues to turn off when slowing down and must restart vehicle while approaching a light or going up a hill. Vehicle taken to repair shop prior and could not find anything wrong with vehicle, repair shop confirmed issues. Have report from shop indicating concern for safety while driving vehicle. Looked for recalls regarding this and nothing reported. Again, vehicle stops running intermitently and must restart vehicle. All power to vehicle stops.

Filed Mar 29, 2014 · Airbags · 121,000 miles · MI

The airbag light had been on for months and was on when I bought the car last november, 2013. So it had been on for an unknown period of time. The horn and cruise control stopped working after I blew the horn at someone who did not turn on green arrow in front of me. I am sure it was the clockspring which operates those three features. The dealer would not fix it at chrysler's cost because the VIN number was not part of the clockspring recall.

Filed Mar 28, 2014 · Acceleration, Airbags · 118,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that while starting the ignition, the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The failure recurred when driving various speeds. Additionally, the horn and cruise control became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. There was a recall associated with the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v480000 (air bags) however, the contact's VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000. Updated 05/19/14 ma the consumer repaired the clockspring. The consumer stated the failures all occurred before 118,000. The vehicle needed to be repaired when it was purchased. Updated 06/04/2014

Filed Aug 6, 2008 · Airbags · CA

My air bag light would come on and go off and now it just stays on and horn does not work, I just learned there was a recall on the clockspring part a few years ago but I just bought the car used in april of 2006 and a few months ago I just had a brake problem fixed because light came on and that cost over $400.00 which I had to open an account to pay for as I am on disability and could not afford that amount so I sure can't pay hundreds of dollars again for something that is a defect. So far have not taken in to be checked as did not know what problem was until I started searching the web, had asked others in prior month but no one knew what could be causing it and had no cash to take it in.

Filed Feb 26, 2004 · Airbags, Lights · CA

When turning the steering wheel the driver heard a rattling noise. The horn stopped operating and the interior lighting remained on. *ak the vehicle had an air bag failure which also caused the cruise control to stop functioning.

Filed Feb 11, 2004 · Airbags · KY

There has been a recall of the 1996-98 minivans for the clockspring failure. Dealer says that my van is not covered under this recall and chrysler's customer service center is of no help either. My 1998 t&c exhibits the exact same issues as the other minivans affected by this defective device (airbag light, cruise & horn not functional). The airbag and horn are safety devices and must be replaced/repaired. I have had to replace this part at my own expense. Why is my vehicle not covered under this recall? It has the same manufactured date, same issues, same defective part... I expect chrysler to pay for this repair ($233.94).

Filed Feb 2, 2004 · Airbags · 85,000 miles · OH

Airbag light came on, horn and cruise control would not work. We had to have the clock spring replaced. Missed a recall by 5 days.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Airbags, Electrical · NY · 1 injury

Airbag deploy while driving 55mph middle lane, could not see, van filled with smoke, almost crash with my 3 children in van, injury burns on arms ignition failed 4 times replaced 2x under warranty

Filed Oct 17, 2003 · Airbags, Electrical · 50,853 miles · IL

Airbag light stays on. Horn doesn't work. Told by chrysler that the car is not among the cars recalled for clock spring failure.

Filed Oct 2, 2003 · Airbags, Electrical · TX

Clockspring failed, causing air bags and horn to malfunction.

Questions about the 1998 Chrysler Town and Country airbags

Does the 1998 Chrysler Town and Country have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 45 complaints about the airbags of the 1998 Chrysler Town and Country, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1998 Chrysler Town and Country airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 86,050 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1998 Chrysler Town and Country airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 04V480000, 02V293000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Chrysler Town and Country have bad airbags?

The Chrysler Town and Country model years with the most airbags complaints are 2008 (375 complaints), 2010 (269 complaints) and 2009 (191 complaints).