2008 Chrysler Town and Country Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Chrysler Town and Country ranks 2nd-worst out of 14 model years, with a complaint index of 92 and 1,939 complaints logged with NHTSA. It carries 7 recalls, and electrical system problems make up 65% of complaints, followed by airbags at 19% and brakes at 18%.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 92/100
- #2 of 14 Town and Country years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,939
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 7
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 29
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 17
- Injuries
- 38
- Top issue
- Electrical System
Top 2008 Chrysler Town and Country problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System1,255 (65%)
- Airbags375 (19%)
- Brakes357 (18%)
- Engine273 (14%)
- Other118 (6%)
- Steering95 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires77 (4%)
- Structure & Body76 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers61 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain58 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe sporadic electrical failures where wipers activate on their own, the horn sounds without input, washer fluid drains, and the vehicle loses power steering and brakes at once.
- Some report airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including a tire blowout that led to loss of control.
- Others describe a deployed airbag emitting flames that caused burns, along with a passenger door catching fire while driving.
- Brake complaints include pedals sinking to the floor with no resistance and complete loss of stopping power at low speed.
- Several owners report burning smells and fires traced to frozen rear brake calipers that destroyed pads and rotors.
- One owner reported the hood flying open and blocking view after a front-end collision, which a body shop linked to a failed upper structure part.
2008 Chrysler Town and Country recalls
7 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V396000Jul 7, 2020Airbags925,239 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.
Risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.
- NHTSA 16V047000Jan 29, 2016Airbags110,482 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008, 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail.
Risk: If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The recall began on December 6, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.
- NHTSA 14V373000Jun 26, 2014Airbags722,705 vehicles
Air bags
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured June 29, 2007, to June 17, 2010, and 2008-2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured January 26, 2007, to June 17, 2010. Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began on May 26, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R03. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.
2008 compared with other Town and Country years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country reliable?
- It ranks 2nd-worst among 14 model years of the Town and Country, with a complaint index of 92 and a verdict of Avoid compared to other years of this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country?
- NHTSA data shows electrical system issues account for 65% of complaints, followed by airbags at 19% and brakes at 18%. The median mileage at failure across all complaints was 70,000.
- Does the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year, covering airbags, brakes, suspension components, and an HVAC drain grommet water leak.
- How does the 2008 model compare to other Town and Country years?
- The 2008 year has a complaint index of 92, worse than 2005 (62), 2006 (23), and 2007 (15), but slightly better than 2010, which has the highest index at 100.
- Were there airbag deployment problems in the 2008 Town and Country?
- Owners reported both non-deployment during crashes and airbags that deployed with flames causing burns. NHTSA recalled the airbag control unit and ignition switch/key fobs as part of separate campaigns.