Chrysler›Town and Country›2004›3.8L/chrysler/town-and-country/2004/3-8l/

RS platform

2004 Chrysler Town and Country — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Town and Country 3.8L.

Body VANEngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Chrysler Town & Country is a full‑size van built on the RS platform and powered by a 3.8‑liter engine that receives 5 qt of 5W‑30 API oil with a filter change, mated to an automatic four‑speed transmission; its EPA ratings of 16 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined reflect the typical fuel‑efficiency of midsize V‑type vans of the era. While owners reported a total of 167 complaints, the most frequent issue centered on the fuel/propulsion system and the model was subject to six recalls, placing it toward the lower end of complaint frequency within the 1990‑2018 Town & Country lineage (the 1990 model year recorded only 14 complaints, compared with a peak of 773 in 2011). Consequently, the 2004 year is regarded as relatively reliable in the model’s overall history, offering a solid baseline for researchers examining the brand’s long‑term durability.

Model year2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2000

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy16/23/18 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. 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 sizeP215-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	05281090AB
Engine air filter	04861480AA
Spark plug	SP303917AC
Battery	BB34F101AA
Front wiper blades	05096134AC
Thermostat	68210217AA alt 04781674AA
Cabin air filter	82205905

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	200.8 in
Overall width	78.7 in
Overall height	68.9 in
Wheelbase	119.3 in
Curb weight	4561 lb
Track (front / rear)	63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	16 / 23 / 18 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter 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, 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

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.5 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	Upper: 8.8 ft-lbs; Lower: 16.6 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	16.6 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	9 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	PTU: 20.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	PTU: 14.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Spark Plug Gap	0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque	13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Optional BCI Group Number	34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	600 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	500 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	125 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 specification
Brake Application	WITH TEVES / WITH TRW
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0003 in / 0.0004 in / 0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0039 in / 0.003 in / 0.0055 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

40 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

40 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	45 ft. lbs.	45 ft. lbs
2	65 ft. lbs.	65 ft. lbs
3	65 ft. lbs.	65 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees. Bolt torque after 90 degree turn should be over 90 ft. lbs.; if not replace bolt.	90 degrees

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

30 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

30 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 6,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 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 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 12,000 mi	Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 100,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (replace) · Spark 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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 federal record shows a dramatic rise in complaints from 28 in 1991 to 473 in 2001, with the 2011 model year peaking at 773 before a gradual decline. The 2004 model year sits within this high-complaint arc, and while its total complaint count is not provided, its top issues include 23 fuel/propulsion system complaints, 21 fuel system complaints, and 5 fire complaints. Recalls in the surrounding years (7 in 2001, 3 in 2011) suggest a moderate recall frequency for this generation. The presence of fire-related complaints and a high concentration of fuel system issues in 2004 implies a riskier profile compared to later years like 2017 and 2018, which show zero complaints. Based on the data, the 2004 model year is not a strong choice within this generation.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

167

Owner complaints

9 involved a crash · 5 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’01 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 167 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System23

Fuel System, Gasoline21

Steering17

Electrical System14

Power Train9

Engine & Engine Cooling9

Air Bags8

Structure7

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.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
S2208000136	2022-07-09	Electrical System	Security Module Lock Out After Entering the PIN to Unlock The Wireless Control Module…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-20	2020-04-30	Equipment	Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19

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.

Group 34 battery Vehicles taking 5 qt w/ filter RS-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 05281090AB Engine air filter 04861480AA Spark plug SP303917AC Battery BB34F101AA

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Town and Country 3.8L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 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 3.8L get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.