2003 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · KY

While driving the van in town it completely shut off. I was driving straight at 35 mph. It would not restart and had to be towed to service garage. When it shut off the first time all of the dash warning lights came on for a second then shut off. The garage said the ignition switch had to be replaced and the main computer. Then the Chrysler dealership had to flash the computer. They said they did and I drove the van 20 miles at 55 mph and it shut off again. No codes were shown when tested. I was able to get it started again after 20 minutes of sitting and tried to drive it again and it kept shutting off while driving 65 mph on the interstate. After several shut offs and finally getting it restarted I was able to get the van to a safe place to have it towed. Now it sits in my driveway because I am afraid to try and drive it again and get into a wreck when it shuts off because there is no warning at all. It just shuts off like someone turns off the key. This is a big safety issue and I am amazed it has not been addressed. I have seen a lot of people posting about their exact same issue with this van.

Filed Aug 18, 2023 · Engine, Steering · SC

Power steering failure and water pump failure smoking under hood and power steering fluid all on the exhaust system almost caught fire.

Filed Sep 9, 2016 · Engine · 3 miles · OH · fire · 1 injury

I purchased the van from a private owner 2 hours prior to this happening. He told me it overheats some. I called my chrysler mechanic in mt. Victory, oh and asked him if he could look at him. He told me to bring it down. I was traveling about 35mph on st rt 31 s and it started overheating. I pulled over and turned it off. Smoke was coming from under the hood. I was calling for a tow and I heard the sound of fire crackling and smoke was coming through the vents. I immediately got out of the van and told the person I was talking to I needed to call 911 because it sounded like the van was on fire. Flames and heavy smoke started shooting out from under the driver's side of the hood. I had called 911. The hardin county sheriff's dept, ohio state highway patrol, kenton fire department, and bkp ambulance service arrived. I smelled so bad of smoke and was shaken up but thank god I got out of it before it became engulfed in flames!!! It gor so hot that anything plastic and rubber under the hood melted. The driver's side mirror even melted!!

Filed Jun 25, 2014 · Engine · 120,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler town and chrysler. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the ignition was malfunctioning and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that burning fumes were emitted in and around the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 112,530 miles · IL

Engine will die at a stop sign. Engine will also die while coasting between 30 to 65 MPH. There is no warning signs when this occurs. Obviously power steering will be lost instantly. Power brakes will also fade after three applications. After bringing the car to a full stop or placing the gear shift lever to neutral and cranking the engine it will re-start. This is an intermittent problem since 2009. Chrysler dealers are unable to pin point the problem due to lack of engine service codes. Over time they have changed fuel filters, throttle body cleaning, tune ups, crankshaft position sensor replacement, bcm re-learn etc. Internet blogs indicate this is a common problem with chrysler mini vans. Some technicians attribute it to electrical harness shorting. I wonder if there are any safety recalls or service bulletins issued by chrysler. As of this date the problem is ongoing, engine stall is a daily occurrence.

Filed Aug 8, 2013 · Engine · 88,000 miles · OH

I was driving and my engine started to knock so I thought that it may need a oil change ut it was time yet I still have another 1467 mile to go before it was due. So I took it in to have it done anyway. They mechanic stated that my rod and bearing went out. Then he also stated if he wasn't correct that in 2003 end and the beginning of 04 they did a recall on the bearings. Which noone was never notified of it. So now my cars just sitting there.

Filed Aug 9, 2012 · Engine · 75,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler town & country. The contact stated that accelerating from a traffic stop the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact mentioned that he was able to restart the vehicle after unplugging the battery for several hours. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ECM was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 154,511.

Filed May 21, 2012 · Engine · 80,000 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chrysler town & country. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while decelerating at 25 MPH. There was no warning light illumination. The vehicle was taken to the contact's personal mechanic for a diagnosis, but no failure was discovered. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and again there was no failure discovered. The failure continued to occur and progressively got worse, so that the vehicle stalled while accelerating. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 94,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 190,688 miles · NJ

11/2/11 while parked & running idle, van shuts off and all power is lost. After 15 min the van finally starts. However, after driving 200 feet it loses power again. Road side service jumps the battery, all seems to operate normally. Over the next couple of days the same thing happens many times. 11/8/11 a new battery is installed. (starter & alternator pass tests) new battery van still losses power when running idle parked/in operation(at traffic light). Frequency increases and eventually van loses power/ stalls while driving. At times van is able to start up right away, other times it has to sit for a few min. Some warning or indication that system may fail, van may shutter a bit/RPM gage needle fluctuates wildly. Another new glitch, the door power locks and power door locks alarm. Power door locks stop working 2/12. Fuse is replaced. Problem is fixed temp, locks stop working days later. Fuse is removed and reseated. Power locks work but only for a short period of time. This process is repeated several times. Battery cable is taken off in hopes of resetting power module but upon reconnecting cable, battery has no life. End result, battery is replaced, tests are run again on starter/alternator, they pass. Van runs okay for about a day, locks stop working again. Next door open alarm and interior lights are set off repeatedly. As of today all issues are still present but seem to come and go. Service/repairs since april 2011, brake system flush 2-11, coolant system 2-11, tune up 2-11, oil/filter 2/11, reconditioned trans/ rebuilt torque converter 4/11, muffler 5/11, solenoid and evap harness 6/11, oil/filter 7/11, gaskets/lower intake manifold 9/11, radiator 9/11, rear cooling hose 9/11, battery 11/11, thermostat 11/11, intake manifold and valve cover 11/11, crank shaft position sensor 11/11, oil/filter 11/11, fuel filter 2/12, tune up 2/12, oil/filter 2/12, battery 3/12.

Filed Jul 8, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

Dash board instrumentation failure and additional engine issues. Fuel gauge pegged. Tachometer and other gauges fluctuating, engine falters and stalls, all warning lights illuminate, radio becomes intermittent. Car alarm activates and will not shut off. Low voltage to dashboard cluster circuit board. Instrument error codes e400.1, e100.1, e100.3, e100.4, e100.5 dealership can not diagnose or repair issues, which happen while driving, often the car stalls and will not restart in traffic. Numerous internet reports of same problem by many people. (see edmunds.com, under town & country electrical problems) suggested repairs are re-soldering of circuit board cold solder joints in cluster board, and replacement of the cluster board. Recommend a safety recall of town & country's and voyagers from 2000-present to inspect for this issue.