1998 Chrysler Town And Country Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 10%of 296 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Chrysler Town And Country, 10% of the 296 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I took my car in for an inspection and front brakes. They were working on it for awhile and asked the problem and they told me that my transmission was going didn't I hear the noise. Spent 2200 and brought it home and then didn't even get it in the garage and the cellanoid went. Fixed that and the van still doesn't shift right.”
NHTSA complaint #10036622, filed 2003-08, 71,000 miles“First transmission problem was on a secondary road, had to turn around and when I went to back up would not go in reverse or forward. Had to be towed. Again having a problem with the transmission on august 23, 2003. It is jerking when I go into reverse or forward. Will have to be towed to garage. Last december was coming of an exit and bolt broke off from steering that goes into the transmission”
NHTSA complaint #10070706, filed 2004-01, 53,000 miles“First problem occurred three days after we purchased this used. Transmission locked into neutral and would not disengage. This happened while driving. Vehicle had to be towed. Rebuilt transmission cost $1500. Got it back and 4 days later the fan to cool the engine went out. In the shop another 2 days costing an additional $180.00. Feel like I am hemmorhaging money on this car. Left drivers window switch doesn't work at times and window gets stuck in the open position.”
NHTSA complaint #10070842, filed 2004-01, 69,400 miles“I own a 1998 Chrysler town & country lxi with 55,400 miles on it and the transmission completely failed with my wife and 4 kids in the car. Specifically, the parts that failed were: the sun gear, input hub, clutch drum and torque converter resulting in a $2837 repair bill. How in the world can a car with so little mileage have a major failure like this? This car isnt abused, its driven by my wife (around town only) who shuttles 4 kids to school, scouting, soccer games etc... And is maintained by me, meticulously.”
NHTSA complaint #10043335, filed 2003-10, 55,395 miles“On monday, july 26, 2004, while on a mini-vacation with my family in covington, kentukcy, without warning the transmission failed on our 1998 Chrysler town & country xli, which is well kept and has only 63,000 miles. This transmission failure placed my family in danger in a strange city, and required towing to the local dealer and rental of a vehicle to return home to louisville, kentucky, over 100 miles away. Marshall dodge dealership in covington determined that the transmission required replacement and offer to conduct such replacement for nearly $2,500. …”
NHTSA complaint #10083151, filed 2004-08, 63,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 187 | 35% |
| 2015 | 113 | 30% |
| 2014 | 51 | 8% |
| 2013 | 41 | 6% |
| 2012 | 36 | 6% |
| 2011 | 39 | 5% |
| 2010 | 67 | 4% |
| 2009 | 33 | 5% |
| 2008 | 58 | 3% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 14 | 3% |
| 2005 | 34 | 4% |
| 2004 | 13 | 8% |
| 2003 | 28 | 11% |
| 2002 | 40 | 10% |
| 2001 | 69 | 15% |
| 2000 | 52 | 17% |
| 1999 | 44 | 12% |
| 1998 | 30 | 10% |
| 1997 | 42 | 11% |
| 1996 | 147 | 16% |
| 1995 | 14 | 24% |
| 1994 | 30 | 19% |
| 1993 | 28 | 13% |
| 1992 | 16 | 12% |
| 1991 | 3 | 12% |
| 1990 | 5 | 38% |
Other parts of the 1998 Chrysler Town And Country
67 complaintsElectrical system
62 complaintsAir bags
45 complaintsSteering
30 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsSuspension
18 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsSeats
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsEquipment
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Chrysler Town And Country
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology