ChryslerTown and Country20083.8L/chrysler/town-and-country/2008/3-8l/
RT platform

2008 Chrysler Town and Country — 3.8L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Town and Country 3.8L.

Body VANEngine 3.8LTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2008 Chrysler Town and Country is an RT-platform van powered by a 3.8L engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. This configuration yields an EPA-rated 16/23/18 mpg, though the model year is noted for seven recalls and 1,938 total owner complaints centered primarily on the electrical system. In the context of the model's 1990-2018 history, this year sits between the lowest recorded complaint volume of 14 in 1990 and the series peak of 773 in 2011.

Model year20102009200820072006200520042000

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20 / 5W-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 · 600 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 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225-65R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 04105409AE
Engine air filter04891713AB
Spark plugSZFR5LP13G alt SP303917AC
BatteryBB34F101AA
Front wiper blades68028442AA alt 68125735AA
Thermostat68273161AA alt 04892307AA
Cabin air filter68606188AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202.4 in
Overall width76.8 in
Overall height68.9 in
Wheelbase121.3 in
Curb weight4621 lb
Track (front / rear)65 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 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 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 / 5W-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

Automatic Transmission FluidATF+4
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20 · API · 5W-30 · MS-6395
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts40 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs21 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

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

Ignition

Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.050 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12
Engine Oil Pressure30-80 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM3000 rpm
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs / 74 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
15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 21 ft. lbs., Step 3: 905 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
145.0 ft. lbs.45 ft. lbs
265.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
365.0 ft. lbs.65 ft. lbs
490 degreesCAUTION:Do not use a torque wrench for the Fourth step.; Bolts should be checked for stretching using a straight edge. Ay bolts that show stretching should be replaced.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 6,000 mi; spark plugs at 102,000 mi; coolant at 102,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 102,000 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 miBrake Line (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 12,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 12,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 24,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 90,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 102,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
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.

The 2008 Chrysler Town and Country is not directly represented in the year-by-year federal record, which jumps from 2001 to 2011, limiting precise longitudinal comparison. However, the 2008-specific complaint data reveals significant concerns, with the Electrical System accounting for 658 complaints—far exceeding other categories—and an additional 300 complaints involving both Electrical System and Air Bags, alongside 164 Service Brakes/Hydraulic issues. The model recorded 29 crash-related complaints and 17 fire complaints, indicating serious safety incidents. Comparing the flanking years in the record shows complaints rose from 473 in 2001 to 773 in 2011, while recalls decreased from 7 to 3, suggesting overall quality concerns worsened over this period. The 2008 model appears positioned at the beginning of this deteriorating trend, with electrical system failures as the dominant failure mode. Given the high volume of electrical complaints, crash and fire incidents, and the lack of direct year-by-year data for 2008, this model year presents elevated risk and warrants thorough pre-purchase inspection and consideration of the electrical system's condition.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
98
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1,938
Owner complaints
29 involved a crash · 17 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 1,938 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System658
Electrical System,Air Bags300
Service Brakes, Hydraulic164
Engine74
Unknown Or Other48
Electrical System,Engine45
Service Brakes40
Air Bags40

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 98 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
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
91002262023-09-15Electrical SystemConnector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
Y22 Combo Rev12021-11-23Air BagsCustomer Satisfaction Notification Y22 Driver Airbag Emblem

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 2008 Town and Country 3.8L take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-20 API OR 5W-30 API MEETING CHRYSLER SPECIFICATION MS-6395, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Town and Country have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 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.