ChryslerTown and Country20123.6L/chrysler/town-and-country/2012/3-6l/
RT platform

2012 Chrysler Town and Country — 3.6L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Town and Country 3.6L.

Body VANEngine 3.6LTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2012 Chrysler Town and Country 3.6L is a van built on Chrysler’s RT platform, powered by a 3.6‑liter V6 engine. It pairs that engine with a six‑speed automatic transmission and returns EPA‑rated fuel economy of 17 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined, while requiring 6 quarts of 5W‑30 API‑spec oil with filter. With 631 owner‑reported complaints—most frequently in the electrical system—and five recalls, the 2012 model lands between the line‑wide low of 14 complaints in 1990 and the high of 773 complaints in 2011, placing it in the middle of the Town and Country’s complaint history from 1990‑2018.

Model year201620152014201320122011

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 68079744AD. 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 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-65R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter68079744AD
Engine air filter04861737AB
Spark plugSP149125AF
BatteryBBH7F001AA alt BBH7A001AA
Front wiper blades68125735AA alt 68028442AA
Thermostat05184894AA alt 05184570AK

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202.4 in
Overall width78.7 in
Overall height67.7 in
Wheelbase121.3 in
Curb weight4663 lb
Track (front / rear)65.7 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 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 6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity6 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts27 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.6-0.9 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance6,000-9,000 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15, Pressure should not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure5
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle129 ft-lbs / 80 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.040; Rear: 0.040 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.097 in / 0.463 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.107 in / 0.482 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.04 in / 0.409 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., step 2: 10530 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 33.0 ft. lbs. Step 3: 75 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Step 4: 50 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Step 5: Loosen bolts in reverse sequence Step 6: 22.0 ft. lbs. Step 7: 33.0 ft. lbs. Step 8: 70 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Step 9: 70 degrees CAUTION: Do not use a torque wrench for this step. Bolts should be checked for stretching using a straight edge. Ay bolts that show stretching should be replaced.22 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 8,000 mi; spark plugs every 96,000 mi; coolant at 104,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 104,000 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 8,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Door Hinge (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 16,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 16,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 32,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 48,000 miExhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 96,000 miPCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 104,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (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.

In 2012 the model recorded 631 federal complaints, 5 recalls and 2 investigations, placing it below the 2011 peak of 773 complaints but above the 2013 figure of 679 and well above the 2001 level of 473. The complaint distribution shows electrical system issues accounting for 271 of those complaints, with engine problems at 41 and structure at 21, while crash‑related and fire‑related complaints were limited to 7 and 15 respectively. Compared with the surrounding years, 2012’s recall count is comparable to 2011 (3) and 2013 (4), and its total safety‑related filings (188) are modest relative to the 2013 total of 236. The pattern across the generation reveals a clustering of high complaint years between 2011 and 2013, after which complaints dip noticeably in 2015 before rising again, indicating that 2012 sits near the tail end of that elevated‑complaint arc. Because the data does not specify a root cause and the recall frequency remains low, the 2012 Chrysler Town and Country can be considered a reasonable used‑car option, but buyers should verify service records and consider a pre‑purchase inspection.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
188
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
631
Owner complaints
7 involved a crash · 15 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 631 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System271
Engine41
Unknown Or Other33
Structure21
Fuel/Propulsion System19
Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System15
Power Train14
Electrical System,Engine11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V234000Electrical SystemReported 07/05/2014

Chrysler Group, LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured August 25, 2010, through October 31, 2013. The affected vehicles may… Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the vent window switch with a newer version, free of charge. The owner notification letter was issued and the remedy campaign…

12V141000Suspension:RearReported 03/04/2012

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 TOWN AND COUNTRY AND DODGE GRAND CARAVAN VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2011, THROUGH NOVEMBER 21, 2011. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH RIGHT REAR HUB AND… Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 188 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1084632025-11-18Service BrakesPAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
1084642025-11-17Service BrakesPAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE
91004562024-11-26SeatsIncoming Vehicles with Deployed Active Head Rest (AHR) should have a through enquiry. If…
91002292023-09-20SuspensionLIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the…
91002292023-09-20EquipmentLIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the…

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 2012 Town and Country 3.6L take?

6 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Town and Country have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 3.6L get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.