Water Quality When Mixed With Engine Coolant
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems
moderate 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Chrysler Town and Country we track for engine problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (22).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY review and follow instructions from the latest STAR Online S1809000007 available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) For all 2014MY replace the Oil Filter Adapter (OFA). For any other MY (with mileage above 30,000) review and follow instructions from STAR Online S1809000007 REV. C available on Dealer Connect. Also, consider the following: 1) Remove OFA 2) Replace only the oil inlet O-ring and gaskets (seals kit in SOL above). 3) Re-install the OFA. For 2023MY and beyond use black O-ring. For 2022MY and prior use red O-ring. Note: When replacing OFA, it may be necessary to transfer the Oil Temp/Pressure Sensor from the old OFA to the new OFA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Chrysler Town and Country's engine cluster shows consistent, repetitive failures across multiple systems. The plastic oil-filter assembly (OFA) is the most frequently cited problem—it cracks and leaks oil at mileages starting around 55k, with one owner noting the failure at 85,800 miles. Owners report Chrysler knows about the flaw and offers an aluminum replacement, but refuses warranty coverage for out-of-warranty vehicles. The repair runs over $1,000 due to the part's location under the intake manifold.
Rocker-arm and lifter defects produce loud engine ticking and are described by mechanics as a "well-known manufacturing defect." The noise appears early but worsens gradually; one owner heard it before warranty expiration but was never told the cause. These failures carry risk of sudden engine stall or seizure.
Oil-cooler housing seals fail across multiple 3.6L engines, leaking oil onto the hot exhaust—a fire hazard. Camshaft lobe wear causes misfire in single or multiple cylinders. Most troubling: many of these failures produce no check-engine light or other warning until catastrophic failure. One owner's engine seized completely at 92k miles with no prior indicators. Transmission failure at 55k miles was also reported, with a related PowerTran recall noted for nearby model years.
Same Chrysler Town and Country engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Oil Filter Housing Leaks (Plastic OFA)
Plastic oil filter assembly (OFA) cracks and leaks oil spontaneously or during filter changes. Multiple owners report the part fails prematurely; an aluminum replacement exists but Chrysler refuses warranty coverage out-of-warranty.
When: Between 55k–100k miles; one owner reported ~85,800 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking at high rate; Oil puddling under vehicle; Check engine light (P06DD oil pressure code)
Codes mentioned: P06DD
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement with upgraded aluminum OFA recommended; repair typically exceeds $1,000 due to location under intake manifold
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; warranty denied for out-of-warranty vehicles; aluminum OFA available but not covered by warranty
Oil Cooler Housing/Adapter Seal Failure
Oil cooler adapter or housing seals fail, leaking oil down onto exhaust manifold. Owners report the issue is confirmed across multiple 3.6L Pentastar engines and poses fire hazard.
When: Occurs with no advance warning; one case at 92k miles (transaxle oil pump failure also cited)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from top of motor onto exhaust; Burning oil smell; Oil puddling under vehicle; No warning lamps until failure
Repairs/costs cited: Seal replacement required; involves engine valve/head work in some cases
Rocker Arm & Lifter Failure (Ticking Noise)
Defective rocker arms or lifters cause loud ticking or clicking from engine. Owners report this is a known Chrysler issue, worsens over time, and can lead to engine stall, misfire, or complete seizure. No check engine light illuminates.
When: Audible before warranty expiration in some cases; one case at 100k+ miles; deteriorates gradually
Symptoms owners cite: Loud ticking or clicking from engine; Engine misfire; Vehicle shaking when running; Potential engine stall
Repairs/costs cited: Identification of which rocker arm is faulty is difficult without engine failure; requires head removal and re-machining or full engine replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for 2014 models mentioned; issue extends to 2015 and later; owners report mechanics brush off early symptoms
Camshaft Lobe Wear & Misfire
Camshaft lobes wear down prematurely, causing cylinder misfire. One owner reported lobes on cylinder 1 intake valve seat; another reported wear across multiple cylinders with no early warning.
When: Low mileage; one case reported at low mileage with low miles noted; one at 100k+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire; Check engine light (if equipped); Engine surge during acceleration; Unpredictable acceleration; No warning lights (in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Requires engine head removal and re-machining or replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Described by mechanics as 'well-known manufacturing defect and common issue with this engine'
Engine Seizure & Stall
Engine suddenly seizes or stalls while driving at moderate speed with no advance warning. Occurs at highway speeds and low speeds; no warning indicators illuminate before failure.
When: At 74,500 miles (PCM failure case); at 92,000 miles (oil pump case); reported occurring suddenly
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off while driving; Loss of power steering; Loss of power brakes; Vehicle stalls; No warning lights before failure
Repairs/costs cited: PCM replacement resolved one case; transaxle oil pump installation resolved another case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: PCM failure case: manufacturer notified but no assistance documented; oil pump case: manufacturer made aware and did not assist
Whistling Noise from Engine Cover/Cowling
Engine cowl or cover breaks and/or produces a whistling noise at highway speeds (~69 mph). Cowl was replaced but issue recurred within weeks. Dealership unable to diagnose at normal speeds.
When: Occurred at 28k miles; recurred after 6–8 weeks following replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Whistling from dashboard (driver's side, left of center); Cowl cracking
Repairs/costs cited: Cowl replacement performed by Branhaven Jeep/Dodge, Branford, CT; issue returned after replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner filed STAR case with Dodge; dealership stated unable to replicate issue during normal test drives
Transmission Failure & Poor Shifting
Transmission requires replacement at low mileage. Vehicle shakes when stopping and stalls; shifts poorly with jerking. Related recall for PowerTran exists for similarly-timed model builds.
When: At 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shakes when stopped; Stalls when stopped; Jumps or jerks when shifting; Poor acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement recommended at 55k miles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall for PowerTran noted by owner for vehicles made before or after their model year; no clarity on applicability
Engine Misfire & Rough Running
Engine misfires in single or multiple cylinders, causing rough idle, shaking, and check engine light. No warning lights in some cases despite mechanical failure.
When: Occurs at various mileages; no clear pattern stated
Symptoms owners cite: Engine misfire; Check engine light (in some cases); Engine shaking; Rough idle
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injection service performed in one case; spark plugs and coils replaced; heads re-machining suggested
Oil Filter Cap Defect
Plastic oil filter cap has broken spring-loaded tabs inside. One tab broke off and became lodged; cannot be located, may remain in oil filter housing.
When: Discovered during routine oil change
Symptoms owners cite: Broken tab in filter cap; Plastic component lodged in filter
Repairs/costs cited: New cap purchased from dealer; broken tab not recovered
Synthesized from 22 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The engine developed a ticking noise. From what I have found, there are defective rocker arms in the engine. Eventually, they will fail and cause complete engine failure which can occur at any time, even when driving at high speeds. This seems to be a serious safety concern. There is a class action lawsuit working its way through the courts, but, there should be a safety recall. thanks…
Had engine trouble with your 2015 Chrysler Town and Country?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2015 Chrysler Town and Country?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 55,000 and 119,008 miles, with the median around 92,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 119,008. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Chrysler/Town and Country.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.