2001 Chrysler Town and Country EX review from North America

Our first problem with this this Town and Country was its battery failed at two years, about two years before one would have expected such a failure.

Then last month (10/03) the evaporator for the air conditioner leaked away its coolant and had to be replaced. There was no damage found on the evaporator, except that it had begun to leak from a seam. that was a $750 repair.

Yesterday (11/30/03) neither of our keys would turn in the ignition switch. An AAA locksmith fiddled with it enough to get it running, and we didn't turn it off until we had it parked at a Chrysler dealer's service area. We were told the tumbler had to be replaced and the new one ground to fit our existing keys -- that's $280 worth of repairs (repair site is in central North Carolina USA).

Our old 1995 Nissan Quest was still going strong at 160,000 miles when we traded it in, because we feared it might become unreliable. The odd thing is, we're now using our second car, a 1991 Lexus 250LS with 123,000 miles on it, as the reliable car in the family -- it gets us to and from the shop so we can get the Town and Country serviced.

Our real concern is that the T&C may become more of a repair hog than we're prepared to own. I'd hate to trade in a car that should just be in its prime!

On the positive side, the T&C is a joy to drive, it has enough power to cruise well, and it can carry a load without really losing its handling.