The Good
Key advantages of the 2013 Town & Country include its powerful Pentastar V6 engine, offering confident performance, and its exceptionally versatile Stow & Go seating, which appeals to practical buyers needing cargo flexibility. Its comfortable ride and a wealth of family-friendly features foster emotional appeal for road trips and daily convenience, representing strong value in the used market.
The Bad
Known weaknesses for the 2013 Chrysler Town & Country include potential transmission issues, electrical gremlins often linked to the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), and premature brake wear. Owners have also reported problems with power sliding doors and HVAC systems. Fuel economy is average for its class, and some interior materials, while improved, weren't always top-tier.
2013 Chrysler Town & Country: Quick Overview
- Engine: 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 (only engine option).
- Horsepower: 283 hp.
- Fuel Economy: EPA estimated 17 MPG city / 25 MPG highway.
- 0-60 MPH: Approximately 8 seconds, competitive for a minivan.
- Towing Capacity: Up to 3,600 pounds when properly equipped, making it capable for light towing.
- Trim-Level Features:
- Touring: The base trim, but well-equipped, featuring Chrysler's innovative Stow & Go second and third-row seating, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rearview camera, tri-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlights, and power sliding doors/liftgate. Standard safety features include stability control and a comprehensive airbag system.
- Touring-L: Builds on the Touring with added luxuries such as leather upholstery, power-adjustable passenger seat, power-folding third-row seat, upgraded sound system, remote start, and rear parking sensors. It also typically includes second-row Stow & Go bucket seats for enhanced comfort.
- Limited: The top-tier luxury trim. It includes all Touring-L features and adds premium leather seating, heated front and second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, a navigation system integrated into the Uconnect, and an advanced rear Blu-ray/DVD entertainment system (often with dual screens). Driver-assistance features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-path detection become standard or readily available.
- S (Sportier trim): While less common for 2013 but available in the generation, this trim often featured blacked-out exterior accents, unique wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and upgraded interior styling cues for a more dynamic appearance.
The Stow & Go system, which allows both second and third-row seats to fold flat into the floor, creating an expansive, flat cargo area, remains a hallmark feature across all trims, significantly enhancing the minivan's practicality and versatility.
2013 Chrysler Town & Country Specifications
Vehicle Information
| Year | 2013 |
| Make | Chrysler |
| Model | Town & Country |
| Trim | - |
| Style | - |
| Type | Sport Utility Vehicle Extended Van |
| Category | Minivan |
Manufacturing Details
| Made In | Canada |
| Manufacturing City | - |
Dimensions
| Doors | - |
| Curb Weight | - |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating | - |
| Overall Height | - |
| Overall Length | - |
| Overall Width | - |
| Wheelbase Length | - |
| Standard Seating | - |
Engine & Performance
| Engine | 2.4L L4 |
| Engine Size | 2.4L |
| Engine Cylinders | 4 |
| Transmission | - |
| Transmission Type | - |
| Transmission Speeds | - |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive LHD |
Additional Features
| Anti-Brake System | - |
| Steering Type | - |
Pricing
| Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) | - |
| Invoice Price | - |
| Delivery Charges | - |
Vehicle History Report
Specifications
History
Events
History Check
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Listings
Recalls
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Analysis
What Problems Does the 2013 Chrysler Town & Country Have?
Frequently Reported Problems:
- Transmission Issues: A common complaint across this generation is related to the 6-speed automatic transmission. Owners report harsh shifts, slipping, hesitation, and, in some cases, complete failure. These issues often begin to surface between 70,000 to 120,000 miles and can lead to costly repairs or even full transmission replacement.
- Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) Failure: This is a notorious electrical component issue affecting many Chrysler vehicles from this era. A failing TIPM can cause a wide range of electrical malfunctions, including intermittent fuel pump operation (causing stalling or no-starts), issues with power windows, door locks, lights, wipers, and even unexpected airbag deployment errors. Replacement is expensive.
- Power Sliding Door Malfunctions: The convenience of power sliding doors can be a liability over time. Motors can fail, sensors can become faulty, or cables can break, leading to doors that get stuck, won't open/close, or operate erratically.
- Brake Wear: Some owners experience premature wear of brake pads and rotors, especially the front ones, necessitating more frequent replacements than might be expected.
- HVAC System Problems: Issues with the heating and air conditioning system are reported, including blend door actuator failures (leading to inconsistent temperature control) and leaks in the rear A/C lines, which can result in a loss of refrigerant.
- Suspension Components: Over time, components like sway bar links, bushings, and struts can wear out, leading to clunking noises, a less stable ride, or degraded handling.
Recalls and Long-Term Reliability Concerns:
While specific recalls for the 2013 model year can be found by VIN, historical recalls for this platform have included issues related to airbag inflators (part of the larger Takata recall), wiring harness problems affecting airbag deployment, and potential active head restraint malfunctions. It is critical to check for open recalls on any specific vehicle.
Long-term reliability for the 2013 Town & Country is considered mixed. While the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine itself is generally robust, the transmission and electrical systems are significant areas of concern. Proactive maintenance, especially transmission fluid changes and vigilant attention to any electrical anomalies, can extend the vehicle's life. However, prospective buyers should be prepared for potential high-cost repairs, making it crucial to factor these into the total cost of ownership. The vehicle can be reliable if well-maintained, but it does not generally match the longevity or trouble-free reputation of its Japanese rivals.
How long will the 2013 Chrysler Town & Country last?
What Technology & Safety Features are Included?
Built-in Tech & Entertainment:
- Uconnect Infotainment: Standard was Chrysler's Uconnect system, typically featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen. It included AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3 playback, auxiliary audio input, and satellite radio capability. USB ports and a hard drive for music storage (e.g., 30GB) were often included.
- Navigation System: Available on higher trims, integrating GPS navigation into the Uconnect screen.
- Rear-Seat Entertainment System: A major highlight, particularly on Touring-L and Limited trims, was the optional Blu-ray/DVD player with dual 9-inch screens for second and third-row passengers, along with wireless headphones and remote control. Some configurations also included HDMI input.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard on most trims for hands-free phone calls and audio streaming.
Driver-Assistance Features:
- Rearview Camera: Standard across all trims, aiding parking and reversing maneuvers.
- Rear Parking Sensors: Available on Touring-L and Limited, providing audible warnings for obstacles behind the vehicle.
- Blind-Spot Monitoring: Optional on Touring-L and standard on Limited, alerting the driver to vehicles in adjacent blind spots.
- Rear Cross-Path Detection: Often bundled with blind-spot monitoring, it warns of approaching traffic when backing out of a parking space.
Safety Features:
- Airbags: Comprehensive airbag system including front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags covering all three rows.
- Stability and Traction Control: Standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control system for maintaining vehicle stability.
- Anti-lock Brakes (ABS): Standard on all models.
- Active Head Restraints: Front active head restraints designed to reduce whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.
Crash-Test Ratings:
- NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration): The 2013 Town & Country received an Overall Safety Rating of 4 out of 5 stars. It earned 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash, and 4 stars for rollover resistance.
- IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety): The 2013 model received "Good" ratings in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints & seats tests. However, it received a "Poor" rating in the small overlap front test, a new and more stringent assessment at the time.
What Colors Options are Available?
2013 Chrysler Town & Country Prices and Market Value
2013 Chrysler Town & Country Cost of Ownership
2013 Chrysler Town & Country Fuel Efficiency
2013 Chrysler Town & Country Safety Rating
NHTSA
2013 Chrysler Town & Country Insurance
reasonable repair costs.
How Does the 2013 Chrysler Town & Country Compare to Other Sport Utility Vehicle Extended Van?
Performance: The Town & Country's 3.6L Pentastar V6, with 283 hp, offered robust acceleration and ample power for its class, often outperforming the base V6s of its Japanese rivals (e.g., Odyssey's 248 hp, Sienna's 266 hp). While providing a comfortable ride, its handling was generally less agile and sporty than the Honda Odyssey, which was often praised for its car-like dynamics.
Features: This is where the Town & Country traditionally excelled. Its standard Stow & Go seating system was a revolutionary feature, unmatched by competitors for cargo flexibility. It also offered a competitive array of luxury and tech features, including an available dual-screen Blu-ray entertainment system, heated second-row seats, and advanced safety aids like blind-spot monitoring on higher trims, putting it on par with or even surpassing some rivals in terms of creature comforts. The Toyota Sienna offered optional all-wheel drive, a feature not available on the T&C.
Reliability: This is generally the Town & Country's most significant weakness compared to its Japanese competitors. The Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna consistently ranked higher in long-term reliability, suffering fewer major mechanical issues. The T&C was prone to more frequent and potentially costly problems, particularly with its transmission and the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), which were less common in the comparable Odysseys and Siennas.
Price: When new, the Town & Country was competitively priced, often providing more features for the money than its Japanese rivals. In the used market, this price advantage is even more pronounced, making it a significantly more affordable option. Due to its reliability concerns and higher depreciation, used T&Cs are typically much cheaper than used Odysseys or Siennas of the same vintage.
Recommended Alternatives:
- Better Alternatives (if reliability and lower long-term ownership costs are paramount): The 2013 Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna are generally superior choices. They may cost more upfront on the used market, but their stronger reliability often translates to fewer repair bills and better resale value over time.
- Similar Alternatives (if budget is the primary driver): The 2013 Dodge Grand Caravan is mechanically identical to the Town & Country, often available at an even lower price point due to its more utilitarian branding. It offers the same practicality and engine at an even more accessible cost, albeit with the same reliability considerations.