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2013 Chrysler Town and Country: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners filed 681 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Town and Country, and the electrical system is the group named most often[1][2]. Four recalls are on file, including two for air bag software or modules[3][4][5].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 681 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Of those, 15 mention a crash and 9 a fire[1]. The complaints report 30 injuries in total[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system[2] | 393 | 62,252 |
| Engine[8] | 112 | 86,500 |
| Unknown or other[9] | 61 | 85,000 |
| Seats[10] | 58 | 78,821 |
| Air bags[11] | 50 | 42,543 |
| Power train[12] | 41 | 50,441 |
| Brakes[13] | 40 | 47,500 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[14] | 38 | 86,000 |
The electrical system stands far above the rest. It also has the most fires in the table, with 7, and 6 injuries[2]. Air bags and brakes each have 6 crashes, and air bags have 8 injuries[11][13]. Seats have 9 injuries[10].
We read a small sample of 12 complaint texts for each of four groups (seats, electrical, engine, air bags)[10][2][8][11]. This is not a measure of how often anything happens. It only shows what owners describe.
- Seats. In 8 of the 12 texts[10], owners describe a front headrest popping open, coming apart or snapping forward without a crash. Some say it struck a person in the head[10].
- Electrical system. In 3 of the 12 texts[2], owners describe a burning smell or a melted part. In 2[2], owners say a recall repair part was not available when they asked. In 2 more[2], the dash lights or the headlights and all interior lights went dark, and owners linked it to wiper use.
- Engine. In 6 of the 12 texts[8], owners describe the engine shutting off while driving, often with no fault found by the dealer. In 4[8], a dead battery or a no-start came back after dealer visits.
- Air bags. In 5 of the 12 texts[11], owners describe the air bag warning light coming on. In 4[11], owners say the air bags did not deploy in a crash.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for this model year[3]. Newest first:
- Wheelchair restraints (25V876). Filed December 17, 2025[15]. A company called Rollx is recalling wheelchair restraints it fits to various vans, and Chrysler Town and Country is on its list. The retractors may not lock, so a wheelchair may not be held in place. That raises the risk of injury during transit. Rollx will inspect and replace the retractors as needed, free of charge. The fact does not give model years, so check the Rollx recall report for yours. This applies only to vans with these add-on restraints[15].
- Vent window switch (14V234). Filed May 7, 2014 for 2010 to 2014 Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vans built from August 25, 2010 to October 31, 2013[16]. The driver's door armrest holds a vent window switch that can overheat. That can cause a fire. Dealers replace the switch with a newer version, free of charge. The remedy campaign launched on December 31, 2014[16]. Some owners in our sample say the part was not available when they asked[2].
- Side air bag software (13V283). Filed July 2, 2013 for 2013 vans built May 10, 2012 to June 7, 2013[4]. A software error can fire the air bags on the wrong side in a side crash. The occupant on the impact side could have no air bag protection. Dealers reflash the occupant restraint control module, free of charge. The recall began in September 2013[4].
- Restraint control module (13V291). Filed July 2, 2013 for 2013 vans built June 11 and 12, 2013, a small group of 184 vehicles[5]. The occupant restraint control module has the wrong software. An air bag may not deploy, or may deploy badly, which raises the risk of injury. Dealers swap in a new module at no cost. The recall began October 3, 2013[5].
Each recall covers only vans in its stated build dates, so not every van is in every recall[16][4][5].
Fuel economy
The EPA rates the front-wheel-drive Town and Country with the 3.6L 6-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic at 17 MPG city, 25 highway and 20 combined[6]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,350[6]. That figure uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the van was new. The rating covers gasoline or E85[6].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the front-wheel-drive van 4 stars overall[7]. Frontal crash is 4 stars, side crash is 5 stars and rollover is 4 stars[7]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 16.4%[7].
How 2013 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 58 | 1 |
| 1996 | 938 | 7 |
| 1997 | 388 | 5 |
| 1998 | 296 | 5 |
| 1999 | 362 | 4 |
| 2006 | 486 | 2 |
| 2009 | 707 | 6 |
| 2010 | 1,556 | 5 |
| 2011 | 773 | 3 |
| 2012 | 634 | 5 |
| 2013 | 681 | 4 |
| 2014 | 636 | 4 |
| 2015 | 383 | 4 |
| 2016 | 527 | 5 |
NHTSA lists complaints and recalls for 14 Town and Country model years[3]. At 681 complaints, 2013 ranks fifth highest[3]. Four years have more: 2010 with 1,556, 1996 with 938, 2011 with 773 and 2009 with 707[3]. The 2012 and 2014 model years have 634 and 636[3].
For recalls, 2013 has 4[3]. The 2009 model year has 6 and 1996 has 7[3]. Several other years have 5, including 2010, 2012 and 2016[3]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so use them as a rough guide only.
Should you buy a used 2013 Town and Country?
The record shows a van with a heavy electrical complaint load and four recalls, three of them for air bags or a fire risk[2][16][4][5]. Crash ratings are 4 stars overall with 5 for side crash[7], and fuel economy is 20 MPG combined[6]. If you are shopping, run the VIN for open recalls first. Ask about the driver's door vent window switch and the air bag software, and ask whether the headrests have ever popped open. Complaints are unverified and our sample is small, so treat them as questions to ask, not as a verdict.
Frequently asked questions
- What problems are reported most for the 2013 Chrysler Town and Country?
- NHTSA lists 393 electrical system complaints out of 681 total, then 112 for the engine and 61 for unknown or other[1][2][8][9].
- Are there recalls on the 2013 Chrysler Town and Country?
- Yes, 4[3]. They cover a wheelchair restraint add-on (25V876), an overheating vent window switch (14V234) and two air bag software or module issues (13V283, 13V291)[15][16][4][5].
- What MPG does a 2013 Chrysler Town and Country get?
- The EPA rates it at 17 city, 25 highway and 20 combined MPG for the 3.6L 6-cylinder front-wheel-drive van[6].
- How safe is the 2013 Chrysler Town and Country?
- NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall, 4 for frontal, 5 for side and 4 for rollover[7].
- Is 2013 a bad year for the Town and Country?
- It has 681 complaints, fifth highest of 14 listed years, behind 2010, 1996, 2011 and 2009[3].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 681 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Chrysler Town and Country (15 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 30 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 393 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 7 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,252). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chrysler Town and Country model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V283, filed July 2, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V291, filed July 2, 2013: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Town and Country, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 112 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 61 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 58 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,821). NHTSA vehicle records
- 50 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,543). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the power train component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,441). NHTSA vehicle records
- 40 complaints name the brakes component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 38 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 25V876, filed December 17, 2025: Equipment Adaptive / Mobility › Wheelchair Restraints / Securement › Latch / Anchor › . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V234, filed May 7, 2014: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database