2013 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems
moderate 46 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Owners have filed 46 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 #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Chrysler Town and Country's Pentastar 3.6L engine has a documented history of left-bank cylinder head cracking (Cylinder #2), unexpected stalling without warning or codes, oil filter housing leaks, and persistent misfires. Warranty coverage is severely limited by manufacturing date, and Chrysler has not addressed widespread electrical and fuel system issues despite recalls on other models.
The 2013 Town and Country encounters critical engine problems that span multiple systems. Left-side cylinder head cracks appear early and repeatedly—owners describe ticking at idle escalating to violent shaking, misfire codes (P0302, P0300), and power loss on highways. Chrysler extended the warranty to 10 years/150,000 miles for this defect but only for vehicles built before July 31, 2013; owners with August 2013 build dates report being excluded despite identical failures and repair costs over $2,000.
Unexpected engine stalling without warning or fault codes is widespread across mileage ranges and driving speeds. Owners lose power steering and brakes during these events with no check engine light; dealers and independent shops cannot diagnose it. Oil filter housing cracks produce oil leaks onto the engine; one owner's fuel return line clip failure sprayed gasoline on a hot engine, causing a fire that destroyed the van.
Cylinder misfires in cylinders 2, 3, 4, and 6 persist even after spark plugs and coils are replaced multiple times. Fuel system leaks, pump relay failures, and pressure faults cause rapid fuel tank loss and starting problems. Exhaust systems separate or leak fumes into the cabin. Owners also report power module failures and ignition control malfunctions. Many complaints cite service bulletins or extended warranty programs that exist but refuse coverage based on manufacturing dates.
Same Chrysler Town and Country engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder Head Cracking (Left Bank, Cylinder #2)
Left-side cylinder head develops cracks, particularly affecting cylinder #2. Owners report ticking noise at idle preceding misfire and power loss. Chrysler extended warranty on this issue to 10 years/150,000 miles for vehicles manufactured before July 31, 2013, but many 2013 models (built late July or August 2013) fall outside the coverage window despite exhibiting identical symptoms.
When: Typically between 68,000–140,000 miles; some reports as early as 14,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking noise from left bank at idle or red light; Cylinder #2 misfire; Loss of power and hesitation during acceleration; Check engine light illumination; Engine shake and violent vibration; Vehicle limited to 35–40 mph
Codes mentioned: P0302, P0300, P0153, P0175
Repairs/costs cited: Left cylinder head replacement required; repair costs exceed $2,000. Dealer service bulletins reference TSB D-14-12 (June 10, 2014) and TSB 09-002-14 for cylinder leakage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler extended warranty bulletin D-14-12 covers left cylinder head to 10 years/150,000 miles for vehicles manufactured before July 31, 2013. Coverage denied for vehicles built August 2013 or later, despite owners reporting identical failures.
Unexpected Engine Stalling (No Codes, No Warning)
Engine shuts off without warning during driving or at idle, sometimes restarting on its own. No fault codes appear in computer diagnostics. Power steering and power brakes are lost. Event occurs intermittently across all speeds and conditions. Multiple owners report the Chrysler dealer and independent mechanics cannot diagnose or replicate the issue.
When: Early operation; some reports at 14,000–130,000 miles; occurs within first 7 minutes of driving in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown without warning; Loss of power steering and power brakes; No check engine light or fault codes; Traction control light may illuminate after stall; Vehicle restarts normally after stall; Occurs at all speeds (5–70 mph) and in park; Increased frequency when restarting after extended soak
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in any of the reported cases. Dealers and independent mechanics unable to retrieve codes or duplicate failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler denies knowledge of the defect in some reports; case opened for one complaint but vehicle not repaired.
Cracked Oil Filter Housing / Oil Leak
Oil filter housing assembly or adapter cracks, causing oil to leak onto the engine. One owner reported fuel return line clip failure and fuel spray onto hot engine, creating fire hazard. Oil cooler also reported to fail and leak.
When: No specific mileage given for most; one report at 140,000 miles before catastrophic fire
Symptoms owners cite: Large puddle of oil under vehicle; Oil fumes and gasoline odor in cabin and under hood; Engine stalling due to low oil; Burning smell while driving; Engine fire (one incident)
Repairs/costs cited: Oil filter housing replacement ~$150 part + ~4 hours labor (~$700 total per dealership); oil cooler replacement reported. One catastrophic fire required fire department intervention; vehicle declared total loss.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged as known issue with Pentastar V6 3.6L engines used across 2011–2014 Town & Country, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Ram 1500. Chrysler has not assumed responsibility in complaints reviewed.
Cylinder Misfire (Multiple Cylinders)
Misfires in cylinders 2, 3, 4, or 6, triggered by coil or plug failure, fuel injector fouling, or cylinder head leakage. Owners replace spark plugs and ignition coils multiple times without resolution; some discover low compression or warped cylinder heads on further diagnosis.
When: 68,000–171,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Engine jerking, hesitation, and rough acceleration; Engine shake; Rough idle; Loss of power during uphill grades
Codes mentioned: P0303, P0306, P0302, P0304, P0300
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel injectors replaced; failure persists in many cases. Low compression (105 psi in one case) and warped cylinder head identified on follow-up testing. TSB 09-002-14 for cylinder leakage referenced; Extended Warranty X56 denied by Chrysler on coverage date grounds.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler declined to cover repairs under TSB 09-002-14 and Extended Warranty X56 for vehicles outside manufacturing date windows. Service bulletin exists but coverage is date-restricted.
Fuel System Malfunction (Leak, Pump, Pressure)
Fuel leaks from fuel rail or fuel system components; fuel pump relay failure; fuel pump runs continuously after engine shut-off; fuel pressure codes indicate system failure.
When: Early operation (12,600 miles in one report) through 140,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rapid fuel tank depletion (full tank in 1 hour); Fuel odor in cabin; Fuel leaking from engine bottom; Fuel pump running continuously with key off; Engine not starting; Strong fuel fumes in cabin
Codes mentioned: P0153, P0175, P0456
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel rail replacement required (~$800+ reported). Fuel pump relay replaced in one case. Related TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) recalls exist on other Chrysler models but not on 2013 Town and Country despite identical symptoms.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler has declined recalls on TIPM despite similar issues and recalls on other models. No acknowledgment of fuel rail defect in narratives.
Exhaust System Leak / Separation
Exhaust system components separate or fail, releasing fumes into cabin. One owner reports exhaust fell off three times due to missing dimples in pipe design. Replacement exhaust system was installed but failure recurred.
When: Early (12,612 miles) and later in service life
Symptoms owners cite: Exhaust fumes emitted into vehicle cabin; Exhaust pipe/system separation or detachment; Burning smell
Repairs/costs cited: Exhaust system replacement performed but did not resolve recurrence in one case. Design flaw cited (missing dimples in pipe to prevent separation).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Repair denied after recurrence; no recall or design change acknowledged.
TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) / Ignition Control Failure
Power control module or ignition module fails, preventing engine start or causing loss of electrical function. Owner notes related TIPM recalls exist on other Chrysler models but not on 2013 Town and Country.
When: 58,000 miles (one report)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; Loss of electrical power; Engine stalls
Codes mentioned: Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) light, TIPM fault codes
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; vehicle towed. One case noted failure to start and fuel pump relay malfunction.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler advised vehicle was not included in TIPM recall. Case opened but vehicle not repaired.
Synthesized from 46 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 engine problem on the 2013 Chrysler Town and Country?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 46 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 63,000 and 127,000 miles, with the median around 92,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 63,000; a quarter make it past 127,000. 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.