"Sliding Door Lock(s) Inoperable Warranty Extension X98 The customer may describe one or more of the following: ● Either one or both of the sliding door locks do not function. ● The door lock(s) emit a loud buzzing noise during lock/unlock operation and do not lock/unlock the door. NOTE: The doors can still be manually locked or unlocked. This bulletin involves replacing either one or both of the sliding door lock actuators (as required)."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chrysler Town and Country body problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country have filed 59 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 60,000 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
59
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Town and Country | 25 |
| 2013 Town and Country | 19 |
| 2014 Town and Country | 24 |
| 2015 Town and Country | 14 |
| 2016 Town and Country (this page) | 59 |
1crash
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Chrysler Town and Country we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 59.
Owners have filed 59 body 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body 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.
Warranty Bulletin D-22-17 - 2017 - 2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013 - 2016 Chrysler Town & Country/ 2013 - 2020 Dodge Caravan (RT) - Corrosion - Complete Hood Panel Warranty Claim Simplification (Rev. B)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-22-23 - 2017 - 2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013 - 2016 Chrysler Town & Country/ 2013 - 2020 Dodge Caravan (RT) - Corrosion - Complete Hood Panel Warranty Claim Simplification (Rev. B)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Warranty Bulletin D-22-17 - 2017-2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013-2016 Chrysler Town & Country/ 2013-2020 Dodge Caravan (RT) - Corrosion Complete Hood Panel Warranty Claim Simplification (Rev. A)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FCA Caribbean Warranty Bulletin ID-22-23 - 2017-2023 (Current) Chrysler Pacifica (RU) and 2013-2016 Chrysler Town & Country/ 2013-2020 Dodge Caravan (RT) - Corrosion Complete Hood Panel Warranty Claim Simplification (Rev. A)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two main failure patterns in the rear sliding doors. First, the power lock actuators and latches jam or fail completely, trapping doors in a locked position—no key fob, interior button, manual lever, or brute force opens them. Occupants are stuck in the rear seating area with no emergency exit. Second, actuators buzz or grind loudly when the doors are locked or unlocked, and the lock mechanism may not move at all despite the noise. Some owners report the problem recurs days after dealer repair.
Failures begin as early as 38,000 miles and continue through 160,000+ miles. No warning lights precede these failures. Dealers confirm the issue is common—one mechanic called it "a common problem with this particular make and model"—but deny recall coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles. Repair costs are punitive: $50 for the actuator part itself, but $700–$800 in labor because the entire door panel must come apart to reach it. Latch failure adds another $650–$950. Owners report Chrysler's TSB 23-036-21 REV. A covers actuators but excludes latches, even though both are necessary to make doors work; FCA tells owners latches must be paid for out-of-pocket.
Owners also cite B-pillar trim pieces (plastic appliqués) that detach repeatedly during normal driving, becoming roadway hazards. Replacement runs over $300 per incident. No manufacturer remedy is offered.
Same Chrysler Town and Country body reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Rear sliding door lock actuator failure — stuck locked or jammed
Power lock actuators on rear sliding doors (driver and/or passenger side) fail mechanically, locking the door in a closed position. The door cannot be unlocked or opened using the key fob, interior unlock button, manual lever, or by pulling the handle. Owners report the lock mechanism feels spongy, immobile, or completely unresponsive.
When: Reported from 38,000 miles to 160,000 miles; some failures occur suddenly with no prior warning
Symptoms owners cite: Door stuck in locked position, will not unlock electronically or manually; Lock mechanism unresponsive to key fob, interior buttons, or manual force; No warning lights or messages on dashboard; Passenger occupants trapped in rear seating area; Door cannot be opened even with substantial force applied
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite repair quotes of $650–$1,200+ per door; dealers state the door panel must be completely disassembled to access the actuator (part cost ~$50 but labor-intensive). Some owners report independent repair shops have initially fixed the wrong door. Multiple owners report the failure recurs within days or weeks of repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 23-036-21 REV. A addresses actuator replacement for driver-side sliding door failures. Chrysler has extended the actuator warranty in some cases. However, owners report the TSB does not always cover the door latch, which dealers claim is also necessary; latches cost ~$800 and are not covered under the extended warranty per FCA Chrysler. Out-of-warranty vehicles receive no manufacturer assistance.
Rear sliding door lock actuator — buzzing/grinding noise and intermittent operation
Power lock actuators emit loud buzzing, grinding, or humming noises when the door locks or unlocks. The actuator may temporarily jam and then unstick, or it may buzz indefinitely without moving the lock mechanism. Owners report finding online forums showing many others with the same issue.
When: Reported from 38,000 miles onward; buzzing can persist for months
Symptoms owners cite: Loud buzzing, grinding, or humming sound from door lock when activated; Lock mechanism may not move despite actuator activation; Door may intermittently fail to open with keyless entry or manually; Sound may be loud enough to cause audio discomfort; Problem persists across multiple lock/unlock cycles
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report the actuator part itself costs less than $50, but repair labor is $700–$800 due to door panel disassembly required. One owner managed to temporarily unstick the actuator using an online trick but the buzzing continued for months; another owner opened the door panel themselves to resolve the initial jam but buzzing returned afterward.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific TSB or recall identified for buzzing actuators in the narratives. Owners report dealers acknowledge this as a common problem but offer no warranty coverage if the vehicle is out of warranty.
Rear sliding door latch/lock assembly failure — unable to open manually or electronically
The latch or latching mechanism inside the door lock assembly fails, preventing the door from being opened through any means: key fob, interior unlock buttons, manual pull handle, or manual force. The failure occurs with no warning and the door becomes inoperable.
When: Reported from 50,000 to 114,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door cannot be unlocked or opened by key fob, interior button, or manual handle; Manual attempt to open door is unsuccessful even with force; No warning lights or system messages; Door locked in closed position indefinitely; Occupants unable to exit the vehicle without using another door
Repairs/costs cited: Latch replacement cost cited as $650–$950 per door; one owner paid $457 for labor alone after a dealer repaired the wrong door initially. Dealers confirm latch failure is necessary to diagnose and repair, requiring door panel disassembly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 23-036-21 REV. A specifies actuator replacement but does not list latch replacement. When owners seek warranty coverage under the TSB, FCA Chrysler hotline states latches must be replaced but are not covered by extended warranty. Out-of-warranty vehicles receive no assistance; some dealers refused diagnosis or repair.
Sliding door comes ajar while driving; does not close fully or stay closed
The rear sliding door does not fully close or latch securely. It comes ajar unpredictably while the vehicle is in motion, triggering door-ajar warning lights and interior illumination. The door may click when closing or randomly drift open, particularly in warm conditions when the car has been parked in the sun.
When: Reported from the beginning of ownership in one case; temperature-dependent (occurs when warm outside and vehicle sits in sun)
Symptoms owners cite: Door does not fully close or latch on first attempt; Clicking noise when closing the door; Door comes ajar while vehicle is being driven; Interior lights and dashboard door-ajar indicator activate unexpectedly; Problem is intermittent and temperature-dependent
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership was unable to reproduce the issue in the one detailed narrative. Owner has kept vehicle in garage to mitigate the problem, but it is worsening.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer could not replicate the issue and offered no repair solution.
Sliding door comes open on its own while parked
The rear sliding door opens spontaneously and repeatedly while the vehicle is stationary, with no obstruction or mechanical engagement. The door latches unreliably and may pop open without warning, creating a security and safety concern.
When: Intermittent; owner witnessed door opening while parked at home on several occasions
Symptoms owners cite: Door opens on its own without being triggered; Door opens repeatedly with nothing obstructing the track or triggering sensor; Occurs while vehicle is stationary; Latching mechanism unreliable
Sliding door off track with electrical wires exposed
The sliding door physically derails from its track. Upon visual inspection, electrical wires are exposed, indicating structural or guide failure. The dealer was unable to determine the cause and could not open the passenger-side door at all.
When: Discovered after arrival at destination; 93,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sliding door visibly off its track; Electrical wires exposed in the door mechanism; Door unable to be opened; No warning lights prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired; dealer unable to diagnose cause
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified by owner
B-pillar exterior plastic trim pieces detach and fall off
The B-pillar appliqué trim pieces (left and right) repeatedly detach and fall from the vehicle body. These are plastic exterior components that are not secured reliably. Multiple detachments occur, and one incident involved both pieces separating on a highway, creating a road hazard and nearly striking another vehicle.
When: Multiple incidents over vehicle ownership; latest incident during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic trim pieces (B-pillar appliqué left and right, MOPAR parts 5020665AD and 5020664AD) repeatedly come loose and fall off; Detachment occurs on highway during normal driving; Trim pieces become a hazard to other vehicles
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership quote for replacement parts: over $300 per incident. Owner has replaced the parts multiple times.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or warranty remedy mentioned by Chrysler/MOPAR
Synthesized from 59 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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…
Had body trouble with your 2016 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 body problem on the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 59 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 43,300 and 70,432 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 43,300; a quarter make it past 70,432. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/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.