2012 Chrysler Town and Country

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Chrysler Town and Country
Pictured: 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Touring Plus, front left, 09-30-2023. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV
MPG (best)
20 combined · 17 city / 25 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints553 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 86 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 8 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Chrysler Town and Country is a minivan offered with a 3.6L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 25 highway), 6% worse than the 2012 minivan average of 21.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 553 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Town and Country — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Town and Country →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Town and Country FFV3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 25 / 20-6%$3,350444
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
21.3 MPG2012 Minivan - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country.

Similar 2012 minivans

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Chrysler Town and Country (this car)20 MPGNot rated5
2012 Toyota Sienna21 MPGNot rated9
2012 Kia Sedona21 MPGNot rated5
2012 Honda Odyssey22 MPGNot rated5
2012 Dodge Grand Caravan20 MPGNot rated6
2012 Nissan Quest21 MPGNot rated1
2012 Volkswagen Routan20 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (5)

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility › Wheelchair Restraints/Securement › Latch/Anchor › · Dec 17, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V876000 · 86 vehicles

Problem
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Risk
An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Electrical System · May 7, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V234000 · 644,757 vehicles

Problem
Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may experience overheating of the vent window switch in the driver's door armrest.
Risk
An overheated switch may result in a vehicle fire.
Fix
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent window switch with a newer version, free of charge. The owner notification letter was issued and the remedy campaign launched on on December 31, 2014. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P25.
Equipment · May 2, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V191000 · 471 vehicles

Problem
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MARCH 9, 2012 THROUGH MARCH 12, 2012. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH A RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSOR THAT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. AS A RESULT, INCREASED FORCE MAY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO STOP THE POWER LIFTGATE DURING FINAL CLOSING STAGES.
Risk
THE POWER LIFTGATE DOOR MAY CLOSE ON AN APPENDAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Fix
CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE RIGHT SIDE LIFTGATE PINCH SENSORS, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Suspension › Rear · Apr 3, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V141000 · 289 vehicles

Problem
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT FULLY MACHINED.
Risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN A DECREASE IN DURABILITY, WHICH MAY LEAD TO WHEEL SEPARATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 29, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V487000 · 667 vehicles

Problem
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHRYSLER VEHICLES, INCLUDING 200 AND TOWN AND COUNTRY MODELS, DODGE VEHICLES, INCLUDING CHARGER, DURANGO, GRAND CARAVAN AND JOURNEY MODELS AND JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 31, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 13, 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH 3.6L ENGINES. THESE ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE CONNECTING ROD BEARING FAILURE DUE TO DEBRIS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK.
Risk
CONNECTING ROD FAILURE MAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZURE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ENGINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Chrysler Town and Country is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

553Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
15Involved a fire
18Injuries reported
81,322 miTypical mileage at failure
Electrical System357
Engine91
Unknown Or Other57
Fuel/Propulsion System52
Power Train34
Structure › Body21
Air Bags16
Service Brakes14
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/05: 123/06: 223/07: 123/08: 323/09: 223/10: 123/11: 223/12: 124/03: 224/04: 124/06: 224/07: 124/08: 124/12: 225/01: 125/03: 225/04: 125/07: 225/08: 225/10: 125/11: 225/12: 126/01: 126/07: 323/0523/0823/1124/0424/0825/0325/0825/12max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Chrysler Town and Country buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Electrical System — 357 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  3. Engine — 91 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Fuel/Propulsion System — 52 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 81,322 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Town and Country years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2016 Town and Country20–Not rated5527
2015 Town and Country20–Not rated4382
2014 Town and Country20–Not rated4610
2013 Town and Country20–Not rated4609
2011 Town and Country20–Not rated3597
2010 Town and Country20–Not rated51,180
2009 Town and Country20–Not rated4494
2006 Town and Country19–Not rated1102

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chrysler. How we calculate this →