Is the 2001 Chrysler Town and Country a bad year?
461 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 69, 2.1× a quiet Town and Country year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 47k–80k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2001 Town and Country owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bagsSTANDS OUT | 72 (16%) | 50k–125k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 69 (15%) | 47k–80k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 52 (11%) | 40k–94k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 41 (9%) | 55k–95k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 73 (16%) | 59k–127k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 33 (7%) | 21k–97k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Suspension | 29 (6%) | 39k–97k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Exterior lighting | 27 (6%) | 50k–81k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Equipment | 24 (5%) | 52k–84k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Body structure | 21 (5%) | 43k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 21 (5%) | 60k–146k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 19 (4%) | 39k–120k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Latches and locks | 19 (4%) | 42k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Tires | 15 (3%) | 46k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 461 complaints: 15 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 24 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2021.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
While traveling at 60 MPH on the interstate the vehicle suddenly stopped. The vehicle was towed. The mechanic stated the transmission was defective.
47,000 on a single owner 2001 town and country - serviced regularly - fluids checked at oil changes. I also know of another 2001 town and country owner whose transmission went out at 52,000.
On 2/28/05 my 2001 Chrysler town and country engine light activated at the same time I noticed a burning chemical smell (Burning transmission fluid).
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 60,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2001 Chrysler Town and Country: 7
When the hitch is loaded to the maximum rating, the hitch may fracture or break at the bend location where the main body of the hitch meets the hitch muffler strap. If the area in question fractures or breaks, this could cause an unstable driving condition, possibly resulting in a crash.
Certain aftermarket brake hydraulic master cylinders sold as replacement brake cylinders for certain Ford, daimlerchrysler, and Jeep passenger vehicles. These brake cylinders were sold under the brand names of napa, raybestos, aimco, ac delco, carquest, bendix, and wagner. Loss of brake fluid can lead to a decrease in brake line pressure and an increase in stopping distance, which can result in a vehicle crash.
On certain Mini vans, condensation from the instrument panel air conditioning ducts may drop through vent holes in the top of the radio and result in a short circuit that subsequently sends direct current to the rear speakers. This could result in a speaker fire.
Certain aftermarket replacement fuel filters, models wix filter part numbers 33576, 33577, 33734; napa filter part numbers 3576, 3577, 3734; and carquest filter part numbers 86576, 86577, 86734 used on 1996-2000 daimlerchrysler town & country, Dodge caravan, and Plymouth voyager vehicles… A possible fire can occur in the presence of an ignition source.
Aftermarket replacement fuel filters manufactured between september 17, 2002, and january 20, 2003, sold under the brand names listed above. The filter may experience malfunction of the quick connector either blocking fuel flow to the engine or causing a fuel leak. If this condition occurred while the vehicle is in motion, the engine could stall. Also, in the presence of an ignition source, the fuel leak could result in a vehicle fire.
However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: 2001 Plymouth voyager, Chrysler town & country, and Dodge caravan/grand caravan Mini vans that are not equipped with the remote keyless entry option. This could allow the sliding door to partially open.
Vehicle description: minivans. The lower control arm pivot bolt could fracture. If the bolt fractures, the lower control arm could separate from the crossmember, causing a loss of vehicle control.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chrysler: 18
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2001 Chrysler Town and Country. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Headlight malfunction
Headlight malfunction
Power liftgate latch
Neighbouring years
2000 Town and Country: 306 complaints, keep it · 2002 Town and Country: 403 complaints, keep it.
Every Chrysler Town and Country year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · All Town and Country years side by side
Other Chrysler models: Chrysler 200 · Chrysler 300 · Chrysler 300C · Chrysler 300M · Chrysler Aspen · Chrysler Concorde · Chrysler Crossfire · Chrysler Crossfire Roadster · Chrysler PT Cruiser · Chrysler Pacifica · Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid · Chrysler Sebring · Chrysler Sebring Conv · Chrysler Sebring Convertible · Chrysler Voyager. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2001 Chrysler Town and Country a bad year?
461 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 69, 2.1× a quiet Town and Country year. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 47k–80k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Chrysler Town and Country?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: air bags (72), transmission and drivetrain (69), steering (52), visibility and wipers (41), electrical system (73). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 47k–80k miles.
How many recalls does the 2001 Chrysler Town and Country have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Equipment (NHTSA 10E034000), Brakes (NHTSA 06E022000), Equipment (NHTSA 04V-531), Fuel system (NHTSA 03E053000) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.