8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,520
Average Mileage:
59,400 miles
Total Complaints:
16 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. replace TIPM (5 reports)
  3. replace computer module (2 reports)
  4. replace wiring harness (1 reports)
2012 Chrysler Town & Country electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Chrysler Town & Country Owner Comments

problem #16

Dec 212019

Town & Country 3.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I reported a strange sound to my trusted mechanic, and his tech quickly affirmed that the fuel pump was still operating even with the vehicle turned off and keys removed from the ignition. They told me without skipping a beat that this was a TIPM malfunction. They were confident that this was a common problem and that CERTAINLY there would be a recall through the dealer.

However, there has NOT been a recall issued for this problem on this make, model, or year of this vehicle. I have read around the web, and it does indeed sound like a common problem Chrysler Town and Country minivans made between 2011 and 2013 (mine's a '12). It seems to be happening to a lot of people who, in good faith, trusted the Chrysler brand. It also seems like this problem carries with it very significant risk of dangerous malfunctions: vehicle stalling at high speeds, vehicle fire, other damage to vehicle that could be avoided if the TIPM were replaced.

Chrysler, do the right thing: in good faith, protect your customers. It will be far cheaper for you to issue a recall on the front end than to risk dealing with a class action suit that arises as a result of customers suffering injury or, God forbid, death because you didn't take care of business. In the long run, your bottom line will be healthier if you stay out of the tragedy segment of the national news (think Takata airbags and Toyota brakes).

- Alex F., Nashville, TN, US

problem #15

Feb 292020

Town & Country Limited 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

Tire Pressure Monitor system failed, Blind spot sensors coming detached and dangling from rear quarter panels, remote starter not working, engine restarting after exiting vehicle, check engine light on due to thermostat problems. This was the worst vehicle we've ever owned. Just spent $350 at dealership for diagnosis and the repair estimate came back at $6500 to $10,000. I know it could be the TIPM (aka fuse box), but do I really want to spend another $400 - $800 to replace that and find out that it was not the problem. Good bye Chrysler!

- Daniel H., Lincoln, NE, US

problem #14

Aug 202018

Town & Country V5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

I have had issues for years with doors opening and closing at various times. Terribly unsafe and I am a photographer and store my equipment when on a shoot. I come back to my car and the rear hatch is wide open, all my expensive equipment ready for the taking.

Most recently, the battery starting dying. Every single day I have to jump it. Apparently the fuel pump continues running long after the car is turned off draining the battery.

I took it to the dealership and they want $1800 to replace. Crazy! Now my battery needs to also be replaced and no doubt my fuel pump will surely blow out too.

- Greg M., Redondo Beach, CA, US

problem #13

Mar 012018

Town & Country

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Some time last year, I noticed the unit that controls the air and heat unit would automatically jump on and off repeatedly. When you tap on it, it would go off. It is SO annoying. My mechanic told me not to bother fixing it until it really conks out on you because it will run you many hundreds of dollars to get fixed!

Secondly, the sliding door NO longer work and doesn't lock on its own.

Other than loving the analog clock, I prefer to trade-it in under low mileage!

- mommytraveler2, Philadelphia, US

problem #12

Feb 012017

Town & Country Touring L 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,710 miles

In Dec 2016, the 2 side doors would not open or close with the button next to the door, Two weeks later they started working. The engine would start and then die. Restarted van 2 or 3 times before it would stay running. We replaced the battery thinking it was the problem. Problem got worse. The engine would not shut off on occasion. Replaced the battery in the fob which did not correct the problem. Took it to the dealer and they eventually diagnosed it as a faulty TIPM which needed replacement which took several days.

- suethompson, Torrance, US

problem #11

Apr 122016

Town & Country

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,565 miles

Sure you should expect the alternator to go within a year and the blind spot detection within 3 years, but now the park assist is not working within 4 years. There are no recalls on these safety items, but the good news is they can possibly be fixed for thousands of dollars. Chrysler and the dealerships have no goodwill policy. My strong suggestion is stay away from Chrysler (Fiat=Fix It Again Tony!).

- last chrysler, London, ON, Canada

problem #10

Nov 082015

Town & Country

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,012 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When starting the van up I get multiple alarms culminating in the "NO BUS" displayed on the EVIC. Windshield wipers will not shut off, windows will not roll down, A/C will not function, turn signals will not work, dash displays nothing (speed, RPM, fuel, etc...), radio will not turn on. Pulling the battery cables will not fix it. After messing with it for hours it suddenly works as if nothing has been wrong. Driving down the road all of the sudden the dash flashes and it all starts again. I get home, remove the battery cables and try it again. Seems to clear up.

Finally decided that the battery was low, (12.2VDC) so I replace it. Problem seems to clear up. One month later it's back. I then decide to take it into the dealer and after a couple of days I get notified that the Blind Spot sensor is defective and will run me $2200 to fix. I scream and rant and now I'm down to $1350 to fix it.

How can a sensor take down the entire electrical system to a vehicle and not go up in smoke? I feel like I'm being held hostage because I can tell them to just wrap it up and not fix it, then I'm out the time and labor costs and a still broken van, or pay the ransom fee and hope that it lasts or breaks again before their maintenance warranty runs out.

- Paul T., Cypress, TX, US

problem #9

Dec 192015

Town & Country Touring L 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,600 miles

Have 2012 Town and Country touring L with push-to-start feature. Starting last week, I'd hop in the car, step on brake, push the start button, the engine starts up, and VROOM for a couple seconds, then died. If I push the start button again it would try crank all day and would not start. I'd have to foot-off the brake and push start to have it in the off mode, open and close the door to kind of resets everything, and re-try again, and it would start up normally. It was a once a week thing, and now once every 2-3 days.

- Justin Y., Irvine, CA, US

problem #8

Oct 192015

Town & Country HD 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

This is my first time with this kind of problem. I find this site when I was looking for the electrical part for my 2012 Chrysler Town & Country. Chrysler..the dealer told me that the problem was the brain computer. I ask for a second opinion and I found out that the problem is the Totally Integrated power Module(TIPM).

- ortiz.olga007jo, Bradenton, FL, US

problem #7

Nov 132015

Town & Country Touring 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,500 miles

Car sometimes does not unlocked with key fog, battery is dead, no lights, no instruments, no radio, DEAD.

I have to jump it, starts for a little while, then turns off. Replaced battery, key fog battery, check charging system, still happening, sometimes works well, some others takes quite a few tries to start up, engine stalls.

I searched the problem and sees to be the TIPM.

- mjorellana, Pembroke Pines, FL, US

problem #6

Oct 152015

Town & Country Limited 3.6L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle battery dies every night like clockwork. Unresponsive to key fob, accessory mode won't even turn on with key in vehicle. Clicking noise heard coming from fuse box (TIPM possible?) under the hood. Jump start is required everyday to get vehicle running. Already replaced the battery and had the alternator checked, both are working properly.

- Justin C., Clarksville, TN, US

problem #5

Jul 012015

Town & Country

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Blind spot sensors and Back up camera along with parking assist all failed due to corrosion faulty wiring harness.

Dealer charged me $129 to diagnose. Even though we already knew what the problem was. Senors are over $1000 each and $550 for wiring harness plus labor. Dealer advised me to contact Chrysler, which got me a "not our problem" answer. Lady did contact dealer and told me without dealer buy in they would do nothing.

- Patrick K., Hartland, WI, US

problem #4

Aug 212014

Town & Country

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,400 miles

Within less than 2 years but after our 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty expired, our blind-side detection went out. We took the vehicle in to have it checks. The contact stated that the turn signal indicators on the side mirrors failed due to a module in the back left & right bumper. The technician diagnosed that the blind spot module was not sealed and the elements had gotten in and corroded the computer module. The failure mileage was at 50,400. The repair would cost in the $2,000 price range. We had decided to ride it out, but since then we have lost the backup camera and Navigation directions. It is NO longer something we want to live with, however don’t think we will be fixing it but buying something different.

- kcasper, Lomira, WI, US

problem #3

Dec 272013

Town & Country Touring 3.8L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

The van has a start, stop button. I push button to start, the engine starts then dies. I cycle through the ignition sequence and sometimes it will run and sometimes not, I may have to do this several times. The problem first happened while on vacation in Florida, it happened again2 more times on the way home. It has happened several times since, it is random, whether the car is hot or cold, or sits overnight. It is sometimes several weeks between incidents. The dealer said no one else has this problem. I looked on line and I suspect the TIPM, Totally Integrated Power Module.

Update from Feb 22, 2015: I took the van to the dealer for a rear vent window switch recall, Feb 13, 2015, and complained again about the stalling, and asked them to look at the TPIM, they found a faulty VIM module, it was replaced under the extended warranty that I purchased. they also replaced the 2 key fobs. Feb 19, 2015.so far no problems. time will tell.

- wtucker, Warsaw, IN, US

problem #2

Aug 062014

Town & Country Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

Chrysler Corporation "1-800" Customer Care Service is so POOR that it needs to be rated the WORST EVER. I have never had so much poor service and poor attitude that I do not want to ever buy another Chrysler vehicle. This was a recent recall on the door switch for the rear van vent windows - the switch had to be disconnected for safety. I was told that they would call when the part came in.They did not tell us nor did they even know that the solution was still under investigation and that there were no parts to fix the problem. For 3 months the wait went on with no help to a simple question and leaving the vents unusable in 100 -110 degree heat!

Customer service supervisor was condescending and of no help. When asked to speak to the next level supervisor she said no and that the complaint (search for answers as to the status of the recall) was stopping with her and that we had no options. The local dealership was getting the same answers I received "wait for the part". There were NO parts to wait for at this time. There is a simple solution I discovered that cost about $50. That $50 solution would have made the difference in resolving our concern with the heat and with this becoming a major complaint. (By the way, they make this part but did not think to mention it as a solution). BOTTOM LINE: BUYER BEWARE esp if you have to deal with Chrysler's Corp Care Center / Service!

- Kenneth G., Bossier City, LA - Louisiana, US

problem #1

Jun 192014

Town & Country

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

Last month my windows all rolled down at the same time and would not roll up. Dealer fixed the electrical issue under extended warranty. Two weeks ago the battery light started coming on. Had it tested and was told the battery was fine. Dealer couldn't diagnose unless light was on, which it wasn't when I took it in (even though I had photos of the light on my phone, was told they couldn't do anything until it came on again). The light didn't come on during the dealer hours, and during hours it was not an issue. Still, they couldn't do anything. Last night the battery light came on, then the check engine light, the ABS light, Blind spot indicator not working, Park Assist not working. Within seconds of each other. Then this big red lightning bolt came on and the van literally DIED on a busy road by the ball park. The doors wouldn't open, windows wouldn't roll down. My children and I were stuck. We finally got the passenger door to open but could not get the van in neutral (the gear was locked). Mind you, there were cars lined up behind me. If we had not been in slow moving traffic, if we had been on the highway, we would have been rear ended at high speed because the van just freaking DIED without warning. Finally had bystander override to put in neutral and push off the road. Mind you, it's late at night and my 8 and 9 year old children are stranded with me in a large city and not the greatest part of town. Thankfully, two off duty firemen refused to leave us until the tow truck and our rescue ride could get there. This could have been so much worse. I am scared to death to drive the van, as the electrical issue was supposedly fixed last month. After it's fixed I am trading in for a GMC.

- Sharon M., Columbia City, IN, US

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