2012 Chrysler Town & Country Review: Unreliable And Expensive Minivan That Won’t Hold Up

Alex Showalter

Mar 30, 2022

The 2012 Town & Country lasts only 150,000 miles with computer and transmission failures. At $9,401 – 11,376, it’s overpriced due to high ownership costs.

The Good

Passenger room is outstanding, leather seating is standard throughout the lineup and the engine has good power.

The Bad

The infotainment system is hard to use, there’s not much driver legroom and the transmission is clunky.

Is the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country a Good Used Van?

No, 2012 is a bad year. Owners have complained a lot about electrical issues, engine troubles, and transmission problems.
Reliability ratings are poor. The 2012 model has fewer issues than 2011, but there are more mechanical improvements for 2013–2016.
Performance is good from the V6 engine.
The Town & Country is a safe van earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick Award. There is a standard backup camera and optional blind spot monitoring.
Fuel economy is above average at up to 20 MPG combined.

Positive Owner Reviews

Carol K

It is very functional, it is perfect if you live in an area that snows.

No complaints! Comfortable, economic, drives easily, plenty of storage/cargo space. Roomy, adjustable seating.

Jessica S

Town and country van 2012.

Excellent van with a lot of underneath storage. It has a DVD player inside. It has a back up camera, satellite radio, and more. It tells you when maintenance is due. The seats can be folded into the floor so you can haul large items, or if the seat is up there is storage underneath. Leather seats. Climate control. Very nice van.

Cathy C

Great car, east to drive. I like the backup screen.

The only real problem with the car is that the cruise control does not always work. We did buy the car second hand but the car had been serviced when it should have been. Otherwise, love the car.

Ann W

Keep the car fixed. You will never know when the car will break down.

It is white a minivan. It is a good car to ride in. It has Its problem. My husband deals with this car.

James l

It is a wonderful family vehicle

I love the stow and go feature. It is loaded with options that are great like a heated steering wheel.

Stacey J

The Town and Country is a great vehicle for families.

Love the stow and go feature, especially with kids Love all of the storage features on the center console and cup holders in the back Good gas mileage, especially freeway

Kelly R

Split screen DVD. Row 2 can watch a different movie than row 3.

New van for us. Room. Functional. Runs well and runs smooth. Perfect for a family. Plenty of cup holders, stow and go seating. 3 screens to watch DVD. Back up camera and plenty of car outlets. Pull up screens for all back windows. Captains chairs in the second row.

Tiffany A

Safety features airbags in the door side doors and the front

I like the room and the comfort tons if storage a decent gas mileage

Negative Owner Reviews

Pam R

Do not ever get a Chrysler.

I had my car paid off in maintenance before it was paid off. I should not have already had 3 alternators, my air is no longer working, and the car is only 6 years old. Plus several other things have gone wrong.

Danielle F

Chrysler town and country limited edition.

This vehicle has all the bells and whistles especially for a big family when traveling distances. It has DVD players with bluetooth headphones, which I have had to replace and the DVD place can freeze often. The doors we live in upstate ny where winters can be challenging, as it is a very comfortable with its automatic starter, heated seats and steering wheel. It is not good in the snow unless you have snow tires. The doors freeze up often in all kinds of weather. It has had major transmission issues which we are still continuing to have and electrical issues. The button starter keeps shorting out and we've had to replace multiple times. We are currently using the actual key because of this issue. The outlets freeze up and kick phones off if plugged in. Inconsistently when in reverse it stalls out completely. . I pretty much feel the more bells and whistles the more problems in a vehicle. I paid way to much for this vehicle and am in a place where I can not get enough as a trade in to replace it to turn over a new loan.

Lynn G

Maybe to stay away from the type of engine that is in our van.

I love the way it drives and all the bells and whistles on the van. We had engine trouble this summer and actually just had the engine replaced. The engine was replaced by Chrysler, so we didn't have to pay anything for that repair. We also had other repairs (O2 sensors) this summer.

Pamela S

It is our family vehicle.

I like the style and cargo space. There isn't enough room for my family in it anymore. It has also became a very expensive waste of money due to ongoing expensive repairs.

Pattie S

I like the room for my kids. I like the dvd system. I've had a lot of trouble with the transmission in the last 2 years tho.

It's actually really good on gas when you start with a full tank.

Tawny F

Do not take me to town or country.

Love the stow and go seating, and the rear view seating. Have had issues with transmission and the engine since day 1 after buying it. Tire pressure sensor has been replaced and still is not working properly. It thinks I constantly have low tire pressure when I do not.

Chris D

That it has stow and go, power doors all the way around, holds 7 people.

Not very good gas mileage, hard to go through snow, ac quick working in black, plastic on bottoms of front seats cracked, no remote start, plastic clips on vents break, seals leak gravel dust, middle seats are hard to get into the stow and go, wind noise, DVD is hard to work.

Natalie O

Good car would recommend to any family.

Has had lots of problems but nice car has plenty of room good mileage horrible radio air and heat works good.

What Do Critics Say About the Chrysler Town & Country?

Consumer Reports finds the Town & Country to be outdated with average owner satisfaction scores.
Edmunds gives the Town & Country a 4.4/5 with a spacious interior, but poor driving experience.
Kelley Blue Book users rate the Town & Country 3.9/5, liking the luxurious interior, but reliability is questionable.

What Common Problems Does the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Have?

Serious problems with the 2012 Town & Country include computer failures, blind spot detection system issues, and worn-out transmissions.

Computer failures of the totally integrated power module (TIPM) are the most common complaint at around 88,000 miles. The computer is a weak spot in many Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, costing around $2,500 to replace.

Blind spot detection system problems show up at around 55,000 miles. The system fails and gives error messages. New sensors cost around $350, and the entire system is about $1,800 to replace.

Transmission problems show up at around 90,000 miles. Some owners have been able to replace the solenoids for around $1,000, and others have rebuilt the entire transmission costing over $2,500.

There are 4 recalls, with the most serious being for rod-bearing failure, which can cause the engine to seize. The other recalls cover sensors, bearings, and a window switch.

How Long Will the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Last?

A well-maintained 2012 Town & Country should last around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top competitors including the Sienna. Regular annual maintenance costs are high, according to Repair Pal at $695 per year.

As a Town & Country reaches 100,000 miles owners should prepare to replace the heater control valve for $425, throttle body costing $500, and drive belt tensioner which costs $295.

Theresa S

No major problems. We had to replace the alternator and battery during the last 4 years of ownership.

Lucero F

It is reliable, it has not ever broken down in the middle of somewhere, some minor issues but they're always fixable.

Amy S

The Chrysler town and country is very reliable we could go literally anywhere and not have to worry about any problems.

Kassie A

The 2013 Chrysler town country touring is reliable. The car does not have any problems if u keep up and maintain it.

Leah G

No problems that we've run into, so far we love it. It is been -35 where I live at times and it still turns over and starts right up.

Michey Y

The 3rd row seat gets stuck and since it's all electric, fixing it can be tricky. It is somewhat noisy and rough -you can feel a lot of bumps but the seats are nice so it's ok.

Donna T

I just got the car four months ago and I started experiencing problems with the fuse box and battery. Along with the engine light. So yes it does.

I K

It has been very reliable I have owned a town and country for the past 12 years I will probably never go back to driving a car minivans are the best

How Much Is the 2012 Chrysler Town & Country Worth?

Blue book values range from $9,401 – 11,376, making it over $1,500 more expensive than a Grand Caravan or Sedona. When new, the price range was $29.995 to $39,650. Depreciation is worse than average for a minivan losing about 15% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Town & Country?

There are two models of the Town and Country available. Technology is good since it was last updated in 2011. The van was discontinued in 2016 due to declining sales.

Touring is the entry-level model with:

16-Inch Alloy Wheels
Power Sliding Doors And Tailgate
Leather Seating
Cruise Control
Rear-Seat Entertainment Screen
6.5-Inch Infotainment System
6-Speaker Stereo With Satellite Radio Bluetooth And USB

Touring-L is a step up adding features including:

17-Inch Alloy Wheels
Remote Start
Parking Sensors
Heated Front Seats
Limited is the flagship luxury model and has:
Xenon Headlights
Premium Leather Seating
Heated Second Row Seats
Additional Third Row Screen
Sunroof
Power Folding Third Row

Touring

283 HP 20 MPG

View Details

Touring-L

283 HP 20 MPG

View Details

Limited

283 HP 20 MPG

View Details

What Engines Come In the Town & Country?

The Town & Country comes with a powerful 3.6L V6 engine which makes 283 horsepower. Performance is average for a minivan, taking 8.3 seconds to go from 0-60 miles per hour.

What Colors Does the Town & Country Come In?

How Big Is the Town & Country?

The Chrysler Town & Country is an average size minivan similar to the Quest and Odyssey. Passenger room is excellent, fitting adults in all three rows of seating. The unique “Stow ‘n Go” seating also makes the seats easy to fold for additional cargo space.

Cargo space is great with 33 cubic feet of room behind seats, and up to 143.8 cubic feet when folded flat.

How Does the Town & Country Compare to the Competition?

The Dodge Grand Caravan is the closest competitor, costing about $1,500 less. Both vans have the same engine and transmission, but the interior is more luxurious in the Town & Country. Neither are long-lasting vans, but the Town & Country is more comfortable.

The Honda Odyssey is another rival costing around $1,000 more. Where the Odyssey stands out is with significantly better reliability, but the Town & Country has a higher-quality interior. Overall, we recommend the Odyssey, which lasts longer and is more affordable to own.

Ranks #3 Minivans by Owners

2012 Toyota Sienna

4.49

2012 Honda Odyssey

4.42

2012 Chrysler Town & Country

4.32

Do Owners Recommend the Chrysler Town & Country?

Theresa S

Yes. I love my van. Haven't had any major problems. I love all the features like the remote control doors and liftgate, the blind spot warnings, the backup warnings. I love the stash and go seats for hauling stuff.

Lucero F

Yes! Very reliable and does not run out of gas super quick and the heater works really fast when it is cold outside.

Amy S

Yes it's great very easy to drive and it looks great we have had it for years and it never broke down.

Kassie A

Yes it is a good vehicle! The Chrysler town and country is very reliable and spacious can take a lot of people wherever they need to go! The car is great for traveling long distance.

Leah G

Very good, it has great safety features like back up camera and sensors on the side mirrors that alert you. Also love the storage and being able to open my doors with the click of a button as my hands are often full from my kids and errands.

Michey Y

It is a spacious luxury vehicle and my kids love it. Both side panel doors open, 3rd row seating is split. Its stow and go 2 and 3 row seats. The leather seats are heated and everything is electric.

Joanna F

Yes it's a good family vehicle but would of been happier and satisfied with the vehicle if I had leased it new.

Mark L

Yes I love it the sto n go seats are great lots of room navigation system is awesome love the fact that the back windows go down

Owner Reviews

Write a Review

Dee N on April 3, 2021

The Bluetooth connection is amazing.

What I like about my vehicle is the easy to drive style. The Bluetooth connection is also something I love. It is easy on fuel and mileage. The thing I dislike is the automatic doors.

Amy L on April 1, 2021

It is safe and reliable. I love it.

I love it just having minor problems with it at times. The door motor died and have no money to fix it now.

shirley b on March 31, 2021

Great van that looks like new for a six year old car

I would like a small car I have to use 2 stools to get into the van love the room in the van sometimes it has to be jumped started it is nice looking for a older car

Stacey J on March 30, 2021

The Town and Country is a great vehicle for families.

Love the stow and go feature, especially with kids Love all of the storage features on the center console and cup holders in the back Good gas mileage, especially freeway

Kathryn B on March 28, 2021

My car is very spacious. It rides smooth and is very good on gas.

I have no complaints about my vehicle, I love it. It is spacious. It has all the luxurious bells and whistles I need for my family.

Cassandra B on March 28, 2021

Keeping moms sane by doing the heavy work for you!

I absolutely love my town and country! Having three children it is the most convenient vehicle I have ever owned. With the click of a button I can open up the back doors, and trunk! This allows the kids to get in the car smoothly, and I never have to worry about them opening the door too far and hitting another vehicle. When I haul groceries into the van and out of the van the automatic opening and closing with the click of a button saves me the hassle of an extra trip. I also love that my keys will never get locked in my van! I have accidently forgot to grab them after I locked my van, and the locks immediately beep at you and unlock! This has saved me at least 10 calls to have a locksmith and a ton of money. Best investment ever, you should go for it!

olivia p on March 24, 2021

Its older but very reliable, I would buy another one but they don't make them now

Minivan great for everyday use , plenty of room for baby gear, groceries etc

Dawne M on March 22, 2021

Big but flawed, just like its owners.

The sliding doors stick and will not open, the engine runs funny, the upholstery is falling off the roof. It is large enough for us, however, and has stow-and-go seats. I would really like windows on the sliding doors. We bought it used. There's a DVD player that I believe works, but is not covered under the repair warranty.

Alvin P on March 18, 2021

I don't know what the most important thing would be.

I have no complaints. This car is one of the nicest cars I have ever owned.

Alison A on March 17, 2021

A big car for a big family.

My car is a good car. If you have a large family like myself, it's really nice for long rides because everyone has their own space. Because it is almost eight years old though there are some startup issues. Sometimes the battery and the engine have difficulties. We cannot really take the car up high in mountains because it cannot make the climb. This issues have more to do with how old the car is and not the model of the car though. All in all it's a great minivan for a big family.

Nicole C on March 17, 2021

It's safe and it is very comfortable for my family of 5.

I like that it is big and roomy. It's a perfect fit for our family. The trunk is not too big.

Janet A on March 13, 2021

It works for the family. It has bucket seats so the kids don't touch each other and it has the dvd player to keep them occupied!

It's red and it has the dvd player for the kids and leather seats. I enjoy it. I don't like the pick up, I think it could be a little faster and of course the gas isn't ideal but it works for a family of 5 with 3 little ones.

Morgan M on March 11, 2021

The most important thing would be the safety rating. The legality of the car, seat belts and airbags would also be ranked up there.

I love the stow and go option. Being able to fold the seats down is amazing. I have three children so the fold down DVD player is a great feature we well. The only thing i would change would be to have the fully loaded edition. A button for the back hatch and doors would also be a huge perk.

Angie L on February 26, 2021

I love that there is space for cargo!

I love that my van can carry my children and all of our stuff in comfort. It seems like it was made for families. It was an affordable option. It has had some problems. The heater on the passenger seat does not work, the air conditioner can have a horrible smell at times, and the sound proofing rubber above the passenger sliding door won't stay on.

steve g on February 25, 2021

Car has 100000 miles on it with no mechanical problems,

Car is dependable and comfortable can be used for many purposes. Fold down seats allow for transporting large objects

Emily P on February 24, 2021

This van is very impressive!

I love how much room this van has! It is easy to maneuver, despite its size, and it has a rear camera that is very useful. The back row seats are super easy to fold which makes switching back and forth a breeze. I have not needed any repairs on my town and country in the 3 years I have had it.

Kelly l on February 23, 2021

Perfect for a family for travel and local commutes.

Love the under floor storage. Good gas mileage for a van. Back hatch did have problem opening and also the blind spot detection needs fixed. Otherwise, love this van.

Meghann C on February 21, 2021

It's great for families and for trips to Ikea. I feel safe in it.

This car is great for hauling around kids or large items. I like the stow away seats, though I do wish to upgrade to a Pacifica with more features at some point.

Brenda L on February 20, 2021

It is a great and safe car to drive my family around

What I like about my car is that the seats are really comfortable where I can nap if I like. I also like the foldable seats and the extra cargo space. The added DVD player is great for long trip.

Anne L on February 7, 2021

The driver sits high enough in the seat to see what traffic is like ahead.

Easy to maneuver in traffic. The van is comfortable to ride in and carries all the things bought in weekly shopping and you can see all the windows for traffic along with the side view mirrors. This van is handicapped lift equipped and is very easy to operate and load the person in the van living room GB or other people to sit in the back.

Hannah S on February 5, 2021

It is very family friendly! Great for travel, and kids love It!

I love my minivan! I had a lot of room for all the kids and the automatic doors are amazing. What I don't like and complain the most about is that is is not push to start like my old car.

Jennifer W on February 5, 2021

Roomy, comfortable and convenient for everyday family obligations and/or adventures!

My favorite features are the sliding doors and roominess for family and friends. There is a ton of storage space for travelling and toting kids around to sporting events. Smooth ride, no blind spots, easy to maneuver and park. All in all, I love my vehicle.

Jessica R on February 1, 2021

Plenty of room for the family!

I've never had a van before and we needed something for the kids, so we bought this one second hand and we love it. We haven't had any issues at all and have been driving it for over a year. We have taken it on long road trips and it rides very comfortably. I LOVE the stow and go seats! Very handy when you need to haul something but don't have a truck.

Malorie M on January 30, 2021

It is Hard to access spare tire and to put the spare back in to the undercarriage compartment.

Dislike the awkward access to the spare tire Like the size of hauling capacity Like the maneuverability while driving

Rebecca W on January 28, 2021

Electronic issues, but great features.

The TV screen randomly resets and becomes split. The main radio/control panel resets. Nothing looks wrong. The back-up cam is constantly flipping upside down and does not show up half of the time. I do love the DVD system and Uconnect phone. I also love the stow and go, it is a life saver for me with my craft shows.

Linda W on January 24, 2021

It is very roomy, great for whole family

I've been driving t&c's for 13 yrs, I love being able to travel with the whole family. I guess the only bad thing about them is you can only get about 134,000 miles out of them...which is still good for s luxury sports van!

Christina V on January 19, 2021

It has lots of space without the big expense in gas

The features of the mini van, such as stow & go, capacity of the vehicle, sliding doors, and gas mileage have been amazing. I love having a spacious car that is perfect for kids, without the high gas bill. On the other hand, I wish I would have not purchased a Chrysler. The transmission shifts hard at times, even after regular flushes and maintenance.

Jaymie R on January 7, 2021

2012 town and country review.

I love all the space in my town and country. We have not had very many problems with it and have been driving it for about 4 years now I think. The store and go is fantastic for all my daughters sporting events and it seems to get good gas mileage. The only thing that does not work good is the push button on the van to start it and we have also had issues with the gas cap that throws a sensor off occasionally. The dealership where I get the van serviced removed the push button so now I use the key to start the van and have no issues with I'm Dying like I did with the push button. One other down side of my van is that it is loud when it is running. It has been this way since I bought it.

Krista E on January 6, 2021

Stow and Go Seats are a must

I love the side doors and easy open hatch. The cables that control locks and other items are located within the sliding doors and can get cut. Stow and go seats are great and make the vehicle very versatile.

Kari B on January 5, 2021

Gotta keep it clean ALL the time, or it starts to rust on the undercarriage near the doors. Also, try not to use the auto door openers on the back passenger doors, the wiring harnesses can wear out easily. Husband has replaced it 3 times.

Love all the room. Wish it had the automatic back seat like the newer ones, but no biggy. Love stow and go!!! Love that it has the video screen feature for the kids! Very helpful on long trips!

marc B on December 28, 2020

Great for hauling stuff, and looks good.

It runs good most of the time. But has had some pretty pricey things go wrong with it. It gets decent gas mileage for a big vehicle. It is good for transporting stuff.

Jenn F on December 26, 2020

It has automatic doors and an automatic start witch is very helpful when u have young kids

It's a great van and has lots of really good features the only thing that sucks is the place I got it from didn't fix anything before selling and made it seem like it was in great condition

Jim S on December 18, 2020

It's well maintained with a few blemishes.

The minivan is roomy, well appointed, and comfortable.

John O on December 18, 2020

Sporty family vehicle with lots of comfort

Love the sto n go seating. Comfortable and roomy also handles nicely. Live the dual tv screens and the dial air and heat controls

Gail B on December 2, 2020

It is comfortable, roomy, and great for moving with the stow and go.

I love my van. Love the sunroof. It has great side view mirrors that light up when someone is next to me. GreAT to have a camera. Could have better pickup, but it is very smooth and comfortable.

Jenny P on November 26, 2020

Very reliable, regular maintenance keeps it running forever.

Reliable and comfortable. No transmission issue like older models. More passenger room and seats are stow and go. Cushy leather seats, modern technology.

Susan S on November 21, 2020

The most important thing about my van is the amount of space.

I love the amount of room, is fully equipped including TVs, & has lots of storage for travel. The captains chairs get a little uncomfortable during travel of more than an hour.

Jim g on November 17, 2020

It has good quality and is versatile.

I like the capacity for hauling my items to craft shows. The video feature us good for grandkids. Seating is comfortable. Mileage is good.

Diana F on November 14, 2020

This van has an extraordinary amount of storage with the stow and go system.

I love the how roomy it is. The ability to view movies has been a lifesaver when traveling with grandkids. And best of all, it still looks and run like brand new.

Melissa C on November 12, 2020

I love my town and country because it is very comfortable for my kids, plenty of space for them on long road trips. It is easy to drive and adjust seats as I am very short. The trunk space is great when my dogs are in the car!

It is very safe on the road no matter the weather conditions.

Mike M on November 5, 2020

Love how comfortable you can accommodate 6 adults. Very roomy, plenty of storage.

No problems. Comfortable, drives great, and can accommodate grandkids. Love leather seats and movie screen for kids.

Patricia R on October 30, 2020

I love my Chrysler Town and Country SO MUCH!

I loved my Town and Country from the moment I drove it off lot, and I still love it just as much. I spend a lot of time in it, traveling up to three hours a day in it for family reasons. It is comfortable, dependable and highly functional for my and my entire family's needs. It rides like a regular sedan, but it has the loading capacity of a truck. Friends are always surprised at how much we can fit into the van when the seats are folded down. And, the seats fold down so easily. My van feels like a luxury vehicle with how responsive it is to my driving needs. There has really ever been only one issue with this make of vehicle that I would change- the heater and air conditioning are not consistent and even at all. It's either too hot or too cold: impossibility to find an even middle, somas to make it necessary to adjust the temperature controls more than what I'd prefer. That does not, however, take away from how much I love my vehicle.

Brent V on October 30, 2020

It has anti-skid system on it.

The van is comfortable. Drives easy and smooth. It has built in gps. It is good on gas mileage. Also it has a built in DVD player. Comfortable seats.

Christy L on October 29, 2020

Love My Town and Country! Comfort and smooth riding!

I really like my van. The only problems I have had so far is the electric windows stopped working. It has plenty of space and the seats are easily moved to create more space.

Jennifer S on October 28, 2020

It's roomy Good features Runs good

Storage Hands free doors Stop and go Not great in winter

Joy M on October 26, 2020

Great looking car and performs great.

Very comfortable, love the heated seats and backup camera. Good gas mileage, performs well on the highway and easy to drive and handle. Good looking vehicle. I have never had any problems with the car and it has always been very reliable. I highly recommend this vehicle.

Kathy Y on October 20, 2020

Very dependable and it gets great mileage.

This van is a very reliable vehicle. I use it for everyday driving and it has enough room for a wheelchair. It also gets great mileage.

Danielle B on October 16, 2020

It is a great family vehicle because it is safe, reliable, and comfortable.

I love being able to fit my family. The store and go is a huge help. I wish it would get a little better mpg, but it's fairly good.

Melissa M on October 14, 2020

Old faithful. Requires very little work outside of routine maintenance.

I love my van because it only needs routine maintenance and doesn't break down often. The interior is starting to deteriorate and is leather finish. We like the TV option and TV remote. The gas mileage is good and it is dependable. I would buy a town and country again based on my experience.

Brenda S on October 11, 2020

Drives well, handles well, good mileage, nice looking, comfy.

I like the size and some of the features. Do not like it does not have updated radio features and not enough horsepower.

Alex Showalter

Alex is an automotive enthusiast with over 15 years of experience in the used car market. He brings a wealth of knowledge to Vehicle History as our Staff Writer and has written hundreds of used car reviews helping buyers make informed purchasing decisions. He is a member of the Automotive Press Association, and keeps up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. Over the years, he has driven hundreds of cars, working on many of them. His mechanical experience evolved from modifying off-road trucks as a teen to focusing on automotive electrical systems as he got older. He now specializes in reviewing used cars as an automotive journalist. Some of his favorite brands are Toyota and BMW. The Toyota Land Cruiser is one of his favorite vehicles of all time since they’re built to last forever and can go anywhere. One of his current cars is a Lexus LX570, built on the same platform as the 200-series Land Cruiser, but it’s a better value in the used market.