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.
2012 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems
severe 53 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 53 engine complaints filed for the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 53 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 6 model years of Chrysler Town and Country in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 Town & Country has serious engine and electrical gremlins: sudden total power loss while driving at highway speeds, unexplained stalling across all speeds, persistent cylinder misfires that resist repeated part replacements, and bearing/connecting rod failures in the 60,000-97,000 mile range. Many owners report dealerships unable to diagnose problems and affected vehicles not covered by existing recalls despite identical failures across multiple units.
2012 Town & Country owners describe catastrophic engine and electrical failures that span the entire life of the vehicle. Multiple owners report complete loss of all electrical power and engine shutdown at highway speeds (60-70 mph), leaving them coasting to the shoulder in darkness with no steering assist or emergency lights. Several experienced this during heavy traffic merges or at night, creating serious crash risks.
Stalling while driving is endemic—it occurs at all speeds, sometimes repeatedly within short distances, sometimes sporadically over months. Power steering and ABS stop working during stalls, making these episodes genuinely hazardous. One owner reports a dealer service visit costing $1,400 that failed to resolve the stalling.
Cylinder misfire is the most-reported symptom. Owners replace spark plugs, ignition coils, intake gaskets, and lifters—sometimes multiple times—only to see the same misfire codes return within days or weeks. A mechanic reports working on four Town & Country vans simultaneously, each with misfire in a different cylinder.
Bearing and connecting rod failures appear in the 60,000-97,000 mile range, announced by grinding or ticking sounds that progress over days. One owner's compression test showed 90 psi in a damaged cylinder versus 148 psi in good cylinders. Cylinder head leaks and excessive wear are common; one owner had the right head rebuilt at 60,000 miles, then the left head needed replacement at over 100,000 miles.
Hard starting, fuel pump failures, and cracked flywheels round out the catalog. Multiple owners note their vehicles are not covered by recall 11V487000 despite having identical failures to recalled vehicles.
Same Chrysler Town and Country engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Complete loss of electrical power while driving
Engine and all electrical systems shut down completely while vehicle is moving at highway speeds, with no warning. Lights, steering, and power loss occur simultaneously. Battery disconnect and reconnect restores operation.
When: Highway driving, 60-70 mph; one case at 5 mph low-speed maneuver
Symptoms owners cite: Complete power loss to engine and lights; Loss of power steering; Loss of power braking assist; Dash lights blink intermittently after shutdown; Vehicle will not restart after shutdown
Codes mentioned: P061C (5 different problems)
Repairs/costs cited: Battery disconnect/reconnect temporarily restores operation; no permanent repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not included in NHTSA campaign 14V373000 (Electrical System); some vehicles told they were not under recall
Engine stalling while driving
Engine shuts off unexpectedly during driving at various speeds, including highway merging, stop-and-go traffic, and low-speed maneuvers. Occurs without warning, sometimes recurring multiple times during single trip. Power steering and ABS inoperative during stall events.
When: Across all driving speeds and conditions; can happen repeatedly within short distances or sporadically over months
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; Loss of power steering and ABS; Check engine light illuminates (inconsistently); Traction control light may illuminate before stall; Vehicle may restart immediately or require multiple attempts
Codes mentioned: P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire), P061C
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple mechanics unable to duplicate failure during diagnostics; fuel pump replacement ($777.92) did not resolve in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to find fault; some vehicles not included in recalls
Cylinder misfire - persistent and recurring
Check engine light illuminates with misfire codes in various cylinders (2, 3, 4, 6). Rough idle and loss of power at speed. Spark plugs and ignition coils replaced multiple times with no permanent resolution; same codes return within days or weeks. Some owners report mechanics working on multiple Town & Country vans with identical cylinder-specific misfire problems.
When: Ongoing throughout vehicle operation; symptoms present during idle and acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on continuously or intermittently; Rough idle at stops and low speeds; Bucking and jerking during acceleration; Loss of power during gear shifts; Engine sounds like running on fewer cylinders
Codes mentioned: P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire), P0303 (Cylinder 3 misfire), P0304 (Cylinder 4 misfire), P0306 (Cylinder 6 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs replaced; ignition coils replaced; intake gaskets replaced ($1,250 for cylinder head rebuild in one case); lifters replaced - all with recurring misfire codes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 11V487000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) for excessive cylinder wear exists but many affected VINs not included; Chrysler acknowledges same engine used across model years with known misfire issues
Engine bearing and connecting rod failure
Abnormal grinding, ticking, or knocking noise from engine that progresses over days. Diagnosed as connecting rod bearing failure and crankshaft/camshaft damage. Low cylinder compression (90 psi vs. 148 psi normal) confirmed on affected cylinders. Metal debris found in oil.
When: Around 60,000-97,000 miles; ticking sound begins around 100,000 miles on another unit
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal grinding noise from engine; Ticking or knocking sound; Rough running after noise begins; Engine stalls on inclines at 30-45 mph; Metal debris in oil
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required in multiple cases; compression test confirms low compression in affected cylinder
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA campaign 11V487000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) referenced; affected vehicles not included in recall
Engine fire
Smoke emanates from engine compartment during highway driving at 70 mph; engine overheats and vehicle catches fire. Hood opened by passenger to extinguish fire.
When: 80,000 miles; while driving 70 mph with A/C running
Symptoms owners cite: A/C blowing hot air; Smoke from engine compartment; Engine overheating; Vehicle fire
Repairs/costs cited: Engine and engine cooling system replacement needed but parts discontinued by manufacturer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but stated repair parts discontinued; no repair completed
Hard starting and no-start conditions
Engine fails to turn over on initial start attempts, or requires multiple key cycles to start. Starter replaced but problem recurs. Fuel pump relay loses power from TIPM. In some cases vehicle will not start despite battery and starter functioning.
When: Morning starts and hot afternoon restarts; 85,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not turn over despite starter cranking; Requires multiple start attempts; Ignition feels loose; key difficult to remove; Must let vehicle sit 30 minutes before starting again; No warning lights illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Starter replacement ineffective; fuel pump relay bypass required in one case; TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) replacement needed in another
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not under recall per manufacturer; case number provided in one instance
Instrument panel blackout and steering wheel lock
Instrument panel goes completely dark while driving; steering wheel locks up simultaneously. All electrical lights illuminate. Vehicle loses all power and cannot be steered. Occurs intermittently at highway speeds.
When: Highway driving at 65-70 mph; 120,000-132,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel turns black/all lights go dark; Steering wheel locks completely; Brake pedal becomes hard to depress; All instrument panel lights illuminate; Vehicle stalls
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; one case required vehicle to be shifted to Park to restart
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not under recall; manufacturer not notified in some cases
Unintended forward surge at stop
Vehicle surges forward suddenly while stopped at traffic light with foot on brake, despite driver not depressing accelerator. Occurs multiple times with no reproducible cause. Similar to downshift jerk rather than gradual acceleration.
When: While stopped at traffic lights
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward surge without driver input; Heavy pull against applied brakes; Quick jerk sensation like downshift
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent fix applied; dealer acknowledged no known problem of this type
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer indicated they would investigate if failure recurs
Catalytic converter failure
Catalytic converter burns out and requires replacement. In one case, converter failure occurred alongside connecting rod failure.
When: 154,000 miles in one case; 132,000 miles in another with rod failure
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; Burned catalytic converter
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement needed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in some cases
Cylinder head and valve train damage
Left side cylinder head leaks and requires replacement. Excessive cylinder wear on some cylinders. Rockers and camshafts worn; rocker arms made contact with camshafts creating metal debris in oil. Cylinder head previously repaired, requiring second repair at higher mileage.
When: Around 60,000-100,000+ miles; recurring on same vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light illuminated; Leaking cylinder head; Rough idle; Misfire codes
Codes mentioned: P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Left cylinder head replacement ($1,250 under extended warranty); right cylinder head already rebuilt at 60,000 miles prior with no warranty coverage for second repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler customer care provided no assistance when vehicle out of warranty
Engine dies immediately after cold start
Engine dies right after initial startup, sometimes 2-3 consecutive times. In some instances, engine sounds like running on only 3 cylinders when it does start. Can occur in parking lot situations as vehicle is being moved.
When: Upon cold startup or restart after brief shutoff
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies seconds after starting; Multiple consecutive start failures; Rough running sound (3-cylinder operation sound); Wipers activate on their own
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs detailed
Cracked flywheel
Flywheel cracks, creating noise at front end of vehicle, particularly when stationary.
When: 130,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from front end when stopped
Repairs/costs cited: Flywheel replaced
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer referred contact to NHTSA
Faulty engine sensors and PCM issues
Cam/crankshaft sensors fail, causing stalling. PCM requires reflashing to address stalling events. Solenoid and piston failures reported.
When: Various mileages; 24,900 miles in one early case
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving; Check engine light illuminated; Traction control light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: PCM reflash performed in one case without permanent resolution; solenoid and piston replacement recommended but not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not under recall
Synthesized from 53 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Chrysler town and country. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding noise coming from the engine. The contact stated that the noise grew progressively worst over a seven-day period. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the noise was attributable to connecting rod…
Had engine trouble with your 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?
It's a meaningful issue. 53 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 44 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 64,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 104,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 64,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Chrysler/Town and Country.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.