ChryslerTown and Country19983.3L V6/chrysler/town-and-country/1998/3-3l-v6/
NS platform

1998 Chrysler Town and Country — 3.3L V6

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Town and Country 3.3L V6. Covers both the standard and High Output 3.3L V6.

Body VANEngine 3.3L V6Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Chrysler Town and Country is a front-wheel-drive van built on the NS platform, powered by a 3.3-liter V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. It requires 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 or 10W-30 API oil and delivers an EPA-estimated 16 mpg city, 22 highway. Within the model’s complaint history spanning 1990 to 2018, this year’s 319 owner-reported issues—concentrated in the engine and engine cooling category—sit well below the 2011 peak of 773 complaints, marking it as a relatively moderate year for reliability.

Model year200320022001199919981997199619951994

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 10W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 500 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 500 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04213583AB discontinued
Fuel filter05140676AA discontinued
Spark plug68303949AA discontinued
BatteryBB34F101AA alt 82300133
Front wiper blades05096134AC
Thermostat04573560AE discontinued · alt 04781661AB

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length199.6 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Curb weight4189 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 / 10W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70-75 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsUpper: 8.8 ft-lbs; Lower: 16.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill PlugPTU: 20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain PlugPTU: 14.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.45-.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance7000-15,800 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance500 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)50.0-60.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)43.0-53.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance4.2-5.0 na CNG ohms
Engine Compression100
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC BRAKES
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 30 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC BRAKES
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.482 in / 0.939 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
140 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9040 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep M8 x 1.25 bolt No. 9, 3 steps in sequence: · Final torque: 25 ft. lbs. · M11 x 1.5 bolt Nos. 1-8:

145 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degrees.90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Based on the federal record provided, the 1998 model year does not appear in the year-by-year dataset, which jumps from 1991 directly to 2001, making it impossible to directly plot 1998's position within that generation's trend arc. The available adjacent data shows 1991 with 28 complaints and 10 recalls (with 11 investigations), followed by a significant jump to 2001 with 473 complaints and 7 recalls, indicating a substantial escalation in consumer dissatisfaction over that decade-long gap. For 1998 specifically, the data shows the top complaint areas were Engine & Engine Cooling (59), Electrical System (40), Air Bags (27), and Power Train (25), with 13 crash-related complaints and 24 fire-related complaints—the latter being notably elevated. Without 1998's own complaint and recall totals in the federal record, its precise standing relative to the 1991 baseline or the 2001 surge cannot be determined, though the complaint area profile suggests ongoing mechanical and electrical durability concerns that were prevalent across the generation. **Takeaway:** The absence of 1998 from the federal record prevents a definitive trend assessment, but the complaint profile—particularly the fire and electrical system issues—warrants careful pre-purchase inspection; buyers should prioritize verifying resolution of any relevant open recalls from this generation before purchase.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
138
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
6
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
319
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 24 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 319 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling59
Electrical System40
Air Bags27
Power Train25
Steering18
Fuel System, Gasoline14
Suspension14
Service Brakes, Hydraulic10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 138 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

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VIN
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Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
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Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Town and Country 3.3L V6 take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of BELOW 32 F: 5W-30 API, BELOW 100 F: 5W-30 API, ABOVE 0 F: 10W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Town and Country have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.3L V6 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.