VehicleVerdict

2012 Chrysler Town and Country problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 868 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.1 times the median Town and Country year — the 2012 model ranks #9 of 40 Town and Country years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 31 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 47% of all reports (404 of 868), far ahead of engine at 104. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

868

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

27

Fires reported

31

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Town and Country years?

Town and Country NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted2,879 complaints1967: 1 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 1 complaints1985: 0 complaints1986: 3 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 1 complaints1990: 16 complaints1991: 33 complaints1992: 167 complaints1993: 273 complaints1994: 198 complaints1995: 75 complaints1996: 1,411 complaints1997: 546 complaints1998: 397 complaints1999: 485 complaints2000: 378 complaints2001: 606 complaints2002: 518 complaints2003: 336 complaints2004: 219 complaints2005: 1,154 complaints2006: 569 complaints2007: 294 complaints2008: 2,879 complaints2009: 1,082 complaints2010: 2,425 complaints2011: 1,108 complaints2012: 868 complaints2013: 933 complaints2014: 884 complaints2015: 509 complaints2016: 667 complaints2017: 0 complaints2018: 0 complaints
Town and Country NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Town and Country years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Chrysler Town and Country problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System40447%
Engine10412%
Other637%
Fuel System587%
Transmission364%
Body & Structure334%
Visibility & Wipers253%
Brakes233%
Lighting192%
Airbags182%
Steering162%
Driver Assistance142%
Tires & Wheels142%
Seats121%
Speed Control121%
Suspension71%
Seat Belts71%
Latches & Locks20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country have recalls?

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

25V876000OtherDecember 17, 2025 · 86 units

Defect

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Consequence

An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

14V234000Electrical SystemMay 7, 2014 · 644,757 units

Defect

Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.

Consequence

An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent window switch with a newer version, free of charge. The owner notification letter was issued and the remedy campaign launched on on December 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P25.

12V191000OtherMay 2, 2012 · 471 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2012 THROUGH MARCH 12, 2012. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSOR THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, INCREASED FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO STOP THE POWER LIFTGATE DURING FINAL CLOSING STAGES.

Consequence

THE POWER LIFTGATE DOOR MAY CLOSE ON AN APPENDAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

12V141000SuspensionApril 3, 2012 · 289 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

11V487000EngineSeptember 29, 2011 · 667 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The vehicle caught on fire with my [XXX] and me inside. Its currently located at a tow yard and Chrysler has not inspected the vehicle yet. I have a report from the fire department stating the fire was hotter on the left drive side which directly lines up with the current recall of the drivers side…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 20, 2026 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS AND ALL THE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO THE PARK POSITION TO RESTART THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 4, 2016 · fire

“The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked unattended, he detected smoke from the vehicle, which caught fire in the rear electrical compartment. The fire department extinguished the fire. There were no reported injuries, air bag…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 26, 2024 · fire

“THE VAN WOULD NOT CRANK WHEN I GOT READY TO LEAVE WORK. I WAITED A BIT, PUT MY HALO CHARGER ON IT AND IT CRANKED. THE NEXT MORNING IT WOULD NOT CRANK. IT WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO KEPT IT FOR 4 DAYS AND TOLD US WE NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. WE WERE TOLD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 6, 2021

“FUEL PUMP RELAY STICKS AND CAUSES BATTERY TO GO DEAD. FILED COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER IN 2021. THEY EXPLAINED THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TIPM IN MULTIPLE VEHICLES WITH THE SAME FUSE RELAY BOX WHICH COULD CATCH FIRE. MY 2012 WAS NOT INCLUDED BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH COMPLAINTS. DOES NOT MAKE SENSE. ORDERED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 3, 2022 · fire

2012 Chrysler Town and Country — common questions

Is the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 868 complaints put the 2012 model at #9 of 40 Town and Country years. It is one of the Town and Country years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Town and Country problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (404 complaints), engine (104 complaints), other (63 complaints).

Does the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 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 2012 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.

How safe is the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.