What 521 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chrysler Town And Country

While driving home from shopping, vehicle lost power and started making a high-pitched whining noise. Engine was running fine but automatic transmission would not shift. This happened on road with speed limit of 50mph and I couldn't get the vehicle to go over 20mph. No warning lamps or messages appeared on the dash and there were no symptoms of any problem prior to this event, which happened on 4/4/2022. Vehicle was towed to local licensed repair shop. They have checked vehicle out and confirmed transmission needs to be replaced at only 79,000 miles!

NHTSA ODI 11460069

On March 13th, 2022, we were driving from Cincinnati, Ohio to Florida on vacation in our 2016 Chrysler Town & Country van. We got off the exit in Macon, Georgia to eat dinner and once we got off the exit, the car would barely move. We had the car towed to Five Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep in Macon. They said it was a transmission problem. They took the transmission apart and found that the transmission pump was bad and destroyed the transmission. There is a safety recall #16V461000 for transmission pump failure for Town & Country's manufactured between July 31, 2015 and April 18, 2016. Our car was manufactured in November of 2015 which falls under the recall manufacturing dates. We called Chrysler customer service and they said that our Vin # was not part of the recall. They were unable to tell us why our car was not included and said that there was nothing they could do even though our car only has 62,572 miles and was always serviced at the Chrysler dealership. We were told that the transmission repair will cost up to $8,000 and will take a month to a month and a half to fix it. Even though our last three vehicles and been Chrysler Town & Country vans, we will never consider another Chrysler product again.

NHTSA ODI 11457789

2016 Chrysler Town& Country 49,809 miles . Car made funny sound & engine light came on. It would not drive properly. Had towed to Dealership. Advised Transmission Pump Seized & needed complete transmission. Only 25,000 put on vehicle in 6 years since I purchased in 2016. Extended Warranty began a full year previous to purchase due to in service date. 5 yrs/60,000 power train warranty won’t cover . This is ridiculous. 2016 Chrysler Town & Country had a recall in effect on same year & vehicle, my vehicle being the lowest mileage & 22 pages on NHTSA.gov complaint website ALL SAY SAME THING : transmission pump failure & our VIN WASN’T in RECALL…! This is so ludicrous. I am not even due for transmission service yet (due at 60,000miles). I still have 49,819 on vehicle & dealership claims I need new Transmission. Chrysler said my vehicle they will not provide assistance. They said contact nhtsa.gov- I owe $10,000 on vehicle have low miles & Chrysler ducking out on me & 22 pages of people with same complaint. HELP PLEASE Chrysler Case [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

NHTSA ODI 11456814

We noticed a oil smell coming in through our vents, in our 2016 chrysler town and country my husband whom has worked in the automotive industry for several years opened the hood to check and sure enough there was oil all over the top of our engine leaking onto our driveway the part is sold as one unit so we had to buy the whole housing/oil cooling line and since we just moved into a new house my husband didnt want to perform the repair in our home garage or driveway, so $1017.31 later the van is fixed but my husband and many other technicians we know have said this is a common (expensive) issue for the housing and cooler lines Assembly on the 2014-present Chrysler town and country 3.6l dodge caravan 3.6l dodge avenger 3.6l and any of the mopar vehicles equipped with the top mounted catridge style oil filter mainly on the 3.6L engines. With this being such a common issue, why are consumers having to foot such an expensive repair on a seemingly faulty part. The part involved, the oil filter housing/oil cooler line assembly should be considered for recall.

NHTSA ODI 11450666

The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler Town & Country. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the headlights became significantly dim; additionally, the taillights failed to work as designed. The vehicle was taken to a Pep Boys to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. Then, the vehicle was taken to an independent transmission specialist who diagnosed that the transmission torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the entire transmission needed to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the labor for the transmission replacement. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11449163

Pump Failure in Transmission. Transmission Pump locked up and stalled vehicle in road locked up wheels

NHTSA ODI 11445330

Transmission failing at 60,100 miles. Vehicle is loosing power when coming from a stop and cannot be placed into reverse without causing major issues when accelerating from a stop at intersection. contacted Chrysler customer care, they advised that they will not make any attempts to repair the issue

NHTSA ODI 11441925

Driving home from work with vehicle behaving normally. I slowed down for traffic light and felt a hesitation when trying to accelerate. I was then unable to gain speed and was impeding traffic. The vehicle was inspected by a certified auto repair where they were unable to drive and had to push into garage. Diagnostic code for loss of hydraulic pump pressure, internal transmission failure. The transmission was replaced At that time.

NHTSA ODI 11440296

While driving in traffic my transmission failed due to a pump failure in the transmission (diagnosed by a mechanic after the incident and having to be towed to a shop). The car stalled in the middle of an active intersection. My make and model and manufacture year was involved in a recall for this exact problem but for unknown reasons my VIN is not included. The car has been meticulously maintained and has less than 50,000 miles. The check engine light appeared immediately prior to the car losing power.

NHTSA ODI 11439415

Likely transmission pump failure or torque converter failure. Mileage is approximately 69,000. This is the second failure with same symptoms. Transmission slips out of gear, whines, clicks. Whining goes away when placed in neutral. After transmission slipped check engine light came on, no prior indication this was going to occur. Safety jeopardized on this occassion as we were pulling out of driveway located on blind curve when transmission failed. No collision occurred, but no action could've been taken to avoid collision if a vehicle come around curve. Was towed to Moore Ford Hartford Kentucky where the first repair was made. There was a known recall on 2015-2016 chrysler town and country for this problem. Dates of Manufacture: JUL 30, 2015 to APR 17, 2016 Manufacturer Recall Number: S44 NHTSA Campaign ID: 16V461000 Unsure if this unit was included in recall, but with this being second failure during our ownership I believe it deserve attention.

NHTSA ODI 11437989

The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that he noticed a fuel leak near the undercarriage of the center of the vehicle while it was running. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who inspected and diagnosed the failure as a transmission leak near the rear and that a new transmission oil pump and converter needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ODI 11431366

*Torque converter clutch circuit/open *unknown *unknown *no it has not *check engine light is currently on

NHTSA ODI 11430404

Transmission pump has faulted and no longer works. Has caused damage to the transmission. A private mechanic (not dealership) has confirmed this. Vehicle has 75k miles on it. No warning lamps. When the pump went out it cause erratic acceleration and poor take off from a stop. There is a previous recall for this year of vehicle, but for some reason my vehicle is not covered. For reference, please see recall S44. Manufacture date is Nov 2015.

NHTSA ODI 11429365

On August 13, 2021, while driving at about 60 miles per hour, the vehicle lost power and power steering. Air conditioning continued to work. I was able to coast, move over to the right lane, place the transmission into neutral and restart the engine. I then placed the transmission back into drive, increased my speed and resumed my trip. This occurred previously on August 15, 2017, resulting in Complaint Number 11047478 being filed with your department.

NHTSA ODI 11428999

My Town and Country had its transmission fail. An independent transmission shop and the dealership service department both agreed that it was the hydraulic pump which failed. according to Chrysler the vehicle does not fall under the recall associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000, but the failure seems to be the exact same thing.

NHTSA ODI 11429010

As I was driving about 45MPH my car dropped down to a lower gear. It stayed there until I pulled over and turned off the car. I started it back up and it was fine. It ran good for about two miles or so and did it again. I stopped into a Chy dealership and they said it was the solenoid in the transmission. They said they had problems with this on other town and country vans. My van only has 72000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11428212

My van only has 59,400 miles on it. We were on vacation stopped at a stoplight, when the light turned green, I stepped on the gas pedal, the engine would rev up and there was a high pitched sound, and then the van would jerk forward. The van exhibited difficulty with shifting. No warning lights came on before this incident, only after the van started to exhibit difficulty shifting. Codes noted: P0734-Gear Ratio Error in 4th P0868-Line Pressure Low P0745-Gear Ratio Error in 5th P083B-LC Pressure switch rationality P1790- Fault Immediately After Shift P0944-Loss of hydraulic Pump Prime I had to have my van towed to a Chrysler dealership they noted that the transmission fluid pump line pressure was only getting to 25 psi and loud whine from pump. Debris noted in the pan. Transmission was replaced with reman due to debris in the pan and replaced trans cooler and flushed transmission lines. Had I kept driving my van, it could have easily stalled in an intersection. If that would have happened, my family could have easily been hit by on-coming traffic. There is a recall S44 for 2016 Chrysler Town and Country Vans for this exact thing happening to the transmission. I do not understand why my van is not included in the recall. My van only has 59,400 miles, this should not happen.

NHTSA ODI 11427213

The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to shudder and loss motive power. The contact stated that the heated steering wheel was extremely hot making it difficult for the contact to steer the vehicle. The contact also stated that the rear hatch would not open all the way when the button was depressed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the control panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the transmission pump needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 16V461000 (Power train). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11424097

Loss of motive power. Transmission slip, engine revs with no acceleration. Clunks in transmission. Clicks in transmission. No gears working. Not motive power cold or hot. Sudden failure with no previous symptoms. In town 25 mph. Inoperable. approx 67,000 miles. My VIN was not included on the Recall. My Van meets the Dealer recall specifications.

NHTSA ODI 11421245

I was on my way home to Georgia from Ohio when before I got to Asheville NC my car started making a funny noise and had been doing so for about 30 minutes and it was starting to have a hard time shifting. The check engine light did come on but I was trying to look for gas also because it was the week there was a gas shortage going on and I was less than a quarter of a tank when I started to look for gas and the vehicle started acting up. Manage to find gas and my dad who is 81 looked but could not really see anything and we managed to make it to the exit where we were suppose to meet my dad's cousin for dinner and meet him for the first time and my dad seeing him for the first time in over 53 years. I barely got it to the gas station and he came and got us and we went to eat. I called my husband and him and my sister drove about three hours to get us and my husband to look at the car. I had gotten a hotel room for us (my mom and dad, granddaugher and I). My husband looked at it and was researching it while on the way up to Asheville. He drove around the parking lot and then he attempted to drive it to the hotel which was on the other side of the interstate and not even a half mile away and we barely got there and said he can't drive it home. It was not even shifting manually into the gears . The next day he got a ride to Asheville and rented a uhaul truck with a tow dolly and towed it home and the next day he took it to the transmission shop where we need a rebuilt transmission ours is gone. It is still in the shop waiting to be fixed was told it would be 3 to 4 weeks. This Tuesday it will be 3 weeks 6.8.21. We will have documentation of it being fixed once we get it from the shop. I could have been on the interstate and it could have just stalled thus causing an accident and possibly someone being killed because there was no warning the check engine light went on when I noticed I was having a problem with the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11419857

THE TRANSMISSION HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILED AND CAUSED COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE TRANS AT 105000 MILES. THE ROCKER ARMS FAILED AT 97000 MILES. THE FRONT LOWER AARM BUSHINGS FAILED AT ABOUT 60000 MILES. THE REAR SLIDER DOORS DON'T LOCK AND WHEN THE DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR THEM THEY MADE IT WORSE NOW THE WINDOWS IN THOSE DOORS ARE FAILING. ALSO A CODE FOR THERMOSTAT HOUSING POPPED UP AFTER THE ROCKER ARM REPAIR. WHAT A TERRIBLE VEHICLE. IT'S ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND I'M A STICKLER ABOUT MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ODI 11416819

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE KEPT SHIFTING IN NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE WHILE DRIVING TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE SERVICE VEHICLE SOON WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,618.

NHTSA ODI 11407090

CAR STARTED TO MAKE A FUNNY NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND UPON TRYING TO PULL OVER THE CAR REACHED NUMBER 8 RPM'S BUT WASN'T ACCELERATING. THEN IT JERKED FORWARD AS I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO SHUT IT OFF. I WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH FOUR KIDS IN THE CAR.TOWED TO DEALER AND SAID A NEW TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION COOLER ARE REQUIRED FOR REPAIR. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED FOR 75,000 MILES IS NO LONGER VALID AND JUST EXPIRED AS THERE ARE 77,000 MILES ON THE CAR. ALSO THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR SLIDING DOOR IS STUCK WILL NOT OPEN MANUALLY OR OTHERWISE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN TRYING TO OPEN THE DOOR WHILE STATIONARY TO LOAD KIDS IN BACK.

NHTSA ODI 11405959

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL WHINING SOUND WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE DRIVE BELTS HOWEVER, THE NOISE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND STALLED WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. ONCE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND MADE IT TO HIS PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN BACK TO THE SAME INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANS-AXLE OIL PUMP. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V461000 (POWER TRAIN) WHICH SHE LINKED TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11405064

AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FOUR LANE MY VAN STARTED SHAKING AT FIRST IT WAS FOR 1/2 SECOND THEN GOT MORE FREQUENT. AT FIRST IT WAS AT 50-60MPH BUT NOW AT ALL SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND GAVE THE CODE FOR A LEAK THAT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SO SMALL IT DIDN'T MATTER. THEN IT GAVE A CODE OF 0740 SOLENOID TORQUE SO I REPLACED AND WITHIN 24 HOURS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND GAVE THE SAME CODE. IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY WHEN THE VAN IS SHAKING SO BAD AS YOU ARE DRIVING IN BUSY TRAFFIC. NOT SURE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. I'VE HAD THIS VAN LESS THAN 2 1/2 YEARS. VERY FRUSTRATED.

NHTSA ODI 11403611