Even 8 years after Chrysler stopped production, the Town & Country remains a head-turner for plenty of buyers. Its charming style and comfort are undeniable in a few select models.
Nevertheless, before you put your money down, make sure you’re looking at the right years. We’re here to walk you through the best and worst years of Chrysler Town and Country so you can buy with confidence.
In This Article:
4 Chrysler Town and Country Years to Avoid
If you’re thinking of buying a Chrysler Town & Country, steer clear of the 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2011 models — they’re practically horror stories on wheels. These models stand out for all the wrong reasons: malfunctioning door locks, random stalls, electrical shorts, engine concerns, and even a few cases of the control module catching fire.
2005 Chrysler Town & Country

We must say this year is practically a case study in van frustration. Our crash-test ratings reveal that it has some of the most notorious issues, especially with its door locks and electrical system.
The Door Locks
Most drivers expect a secure “click” when hitting the lock button, right? However, with the 2005 model, the locks refuse to engage and leave your alarm off every time. Even when you open the hood, pull the IOD fuse, and reinsert it, the door only seems to reset for a little while before all the frustration returns to full force.
To add more to the headache, some of our testers found that the left cargo door wouldn’t respond to the key FOB or driver’s panel. It pulls extra power from the battery and often drains it dry. So, as you can see, this design flaw is not just annoying but literally a battery killer.
Electrical Problems
Aside from door locks, the 2005 model also has a bad reputation for full-on electrical problems, ranging from random stalls in intersections to instrument clusters that constantly short-circuit. Worse, some owners even report burning smells and, in extreme cases, body control modules catching fire!
2008 Chrysler Town & Country
Fast forward to 2008, and while some bugs were worked out, this model still brings in new headaches regarding electrical issues and brake wear.

TIPM Malfunctioning
The 2008 Town & Country is infamous for serious issues with its Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), the central part of the van’s electrical system.
Indeed, once the TIPM acts up, it kickstarts a series of chaos: drivers report the van stalling out of nowhere, wipers turning on suddenly without any warning, and even full power loss mid-drive. The only rational solution is to replace the TIPM… which often ends up failing again. TIPM repair costs aren’t cheap, after all, and for many owners, one replacement is far from enough to solve the problem.
Brake Wear
Now, let’s discuss the brakes. Since the 2008 model’s braking system wasn’t designed for the van’s weight, its rotors and pads wear out much faster than we expected. Hence, our surveys later revealed that it’s not unusual for drivers to need replacements every 15,000 to 20,000 miles.
Sure, one might say swapping rotors and pads might not be the priciest repair. But as it has to happen way too often, the service eventually turns into a repetitive, expensive repair.
2009 Chrysler Town Country

The 2009 model took on the familiar TIPM problems and added new engine troubles and more brake wear to the mess.
The Unexplainable Engine Issues
Let’s say you’re cruising down the highway when, out of nowhere, your engine dies and takes your power steering and brakes with it! That’s the terrifying experience many 2009 Town & Country owners have to face.
Worse, adding to the frustration, diagnosing this common issue often led to dead ends. Some point to the EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve, others to the ever-suspect TIPM, but no one can quite put their finger on a consistent solution. So it’s a guessing game — and an expensive one at that.
Brake Overload
Like its 2008 counterpart, the 2009 model has subpar brake components that struggle to handle the van’s weight, so you have to expect frequent replacements to keep everything stopping as it should. Unfortunately, each swap is only a temporary fix to an ongoing problem, meaning owners have to constantly plan their next brake job.
2011 Chrysler Town & Country

By 2011, you’d think the Chrysler group would have sorted things out. But no; as the worst model, the 2011 is another “clunker” in the Town & Country lineup, plagued by familiar TIPM issues and a particularly spotty blind-spot detection system.
The Constant TIPM Troubles
It’s the same old TIPM horror story here. The 2011 model brings the same recurring issues: fuel pumps that keep running after the engine’s off, random window openings, and door locks that seem to operate independently from the overall system.
Most fixes require you to replace or bypass the TIPM’s fuel pump relay. Nevertheless, they are often very short-lived; you will have to keep one eye on your van’s electrical system all the time, never quite sure when it’ll act up again.
Blind Spot Detection Failures
Then there’s the blind spot detection system, a feature that sounds excellent in theory but turned out to be a major pain. Around 47,500 miles, many of our testers started experiencing sensor failures, with the system alerting them to issues constantly.
And since the system often fails JUST after the warranty period, it seems to hint that there might be some serious underlying design laws. The fix is to either replace the sensors or, worse, swap out the entire monitoring system, all of which are costly endeavors.
4 Best Years for Chrysler Town and Country
2010

The 2010 Town & Country is a hidden gem in the lineup. This year, Chrysler stepped up with a nicer interior and more focus on functionality. Plus, the advanced Stow ‘n Go seats (to give drivers instant space) are an absolute game-changer! Of course, some TIPM quirks still show up now and then, but this model keeps them to a minimum.
2012
Looking for even more power and efficiency? The 2012 model easily hits that sweet spot! It’s strong enough to handle all your family road trips while still consuming fuel more conservatively than older models.
Reliability also saw an upgrade this year, so you’ll have fewer surprises in the repair department. All in all, its smooth, convenient rides won’t keep you tied up at the mechanics as with some previous models.
2013
If you prioritize interiors and features, the 2013 model is a hard one to beat. The model upped the ante with a solid infotainment system, leather seats, and even a rear entertainment package to keep your kids occupied. Plus, Chrysler also tightened up reliability to ensure this minivan can go the extra mile without unnecessary hiccups.
2015

As one of the final years before the Town & Country was discontinued, the brand truly went all out for the 2015 model.
This version has it all: upgraded tech, advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring, and a solid reputation for security. It’s easily one of the best Town & Country years you can find!
See more:
Best Years By Brand Model:
Years To Avoid By Brand Model:
Conclusion
Our article has discussed the reliability of Chrysler Town and Country. Sure, it’s had its fair share of ups and downs (and maybe that explains its curtain call in 2016), but some model years still bring the charm!
If you’re still itching for more insights or advice on regular maintenance after our Chrysler Town and Country review, don’t hesitate to reach out.