I am thinking of getting one or a comparable Grand Voyager with the 3.3L or 3.8L engine and wanted to know what are the problems/issues with these. I had plan on getting one without the stow away seating (2005) and getting an extra bench seat to replace the 2nd row captains when I need to carry more people (kids). I looked on Edmunds.com and many complain about the AC system, window motors/regulators, sliding door motors going out and different electrical gremlins. I saw one locally that was AWD and wondered how reliable their system is and how much (if any) does it affect the mpg's. I know they have a low tow rating now but just planned on using it as a DD for now and possibly later plan on getting a really small/lite TT or pop up one day. Two out of the 3 kids have left the house (hoorah) and might be downsizing soon.

They are excellent people movers. Usually the issues you mentioned come from people that don't take care of them and beat them into the ground, somehow cars just know that and give up. I know it sounds silly, but is partially true. All minivans have some kind of issues.

The 3.3 is a great motor as well as the 3.8. I would go for the 3.8 for the power. If you can get the newer body style with the 3.8 or 4.0 would be better for towing. The newer Town and Countries and Grand Caravans all have heavy duty cooling packages including the transmission cooler. It may be a little stretch financially to get an 08 and up but it would be well worth it down the road. If you do go with the earlier model make sure you add a transmission cooler. Thanks!Jeremiah

We had a much earlier version of this minivan, a Dodge Caravan of mid'80s vintage, 3.3L engine, which we used to tow a small, light popup (approx. weight 2000 lbs). It was the most comfortable driving vehicle we have ever owned, but it was only moderately successful as a tow vehicle even for the popup. When the van was about 5 years old or so, we took it and the popup on a trip to the Black Hills. (We were living in IL then.) On the drive up into the Hills, we had to stop several times to allow the engine to cool down, and we had to be very careful not to burn out the brakes on the way down when we were returning home. Anyway, it was fine as a tow vehicle for that small popup as long as we stayed in the Plains. Just FYI -

I looked for a used Town & Country or Caravan with low mileage for months on Craig's list. After all that hunting I found a 2008 T & C Limited with 23,000 miles. I have the 4.0 motor but would have been just as happy with the 3.8 for power and economy over the 4.0, but this motor has a lot of power. I also read about the various issues the older years seem to have but I have to agree that if it was taken care of by the owners most of these problems will not appear in your vehicle. I wanted the Sto & Go seats and you don't and finding a good van without the hide away seats may prove more difficult. I think they are great people movers, this one is my 3rd since 1996.

Get the 3.8 liter - same basic pushrod design as the 3.3, but better power and essentially the same fuel economy. The regular FWD is better than the AWD for overall reliability - coworker just converted his AWD to FWD after having some issues. If there is any way your budget will allow, I highly recommend a 2011 or newer model with the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 and the 6 speed automatic - fine combination.

Opinion on 01-04 Chrysler Town & Country | Good Sam Community

stripit
Explorer
Jul 06, 2014
I looked for a used Town & Country or Caravan with low mileage for months on Craig's list. After all that hunting I found a 2008 T & C Limited with 23,000 miles. I have the 4.0 motor but would have been just as happy with the 3.8 for power and economy over the 4.0, but this motor has a lot of power. I also read about the various issues the older years seem to have but I have to agree that if it was taken care of by the owners most of these problems will not appear in your vehicle. I wanted the Sto & Go seats and you don't and finding a good van without the hide away seats may prove more difficult. I think they are great people movers, this one is my 3rd since 1996.
kknowlton
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2014
We had a much earlier version of this minivan, a Dodge Caravan of mid'80s vintage, 3.3L engine, which we used to tow a small, light popup (approx. weight 2000 lbs). It was the most comfortable driving vehicle we have ever owned, but it was only moderately successful as a tow vehicle even for the popup. When the van was about 5 years old or so, we took it and the popup on a trip to the Black Hills. (We were living in IL then.) On the drive up into the Hills, we had to stop several times to allow the engine to cool down, and we had to be very careful not to burn out the brakes on the way down when we were returning home. Anyway, it was fine as a tow vehicle for that small popup as long as we stayed in the Plains. Just FYI -
jerem0621
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2014
The 3.3 is a great motor as well as the 3.8. I would go for the 3.8 for the power. If you can get the newer body style with the 3.8 or 4.0 would be better for towing. The newer Town and Countries and Grand Caravans all have heavy duty cooling packages including the transmission cooler. It may be a little stretch financially to get an 08 and up but it would be well worth it down the road.

If you do go with the earlier model make sure you add a transmission cooler.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2014
They are excellent people movers. Usually the issues you mentioned come from people that don't take care of them and beat them into the ground, somehow cars just know that and give up. I know it sounds silly, but is partially true. All minivans have some kind of issues.

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