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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-CHRYSLER-TOWN-AND-COUNTRY NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Chrysler

2012 Chrysler Town and Country problems

The 2012 Chrysler Town and Country has 634 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 5 active recall campaigns.

The 2012 Chrysler Town and Country has 634 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 376 complaints, typically surfacing around 81,494 miles (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Chrysler Town and Country owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2009 Town and Country 0 6
2010 Town and Country 0 5
2011 Town and Country 773 3
2012 Town and Country (this page) 634 5
2013 Town and Country 680 4
2014 Town and Country 635 4
2015 Town and Country 382 4
2012 Chrysler Town and Country
Photo: MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Chrysler Town and Country
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.0 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
5
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Town and Country?
Avoid — the electrical system

The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall

Overall 4/5
Frontal crash 4/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2012 Chrysler Town And Country VAN FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2012 Chrysler Town and Country? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 81,494 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 5 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2012 Chrysler Town and Country

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
376 reports · fails ~81,494 mi · avg $850
severe
engine
53 reports · fails ~94,367 mi · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
33 reports · fails ~87,967 mi · avg $2,500
severe
body
25 reports · fails ~84,755 mi · avg $1,500
severe
steering
15 reports · fails ~70,516 mi · avg $700
severe
brakes
12 reports · fails ~43,156 mi · avg $450
moderate
airbags
8 reports · fails ~75,267 mi · avg $1,100
severe
lighting
7 reports · fails ~51,983 mi · avg $250
moderate

Your road ahead on this 2012 Chrysler Town and Country

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~42,469 mibrakes~$450
  2. ~53,500 misteering~$700
  3. ~80,000 mielectrical~$850
  4. ~86,000 mibody~$1,500
  5. ~90,840 mipowertrain~$2,500
  6. ~104,000 miengine~$3,100

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2012 Town and Country's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2012 Town and Country?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Town and Country · engine
After receiving multiple check engine notifications for "engine misfire", the dealership determined that all the lifters needed to be replaced. We had the work done, and 1 year later the same codes have returned.
12/31/2019 · at 110,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11292215.0 · see engine pattern →
2012 Town and Country · electrical Fire
The contact owns a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving 45-60 MPH, the rear passenger side sliding door started smoking and caught on fire. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road and…
2012 Town and Country · electrical
My car would randomly shut down while I am driving leaving me with no power steering. I took it to my mechanic who discovered it was a faulty ignition switch module and recommended I take it to a dealership. If I touch the key fob on my car or hit a bump while it is running,…
2012 Town and Country · brakes
The brake lights on the drivers side failed. These lights are LED lights and meant to last the life of the vehicle. They cannot be changed like a standard brake light. This is a safety hazard when stopping or driving at night. *tr
12/25/2013 · at 47,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10557232.0 · see brakes pattern →
View all 634 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2012 Chrysler Town and Country? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 5

severe NHTSA 25V876000 December 17, 2025

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

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

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 14V234000 May 7, 2014

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

An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 12V191000 May 2, 2012

Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2012 town and country and Dodge grand caravan vehicles, manufactured from march 9, 2012 through march 12, 2012

The power liftgate door may close on an appendage, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.
View all 5 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.0 out of 10 based on 634 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?

On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the electrical system was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 11 fire-related complaints and 3 crash-related complaints on the electrical system; Engine: 53 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 64,000–130,000 mi; Reliability score 6.0/10 — around the segment average; 5 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?

Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 376 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,494 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 634 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 81,494 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 376 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,494 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 81,494 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Chrysler Town and Country has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 634 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chrysler/Town and Country. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Chrysler. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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