The 2004 Chrysler Town & Country isn’t exactly a lemon, but the low sticker price is all it really has to offer over its nearest competitors. Less fuel efficient, less powerful, and less versatile than similar offerings from Toyota and Honda, the Town & Country is fine for the price, but might not last two more years on the road.
Is the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – The 2004 Town & Country isn’t a bad vehicle by any means, but if not for its low sticker price, it wouldn’t be worth a second look.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – It really does feel like a living room on wheels, but so do most vans.
- Reliability 6/10 – While there are few major issues to look out for, the transmission will probably be ready to call it quits at around 200,000 miles.
- Safety 7/10 – Safety tech may be outdated by now, but good crash test ratings make up the difference.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – The 2004 Honda Odyssey matches the Town & Country for MPG, but delivers 25 more horsepower.
- Value 7/10 – At current Blue Book values, the Town & Country is fairly priced. But cost of ownership and early breakdown may have you saving up for something a little more reliable.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country?
Consumer Reports call the Chrysler Town & Country a “more costly cousin” to the Grand Caravan, but they found it pleasant to drive with decent handling and a spacious interior, concluding that it’s a decent vehicle outclassed by superior competitors.
Kelley Blue Book users give the Town & Country a decent 83% recommendation, praising the comfortable interior and reliable powertrain, and noting that the van is a good value now that the price has come down a bit. The van’s dated appearance and cheap-feeling build quality earned it a few red marks.
Edmunds liked the smooth ride and sharp handling, and they found the interior luxurious and comfortable, but note the vehicle’s unreliable reputation, and the befuddling absence of fold-flat third-row seating.
What Common Problems Does the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country Have?
The 2004 Town & Country’s most worrying problem has to do with a fuel leak resulting from a corroded metal ring in the filter. The issue led to a recall in 2003, but complaints on the matter have been registered as late as 2014.
Electrical failure has been reported in a number of units, with problems ranging from fidgety headlights to windshield wipers and windows failing to engage. In some instances this could be down to simple wear and tear. Before buying any used vehicle, check under the hood and make sure rats haven’t been gnawing at the wires.
Engine and powertrain complaints aren’t incredibly common, but early signs of failure include difficulty shifting and transmission slip.
In total, the 2004 Town & Country has 6 recalls, 167 complaints, and 1 investigation on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
How Long Will the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country Last?
Drivers have reported breakdown as early as 120,000 miles, but these instances are outliers, and about as rare as the vehicle reaching 300,000 miles on the original powertrain. Most likely you’ll get at least 200,000 miles out of your Town & Country before it’s ready for retirement.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of $636, with the most expensive common fix being a new timing chain tensioner at $1,857, at which point it might make more sense to simply replace the whole vehicle.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is pretty generous for 2004. The entry level Base and LX models come with CD players with four speakers.
Safety technology is adequate, but unimpressive, even by 2004 standards. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are only available in the higher trim levels.
Is the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country a Good Value?
The 2004 Chrysler Town & Country is priced to move, but that doesn’t make it a great value. A Base model with just under 160,000 miles on the odometer typically lists for around $3,095, which sounds like a great deal, but you might not get another 50,000 miles out of it.
If you just need a beater to get you around town, you could do a lot worse. But, in the long run, it’s not a great purchase. Refueling and maintenance costs will eventually cost you more than you saved on the sticker price.
What are the Different Models of the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country?
The 2004 Chrysler Town & Country is available in five trims from the self-explanatory Base to the high-end Limited.
In the entry-level Base you’re getting:
- CD player with four speakers
- Remote keyless entry
- Power windows and door locks
- Cloth seating
- Manual air conditioning
Next up is the LX, adding:
- Power and heated fold-away exterior mirrors
- Anti-lock brakes
The mid-range EX adds:
- 8-way power driver seat
- Tri-zone air conditioning
- Two extra speakers
With the high-end Touring you get:
- Traction control
- Optional all wheel drive
Finally, the top-of-the-line Limited includes:
- Fog lights
- Driver lumbar support
- Simulated suede and leather seats
- Heated front seats
- Navigation system
What Engines Come In the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country?
- All 2004 Town & Country models come with a 3.8L V6 engine delivering 245 lb.-ft. of torque and 215 horsepower. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission. The V6 averages 18/25 miles to the gallon, city/highway, and is configured in front wheel drive, except in the Touring model where it can be configured in four wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country?
The 2004 Town & Country is pretty comfortable. You’ve got a whopping 67.6 inches of hiproom in the back, so when Chrysler says it seats seven or eight adults, they mean it. The seating is cushy and the suspension has held up well over the years.
All of this could be said of most vans, of course. In any event, the Town & Country doesn’t come up short when it comes to interior space and comfort.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country Have?
You have 15.3 cubic feet of space in the back to start with, and if you take the seats out you have up to 167.9 cubic feet. This is more space than you’re likely to need, but it’s a shame that the back row needs to be entirely removed to make the most of it.
The payload capacity goes up to 1,532 pounds, depending on your options. Before you go packing the back of the van from floor to ceiling, make sure you’re not exceeding the weight limit. It probably won’t be an issue, but if you’re moving weightlifting equipment or car parts or something you might want to make multiple trips.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2004 was the fourth model year for the 4th Generation Town & Country, running from 2001 to 2007.
2002: The 2001 Town & Country launched to some underwhelming crash test scores, so Chrysler overhauled the structure in 2002 and earned an Acceptable rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
2003: The one-touch sunroof debuted in 2003.
2004: Chrysler trimmed the model list down, dropping the LXi and EL editions and added the Base model.
2005: 2005 saw a styling overhaul and tech upgrades throughout. No major changes, just a slight modernization.
2006: DVD players were added for passengers, and trims and optional packages were reconfigured.
2007: A big year for the Town & Country as they finally add fold-flat seating to the LX trim.
How Does the 2004 Chrysler Town & Country Compare to the Competition?
The 2004 Chrysler Town & Country is one of the most affordable vehicles in its size class for this model year. But that’s all it really has on the competition. The 2004 Toyota Sienna is more fuel efficient, more powerful, and just as roomy, plus the third row folds down flat.
A 2004 Honda Odyssey delivers more horsepower at the same MPG as a Town & Country, and, being a Honda, it’s far more reliable.
The Town & Country is the cheapest of these three, but it’s also the least likely to pass 200,000 miles, the most likely to have an expensive breakdown, and the least fuel efficient, so how much money are you really saving in the long run?
