The contact owned a 2016 Chrysler 200. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact was made aware by another driver that flames were emanating from underneath the vehicle, prompting her to pull to the shoulder of the roadway. Upon exiting the vehicle became completely engulfed in flames. Local emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames. No…
2016 Chrysler 200 engine problems
moderate 40 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
What stands out
Owners have filed 40 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Chrysler 200 has widespread engine problems: excessive oil consumption (manufacturer calls it normal, owners disagree), cracks in the oil filter housing causing leaks and fires, coolant leaks requiring multiple radiator replacements, and sudden stalling without warning that kills power steering and brakes mid-drive. Avoid this model unless you can verify service history and accept frequent maintenance costs.
The 2016 Chrysler 200 engine cluster shows three critical problem areas.
Oil and cooling system: Owners report the engine burning 1 quart per 750–1000 miles from new, or 4+ quarts in 4,000 miles. Dealerships cite a Chrysler technical service bulletin claiming this consumption is acceptable; owners dispute it. The plastic housing at the oil filter cracks from heat, leaking oil onto the engine. Multiple owners report seeing oil and antifreeze pooled separately at the cooler base. One owner experienced engine fire; another needed a $1,600 diagnosis followed by a possible $12,000 engine replacement after oil and coolant mixed. Radiators leak at seams, requiring multiple replacements that don't stop the antifreeze smell.
Stalling: The engine shuts off while driving at various speeds—during turns, acceleration, or coasting—without warning lights in most cases. Owners report sudden loss of power steering and power brakes, creating dangerous highway situations. The vehicle may restart after waiting minutes or require multiple ignition attempts. Dealerships cannot diagnose the failure unless it happens at the shop. One case linked the stalling to low oil; topping it off didn't prevent recurrence.
Secondary issues: Some owners report transmission slipping, blown head gaskets, rough idle followed by stalling, and abnormal engine noise. Dealers and Chrysler have offered no recalls or systematic repair programs.
Same Chrysler 200 engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine burns or loses oil at abnormally high rates. Owners report consuming 1 quart per 750–1000 miles, or 4+ quarts in 4,000 miles. Chrysler service literature indicates this consumption is within manufacturer standards, though owners dispute this as excessive. No low-oil warning light alerts drivers.
When: Starts early—some from new, others by 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly between changes; No dashboard warning when oil is critically low; Smell of burning oil noted in some cases; Engine shutdown during turns or acceleration when oil depleted
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships replaced fouled spark plugs and complete cylinders on some units; oil consumption test ordered by manufacturer but vehicle not repaired. Owner reports $1.50 quart additions every two weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin issued stating acceptable consumption within manufacturer standards. Manufacturer recommended oil consumption test but took no recall action.
Oil Filter Housing and Oil Cooler Assembly Cracks
Plastic housing at the oil filter location cracks due to heat exposure, connecting to a metal oil cooler assembly. Cracks cause significant oil leaks, occasionally resulting in smoking and engine fires. Owner reports finding oil and antifreeze pooled separately at cooler base.
When: Mileage varies; earliest failure around 75,000 miles; one fire incident at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaks from filter housing area; Smoke from under hood; Engine fire (one case); Smell of oil and antifreeze inside cabin; Visible oil standing at base of oil cooler
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer repair cost cited as nearly $1,100 for Pacifica with same issue; similar estimate for 200. Owner performed DIY diagnosis with flashlight. Chrysler noted to have re-engineered part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued. Owner states Chrysler has re-engineered these parts but not recalled existing vehicles.
Coolant Leaks and Radiator Failure
Radiator develops leaks at seams; coolant seeps or sprays internally. Multiple radiator replacements (up to two) performed but odor persists. Coolant mixes with oil in at least one engine, requiring complete engine replacement.
When: Starting around 20,000 miles; radiator replacements at 36,000 and 57,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Antifreeze smell inside cabin; Cabin air filter flooded with coolant; Radiator leaking at seams; Persistent antifreeze odor even after radiator replacement; Oil and coolant mixing in engine (one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacements performed at 36,000 and 57,000 miles. One case required engine replacement; owner quoted $1,600 for diagnosis and potential $12,000 for engine replacement.
Engine Stalling Without Warning
Engine shuts off abruptly during driving—at various speeds, during acceleration, turns, or while approaching traffic lights—without warning lights or codes. Vehicle may restart after waiting or requires multiple restart attempts. Occurs repeatedly over hours or days for affected owners.
When: Mileage range 21,000 to 95,000+; some failures documented multiple times per day over weeks
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving, no warning; Loss of power steering and power brakes when stalled; Restart delay—vehicle requires waiting minutes or multiple ignition cycles; No check engine light or diagnostic code in most cases; Stalls during turns, acceleration, or at low speeds (10 mph); Message 'Waiting to Restart' displayed on center screen in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to diagnose issue unless failure occurs at shop. Technicians have attributed some failures to low oil level (topped off, but failure recurred). Vehicle not repaired in most cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer recommended oil consumption test in one case; no recall or repair issued.
Head Gasket Failure
Engine overheating caused by blown head gasket failure. Occurred on a vehicle whose engine had been previously replaced.
When: 75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating while driving at 30 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer determined blown head gasket; repairs quoted as out-of-pocket expense. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and complaint filed; no assistance provided.
Engine Fire
Complete engine fire occurred while driving; vehicle became fully engulfed after driver pulled to shoulder. No warning lights preceding the event. Insurance deemed vehicle total loss.
When: Unknown mileage; separate incident from crash damage
Symptoms owners cite: Flames visible from underneath vehicle; Complete engine compartment fire; No warning lights illuminated before fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed and deemed total loss by insurance. Fire report and police report filed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified.
Smoke from Engine and Fuel Odor
Thick white or black smoke coming from engine area, sometimes followed by stalling, accompanied by strong fuel smell inside and outside vehicle. Jerking and erratic motion reported. Check engine light illuminates.
When: Around 146,000 miles in one detailed case
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from under hood; Strong fuel odor inside and outside vehicle; Vehicle jerking erratically; Check engine light illuminated; White smoke from tail pipe during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: One owner told engine replacement may be needed; diagnosis cost quoted at $1,600. Oil change and coolant top-off did not resolve. Failure persisted after multiple independent mechanic visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer made aware; manufacturer not notified in first case. One case resulted in dealer stating complete engine replacement needed.
Rough Idle and Stalling at Startup
Engine idles rough immediately after pickup from dealership, followed by stalling. Occurs within short distance of leaving shop.
When: 15,855 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle; Stalling shortly after startup; Vehicle inoperable after 4 miles of driving
Repairs/costs cited: Oil leak found (1 quart low). Dealership invoice 151016 documented issue.
Transmission Slipping with Engine Codes
Transmission slips in and out of gears during driving at various speeds. Check engine light illuminates. Diagnostic indicates fuel injectors and engine needing replacement.
When: 32,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips in and out of gears; Check engine warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed fuel injectors and engine needing replacement. Vehicle not yet repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed; no additional assistance offered.
Shift to Neutral and Emergency Brake Activation
Vehicle in Park automatically shifts to Neutral and emergency brake engages by itself while engine running.
When: Unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shifts from Park to Neutral without driver input; Emergency brake applies automatically
Abnormal Engine Noise
Loud, unusual noise from engine when running, particularly when coolant temperature reaches one bar on dashboard display. Multiple mechanics unable to identify source or confirm it is normal.
When: Unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from engine; Noise increases or appears when coolant temperature low; Described as bizarre or not normal
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanics unable to diagnose. One shop claimed it is normal operation (owner disputes).
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
During acceleration, thick white smoke began to come out tail pipe. Car instantly turns off in the middle of the street in rush hour traffic while I had my 4 year old daughter in the car. Police threatened to impound car if not moved immediately. Had to pay a hefty tow fee twice to get the car to the dealership. Somehow oil and coolant had mixed together in the engine. Dealer said I’ll need a…
My car makes this loud noise when the engine is on and the coolant meter reaches one bar on the screen and I don't know exactly where the noise is coming from but its not normal. Took it to a mechanic and he told me its not a problem the car is suppose to make that noise but I don't really believe him. That noise is very loud
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Chrysler 200?
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 2016 Chrysler 200?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 40 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 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 32,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 49,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 32,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. 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/2016/Chrysler/200.
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.