Passenger headrest assembly randomly engaged some sort of "airbag" mode. Two springs deployed the headrest forward rapidly
2015 Chrysler Town and Country airbags problems
critical 38 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
38
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
9crashes
13injuries
3fatalities
When does it fail?
Of the 38 airbags complaints filed for the 2015 Chrysler Town and Country, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 38 airbags 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 airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2015 Chrysler Town and Country has widespread issues with active headrests deploying without warning—sometimes while parked—causing head and neck injuries; airbags also fail to deploy in real crashes. Chrysler has not issued a recall and denies warranty coverage, leaving owners to pay $700–$900 for replacement headrests.
Owners report the active headrest assembly in front seats deploys with a loud pop or bang without any accident, collision, or occupant contact. Deployments happen while the vehicle sits parked in a garage or driveway, at stop lights, or during normal driving—one occurred at 60 mph on a highway. The plastic latch, retainer, or spring mechanism inside the headrest fails and allows it to spring forward forcefully. When occupied, the headrest strikes the occupant's head or neck; one owner's glasses fell off, forcing her to drive on a freeway with impaired vision. Once deployed, the headrest cannot be reset and requires full replacement at dealership cost of $683–$900. Chrysler service staff have acknowledged knowing this happens "often" in the 2015 Town and Country, yet no recall exists and warranty coverage is denied beyond 36,000 miles.
Separately, owners report airbags failing to deploy during crashes serious enough to total vehicles or cause major damage. One rear-end collision at a stop sign resulted in no airbag inflation and vehicle destruction; another multi-directional crash deployed only the curtain airbag while front and side bags stayed closed. A few owners also report seat belt malfunctions—locking up and refusing to retract or unlock after impact—and intermittent illumination of the airbag warning light unrelated to any impact. One severe collision involved a floor-mounted airbag causing life-threatening leg injuries to a 91-year-old driver, requiring helicopter emergency transport and multiple surgeries.
Same Chrysler Town and Country airbags reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Active headrest (AHR) unwanted deployment
The active headrest assembly deploys without accident, collision, or manual intervention. Owners report headrests 'exploding,' 'popping,' or springing forward while parked, stationary, or during normal driving. The internal plastic latch mechanism, retainer, or spring fatigues and fails, allowing the headrest to deploy. Chrysler dealership staff have acknowledged this occurs frequently in 2015 Town & Country vans but no recall exists. Once deployed, the headrest cannot be reset and requires full replacement.
When: Occurs at any time—while parked in garage or driveway, at stop lights, while driving normally at various speeds (15–60 mph), or sitting stationary in the vehicle. Some failures reported within first few years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop or bang noise from headrest area; Headrest suddenly shoots forward or springs open; Physical impact to occupant's head, neck, or back if seated; Plastic internal components visibly cracked or broken; Headrest will not reset or click back into place
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement headrest costs reported between $683–$900 at dealership, plus installation labor ($155–$800). Owners report dealerships refuse warranty coverage and require out-of-pocket payment once warranty expires (36,000 miles). Some owners zip-tie headrests shut to prevent further deployment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler dealership employees have acknowledged the issue is known to occur frequently in this model but state it is not covered under warranty once 36,000 miles or 3 years is exceeded. No recall has been issued. One owner's reimbursement request (case #75899352 and #76536023) was rejected by Chrysler after initial verbal approval.
Airbag non-deployment in collision
Front and side airbags fail to deploy during significant impacts and collisions where deployment is warranted. Owners report crashes at speeds of 15–55 mph with major vehicle damage, yet airbags did not inflate. In one multi-directional collision (rear, front, and side impacts), only the passenger-side curtain airbag deployed. In another rear-impact collision at 88,000 miles, no airbags deployed.
When: During crashes at various speeds: 15 mph (minor collision with sign), 45–50 mph (side impact while traveling 25–30 mph), 55 mph (hydroplaning crash into intersection), and 88,000 miles (rear-end collision while stationary at stop sign).
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not inflate during impact; Only partial airbag deployment (e.g., only curtain airbag in multi-directional crash); No warning or deployment despite significant collision damage; Occupants sustain injuries without airbag protection
Repairs/costs cited: No repair notes provided; vehicles were towed and not repaired. One vehicle was deemed totaled; others assessed at dealership or third-party shop but diagnostics incomplete.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated in one case (case #31944170) that the angle of impact determined airbags should not deploy. No other manufacturer communication or recalls mentioned.
Seat belt malfunction and failure
Seat belts lock or jam when occupants attempt to unlatch them after impact, or fail to lock during potential emergency situations. In one case, after a 15 mph collision, the seat belt locked up and could not retract after being unlatched. In another collision, the passenger-side seat belt failed to lock. Additionally, the front passenger seat belt has illuminated an airbag indicator light.
When: After impact at 15 mph; during normal driving with occupant (seatbelt locks unexpectedly); one case involved 38,000 miles at time of failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt will not unlock or unlatch; Seat belt does not retract after unlatching; Seat belt fails to lock when should engage; Front passenger airbag warning light illuminates; Seat belt locking up unexpectedly during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Seat belt replacement required (diagnosed at dealership but not completed in one case due to incomplete repair history). One owner reported dealer wanted to replace entire seat for headrest deployment.
Airbag warning light intermittent illumination
Airbag warning light illuminates randomly and intermittently, even when no one is seated in the affected seat. The light cycles on and off without any crash or collision. In one case, this malfunction coincided with cruise control becoming non-responsive.
When: At random times; vehicle was in motion and stationary. Occurred after approximately 67,000 miles; warranty expired at 60,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light illuminates without cause; Airbag light cycles on and off intermittently; Occurs regardless of vehicle speed or driving conditions; Cruise control became non-responsive and unresponsive to button press
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose intermittent light (light was off at time of visit). Warranty denied due to vehicle exceeding 60,000 miles.
Seat back failure during collision
In one severe multi-directional collision (rear-end impact followed by push into traffic with front and side impacts), both driver and passenger seat backs failed structurally. This failure resulted in fatal injuries to the driver and serious injuries to the passenger.
When: During severe rear-end collision followed by multi-directional impact (rear, front, side) while vehicle was stationary or just starting to move.
Symptoms owners cite: Seat back collapses or fails during collision; Fatal and serious injuries sustained to occupants as a result
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was a total loss.
Floor airbag causing severe injury during collision
During a collision, a floor-mounted airbag inflated and caused severe, life-threatening injuries to the driver's legs. The 91-year-old driver was struck in an accident on 5/16/2017 and suffered catastrophic leg injuries requiring helicopter emergency transport to a trauma center, 11+ days hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and possible amputation of one leg.
When: During collision accident on 5/16/2017.
Symptoms owners cite: Severe crushing and laceration injuries to legs; Life-threatening injuries requiring emergency helicopter transport; Injuries requiring extensive surgical intervention; Risk of permanent disability and amputation
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was totaled.
Synthesized from 38 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Driver seat got stuck in up position. Seat will not go down and peddles won't adjust. The air bag in the head rest discharged while sitting at a red light. Not very satisfied.388rks
While driving the headrest exploded into the back of my head. It felt like someone had just punched me in the back of the head. This happened yesterday, and I have not yet had it inspected by anyone.
Had airbags trouble with your 2015 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 airbags problem on the 2015 Chrysler Town and Country?
It's a serious issue. 38 complaints have been filed, including 9 reports involving a crash and 3 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 27 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 38,000 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,000; a quarter make it past 87,000. 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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/2015/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.