2012 Chrysler Town and Country: Reliability, Recalls, Known Issues & Cost to Own

Data last updated 2026-07-04 · sources listed throughout · based on public NHTSA data

Roomy and feature-rich, but TIPM electrical failures causing stalling and no-starts dominate the complaint record, verify the power module and ignition. 4 known issue patterns are documented below, with frequency and the mileage windows where they typically appear. New, the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country ranged from $29,995 to $39,300 depending on trim (base MSRP, before options and destination).

4/10
Mixed track record

Roomy and feature-rich, but TIPM electrical failures causing stalling and no-starts dominate the complaint record, verify the power module and ignition.

Sources (4)
  • api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=chrysler&model=Town…
  • repairpal.comhttps://repairpal.com/reliability/chrysler/town-country
  • rerev.comhttps://rerev.com/articles/chrysler-town-and-country-years-to-avoid/
  • fixdapp.comhttps://www.fixdapp.com/car-reviews/best-worst-years-of-chrysler-town-country…

Known issues

Based on public NHTSA complaint data and AI synthesis: patterns, not guarantees.

Sources (7)
  • api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=chrysler&model=Town…
  • api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=chrysler&model=Town…
  • api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=chrysler&model=Town…
  • api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=chrysler&model=Town…
  • api.nhtsa.govhttps://api.nhtsa.gov/complaints/complaintsByVehicle?make=chrysler&model=Town…
  • rerev.comhttps://rerev.com/articles/chrysler-town-and-country-years-to-avoid/
  • fixdapp.comhttps://www.fixdapp.com/car-reviews/best-worst-years-of-chrysler-town-country…

Recalls & safety

Recall history hasn't been loaded for this model year yet.

Whether a recall is still open on a specific car depends on its VIN. Check it free at NHTSA's VIN lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls), or ask the seller for proof the repair was done.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Comfortable, quiet highway ride with a roomy cabin well suited to families and road trips.
  • Strong, smooth 283-hp 3.6L Pentastar V6 from 2011 onward.
  • Stow 'n Go seating folds the second- and third-row seats flat into the floor, a class-exclusive versatility rivals can't match.
  • Lots of standard family features (power sliding doors/liftgate, rear entertainment) for the money, and very affordable on the used market.

Cons

  • Mediocre fuel economy and steep depreciation.
  • Interior materials feel cheap and tend to wear quickly.
  • Electrical reliability is the weak point, TIPM and ignition faults cause stalling and no-starts.
  • Front active-head-restraint units can deploy spontaneously, startling or injuring occupants.

Trims & original pricing

TrimOriginal base MSRPNew todayEngineMPG
Touring $29,995 discontinued — —
Touring-L $32,795 discontinued — —
Limited $39,300 discontinued — —

Prices are base MSRP for each trim's standard configuration. Options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.

Sources (1)
  • iseecars.comhttps://www.iseecars.com/car/2012-chrysler-town_and_country-price

Cost to own

Repairs (rises with mileage)≈ $600–650/yr
Expected lifespan~225k miles

National-average estimates based on public data. Your costs vary by region, driver, and condition.

Sources (3)

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country have?

Documented issue patterns include: Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) and related electrical faults cause random no-starts, sudden stalling while driving (cutting power steering and braking assist), inoperative fuel pumps, and dead instrument clusters; The 62TE six-speed automatic can suffer torque-converter shudder and harsh or erratic shifts; some 2014-era units developed cracked flexplates causing loud rattle and sudden loss of drive; The 3.6L Pentastar V6 can develop oil-filter-housing/oil-cooler leaks, and early builds had left-bank cylinder-head failures (ticking, misfire, stalling); Front active head restraints (AHR) can deploy spontaneously without a crash, striking occupants in the back of the head; the failure is age and heat related. Frequency is based on public NHTSA complaint data: patterns, not guarantees.

Is the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country reliable?

Roomy and feature-rich, but TIPM electrical failures causing stalling and no-starts dominate the complaint record, verify the power module and ignition.

How much did the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country cost new?

Between $29,995 and $39,300 depending on trim. Those are base MSRPs for each trim's standard configuration; options, packages, and destination charges added to what original buyers actually paid.

Is the Chrysler Town and Country expensive to maintain?

Estimated repairs run roughly $600–650/year as mileage climbs.

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Estimates are based on public data: patterns, not guarantees. CarVitals is not affiliated with NHTSA, CarMax, AutoTrader, or Cars.com. Issue frequencies come from public NHTSA complaint data, which has no denominator, so they describe reporting patterns, not failure probabilities. Always have a used car inspected before buying. How we build these reports.