ChryslerTown and Country20032.4L L4/chrysler/town-and-country/2003/2-4l-l4/
RS platform

2003 Chrysler Town and Country — 2.4L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Town and Country 2.4L L4.

Body VANEngine 2.4L L4Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2003 Chrysler Town & Country arrives as a front-wheel-drive van on the RS platform, motivated by a 2.4-liter inline-four paired to a four-speed automatic and rated at 18 city/25 highway/21 combined mpg; its 5.0-quart oil capacity calls for 5W-30 API lubricant. In the broader complaint record spanning 1990 through 2018, this model year logged 245 owner complaints — well below the 773-peak seen in 2011 but above the 14-complaint floor of 1990 — with steering emerging as the leading concern and six recalls issued. That mid-range complaint volume positions the 2003 as a comparatively average entry in the nameplate's reliability arc, suggesting neither an outlier trouble year nor a standout for durability.

Model year2003200220011999199819971996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/25/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Tire sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB
Engine air filter04861480AA
Fuel filter04809118AE discontinued
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades05096134AC
Serpentine belt04593684AA
Thermostat68210217AA alt 04781674AA
Cabin air filter82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length200.8 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Curb weight4627 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 25 / 21 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 5.0 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Power Steering FluidMS9602

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts40 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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in / 0.0003 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0055 in / 0.0014 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 6,000 mi; coolant every 100,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 100,000 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 6,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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.

The provided federal record for the Chrysler Town and Country shows a trend of increasing instability, with complaints rising from minimal levels in 1990-1991 to a peak of 773 in 2011. While the 2003 model year is missing from the aggregate year-by-year list, it falls within a high-complaint arc that includes 473 complaints in 2001. Specific data for 2003 indicates the primary complaint areas are Steering (38), Air Bags (20), Electrical System (19), and Power Train (16). The year also recorded 15 crash complaints and 7 fire complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes for these events. Given these safety concerns and systemic issues, this is not a good year to buy.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
79
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
245
Owner complaints
15 involved a crash · 7 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 245 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering38
Air Bags20
Electrical System19
Power Train16
Exterior Lighting13
Visibility10
Engine & Engine Cooling10
Structure9

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 79 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…
23-015-202020-04-30EquipmentDisinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
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…

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

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Town and Country. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

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 2003 Town and Country 2.4L L4 take?

5.0 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Town and Country have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L L4 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined mpg.