2003 Chrysler Town And Country Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the power steering system — a groaning or whining noise on turns, fluid leaks and, in some cases, steering that becomes hard to turn. Electrical problems are the second recurring theme, especially headlights that flicker or go out while driving and instrument clusters that drop out. Many reports come in between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, and several owners describe repeat visits where the noise or symptom came back after a repair.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering noise, leaks and stiff steering

   • 51 complaints (21%)
   • median 56,250 mi at 4.3 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2023

   Complaints describe a whine, groan or moan from the front end, most noticeable on slow turns, in parking lots or in cold weather, often along with power steering fluid that needs topping up. Some owners report the steering becoming very hard to turn, and several say the pump, hoses or rack and pinion were replaced, sometimes more than once, without the noise going away. A number mention that fluid conditioner or a revised bleed procedure was what finally quieted it, and others say the dealer could not find a fault. Spread fairly evenly from under 20,000 to about 120,000 miles, with many reports in the 35,000-90,000 mile range; cold or wet weather is mentioned repeatedly.

   Recall 04V3860001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Listen for a groan or whine while turning the wheel at low speed with the engine cold, and check the power steering fluid level and color. Ask whether the cooler hose recall work was done and whether the system was bled per the revised procedure.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When starting out in drive, I was unable to turn my steering wheel casein a life threatening problem. My wheel would not turn. I turn the car off and try again I never know when my wheelturn when I am driving myself and my grandchildren in the car. Please help !”

   NHTSA complaint #10220491, filed 2008-03, 41,500 miles

   “Events leading up to failures on 2.28.07, I purchased a 2003 Chrysler town & country lxi with 56,000 miles from arlington acura in palatine, il after a carchex inspection & test drive. Upon driving home to minnesota that day on interstate expressways, I encountered two major mechanical problems: failure, consequences & repairs 1. Shuddering & leaking rack & pinion - dealer advised these are common failures for this model and recommended replacement for $800 asap because a dry cylinder will lock the steering column. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10186797, filed 2007-04, 56,250 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Headlights flicker or go out while driving

   • 17 complaints (7%)
   • median 89,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 2005–2015

   Owners describe headlights that dim, blink or shut off entirely while driving, sometimes for a few seconds and sometimes repeatedly, and in a few cases with the dash gauges or other electrical functions dropping out at the same time. Several say the switch had no effect and the lights came back on their own, or that only disconnecting the battery reset things. Complaints mention dealer software updates and switch or module replacements that did not always resolve it. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 115,000 miles, often noticed at night or in rain.

   What to check: Run the lights at night and watch for flicker or dropouts while working the turn signal and dimmer switch; ask whether any headlight switch, module or software update has already been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I read the complaint about 2001-2002 Chrysler town&country mimi vans having a problem with dimming headlights. I have the same problem with my 2003 town & country, when I hit the breaks I can visably see that all of the lights dim and flicker. I reported this to the dealer and they stated that this was normal and there was no problem. I do not have the exact date it started but it happens everyday.”

   NHTSA complaint #10124426, filed 2005-06, 24 miles

   “As I was driving (at night) my headlights went completely off for approximately 3seconds--I slowed down because I couldn't see a thing. It was pretty scary, but I handled it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10627636, filed 2014-08, 134,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or slipping transmission shifts

   • 24 complaints (10%)
   • median 58,425 mi at 4.3 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2018

   Complaints describe jerking or harsh shifting, especially between first and second gear, transmission slipping out of gear, and rumbling or whining noises while driving. Some owners report the dealer replaced the transaxle or torque converter and the behavior returned, while others were told the fault lay in the computer or that a missing magnet in the transmission pan led to internal damage. A few describe slow or delayed engagement when pulling away from a stop. Reports cluster from very low mileage up to about 120,000 miles, with many between 20,000 and 90,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive from a cold start and feel for clunks, delayed engagement or slipping on the 1-2 shift; ask for transmission service records and whether the control module has been reinitialized or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I bought a 2003 Town And Country and have only had this van for 4 yrs and I am having to replace the transmission b/c according to the mechanic the magnet that was suppose to be put in the transmission pan was not there to pull the metals out of transmission therefore it messed up my transmission how was I suppose to know that.”

   NHTSA complaint #10221421, filed 2008-03, 90,000 miles

   “I purchased my van in august of 2003. I noticed the brakes were squeaking and took it to the dealer to have them checked out. I was told that my front brackes had 15-20% of the pad left and that they should be replaced and the rotars turned .tthe vehicle has only 22,000 miles on it. It seems to me that brakes should last longer than 22,000 miles.I was told I must do allot of city driving I am now experiencing rough,delayed shifting at about 15 MPH. Hesitation, clunk. The transmission has slipped out of gear while driving and also rough downshifting. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10120906, filed 2005-05, 22,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Engine stalling and no-start

   • 20 complaints (8%)
   • median 91,036 mi at 7.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2025

   Owners describe the engine cutting out without warning at cruising speed or when accelerating from a stop, sometimes with no warning lights and sometimes needing a jump start or a battery disconnect to restart. Complaints mention dealers replacing the battery and alternator, cleaning or replacing the engine computer, or finding a failed camshaft sensor, and in some cases the stalling continued after the repair. A few link repeated stalling to gauge and charging-system faults. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 130,000 miles, with several owners describing repeat occurrences before a cause was found.

   What to check: Ask for battery, alternator and computer replacement records, and have a shop pull stored codes for camshaft sensor or charging faults before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We are the original owner of a 2003 Chrysler t & c. In august, 2009, my wife began experiencing problems with the window motor suddenly becoming inoperable for a short period of time, then suddenly working again. One day, as I was driving the van, the check engine light came on. I immediately parked the vehicle. After a few days, the car restarted and the check engine light went off. However, on august 20, the check engine light came on while I was leaving a conference. After less than mile, then van began shuddering, the lights began blinking then the vehicle died. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10286707, filed 2009-10, 92,151 miles

   “Dt: the caller said the warning lights on dashboard will come on and the speedometer and the tachometer will stop working. She said that sometimes she has to pull off the road and turn the vehicle off to get the lights to go off, and sometimes they will not start. She said occasionally vehicle will lose power when the lights come on and she gets off the road. Dealer replaced the computer module, but it did not fix the problem. Manufacturer told her they have not seen this problem with any other van. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10135099, filed 2005-09, 50,500 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbags deploy without a crash or fail to deploy

   • 24 complaints (10%)
   • median 90,500 mi at 7.2 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2019

   Several complaints describe front airbags going off during normal driving without an impact, and one describes a passenger-side bag deploying while the van was nearly stopped at a light. Others report bags that did not deploy in a collision, and one notes bags that only partially inflated. Owners say they contacted the manufacturer and were told there was no recall covering the event, and some report no explanation for why it happened. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 47,000 to over 130,000 miles.

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light comes on at start-up and goes out, and ask whether any airbag-related diagnosis or repair has been recorded; a scan tool can show stored airbag fault codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My front air bags deployed while driving the vehicle at 30mph under normal conditions and were not triggered due to impact of the front bumper. Additionally, the air bags only partially inflated and would not have provided full protection had there been a frontal impact. I am concerned that the manufacturer has not been able to tell me why this occurred nor have they expressed much interest in understanding why it occurred. Fortunately, there were no injuries as a result of this incident.”

   NHTSA complaint #10303864, filed 2010-02, 120,000 miles

   “The airbag on the passenger side blew up. On robin hood rd when car was almost stopped for a traffic light on buena vista rd. When the airbag blew up with my daughter-in-law in that seat. Calling Chrysler they said there was no recall on it and they would do nothing because of the age of the car. A month earlier I spent $2000 on repairs on this car and now it is useless. Starting the car it smells like it's going to catch on fire. The car was in motion and almost at a complete stop for a traffic light when the airbag exploded which was very scary. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11242148, filed 2019-08, 134,553 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with these vans is worth the cost, focusing on the power steering system and on stored electrical codes. Ask for service records showing whether the power steering hose recall work was completed and whether steering or transmission repairs have already been done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.