VehicleVerdict

2008 Chrysler Town and Country problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 2,878 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 10.2 times the median Town and Country year — the 2008 model ranks #1 of 40 Town and Country years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 49 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 45% of all reports (1,297 of 2,878), far ahead of airbags at 376.

2,878

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

2

Investigations

53

Crash-involved

24

Fires reported

49

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Town and Country years?

See all Town and Country years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Chrysler Town and Country problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1,29745%
Airbags37613%
Brakes32811%
Engine2499%
Other1054%
Steering953%
Visibility & Wipers642%
Tires & Wheels642%
Transmission582%
Lighting532%
Body & Structure512%
Speed Control351%
Fuel System261%
Suspension261%
Seats161%
Latches & Locks140%
Seat Belts90%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)90%
Driver Assistance20%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country have recalls?

7 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V396000AirbagsJuly 7, 2020 · 925,239 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence

Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

16V047000AirbagsJanuary 29, 2016 · 110,482 units

Defect

FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.

Consequence

If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.

14V373000AirbagsJune 26, 2014 · 722,705 units

Defect

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

14V055000SuspensionFebruary 11, 2014 · 130 units

Defect

Freedom Motors Inc., (Freedom Motors) of Savaria Vehicle Group (formerly The Liberty Motor Company) is recalling one model year 2009 Volkswagen Routan and certain model year 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country wheelchair accessible vehicles modified by The Liberty Motor Company from February 2008 through January 2011. Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure.

Consequence

Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge. The recall began on April 1, 2014. Owners can contact Freedom Motors at 1-800-561-9600. Freedom Motors' number for this recall is ENGF0216-3.

11V394000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)August 3, 2011 · 298,949 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHRYSLER GRAND VOYAGER, TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 24, 2007, THROUGH JULY 30, 2008. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER (HVAC) CONDENSATE LEAK FROM THE HVAC DRAIN GROMMET ONTO THE OCCUPANT RESTRAINT CONTROL (ORC) MODULE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE ILLUMINATION OF THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND A POTENTIAL INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence

AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED AIR BAG MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

10V611000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)December 8, 2010 · 299,635 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A WATER LEAK At THE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER (HVAC) DRAIN GROMMET WHICH CAN LEAD TO ILLUMINATION OF AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND A POTENTIAL INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence

AN INADVERTENT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN FRONT OF THE DEPLOYING AIRBAG AND/OR A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HVAC DRAIN GROMMET FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 14, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

09V351000BrakesSeptember 11, 2009 · 82 units

Defect

ELDORADO NATIONAL IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 AMERIVAN MOBILITY VEHICLES BUILT ON CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN PLATFORMS VEHICLES. THE REAR BRAKE LINES MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED AND NOT SECURED PROPERLY DURING THE ALTERATION. IF NOT ROUTED AND SECURED PROPERLY, THE BRAKE LINES COULD RUB AGAINST THE VEHICLE CAUSING A BRAKE FLUID LEAK.

Consequence

A BRAKE FLUID LEAK COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY, POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH.

Remedy

ELDORADO NATIONAL AMERIVAN DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND IF THE BRAKE LINES WERE IMPROPERLY ROUTED THEY WILL BE CORRECTLY REINSTALLED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 13, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ELDORADO NATIONAL AT 1-800-955-9086. THESE MINIVANS HAVE BEEN ALTERED INTO WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE VEHICLES BY ELDORADO. THIS RECALL IS NOT BEING CONDUCTED BY CHRYSLER GROUP LLC AND WILL NOT BE PERFORMED AT NO COST BY DODGE OR CHRYSLER DEALERS UNLESS THEY ARE ALSO AN ELDORADO NATIONAL DEALER.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON & SUDDENLY STINKY SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. I TURNED THE AIR OFF & THEN BACK ON & IT FELT LIKE IT WAS BLOWING HEAT & THE HOLE DASH STARTED FEELING EXTREMELY HOT THEN I COULD SEE FIRE COMING UP THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. I PULLED OVER CALLED 911…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 12, 2017 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH WHEN HE ABRUPTLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND MID-SECTION FROM STRIKING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 29, 2012 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A STRONG BURNING RUBBER ODOR WHILE AT A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FRONT CALIPERS, WHICH WERE STUCK TO THE ROTORS. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 8, 2013 · fire

T & C 2008 VAN UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION happened 2x. Service dept. Of the dealer says no problem found but it happened again. Today I am at dealer service again.Hope they solve the problem, cause several incident like this occured aluready.04

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 2, 2023 · crash

I WAS DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON & SUDDENLY STINKY SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VENTS. I TURNED THE AIR OFF & THEN BACK ON & IT FELT LIKE IT WAS BLOWING HEAT & THE HOLE DASH STARTED FEELING EXTREMELY HOT THEN I COULD SEE FIRE COMING UP THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. I PULLED OVER CALLED 911…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 12, 2017 · fire

2008 Chrysler Town and Country — common questions

Is the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 2,878 complaints put the 2008 model at #1 of 40 Town and Country years. It is one of the Town and Country years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Town and Country problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (1,297 complaints), airbags (376 complaints), brakes (328 complaints).

Does the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chrysler Town and Country years should you avoid?

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.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.