Eight problems related to engine and engine cooling have been reported for the 1998 Chrysler Town & Country. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving in snow and rain for one day the steering wheel froze up, the battery light went on, and I was no longer able to drive. I was on a flat street and in motion when it occurred.
Engine spontaneously started on fire and fire destroyed the entire vehicle. Owner just purchased the vehicle 1 week prior to this occurring from a dealership. All of a sudden, there was smoke everywhere while driving on the interstate, and within 3-4 minutes of pulling to the side of the road due to smoke occurring, the entire vehicle was engulfed in flames. The owner is 9 months pregnant, and there were 3 young children also in the vehicle when this occurred. Fire fighters told the owners that if they had continued to drive the vehicle another 100 feet, the vehicle would have blown up with all occupants still inside. The vehicle/all engine parts are completely destroyed. The pregnant owner suffered severe smoke inhalation and barely escaped fetal death due to severe smoke inhalation.
The contact owns a 1998 Chrysler town and country. The contact stated that one year ago upon starting his vehicle he noticed that it would start and then it would shut off. The alarm system on the vehicle armed itself when the ignition was turned off and the vehicle would not start until it was reset. The contact stated that the reset option failed to function. A diagnostic test was being performed by a Chrysler dealer for repairs. The dealer informed the contact that the body control module needed to be replaced at the owners expense for approximately $1100. 00. The owner stated that Chrysler was aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The current mileage was 156,000.
The contact owns a 1998 Chrysler town and country. The contact stated that the vehicle fails to start sometimes and has been towed twice. While the engine is running, the gauges will go to zero and the instrument panel lights dim. When idling, the vehicle will shut off and several warning indicator lights will illuminate. The mechanic and the dealer were unable to determine the cause of failure. The current mileage is 121,000 and failure mileage was 119,900.
1998 town and country will stop right after starts. After 3 times it will longer start. Have replaced the engine module for $250. 00. This has fixed the problem for atleast 2 years. When it started again I replaced the module again. It is still working after 14 months. Cheaper than taking to dealer and easy to replace.
While driving 30-35 mph the vehicle caught fire under the hood. The consumer was able to pull over until the local fire department arrived to extinguish the fire. How the fire got started was not determined.
First problem occurred three days after we purchased this used. Transmission locked into neutral and would not disengage. This happened while driving. Vehicle had to be towed. Rebuilt transmission cost $1500. Got it back and 4 days later the fan to cool the engine went out. In the shop another 2 days costing an additional $180. 00. Feel like I am hemmorhaging money on this car. Left drivers window switch doesn't work at times and window gets stuck in the open position.
At 25-30 mph engine began to sputter. Dealer determined that camshaft had broken. Part is on national backorder.