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

While driving down the road, 30mph, driver side head rest deployed, hitting me in the back of the head.

NHTSA ODI 11745460

Inadvertent passenger side head rest deployment while driving with no collisions.

NHTSA ODI 11739390

I am submitting this letter to formally express my serious concern and dissatisfaction regarding a safety issue that occurred and that, under only slightly different circumstances, could have resulted in a far more dangerous outcome. The situation I experienced was not only unacceptable but indicative of a potential systemic failure that warrants immediate investigation. The incident posed a clear risk to my safety and the safety of others. It is deeply troubling that such a failure was able to occur at all, and even more troubling that—had the conditions been marginally different—it could have led to severe injury or worse. This is precisely the type of preventable hazard that NHTSA exists to identify and address before it results in tragedy. I am requesting that NHTSA review this matter thoroughly, determine whether similar incidents have been reported, and take appropriate action to ensure that this issue is corrected. Consumers should not be placed in harm’s way due to defects or oversights that compromise the safe operation of a vehicle or its components. This experience has left me with significant concerns about the reliability and safety of the system involved. I urge NHTSA to treat this as a serious complaint and to investigate promptly so that no one else is put at risk.

NHTSA ODI 11736778

Headrest literally exploded open while driving down the highway with my 15 yr old (who has had 3 brain surgeries) was sitting in the seat. The headrest is now split open and will not "close up". I had a Dodge dealership tell me it was a known problem and they said they would order me a new headrest but it's been 6-9 months and now they will not return my phone calls. Is this a broken active headrest restraint? Seems like a safety hazard for my family that I cannot get it fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11686689

HEAD REST ON PASSENGER FRONT SEAT DEPLOYED/MALFUNCTIONED UNEXPECTEDLY. YES IT IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. IT COULD HAVE HIT MY HUSBAND IN THE HEAD AS HE WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE. NOW I AM CONCERNED THE SAME MALFUNCTION MAY HAPPEN ON DRIVERS SIDE WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. NO NO NO WARNING WERE GIVEN

NHTSA ODI 11674076

The middle seat (driver side) was sitting properly, it clicked into place and wasn’t folded for months. It suddenly decided to fold on my child while we were driving. It hurt my child and it took an hour to get him to calm down and even be ok with going back into the van

NHTSA ODI 11646386

While parked in a parking lot, the active headrest restraint deployed, abruptly forcing my neck/head forward. The plastic piece inside the seat appears to be broken. After doing research, it sounds like this is a pretty widespread problem.

NHTSA ODI 11614101

Found the front passenger seat headrest activated and separated from the frame after entering the parked vehicle. Unable to reset the headrest. It appears that the plastic frame that holds a silver locking bar broke. There was no rear end damage or known collision from the rear to this vehicle. The car had been parked for approximately 5 hours in 90+ degree weather in Illinois before reentering the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11610672

Driver side headrest deployed (AHR system) while driving at a speed of 55 mph with no accident. Driver bit tongue while driving. I have found many complaints of this issue online. Vehicle hasn't been inspected at this time since it happened a little over a week ago while on vacation. There were no warning signs that it was going to happen. Just purchased this 2016 Chrysler Town and County a little over a month ago and now have this repair to consider of a faulty "safety" system.

NHTSA ODI 11605349

The driver's seat headrest went off. The leather front popped off from the backing. Inside you can see where there is plastic broken and we can't push the pieces back together. The pop of it going off was loud and thank goodness I wasn't driving on the highway when it happened. Vehicle was not in motion when it went off. We were cleaning out the van and wiping down the seat when it happened. It was literally a ticking time bomb and I'm afraid that the passenger side is going to do this too.

NHTSA ODI 11602861

*Passenger front active headrest has broken the retaining plastic allowing the headrest to spring forward. *Yes * Not at this time *No *Unknown

NHTSA ODI 11525517

The headrest on the passenger side burst open. From what I’m reading online due to a faulty plastic part from Chrysler. I was not in any accident. It burst on its own.

NHTSA ODI 11520772

WE WERE GETTING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER HEAD REST ACTIVATED AND POPPED OUT

NHTSA ODI 11486096

My son was seated in the front passenger seat on his phone. The car was parked and not on. He was waiti for for me to get in. In his words the "head rest shot out" at him. Sure enough when I entered the van the head rest was deployed. I asked him if he sat down roo hard, was jumping around, anything that the van could have confused as a Collison. He said no, he was sitting like normal waiting for me playing on his phone. And then pow!

NHTSA ODI 11461027

The headrest came apart while car was parked and turned off. If the driver was behind the wheel when this happen, there is a good possibality it may have cause the driver to have an accident. The car have been to a service center to check about replacing it. There was no warning before the headrest came apart. It is my understanding that Chrysler knew about the defect but I have not received a recall notice. It seem this part is expensive to replace and I don't see that it is my place to lay out the money. Can Chrysler be held accountable?

NHTSA ODI 11438816

I was in my car's passenger seat and my partner was driving when the passenger head rest deployed. We were not in an accident and were traveling slowly in traffic. Had I not been leaning forward my neck may have been injured. I called the dealer and am taking the van in Monday. There were no warning systems activated

NHTSA ODI 11433449

FRONT PASSENGER HEADREST POPPED OUT FOR NO REASON. THIS IS A SERIOUS, DANGEROUS, AND WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH CHYRSLER VEHICLES. *I HAVE A SEPARATE ISSUE FOR THIS SAME VEHICLE (LEFT CYCLINDER) THAT I SUBMITTED ON MARCH 31, 2021, TRACKING NUMBER: 11405716.

NHTSA ODI 11413383

ANTI-WHIPLASH HEADREST DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY

NHTSA ODI 11362272

DRIVER SEAT HEATING MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK. RIGHT SLIDING DOOR ACTUATOR BUZZES LOUDLY.

NHTSA ODI 11340561

PASSENGER SIDE, 2ND ROW SEAT, DOES NOT FULLY RELEASE FROM ANCHOR TO ALLOW 3RD ROW PASSENGERS TO EXIT CAR. TOP PART OF SEAT FOLDS DOWN, BUT BOTTOM PART STAYS ANCHORED TO CAR. SEEMS LIKE CABLE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327116

FRONT DRIVER SEAT NOT STABLE. SEAT MOUNTING LOOSE . YOU CAN FEEL SEAT SHAKE AND HEAR IT SQUEAK WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11002396

I WAS ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE SECOND ROW BUCKET SEAT FORWARD. I PULLED ON THE SIDE OF THE SEAT AND THE ENTIRE SEAT FOLDED, INCLUDING THE HEADREST. MY HAND WAS NEAR THE HEADREST, AND WHEN THE HEAD REST CLOSED, MY FINGER WAS CAUGHT UNDER WHERE THE BARS THAT SUPPORT THE HEAD REST AND THE HEAD REST AND THE TIP OF MY FINGER WAS CRUSHED AND FRACTURED. WHEN THE HEADREST CLOSES THE IMPACT IS SO FORCEFUL. I DON'T HAVE A VIN SINCE THIS WAS A RENTAL.

NHTSA ODI 10864006