2015 Chrysler Town and Country steering problems
moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Owners report a critical safety issue: the engine randomly dies at highway speeds, instantly killing power steering and brakes with no warning. Additionally, steering wheel control buttons fail and one owner experienced steering lock-up; dealer diagnostics have not solved the problem in multiple cases.
The 2015 Chrysler Town and Country has two major steering-related issues documented here. The first is straightforward: steering wheel control buttons—horn, radio controls, speedometer menu—stop working. One owner replaced the steering wheel module (the part is sealed inside the wheel) for over $750 and found the same failure was recalled on earlier Grand Caravans but not on his model year.
The second and more serious problem is unexpected engine shutdown while driving. Multiple owners describe the engine dying at 25–80 mph with no warning. When it dies, power steering locks up and power brakes go hard—no steering, no stopping. Owners coasted to safety, restarted the engine (sometimes after 3–20 minutes), and drove on normally. One incident occurred at a stop light; another downhill. Mechanics have found bank sensor codes but can't pinpoint the cause. Owners online suspect a faulty wireless ignition node, and Chrysler reportedly has a history of engine stoppage issues, but previous recalls don't cover this model year. One owner also reported violent steering column vibration that the dealer couldn't fix. A fourth complaint mentioned steering lock-up following transmission failure.
Same Chrysler Town and Country steering reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Wheel Control Module Failure
Steering wheel buttons (radio controls, speedometer menu, horn) stopped functioning. A closed module inside the steering wheel failed without apparent reason.
When: One complaint at unspecified mileage; same issue noted in recall for Grand Caravan earlier models but not covering this 2015 Town and Country
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel control buttons non-responsive; horn inoperable; speedometer menu controls inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Steering Wheel Module replaced; part cost $469, total repair cost over $750 at independent shop
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued for Grand Caravan earlier models with same problem, but not applied to 2015 Town and Country. Chrysler appointment would have been delayed approximately one month.
Sudden Engine Shutdown with Loss of Power Steering and Brakes
Engine stalls abruptly while driving at highway speeds, causing immediate loss of power steering and power brakes. Vehicle restarts normally and runs fine afterward. Mechanic diagnostics show bank sensor codes but root cause unidentified. Occurs randomly with no warning.
When: At 25,000 miles; 76,000 miles; during highway driving at 50–80 mph; one incident at stop light in traffic; multiple occurrences over days to months
Symptoms owners cite: engine cuts off without warning; power steering becomes unresponsive/locks up; power brakes become hard and unresponsive; vehicle stalls and loses all forward capability; no warning lights on dashboard in some cases; vehicle restarts immediately or after 3–20 minutes and runs normally
Codes mentioned: Bank sensors code (unspecified banks)
Repairs/costs cited: Unrepaired in multiple cases; mechanics unable to duplicate or diagnose root cause despite attempts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler acknowledged history of engine stoppage issues. Wireless ignition node suspected by owners but not confirmed in narratives. Previous recall does not cover this vehicle.
Steering Column Vibration and Violent Shaking
Steering column vibrated violently and vehicle shook while driving downhill. Could not be diagnosed or repaired by dealer.
When: At approximately 13,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: steering column vibrated violently; vehicle shook
Repairs/costs cited: Could not be diagnosed or repaired at dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified of failure
Steering System Lock-Up
After transmission failure six months prior, steering system locked up preventing left turns.
When: Following transmission failure
Symptoms owners cite: steering locked up; unable to make left turn
Synthesized from 13 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 2015 Chrysler Town and Country?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 64,000 and 110,000 miles, with the median around 78,241. A quarter of owners report trouble before 64,000; a quarter make it past 110,000. 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.