Car Yearsto Avoid

2008 Chrysler Town and Country Problems

What owners have reported about the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country a good year?

It's one of the worst years for the Town and Country. Owners have filed 1,939 complaints with NHTSA, the 1st most of 9 Town and Country model years. The most reported problems involve the electrical system, airbags and brakes.

1,939 complaints 7 recalls 1st worst of 9 Town and Country years

Top 2008 Chrysler Town and Country problems

1

Electrical problems

1,242 complaints (64%) name the electrical system, most often the switch and ignition.

Complaints 1,242 · Usually at 60,000–110,000 miles · Recall 14V373000

2

Airbag problems

375 complaints (19%) name the airbags, most often the sensor / control module and side / window.

Complaints 375 · Usually at 65,000–129,000 miles · Recall 20V396000, 16V047000, 14V373000, 11V394000

3

Brake problems

318 complaints (16%) name the brakes, most often the rotor and pads.

Complaints 318 · Usually at 17,000–60,000 miles · Recall 09V351000

4

Engine problems

248 complaints (13%) name the engine, most often the exhaust system and cooling system.

Complaints 248 · Usually at 60,000–109,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Airbags 19%
Brakes 16%
Engine 13%
Steering 5%
Unknown or Other 5%
Wipers and Visibility 3%
Transmission 3%
Lights 3%
Body 3%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (1,236 of 1,939). The amber line is the middle value, about 71,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2008 Chrysler Town and Country recalls

Steering wheel / handle bar, Inflator module

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. Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge.

Recall 20V396000 · Jul 2020

Frontal

In the affected vehicles, the air bag control units may corrode and fail. 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.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge.

Recall 16V047000 · Jan 2016

Switch

Road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position, turning off the engine. 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.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. Note: This is an expansion of recall 11V-139.

Recall 14V373000 · Jun 2014

Non-powered axle assembly

Over time and with use, the vehicle's rear axle may develop cracks which could lead to axle failure. Failure of the rear axle may increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Freedom Motors will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected axles, free of charge.

Recall 14V055000 · Feb 2014

Frontal, Sensor / control module-inactive

These vehicles may experience a heating and air conditioner (HVAC) condensate leak from the HVAC drain grommet onto the occupant restraint control (orc) module, which can lead to the illumination of the airbag warning light and a potential inadvertent airbag deployment without warning. An inadvertent airbag deployment could result in injury to the seat occupant in front of the deploying airbag and/or a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the affected air bag module free of charge.

Recall 11V394000 · Aug 2011

Air conditioner

These vehicles may experience a water leak at the heating and air conditioner (HVAC) drain grommet which can lead to illumination of airbag warning light and a potential inadvertent airbag deployment. An inadvertent airbag deployment could result in injury to the seat occupant in front of the deploying airbag and/or a vehicle crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the HVAC drain grommet free of charge.

Recall 10V611000 · Dec 2010

Brakes

The rear brake lines may have been improperly routed and not secured properly during the alteration. If not routed and secured properly, the brake lines could rub against the vehicle causing a brake fluid leak. A brake fluid leak could result in a loss of braking ability, possibly causing a crash.

Fix: Eldorado national amerivan dealers will inspect the vehicles and if the brake lines were improperly routed they will be correctly reinstalled free of charge. These minivans have been altered into wheelchair accessible vehicles by eldorado.

Recall 09V351000 · Sep 2009
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2008 Chrysler Town and Country gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Town and Country years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2008 Chrysler Town and Country problems by system

Common questions

Is the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country a reliable year?

It's one of the worst years for the Town and Country. Owners have filed 1,939 complaints with NHTSA, the 1st most of 9 Town and Country model years. The most reported problems involve the electrical system, airbags and brakes.

What are the most common 2008 Chrysler Town and Country problems?

Owners most often report problems with the electrical system, airbags, brakes and engine. 1,242 complaints (64%) name the electrical system, most often the switch and ignition.

At what mileage do 2008 Chrysler Town and Country electrical system problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 60,000–110,000 miles, with a middle value near 85,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2008 Chrysler Town and Country have?

7. Steering wheel / handle bar, Inflator module (20V396000); Frontal (16V047000); Switch (14V373000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2008 Chrysler Town and Country?

Ask for service records covering the electrical system, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2015, 2016 and 2012 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.