2012 Chrysler Town and Country steering problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple owners report the engine shutting off without warning while driving, accompanied by total loss of power steering and brakes—a critical safety defect. Dealers have struggled to diagnose and fix the problem despite several repair attempts, and Chrysler has declined reimbursement claims on out-of-warranty vehicles.
Owners of 2012 Town and Country vans report the engine shutting off completely and without warning while driving, with no diagnostic codes appearing. The stalling happens at any speed—from a few mph to 70 mph on highways—and leaves drivers with zero power steering and zero power brakes. The dashboard goes black. To restart, owners must jiggle the key, shift to Neutral or Drive, or wait 45 to 60 minutes.
One owner's dealership replaced the ignition switch and charged $450; another owner's dealership kept the van nearly a month, diagnosed a faulty part, found none available, and told the owner they couldn't guarantee safety even if parts arrived. Chrysler refused reimbursement because the vehicle was out of warranty.
A separate complaint describes a tie rod disconnecting at low speed, with a lug nut found improperly tightened.
Another owner reports intermittent stalling specifically during turns and over bumps, with research pointing to similar recalls on earlier Mopar models.
Owners emphasize the danger: children in cars, near-miss collisions, stalling in intersections, stalling on highway overpasses. No recalls have been issued for the stalling condition.
Same Chrysler Town and Country steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Ignition switch or electrical failure causing complete engine shutdown while driving
Engine shuts off completely and unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion. All electrical systems lose power simultaneously, including power steering, power brakes, and dashboard lights. The vehicle becomes unresponsive to restart attempts until the ignition key is jiggled, the gear is shifted to Neutral or Drive, or the vehicle sits for 45-60 minutes.
When: May 2022 through September 2022; reported at various speeds from 5 mph to 70 mph on highways and local roads
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies without warning while driving; Complete loss of power steering; Complete loss of power brakes; Dashboard lights go black; No diagnostic codes appear; Vehicle becomes unresponsive to restart until key is jiggled or gear shifted; Intermittent stalling with no pattern; Traction control light may illuminate before shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced ignition switch in one case; another owner reports dealership diagnosed but could not source replacement part (estimated cost $1000 parts and labor). One owner reports dealership kept vehicle nearly a month and could not guarantee safety even with potential part replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner requested reimbursement of $450 for ignition switch replacement; Chrysler refused because it was not on recall list and vehicle was out of warranty on mileage. Owner alleges Chrysler has known about defective ignition switches for years.
Tie rod disconnection and wheel alignment failure
Front passenger side tie rod disconnected while driving, resulting in loss of steering control. A lug nut was found to be improperly tightened at the time of repair.
When: Approximately 2,766 miles; occurred while driving at 5 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Loud screeching sound from under vehicle; Loss of steering control; Three wheels pointing forward when tie rod disconnected
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced tie rod and tightened lug nut. Repair completed without further incident reported.
Intermittent stalling with loss of power steering during turns and rough road conditions
Vehicle stalls unexpectedly when turning corners or driving over bumps and potholes. All power systems shut down simultaneously. Independent mechanic research identified similar recalls on earlier Mopar model years.
When: Not specified; complaint filed regarding intermittent occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off while turning; Vehicle shuts off when going over bumps or potholes; Complete shutdown of power steering, dashboard, and engine; No warning lamps or messages before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle inspected by independent auto mechanic only; not taken to dealer or service center.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Independent mechanic research identified similar recalls on earlier Mopar vehicles.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 37,000 and 155,000 miles, with the median around 53,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 37,000; a quarter make it past 155,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.