2014 Chrysler Town and Country electrical problems

Engine and all electrical systems (engine, lights, power steering, power brakes, radio, wipers, instrument cluster, airbags, dashboard) shut off suddenly without warning while the vehicle is in motion. Vehicle can be restarted, but loss of power steering and brakes creates a serious safety hazard.

When: Intermittent, ranging from 7,000 to 187,000 miles; occurs during normal driving, often on highways at 35+ MPH but also at lower speeds; some owners report it happens more frequently in cold weather.

Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power; All interior and exterior lights go dark; Loss of power steering and power brakes; Loss of instrument cluster display and dashboard lights; Radio, wipers, and AC/heat shut off; Airbags may not function; Vehicle can be restarted after incident; no persistent warning lights

Codes mentioned: P0016, P075A, C212A16, B21A1

Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships often unable to diagnose the issue; some replaced TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) without resolution; one owner's independent mechanic recommended TIPM replacement; repairs range from $200 diagnostic fees to $2800+ for TIPM replacement.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler reportedly told owners they could not duplicate the issue; one owner reported Chrysler corporate hung up the phone when contacted; no recall issued despite multiple complaints.

Steering wheel controls including horn, cruise control, and driver information center stop functioning. The root cause is often a failed clock spring that feeds power to the cruise control switch and horn. Despite the simplicity of the horn function, dealership diagnosis is complex and initially inaccurate.

When: Occurring in vehicles with various mileage; one documented case around May 2017.

Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not work; Cruise control does not function; All other steering wheel controls inoperative; Driver information center unavailable for vehicle diagnostics

Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement required; owner reported manufacturer refused to cover repair costs under warranty.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage offered; repair classified as owner responsibility.

Vehicle locks doors with key fob still inside the cabin, contrary to manual warnings that keyless ignition systems should prevent this. Horn does not beep and doors do not unlock as documented in the manual.

When: Intermittent failures; one documented incident during a stop away from home.

Symptoms owners cite: Doors lock despite key fob being inside vehicle; Horn does not beep warning; Doors do not auto-unlock; Manual contradicts actual system behavior

Repairs/costs cited: Service truck dispatched by Chrysler to unlock door after about 1 hour; no repair performed. Owner reported prior complaints about driver sliding door lock failure.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler service personnel showed little interest in addressing systemic concern; no solution or warning implemented.

Blind spot sensors located under rear bumper expose connectors to water intrusion, salt, and road debris. Corrosion causes sensors to fail and drain battery overnight repeatedly. Failure can shut down the entire electrical system, causing loss of power, dashboard lights, and interior electronics. Affects multiple systems due to electrical bus failure. Known design flaw in 2011–2016 model years.

When: Occurring at various mileages; one case at 50,000 miles, another at 100,000+ miles; failures increase over time and are persistent in owners on dirt roads.

Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot monitoring system stops functioning; Backup warning system stops functioning; Battery drains completely overnight; All dashboard warning lights illuminate; Power to interior and exterior lights lost; Instrument cluster goes dark; Engine may shut off while driving at highway speeds

Repairs/costs cited: $1,600–$2,000 sensor and module replacement; three shops and $1,500 in diagnostic work required in one case to identify root cause; dealers confirm this is a common issue affecting virtually all Town and Country vehicles because sensors cannot be effectively cleaned or protected.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler acknowledged the issue as a design flaw; no recall issued; dealers indicate problem will recur within 50,000 miles of repair; issue was corrected when vehicle was redesigned into the Pacifica.

Charging port located between 2nd and 3rd row seating on driver's side caught fire while vehicle was in motion. No warning light illuminated before failure. Fire resulted in smoke inhalation injury to child passenger and vehicle fire requiring emergency services response.

When: Approximately 136,000 miles; occurred while driving at 35 MPH without warning.

Symptoms owners cite: Charging port caught fire; Smoke inside vehicle; No pre-failure warning light

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to independent dealer and remained for investigation without diagnosis or repair being completed.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was made aware but no repair or remedy provided.

Smoke and burning electrical wiring odor coming from rear driver's side sliding door interior. Fire recurred after initial extinguishing. Reported at approximately 187,000 miles.

When: At approximately 187,000 miles; fire recurred after traveling and parking vehicle at residence.

Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from rear driver's side sliding door; Burning electrical wiring odor; Fire without visible flames initially

Repairs/costs cited: Fire department extinguished fire; vehicle not diagnosed or repaired. Owner related failure to NHTSA Campaign 14V234000 (Electrical System).

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and field investigator was to be sent; no further details provided.

Engine stalls or shuts off suddenly while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, causing loss of power steering and braking ability. Occurs intermittently without warning pattern. Vehicle can be restarted but poses severe safety risk.

When: Occurring from early in ownership (7,000 miles) through later model years; happens multiple times in some vehicles; frequency increases over time in some cases.

Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning; Loss of all power to engine and electrical components; No warning lights before failure; Vehicle can be restarted after incident; Sometimes accompanied by burning smell; Traction control light may illuminate after incident

Codes mentioned: Lightning bolt error code (voltage-related)

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to replicate or diagnose in most cases; one vehicle at dealership for 3 weeks with no resolution; another owner spent $850 on alternator replacement without fixing issue; repair shop unable to find problem without active warning light.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler deferred to dealership; dealership unable to resolve; one owner reports Chrysler corporate hung up phone when contacted; no recall issued.

Defective TIPM causes multiple electrical and engine control failures. When TIPM malfunctions, multiple vehicle systems fail simultaneously because the module controls various electrical functions. Failures include no-start condition, random stalling, excessive vehicle shaking, unintended acceleration, and tire pressure system malfunction. Vehicle throwing multiple diagnostic codes simultaneously.

When: Occurring at various mileages; one case around 8,000 miles; failures are intermittent and increase in frequency.

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start 3–5 times per week; Jump starting revives vehicle temporarily; Excessive shaking while driving; Unintended acceleration when hitting brakes; Random stalling while driving; Vehicle shaking violently causing engine damage

Codes mentioned: Multiple simultaneous codes across different systems

Repairs/costs cited: $1,000+ TIPM replacement; one owner purchased used TIPM from eBay and replaced it themselves for less cost; another owner received $2,800 estimate from dealership; some dealerships do not stock parts or delayed ordering.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler corporate told one owner parts are not under recall or warranty; no recall issued despite known issue; Chrysler hung up on another owner when TIPM issue was mentioned.

Sliding door lock actuator motor is cheaply made and burns out, causing door to seize without warning and become impossible to open manually. Locks fail intermittently, and doors may not lock/unlock when intended. Passenger side sliding door particularly problematic.

When: Failures occur over time; one case documented motor burning out twice in one year; doors freeze shut in winter; locking/unlocking failures ongoing for extended periods.

Symptoms owners cite: Door lock actuator burns out; Sliding door seizes without warning; Door cannot be manually unlocked when actuator fails; Door motor repeatedly tries to pull door closed even when already in closed position; Door gets stuck trying to close and will drain battery if not addressed; Doors frozen shut in winter; Locking/unlocking buzzes and fails

Repairs/costs cited: $1,600 dealer estimate for replacement; body shop repair required on each failure; owners report this is a known issue in forums with many Town and Country owners experiencing the same problem.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer support mentioned; known issue among owners but no official recall or fix.

Wipers malfunction while operating, moving erratically and with excessive force. Linkage wraps around something, causing motor to blow and windshield to crack. Fuse blows, and wipers become inoperative at critical moment.

When: Documented at 42,000 miles; incident occurred during heavy rain on highway.

Symptoms owners cite: Wipers move off to the side of vehicle; Wipers move very slowly and only halfway across windshield; Wipers exert excessive force felt in brakes; Windshield cracks; Fuse blows; Wipers stop working

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed blown fuse and damaged linkage/motor; windshield replacement required; repair cost not specified.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer claimed repair was outside warranty period despite vehicle being newly purchased; no support offered.

Vehicle accelerates without driver input, sometimes when making turns or at low speeds. Engine revs and vehicle speeds up despite driver applying brakes. Computer module malfunction identified as cause in some cases. Related to TIPM and other electrical failures.

When: Occurring at various mileages; one case at approximately 13,000 miles (low mileage issue); incidents happen during normal driving operations.

Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs and vehicle accelerates without driver input; Vehicle accelerates when making turns; Vehicle accelerates when driver applies brakes; RPM increases while at low speed (30 MPH) but vehicle unable to go faster than that speed; Engine self-accelerates while in park at startup

Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose in some cases; insurance investigation determined computer module failure caused acceleration; no permanent repair solution found by dealership; one case resulted in collision with parked vehicle.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to provide remedy; one case involved insurance company third-party investigation that found computer module failure; Chrysler and dealership refused to provide findings, claiming proprietary information.

Multiple electrical component fires including power outlet/charging port fires, rear door lock motor overheating and fire, and electrical wiring fires inside vehicle. Fires occur without warning lights or obvious pre-failure symptoms.

When: Occurring at various mileages from 64,700 miles to 200,000 miles; fires are unpredictable and sudden.

Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from electrical component or door; Burning electrical wiring odor; Fire from rear door lock mechanism; Fire from power outlet between seat rows; Fire from cigarette lighter power supply

Repairs/costs cited: One owner used fire extinguisher to smother fire; fires extinguished by fire department in some cases; vehicles not repaired or diagnosed; fire reports filed by emergency services.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases; one case referenced NHTSA Campaign 14V234000 (Electrical System); no factory repairs or recalls implemented; one owner noted fire investigation open (NHTSA PE 20-012) regarding charge hub fires.

Power-folding third-row seats activate unexpectedly and collapse with dangerous force. Buttons positioned in locations where they can be easily and accidentally pressed. Seats cannot be stopped once activated by button press alone and require physical force to halt.

When: Documented incident on July 4th; buttons accessible while passengers are seated in third row.

Symptoms owners cite: Third-row seat collapses without intentional activation; Seat collapse cannot be stopped using control buttons; Excessive folding force can cause serious injury to occupants; Buttons easily accidentally pressed by people sitting in rear seats

Repairs/costs cited: No repair mentioned; safety concern identified but no manufacturer action taken.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; known hazard with no solution offered.

AC/heating system has 5-minute delay before blowing air at full force after vehicle startup. System also activates on its own without driver input. Rear AC door closes and will not open, making it extremely hot in rear of vehicle even with AC on full blast.

When: Issue started last summer for one owner; problems ongoing through multiple seasons; occurs every time vehicle starts.

Symptoms owners cite: 5-minute delay before AC/heat blows at full force; Air blows weak for first 5 minutes after startup; AC/heat activates on its own; Rear AC door closes and remains closed; Extremely hot conditions in rear despite full AC operation; Rear blower does not work properly

Repairs/costs cited: Service center replaced blower motor and tested relays and wires without resolving issue; issue suspected to be module reprogramming need based on online research of 2014–2015 recalls.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler claims no recalls exist for this VIN despite similar documented issues in other vehicles; no technical bulletin or fix provided.

Vehicle comes out of gear while driving at highway speeds. Transmission solenoid/sensor fails. After repair, same failure recurs within 6 months. Multiple codes stored indicating transmission, ABS, and power issues.

When: First incident approximately one month after initial complaint; second incident 6 months after sensor solenoid replacement.

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle comes out of gear while driving; RPM shot up to 4–5 at 30 MPH speed; Unable to drive over 40 MPH after incident; Check engine light comes on after incident; Dashboard lights up with multiple warnings

Codes mentioned: C212A16 (System voltage below threshold), P075A (LC solenoid circuit), B21A1 (ECU reset/recovery occurred)

Repairs/costs cited: Sensor solenoid pac replaced; recurring issue within 6 months of repair; dealer stated nothing could be done; warranty covers additional 13 months or 28,000 miles.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable or unwilling to address recurring failure under warranty.

All or multiple trouble lights on instrument panel illuminate simultaneously including charging system, oil pressure, ABS, airbag, electronic throttle control, tire pressure, engine temperature, seat belt, brake, engine malfunction, ESC, security, and low fuel lights. Interior lights flicker between bright and dim. Radio/navigation systems overheat and short out.

When: Starting October 6, 2018 for one owner; lights going on intermittently before becoming constant.

Symptoms owners cite: All trouble lights illuminate simultaneously; Interior lights flicker and dim; No power to interior of vehicle; Radio shorted out with message about screen being hot; Navigation feature unavailable due to overheating; Lights may go on intermittently before becoming constant

Repairs/costs cited: Fuse box replaced by third party without resolution; battery replaced without resolution; vehicle parked and unable to drive due to safety concerns; owner unable to locate functional vehicle.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer support documented.

TPMS fails to function properly, corrodes, and in at least one case caused a tire puncture. Also associated with vehicle overheating issues.

When: At various mileages; documented with head gasket failure association.

Symptoms owners cite: TPMS fails to function; TPMS corrodes; Tire puncture caused by failed TPMS

Repairs/costs cited: Head gasket replacement required in at least one case associated with TPMS issue; repairs not completed under warranty.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer could not assist as vehicle was not covered under warranty or recall.

Vehicle will not start even after battery replacement. Jump-starting temporarily revives the vehicle. Battery drains overnight despite no obvious electrical loads. Vehicle stalls out after a few minutes of starting. Parasitic drain suspected from failed radio or other electrical component.

When: Intermittent issue; one recent case in February 2020 after battery replacement.

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start without jump-start; Battery drains completely overnight; Vehicle starts with jump-starter but car shuts off after 15 minutes; Ambient temperature around 70°F but vehicle acts as if frozen; No engine warning lights illuminate before no-start condition; Amber accent lights visible around light switch, overhead console, and dash controls at night

Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced without resolving issue; parasitic drain identified; M12 fuse (30 amp) disconnection stops power drain and amber light activation.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer support documented.

Shortage in driver's door wiring causing headlights, turn signals, and instrument cluster to fail. Issue recurs after initial repair attempt.

When: Documented at 50,048 miles.

Symptoms owners cite: Headlights fail to illuminate; Turn signals fail to illuminate; Instrument cluster fails to illuminate

Repairs/costs cited: Driver's door wiring replaced at first service; failure recurred; blind spot detectors replaced at second service with unknown long-term resolution.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer case number opened (33453442) but no further assistance provided.

Key fob or push-button ignition can be inadvertently activated while driving, turning off the engine and all electrical systems. In one case, a passenger's knee struck the ignition button at highway speed.

When: Documented at approximately 68 MPH highway speed.

Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off due to accidental ignition button press; All power to minivan lost; No locking mechanism prevents accidental activation

Repairs/costs cited: No repair made; vehicle coasted to emergency lane without incident.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer action; no locking mechanism implemented despite multiple similar ignition switch recalls in industry.

Power outlet/cigarette lighter on driver side by third-row seat caught on fire while driving. No warning lights before failure.

When: At approximately 64,700 miles.

Symptoms owners cite: Power outlet caught on fire; Smoke and burning odor from outlet area; No pre-failure warning light

Repairs/costs cited: Owner smothered fire with beach towel and drove vehicle home; vehicle not taken to dealer or repaired.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not initially made aware; later given case number when contacted.

Vehicle shuts off and locks with occupants inside, trapping young children in heat. Rear doors unable to open. Trunk also inoperative. Vehicle must be towed. Fuse box failure identified as cause.

When: Documented incident with children in car seats.

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off suddenly while driving; Doors lock automatically; Rear doors cannot be opened from inside; Trunk will not open; Can only enter through front doors; Children trapped in vehicle with no climate control

Repairs/costs cited: $1,500 fuse box replacement on back order for 5 days; replacement part installation caused smoking; dealership later recommended $2,800 TIPM replacement.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer support documented.

Vehicle parked in garage with driver's foot on brake. Upon pressing ignition button, wipers came on at high speed and engine revved and began accelerating in reverse despite being in park. Vehicle crashed through garage door, continued reversing down driveway, and finally stopped against curb. Driver ejected from vehicle.

When: Single documented incident.

Symptoms owners cite: Wipers activated at high speed without driver input; Engine revved and vehicle accelerated in reverse; Vehicle in park but reversed despite brake application; Door opened and crashed against garage structure; Driver ejected due to vehicle movement

Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; owners very concerned about vehicle safety.

Blind spot monitoring system fails to alert when vehicles are in blind spot areas. Backup warning system also fails to alert. Warning lights and sounds do not function. System becomes completely inoperative.

When: Occurring at various mileages; one case at 100,000 miles.

Symptoms owners cite: No blind spot alert when vehicle in left or right blind spot; No reverse warning when vehicle approaching from sides; Diamond square icon on exterior mirrors does not illuminate; Warning sound does not activate

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer but not diagnosed or repaired.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted and provided case number; no further support documented.

Power-folding third-row seats can be activated inadvertently by passengers. Once activated, seats fold with force that can cause serious injury. No emergency stop mechanism beyond button controls.

When: Ongoing hazard while passengers seated in third row.

Symptoms owners cite: Third-row seats collapse without intentional activation; Seats collapse with significant force; No emergency stop capability

Repairs/costs cited: No repairs suggested or made.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented; hazard remains unaddressed.