Verdict · NHTSA data
Worth extra scrutiny
The 1992 Chrysler Town and Country is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 10 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 167 owner complaints run below the Town and Country median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.
The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 45% of all reports (75 of 167), far ahead of transmission at 18.
167
NHTSA complaints
10
Recalls
13
Investigations
7
Crash-involved
4
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 75 | 45% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 18 | 11% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 11 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 10 | 6% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 8 | 5% | new |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 8 | 5% | ▲ up |
| Engine | 6 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Fuel System | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 4 | 2% | new |
| Speed Control | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Other | 3 | 2% | new |
| Seats | 3 | 2% | new |
| Suspension | 2 | 1% | new |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 1% | new |
| Airbags | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LEFT HAND WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT DRIVE ARM WAS NOT MECHANICALLY STAKED TO THE PIVOT SHAFT.
Consequence
THIS COULD ALLOW THE DRIVE ARM TO DISENGAGE FROM THE SHAFT LEADING TO A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT HAND SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT ASSEMBLY.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. THE CENTER REAR SEAT, RIGHT OUTBOARD SIDE, SAFETY BELT ANCHOR HOOK CAN BECOME UNATTACHED FROM THE BODY ANCHOR POSITION.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ANCHOR HOOK RETAINING CLIP WITH A REVISED PROFILE CLIP AND A COVER PLATE.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI-VANS. COVERS ON THE SOLID STALK MOUNTED SEAT BELT BUCKLES CAN BECOME DISLODGED CAUSING THE RELEASE BUTTON TO STICK INSIDE THE COVER. THE BUCKLE WOULD THEN BE ONLY PARTIALLY LATCHED.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A COVER RETAINING CLIP TO THE STALK MOUNTED BUCKLE COVER TO PREVENT DISLOCATION OF THE BUCKLE COVER.
Defect
THE BOLTS USED TO ATTACH THE STRUT TO THE BODY AND THE REAR LIFTGATE CAN ACCUMULATE FATIGUE DAMAGE IF THREE FACTORS COMBINE. IF THE BOLT IS LOOSE, THE GAS STRUT IS OVER-PRESSURIZED, AND THE FREQUENCY OF OPENING AND CLOSING CYCLES IS HIGHER THAN FOR THE AVERAGE CUSTOMER, THE BOLT CAN FAIL.
Consequence
PERSONAL INJURY COULD OCCUR IF THE BOLTS BREAK ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL SUDDENLY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR LOOSE FASTENERS, IF THE FASTENERS ARE LOOSE, THE STRUT (AND INTEGRAL BOLTS) WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE BOLT SHOWS EVIDENCE OF TORQUE, THE BOLT WILL BE REMOVED, LARGER WASHERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING WASHER AND THE BOLT WILL BE REINSTALLED AND HAND TIGHTENED TO THE TARGET TORQUED.
Defect
THE STEERING WHEEL ARMATURE STAMPING CAN CRACK AND SEPARATE FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN.
Consequence
IF THE STEERING WHEEL SEPARATES FROM THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT TO THE STEERING COLUMN, LOSS OF CONTROL CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING WHEEL FOR ARMATURE CRACKS IN THE CENTER HUB ATTACHMENT AREA. ANY STEERING WHEELS SHOWING CRACKS WILL BE REPLACED. ALL OTHER VEHICLES WILL HAVE A REINFORCEMENT PLATE INSTALLED TO PREVENT STEERING WHEEL SEPARATION IN THE EVENT CRACKING OCCURS.
Defect
THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON SEAL WEAR CAUSING PUMP-MOTOR DETERIORATION.
Consequence
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE ABS FUNCTION COULD BE LOST AND REDUCED POWER ASSIST WOULD BE EXPERIENCED DURING VEHICLE BRAKING INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TEST THE VEHICLE'S ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES IF NECESSARY. ALSO THE WARRANTY ON ALL ABS COMPONENTS WILL BE EXTENDED TO 10 YEARS OR 100,000 MILES (EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE ACTUATOR PISTON ASSEMBLY AND THE PUMP-MOTOR ASSEMBLY WHICH WILL HAVE A LIFETIME COVERAGE). OWNERS WILL ALSO BE REIMBURSED FOR PREVIOUS ABS COMPONENT REPAIR COSTS.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Consequence
IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN MARCH 1996.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.
Consequence
IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy
CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES IN OCTOBER 1995.
Defect
FUEL TANK FLANGES WERE NOT BENT AS REQUIRED TO ALLOW THE SPECIFIED CLEARANCE FOR THE FUEL TANK MOUNTING STRAPS AND FUEL LINES AT THE TANK.
Consequence
THE UNBENT FLANGES TO THE FUEL TANK WILL DAMAGE THEMOUNTING STRAPS AND/OR FUEL LINES. THE DAMAGED MOUNTING STRAPS MAY BREAK CAUSINGTHE TANK TO DROP AND THE DAMAGED FUEL LINE WILL LEAK FUEL. IN EITHER CASE A FIRECOULD RESULT IF THE SPILLED FUEL IS EXPOSED TO AN IGNITION SOURCE.
Remedy
REPAIR THE FLANGE BY BENDING TO THE CORRECT ANGLE; REPLACE DAMAGED FUEL LINES AND MOUNTING STRAPS.
Defect
THE ZINC PLATING OPERATION PERFORMED ON THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLING BOLT CAUSED HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT AND BREAKAGE OF THE BOLT.
Consequence
FRACTURES OF THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT COUPLINGBOLT RESULT IN A LACK OF COUPLING LOAD ON THE SHAFT AND LOSS OF STEERINGCONTROL.
Remedy
REPLACE THE ZINC PLATED BOLT WITH A PHOSPHATE PLATED BOLT.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH IN FRONT OF HER WAS ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER TRIED TO STEP ON THE BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, KNOCKED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. BRAKE PEDAL WAS SO HARD THAT FELT LIKES SOMEBODY WAS HOLDING THE PEDAL. DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. *AK”
“ENGINE DOESN'T SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR AT THE PROPER TIME. VEHICLE JERKS JUST AS IT'S COMING TO A STOP. IT BUCKS WHEN T ACCELERATING. RECONDITIONED TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. CONSUMER HAS PUT ALOT OF MONEY IN TRANSMISSION THAT MAY BE DEFECTIVE. *AK”
“RECALL CAMPAIGN 97V079000 CONCERNING LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET. OWNER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND HAD THE WORK DONE. HOWEVER, THE DEFECT HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED PROPERLY. VEHICLE WAS BACK TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS . THEY INSTALLED THE SCREWS TO HOLD IT ON, AND THE SCREWS…”
“WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE. A/C WENT OUT. SMOKE STARTED TO ENTER CABIN AREA. PULLED OVER AND THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS WAS ON FIRE. I WAS ABLE TO EXTINQUISH THE FIRE. IT SEEMS THE WIRE FOR THE HOOD LIGHT, ATTACHED TO THE HOOD HINGE, MAY HAVE BEEN CAUGHT BETWEEN THE FRAME…”
“AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT SHAFT FAILED I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AND WAS TOLD A RECALL WAS COMING IN SEPT. 99. I HAD THE WIPERS FIXED AND WAITED FOR A RECALL SLIP THAT NEVER CAME. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER AGAIN ON NOV. 16, 1999 AND WAS TOLD MY VAN WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL…”
Its record is better than the model's norm: 167 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Town and Country year, with 10 recalls and no open investigations.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (75 complaints), transmission (18 complaints), body & structure (11 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Chrysler Town and Country. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 13 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Town and Country years to avoid are 2008, 2010, 1996, 2005, 2011, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2012, 2016, 2001, 2006, 1997, 2002, 2015, 1999, 1994, 1995. The cleanest record among Town and Country years belongs to 2018.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.