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2012 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems

104 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,000.

owner complaints
104
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
100,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
    2
  • Cooling system
    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 engine problems in other years

199119952000200520102016

Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country engine

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

Stalling 75Won't start 32Check engine light 30Loss of power 16Misfire 12Overheating 8Engine failure 6Knocking 5

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported September 29, 2011 · 667 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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. These engines may experience connecting rod bearing failure due to debris inside the engine block.
Risk
Connecting rod failure may lead to engine seizure which may increase the risk of a crash.
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.

Recall number 11V487000 · Recall details

What 2012 Chrysler Town and Country owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 15, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · VT

Vehicle randomly shuts off while driving. No warning lights are illuminated. Shutoff can occur at any speed and causes loss of power steering, braking etc. Shutdown requires immediate pull off to the side of the road. Once key is turned off and back on, car restarts.

Filed Nov 14, 2025 · Engine · AZ

Catalytic converter is reported to me as needing to be replaced. Check Engine light came on which indicated this error. It’s only at 84k miles. Followed by needing new O2 sensors if the catalytic converter is replaced. Another error was the thermostat which needs replacement. We are looking at over $5k in repairs.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MI

My van will frequently lose power and die while I am driving it, with NO WARNING. I have to pull off and put it either into park or neutral then turn the key again to get it started again. This has happened more than 40 times over the last 15 monnths. My speeds have ranges from 25mpg in town to 65 mpg on the highway.Most recently on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

Filed Aug 1, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · NY

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.

Filed Jul 30, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · NE

Couldn't reverse vehicle after buying the vehicle three days ago. My safety and my passengers safety wasn't safe I almost got hit from the front and back trying to reverse the vehicle to go. I can put the vehicle in any other gear and it works but the reverse. i called the vehicle repair shop and bring it in to the shop where I was told they were going to work on the vehicle for free since I only had it for three days. I paid for the warranty part and everything. This the second car I bought from Fett's city motors that been dangerous to operate on roads and highways.

Filed Jul 1, 2024 · Engine · MI

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.

Filed Dec 5, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · 189,000 miles · IA

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.

Filed Aug 24, 2023 · Engine · PA

Engine stalled at roughly 20 miles per hour, thankfully, I was stopped. Restarted and drove off, but vehicle now has a check engine light on.

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Engine · 80,000 miles · IL · fire

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.

Filed May 15, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · TX

The Flexplate/Flywheel cracks every 4 years for us, this is our second repair same part. Dealership says now there is a reinforcement plate. That we have to buy, Seriously, give us a break with a broken Flexplate that is either to thin or made of a inexpense product. IDK. Dealership told my Mechanic they keep a lot on hand because they know it’s a problem. Help Please🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 At least give us the reinforcement plate, for Heavens sake!!! Then come up with a Fix to this ongoing Problem, Please and Thank you... God Bless/SAVE America again, in NC a Jesus name!!!

Questions about the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country engine

Does the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country have engine problems?

Owners have filed 104 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 11V487000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

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

The Chrysler Town and Country model years with the most engine complaints are 2010 (327 complaints), 2008 (248 complaints) and 1996 (154 complaints).

Other 2012 Chrysler Town and Country problems

Electrical 395Fuel system 58Transmission 36Body 33Visibility 25Brakes 23Driver assistance 21Airbags 18Lights 17Steering 16Acceleration 12Seats 12Seat belts 7Suspension 7Wheels 7Tires 6Locks 2

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