2003 Chrysler Town & Country

The 2003 Chrysler Town & Country is a popular minivan known for its spaciousness, comfort, and versatility. It was offered with three engine options: a 2.4L inline-4 producing 150 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque, a 3.3L V6 producing 180 hp and 210 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.8L V6 producing 215 hp and 245 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Owners often appreciate the van’s comfortable ride, ample cargo space, and convenient features like power sliding doors. However, common complaints include issues with reliability, particularly electrical problems, transmission issues, and premature wear of some components.

Engine

2.4L Inline-4

No Issues Found

3.3L V6

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks are common from various locations, including the valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, and rear main seal. Symptoms include visible oil leaks, a burning oil smell, and low oil levels.
  • Solution: Replace the leaking gaskets or seals.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $400+ depending on the location and extent of the leak.

3.8L V6

• Oil Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Similar to the 3.3L, oil leaks can occur from the valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, and rear main seal. Symptoms include visible oil leaks, a burning oil smell, and low oil levels.
  • Solution: Replace the leaking gaskets or seals.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $400+ depending on the location and extent of the leak.
• EGR Valve Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) valve can become clogged or fail, leading to poor engine performance, rough idling, and a check engine light.
  • Solution: Replace the EGR valve.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $300+
• Coolant Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Intake manifold gasket failures can cause coolant leaks, leading to overheating and potential engine damage.
  • Solution: Replace the intake manifold gaskets.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800+

Transmission

All Transmissions (4-speed Automatic)

• Transmission Slipping/Harsh Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: Transmission may slip between gears or shift harshly, particularly at higher mileage. Can also experience the transmission not wanting to shift into overdrive. This is often caused by wear in the valve body or torque converter.
  • Solution: Could be solved with a fluid change and filter, but usually requires a rebuild or replacement of the transmission.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 (fluid and filter) - $3,000+ (rebuild or replacement).
• Torque Converter Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Torque converter failure can cause shuddering, vibration, and stalling, especially at low speeds.
  • Solution: Replace the torque converter.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1200+

Suspension

• Strut and Shock Absorber Wear
  • Description/Symptoms: Worn struts and shocks lead to a bouncy ride, poor handling, and increased braking distances.
  • Solution: Replace the worn struts and shocks.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+ depending on the extent of work done.
• Sway Bar Link Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Sway bar links wear out, causing a clunking noise, especially when going over bumps or turning.
  • Solution: Replace the worn sway bar links.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300+

Electrical

• Power Door Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Power sliding doors are prone to failure, with issues ranging from doors not opening or closing to doors getting stuck. This can be caused by motor failure, cable issues, or sensor problems.
  • Solution: Diagnosis to determine the cause of the failure and repair or replace the faulty components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ depending on the specific problem.
• Power Window Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Power windows may stop working due to motor failure or regulator problems.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty window motor or regulator.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $400+ per window.
• Instrument Cluster Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Intermittent or complete failure of the instrument cluster, including gauges and lights.
  • Solution: Repair or replace the instrument cluster.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $600+

Exterior

• Rust on Rocker Panels and Wheel Wells
  • Description/Symptoms: Rust is a common issue, particularly on the rocker panels and wheel wells, especially in areas with harsh winters.
  • Solution: Repair or replace the rusted panels. This is often only a temporary fix if you don’t address the underlying cause.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1000+ depending on the extent of the rust.
• Headlight Hazing
  • Description/Symptoms: The plastic headlight lenses tend to become hazy and yellowed, reducing visibility.
  • Solution: Polish the headlights or replace the headlight assemblies.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $30 - $150+ depending on the method used.

Interior

• Dashboard Cracking
  • Description/Symptoms: The dashboard can crack, especially in hot climates.
  • Solution: Replace or cover the dashboard.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 (cover) - $800+ (replacement)
• Power Seat Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Power seats may stop working due to motor failure.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty seat motor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+ per seat.

Summary

The 2003 Chrysler Town & Country is a comfortable and practical minivan, but it is prone to a number of reliability issues, particularly related to the transmission, electrical system, and engine oil leaks. The severity and cost of repairs can vary greatly depending on the specific problem, but some issues like transmission problems and power door failures can be quite expensive to fix. Owners should be aware of these potential problems and factor them into the cost of ownership.