The 2005 Chrysler Town & Country isn’t a bad minivan by any means, but it’s outclassed in more ways than not by the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna. Standard features here are relatively skimpy, and it’s not the most fuel-efficient option. But, prices start at under four grand.
Is the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 7/10 – Not nearly the best used minivan on the market. In fact, it’s probably not even in the top three. But it might be the best you’re going to get for the price.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Luxury RVs are more comfortable, but not by a very wide margin. The suspension has held up well and the interior feels like a cozy hotel room on wheels.
- Reliability 7/10 – You’re probably going to have a bunch of little electrical issues to fix over the years, but major mechanical failures are few and far between.
- Safety 6/10 – Onboard safety tech is outdated, that can’t really be helped. But way too many features are hidden away in the higher trim levels. Anti-lock brakes as a standard feature isn’t that big an ask for a 2005 minivan.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – The Base model averages 19/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway. There are more efficient minivans out there, but the Town & Country is more economical than you’d guess for its massive size.
- Value 8/10 – Low pricing might be the only reason you’d buy a Town & Country over a Sienna, but you’re looking at a difference of around two thousand bucks.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country?
Consumer Reports name the Town & Country the “costlier cousin” to the Dodge Grand Caravan. They report that the ride is pleasant, the interior is flexible with fold-flat seating, and it can handle light cargo loads. But road noise is somehow worse than in the 2004 model, and it falls behind its leading competitors.
Kelley Blue Book users give the Town & Country a decent 83% recommendation, praising the minivan’s longevity, comfortable interior, and easy maintenance. Drivers note a handful of electrical issues and the generally “uncool” look of the van as minuses.
Edmunds liked the ride and handling, praising the torque 3.8L V6 engine and the luxurious interior with fold-flat seats and more headroom than you’ll ever need. They note the van’s history of breakdowns and lack of standard safety features as negatives.
What Common Problems Does the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country Have?
Electrical issues make up 164 of the 2005 Town & Country’s 855 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The most worrying issue being reported sees flickering lights and malfunctioning instruments followed by electrical fires and burning wires.
The minivan has been recalled twice for airbag issues, most recently in early 2010, but airbag complaints persist into 2022. Drivers report defective airbag sensors, meaning that the vehicle will fail to deploy the airbags in the event of an accident.
Engine and powertrain issues are scarce, proving that the 2005 Town & Country is more reliable than some of the earlier models. But, a few drivers have reported stalling and lurching at under 200,000 miles.
The 2005 Chrysler Town & Country has 7 recalls and 855 complaints on file with the NHTSA. Both of these numbers are within reason for a vehicle this old.
How Long Will the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country Last?
Drivers typically report that the Town & Country will last 200,000 miles on the low end, or 250,000 on the high-end. There are reports of the van reaching around half a million miles, but that’s simply not gonna happen in a used model. Start shopping around for a replacement at 225,000.
RepairPal estimate an annual maintenance cost of $636, with the most expensive common fix being a new rack and pinion system starting at around $1,152. If this occurs past 200,000 miles it might be more cost-effective to replace the whole vehicle.
Yes it is very reliable. The only main issue is the headliner is coming off. There has not been any real issues as far as the motor is concerned.
It is the most reliable van I have ever drove in my life. I have drove Chevrolet vans and dodge vans and a ford windstar. I would choose this van over any other out there.
I brought my 2005 used but I haven't had any major problems with it besides regular maintenance and upgrade of the vehicle. It is very reliable and a good van to have.
As I said, it very reliable and there are no problems. We had a minor problem but easily had it fixed.
Not at the moment. It starts up every single day as a work van. I move someone every single evening.
It is very reliable and the parts are not hard to find. It don't have any problems but you have to keep it maintain.
Now a days there have been a few minor problems that have popped up due to it being old such as frequently oil changing and changing the tires and repairing the brakes
I haven't had a problem neither did my parents when they had it. If you keep up on a car it’s more likely to last longer as everything needs upkeep to stay nice and new
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology onboard the 2005 Town & Country is pretty good for the model year. CD players come standard and the higher trims are available with DVD navigation systems.
Safety technology is good for 2005, but too many features are tucked away in the higher trim levels. Anti-lock brakes, for instance, are not available in the Base model.
Is the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country a Good Value?
The 2005 Chrysler Town & Country is priced fairly, and cost of ownership is moderate. A Base model typically lists at around $3,268 in the Blue Book, with under 160,000 miles on the odometer. A Limited model lists for about a thousand dollars higher, at around $4,257.
Major mechanical repairs can be expensive when they’re needed, but they are few and far between.
What are the Different Models of the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country?
The 2005 Chrysler Town & Country is available in four trim levels, from the self-explanatory Base to the high-end Limited.
With the entry-level Base you’re getting:
- Cloth seating
- CD player
- Manual air conditioning
- Remote keyless entry
- Power windows and door locks
Next up is the LX, adding:
- Heated mirrors
- Anti-lock brakes
The mid-range Touring adds:
- Tri-zone automatic air conditioning
- Traction control
- Two extra speakers
Finally, the top-of-the-line Limited features:
- DVD navigation
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- Leather steering wheel
- Heated leather front seats with 8-way power adjust for the driver
What Engines Come In the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country?
- In the Base and LX model Town & Country you’ll find a 3.3L V6 engine delivering 180 horsepower and 210 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine averages 19/26 miles to the gallon, city/highway, it’s configured in front wheel drive and it’s paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission.
- Touring and Limited models feature a 3.8L V6 producing 205 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque at 18/25 miles to the gallon. This is paired to a 4-speed automatic and configured in front wheel drive.
What Colors Does the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country?
A 2005 Chrysler Town & Country is easily one of the most comfortable vehicles on the market at any price. With 67.6 inches of rear hip room you’ve got enough space to lay down and take a nap.
The ride is smooth, and there are few suspension complaints on file, so the shocks and struts have held up nicely over the years.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country Have?
The back end of the Town & Country can pack 15 cubic feet of cargo, which puts it about on par with the trunk of a sedan.
Fold down the back row and you’ve got 147 cubic feet. Fold down the middle row and you’ve got 168. That’s more than enough space to store all the supplies you need for road trips, conventions, and small furniture hauls.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
2005 was the fifth model year in the Town & Country’s 4th Generation, which lasted from 2001 to 2007.
2002: Chrysler overhauled the structure of the Town & Country for 2002 in response to poor crash test scores they earned in 2001.
2003: One touch sunroofs were new for 2003.
2004: The LXi and EL trims were dropped for 2004, and the Base model was added.
2005: The Town & Country got a styling overhaul in 2005 with tech upgrades and sleeker edges to modernize the minivan.
2006: Back row DVD players are new for 2006.
2007: Fold-flat seating was added to the LX trim for 2007.
How Does the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country Compare to the Competition?
The 2005 Toyota Sienna is widely regarded as the market leading minivan for the mid-00s. It features more standard features, and it’s more fuel efficient. It typically lists for a couple thousand dollars more than the Town & Country, and you might not want to spend six grand on a twenty year old minivan.
A 2005 Honda Odyssey is typically priced at around one thousand dollars more than a Town & Country, and, like the Sienna, has way more standard features on board than the base Town & Country.
The 2005 Chrysler Town & Country isn’t nearly the best 2005 minivan, but it’s one of the best you’re going to find for under $5,000.
Do Owners Recommend the 2005 Chrysler Town & Country?
Yes it is a good vehicle. It has a smooth ride and plenty of space for traveling. It has plenty of seating and seats can be hidden if you need to haul things.
Yes it is a good dependable and reliable van. I have had this van for 10 years.O would recommend this van over any other.
Very good and reliable vehicle that fits eight easily inside of it. I love and enjoy this vehicle a lot and it is great to have if you have a big family.
Yes. Very reliable and stayed in great shape. Everything is still working and gas mileage is pretty decent!
Yes it is very reliable as a van. As far as I'm concerned. It runs good on a everyday basis. It's good for me as I'm still driving it today.
Yes, I love my minivan a lot. It fits 8 people nicely. It has a great color and is in great shape. I brought mine used but it gets me where I need to be.
Yes I love the storage the color and the size and it has lots of seats and the windows are beautifully large and even after ten years it's running fairly smoothly. There is not a better vehicle out there
It sure is. I've never had a problem with it especially if you keep up on oil changes and take care of it