Misfire and rough idle at all temperatures and speeds. Diagnosed with a faulty head with low compression on cylinder 2 at independent shop. More than 20% difference in PSI compression test with a leakdown loss of nearly 80%, pulled valve cover shows a rolled cam. Dealership has vehicle for repair under extended warranty but will not perform leakdown test or pull the valve cover to submit for…
2016 Chrysler Town and Country engine problems
moderate 35 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Owners have filed 35 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.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Chrysler Town & Country's 3.6L Pentastar engine has well-documented problems: cylinder head valve failure causing rough idle and misfires (P0302) at 60–99k miles, often costing $2,700+ to repair; a faulty plastic oil filter housing that leaks and risks fire; and camshaft/rocker-arm ticking from defective bearings. Chrysler refuses to recall the Town & Country despite issuing Recall 627908 for the identical engine in the 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and Journey, leaving owners responsible for major repairs well before normal engine life.
Owners of 2016 Town & Country vans describe consistent, premature engine failures centered on the 3.6L Pentastar V6. The most common complaint is cylinder 2 (occasionally 4 or 6) valve failure, triggering P0302 misfire codes and rough idle between 60,000 and 99,000 miles. Mechanics find low compression—often 80% leakdown—traced to pitted or degraded valve seats. Cylinder head replacement runs $2,700–$3,000, and one owner paid $3,200 for a used motor that failed seven months later.
Owners report Chrysler issued Recall 627908 for 2016 Dodge Grand Caravans and Journeys with the identical engine and failure, but refuses to extend the same recall to the Town & Country. Some cite Technical Service Bulletins from 2011–2013 addressing the same valve defect, suggesting Chrysler knew the problem persisted.
Separate complaints detail camshaft rocker-arm failure and ticking noise starting around 70,000 miles, and a plastic oil filter adapter that leaks or melts, creating a burning-oil smell and fire hazard. The housing is regularly described as a known defect across the model line with no recall issued.
One owner reported sudden engine shutdown at highway speed (55–65 mph) with no warning and no ability to determine cause; the vehicle restarted normally but presented a serious safety risk without power steering in traffic.
Same Chrysler Town and Country engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Cylinder head valve failure / low compression (P0302 misfire)
Intake or exhaust valve in cylinder 2 (or occasionally cylinders 4 or 6) develops near-total leakage, causing P0302 misfire codes and rough idle. Owners report the valve seats develop pitting or material degradation. Diagnostic leakdown tests show 80% loss of compression in affected cylinders. Multiple owners cite an open recall (No. 627908) covering 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and Journey with the identical 3.6L Pentastar engine and same failure mode, but Chrysler has denied coverage for the Town & Country despite identical part.
When: 60,000–99,000 miles; one reported at 35,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (P0302, P0369 or P0304 codes); Rough idle and shaking; Loss of power on inclines; Engine skip or hesitation; Loud shuffling or knocking from motor
Codes mentioned: P0302, P0304, P0369
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder head replacement cost ranges $2,700–$3,000+. Some owners have paid for used motors ($3,200 installed) as aftermarket fix; replacements have failed shortly after.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 627908 applies to 2016 Grand Caravan and Journey only; Chrysler denies same coverage for Town & Country despite identical engine. TSB 09-002-09 and Warranty Bulletin D-14-12 reference same valve failure problem in earlier model years (2011–2013), suggesting the defect persisted.
Camshaft rocker arm / roller bearing ticking noise
Engine develops a ticking or tapping noise traced to loose camshaft roller bearing or faulty rocker arm. One owner's teardown revealed a rolled camshaft. The ticking worsens with longer drives and engine load. Dealers acknowledge this is a known issue affecting many 3.6L Pentastar units in this model year.
When: 70,000–100,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Ticking or tapping noise from engine (idle or under load); Noise worsens during highway driving and long drives; Misfire in cylinder 5 (one case); Rough running (in one case with rolled camshaft)
Codes mentioned: None stated; independent diagnosis only
Repairs/costs cited: Part cost is low (approx. $2–3), but labor is expensive; one estimate ~$1,000. Dealer mentioned this is a widespread manufacturing issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer issued 150,000-mile extended warranty in one case but could not match symptoms to known defects; no recall issued.
Plastic oil filter housing adapter leakage
Plastic oil filter adapter housing (MOPAR 68105583AF or similar) develops leaks or melts, allowing substantial oil loss. Owners report burning oil smell in cabin and risk of oil reaching exhaust manifold, creating fire hazard. Multiple mechanics confirm this is a well-known defect across Pentastar-equipped Chrysler products.
When: Unknown; one failure at 56,000 miles; severity varies
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from filter adapter (sometimes heavy); Burning oil smell in cabin; Loss of oil pressure warning (in some cases); Melted plastic housing discovered during unrelated repairs
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement adapter housing required; metal aftermarket units available. Parts reported on backorder. Repair cost not stated, but owner must pay while vehicle is immobilized.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler has not issued a recall despite widespread awareness. Owners report dealers acknowledging it is a known defect but offering no recall coverage.
Sudden engine shutdown / stalling (loss of power)
Engine shuts off without warning while driving at highway speed (55–65 mph) with no preceding warning lights, fault codes, or symptoms. One incident on I-81 left vehicle without power steering in moving traffic. Vehicle restarts successfully after shutdown. Rare but serious for safety.
When: One at 35,500 miles; one incident unreported to service
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off completely at highway speed; No check engine light or other warning before shutdown; Power steering lost; Vehicle can be restarted normally
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired in reported cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner referenced NHTSA Campaign 16V461000 (Powertrain) but stated VIN was not included in recall; owner did not pursue further.
Head gasket failure
Engine warning light illuminates; dealer diagnosis indicates head gasket replacement needed. Limited details provided in complaint.
When: ~95,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis only; repair not completed.
Synthesized from 35 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Oil filter housing leaks is made out of cheap plastic and failed. Leaking oil can make roads slick and cause accidents and is a fire hazard to vehicle.
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 35 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 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 60,400 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,400; a quarter make it past 95,000. 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/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.