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

Issue 1) Side slide door on driver side won't open. I could not get my child out and had to crawl across. Won't unlock, won't open manually, won't open electronically, won't unlock with fab. Issue 2) driver window has failed 3 times now. Like clock work every 2 and a half to 3 years it goes out.

NHTSA ODI 11689453

First incident. Driver side sliding door lock failed. Sliding door could not be unlocked and opened from inside or outside the vehicle. Had to use other sliding door to exit van. Door had to be dismantled and failed latch replaced. Approximately 7 years old and roughly 52,000 miles. This was around 9/2023. Second incident. Passenger side sliding door lock failed. Sliding door could not be unlocked and opened from inside or outside the vehicle. Had to use other sliding door to exit / enter van. Scheduled to go in for failed latch replacement at Chrysler dealer. Approximately 9 years old and roughly 63,000 miles. Either one of these unexpected failed door latch incidents could have led to injury or possibly death.

NHTSA ODI 11667010

I received a letter from Chrysler regarding TSB #23-017-20 regarding the rear sliding doors unable to be opened either electrically or manually a few years ago. Recently the cars left/rear door wouldn't work. Unable to open it at all. It's a 2016 Town and Country with 147,421 miles on it. Well within the TSB requirements. I called a local Chrysler dealer. They told me if they decided the cars problem wasn't part of the recall they would charge me $250.00 for diagnostics. It clearly is related since it has the same symptoms. Sounds like their way of avoiding the repairs since Chrysler will only reimburse the dealer for 1.2 hrs when actually repair time is past 3 hours. I then called 1-800-247-9753 the number on Chrysler's service bulletin they mailed me. After a 30 minute conversation were they told me the car didn't qualify. I convinced them it did when I referred the letter they sent me. They said to contact a dealer which I told them I had. I explained their response and they said they would put a complaint regarding the dealer and there was nothing else they could do. I called another local dealer and they never bothered to call me back. I called a local car repair place since the letter says they would reimburse someone else if the repair is done somewhere else. They refused to sell the place the part to them. I entered my vin number on Chrysler's web site that they provide to reimburse customers. The vin number came back as not qualifying for the service bulletin. These are their ways to avoid servicing these cars under the Service Bulletin. I have proof the car is within the mileage limit and at this time it still is. I had to replace the part myself. My wife needed the car and couldn't wait for Chrysler. There are many places online were people with the same problem were denied the repair even though they did qualify. Thanks

NHTSA ODI 11637278

The sliding drivers side door is locked shut and will not open. I have seen a notice for this vehicle model but for some reason this VIN does not show it.

NHTSA ODI 11597903

Defective door-latching system; in particular: the driver side, (left side), passengers sliding door; which resulted in occupant being trapped in vehicle until we were able to extricate through other door. There is a pending class action lawsuit regarding this defect: UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN Case 2:21-cv-11696-JEL-DRG; failure occurred with no warning and does not allow for manual operation of the door system. This defect poses an extreme safety hazard, as it is possible that both passenger doors could be affected, essentially trapping the occupants in the mid and rear seating compartments.

NHTSA ODI 11551036

The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that after arriving at her destination, she became aware that both the driver's and passenger's side sliding doors were jammed. Upon applying great force, the contact was able to open the driver's side door, and after visual inspection, she observed the sliding door was off the track with electrical wires exposed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was also unable to open the passenger’s side sliding door. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ODI 11542091

Both Passenger rear doors will not open. It is available for inspection. My passengers had to crawl over the rear seat to exit the vehicle. If for instance there had been a fire or an accident they may or may not be able to get out safely. Yes I have taken it to two dealers who wanted $ 3,000.00 to repair them. No warning lamps. No messages. They actually began closing on my passengers while trying to enter the car. The back hatch door is also presenting issues as it opens randomly mostly after a rain storm. It will also begin to close on us while we are putting our groceries into the back.

NHTSA ODI 11531941

The driver side sliding door stopped unlocking, manually or automatically, it also stopped opening manually or automatically by button. I contacted my dealer who referred me to TSB 23-036-21 REV. A. They said the repair would be 100% covered by the manufacturer, however, after repair, they tell me that certain parts required for repair we not covered by the extended warranty. They replaced the actuator as the repair required, as well as the latch. The actuators are specified in the TSB, the latches are not. But the dealer insisted that to repair this they followed manufacturer instructions and the latch was necessary to fix the door. They gave me the FCA Chrysler hotline, which I called and they tell me that the latches ARE required to be replaced for repair, but that the customer is required to pay for this part which is nearly $800. If latch repair is necessary to make the van doors operate safely, it should be included in the TSB. I need help with getting resolution here.

NHTSA ODI 11508437

The passenger side sliding door will not open. The lock became stuck in the locked position and it will not unlock. It cannot be unlocked by hand, the unlock button inside the van, or with the key fob. This is dangerous because nobody can get out through that door in the case of an emergency.

NHTSA ODI 11480642

The contact owns a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the passenger side sliding door emits a buzzing noise. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ODI 11478789

my left sliding door just opens at any giving time i have been sitting in my house on several occasions and my neighbors ring my doorbell to tell me my door is open i get out of my vehicle and the door just opens up out of nowhere thats the left sliding door. The right sliding door makes a buzzing sound when i lock it and unlock it. suppose i have my grandchild in the back when that door just decides to open on it's own

NHTSA ODI 11474770

The rear drivers side door suddenly stopped opening. Happened at 56k miles.

NHTSA ODI 11466321

The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that the driver's side sliding door was making an abnormal sound and failed to open and close as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11463878

Both driver’s and passenger’s side sliding doors have failed automatic locking mechanisms. Sliding doors on both sides have locked and have been unable to open either manually or by using push-buttons in the vehicle or on the key fob. A technician told me this is caused by a failed actuator. I managed to get the doors open, but now they buzz when opening the doors and the locks don’t seem to work. Two safety concerns: 1) We won’t be able to get the doors open in an emergency. 2) The door lock or latch will fail when the vehicle is in use and someone will fall out.

NHTSA ODI 11457877

Driver side sliding door cannot be opened either remotely or manually, Something is non-functional inside the door. In order to exit the vehicle, people must climb over to the front seat or across the vehicle to the passenger side sliding door. If this were to happen on the passenger side, the only way out is through the front doors. This must be a design issue as the vehicle has NOT been in any accident--people in the rear seats are at risk if they need to exit quickly. Previously told by a mechanic shop, this was an actuator problem. Chrysler has now extended the warranty on the actuator, but now they say it is a latch issue not covered by the extended warranty, and want $1100 to repair it. Latch, actuator, or whatever reason, no vehicle door should ever get into this type of mode. I have now spent $320 on two different analyses over the past 2-1/2 years.I will not pay $1100 for something that Chrysler should be responsible for.

NHTSA ODI 11445357

Back sliding door inoperable, dealership sold the vehicle this way, neglected to disclose the issue. When we noticed we refused the sale, dealership added to the sale contract that it would be fixed before delivery, vehicle was not fixed before delivery after several attempts, and a third party off site company attempted to fix the issue. Dealership had the vehicle for 36 days before coming to a temporary fix, door still has issues opening and closing. Sometimes won’t open at all or just close instantly after opening pinching/crushing anyone who isn’t fast enough to get out of the way in the door. Door has also come completely off the track at one point. The door will not stop if it starts to close, it will slide closed into you or a child, the censors do not work as designed apparently. I sincerely hope for a fix as I am terrified of my children being trapped in emergency situation, or in general entry exit of vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11444895

Passenger sliding door lock intermittently inoperable and makes a loud buzzing sound when locking. Drivers side sliding door will not open manually or with automatic controls.

NHTSA ODI 11442770

Sliding door lock actuator is inoperable. The door will not unlock or open which could trap the occupants. The problem has not been reproduced/confirmed by the dealer or service center, however, research on this issue states that motorsafety.org has an article that it is researching this to issue a recall. There were no warning lights. After removing the door panel, the issue has been resolved, however, the door makes a buzzing noise when it's locked now. Since the initial problem, the door has been stuck one other time. The initial problem occurred 4 weeks ago.

NHTSA ODI 11442714

Body: Driver's side sliding door will not open- neither with the button or manually Electrical: The back up camera/radio unit turns off or refuses to power on when starting the vehicle Fuel/Propulsion System: The vehicle does not change gear smoothly (automatic vehicle), The driver must manually change the gear speed to avoid collisions.

NHTSA ODI 11440192

The rear sliding driver’s side door could not be opened. There was no warning that this would happen. With this malfunction, exiting the vehicle from the back seat would be difficult and possibly life threatening in a crash.

NHTSA ODI 11440112

This summer our driver’s side sliding door stopped working. It will not open manually or with the buttons in the car or on the remote. Around the same time, the lock on the passenger side sliding door started to buzz every time it unlocked. This weekend, the passenger side sliding door became stuck closed as well. Neither door is functional. I have a child in a 5 point harness that must be in one of the middle seats. It is very difficult to get her in and out. In the case of an emergency, we would be struggling to get the 4 kids out of the back. I see that you are doing an investigation, so I wanted to be sure and report the problem. We have not pursued a repair yet as it is not in our budget.

NHTSA ODI 11438185

The driver side sliding door is stuck in the locked position and will not unlock using the key fob, the door locks on the front doors, the manual door lock on the door itself, or by pulling on the handle to open the door. This door will not open at all and is a very dangerous safety hazard if we were to be involved in an accident or have a vehicle fire and the door cannot be opened. There is no warning notice or error given thru the vehicle's message center on the dash.

NHTSA ODI 11428997

Right sliding door buzzes when unlocking.

NHTSA ODI 11425284

On 3 July 2021 the driver side rear sliding door became inoperable. The door would not open using either the electronic motor or by manually pulling the handle and sliding the door. The door lock appeared to be jammed in the locked position and could not be unlocked either electronically or manually. Not being able to open the rear door in any manner is unsafe and in the event of an accident would not allow access or egress to passengers in the rear of the vehicle. I had an independent ASE Certified Master Mechanic asses the issue. The only way to get the door open was to remove the door panel from the inside and manually push the lock actuator back into the correct position. Upon further inspection and testing it was noted that flipping the child safety lock back and forth several times seemed to have reset the actuator and the lock and door has worked correctly since.

NHTSA ODI 11424732

The sliding door on the driver’s side is stuck and cannot be opened either automatically or mechanically. This is extremely dangerous in event of an emergency.

NHTSA ODI 11424685