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2016 Chrysler Town and Country powertrain problems

moderate Owners of the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country have filed 180 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 85,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →

Failure mileage
Complaints
180
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
powertrain complaints on the Chrysler Town and Country, by model year
Model yearpowertrain complaints
2012 Town and Country 32
2013 Town and Country 40
2014 Town and Country 51
2015 Town and Country 109
2016 Town and Country (this page) 180
4crashes
1injury

When does it fail?

Of the 180 powertrain complaints filed for the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.

0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
1 (33.3%)
75-100k
1 (33.3%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
1 (33.3%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

Of the 6 model years of Chrysler Town and Country we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 180.

Powertrain accounts for 35% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.

Service Bulletin 9004206 Jun 2022

Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles: a) If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) must be replaced as they are one-time usage. b) Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. c) Vehicles built on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. Only use the reman 62TE specified in StarParts for each model year - Only use R8210327A$ for 2014 - Feb 28, 2019 VF. - Only use R8453637

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 9004206 Mar 2022

Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles: a) If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) must be replaced as they are one-time usage. b) Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. c) Vehicles built on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. Only use the reman 62TE specified in StarParts for each model year - Only use R8210327A$ for 2014 - 2018 VF. - Only use R8453637A$ for 2

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 9004206 Mar 2022

Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles: a) If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) must be replaced as they are one-time usage. b) Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. c) Vehicles built on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. Only use the reman 62TE specified in StarParts for each model year - Only use R8210327A$ for 2014 - 2018 VF. - Only use R8453637A$ for 2

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 9004206 Mar 2022

Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles: a) If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) must be replaced as they are one-time usage. b) Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. c) Vehicles built on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. Only use the reman 62TE specified in StarParts for each model year - Only use R8210327A$ for 2014 - 2018 VF. - Only use R8453637A$ for 2

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 9004206 Mar 2022

Remanufactured Transmission Assembly 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles: a) If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) must be replaced as they are one-time usage. b) Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. c) Vehicles built on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. Only use the reman 62TE specified in StarParts for each model year - Only use R8210327A$ for 2014 - 2018 VF. - Only use R8453637A$ for 2

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

The failure pattern owners describe

The 2016 Chrysler Town & Country powertrain is plagued by transmission pump failure that kills motive power without warning. Owners describe sudden loss of acceleration on highways and city streets, loud whining from the pump, inability to shift gears, and transmission slipping so severe the vehicle crawls at 3–20 MPH. The failure happens with no warning lights, trapping drivers in traffic or on the shoulder. Dealership diagnostics consistently point to low or zero hydraulic pump pressure, pump seizure, or debris in the pan from pump failure.

Chrysler issued Recall S44 in June 2016 for transmission pump defect on 2015–2016 Town & Country vehicles with 3.6L engine and DG2 transaxle built July 31, 2015–April 18, 2016. The recall requires free pump replacement. However, dozens of owners report their vehicles—with build dates, engine codes, and transaxle codes matching the recall specification exactly—are flagged as "not included" when Chrysler checks the VIN. Owners cite expenses of $6,841–$10,000 for transmission replacement out of pocket after Chrysler refuses to honor the recall.

Some owners also report rough shifting, hesitation, and jerking that software updates failed to fix. One owner had complete electrical and instrument cluster failures after transmission service. One case documented post-recall transmission failure immediately after S44 pump replacement work, with new fault codes appearing and the dealer refusing to inspect or acknowledge the connection.

A secondary issue: oil leaks from the filter housing/oil cooler line assembly are documented as common on this platform, requiring expensive single-unit replacement.

Same Chrysler Town and Country powertrain reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015

Failure modes owners describe

Transmission Pump Hydraulic Pressure Loss / Pump Seizure

The transmission oil pump fails to maintain adequate hydraulic pressure or seizes completely, causing loss of motive power, inability to shift, transmission slipping, and in some cases requiring full transmission replacement. This is the dominant failure mode across the complaint cluster, with owners describing sudden loss of power on highways and city streets, often with no warning lights.

When: Typically 49,000–167,000 miles; earliest at ~49,000 miles; failures occur throughout ownership

Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of motive power while driving; Inability to shift into gear or failure to shift properly; Transmission slipping out of gear; Loud whining, buzzing, or grinding noise from transmission; High RPMs with no acceleration response; Vehicle stalling or unable to exceed 10–20 MPH; Jerking or surging when attempting to accelerate; Loss of hydraulic pump prime indicated by diagnostic codes

Codes mentioned: P0700 (Transmission Control System Malfunction), P0760 (Shift Solenoid C Malfunction), P0868 (Transmission Line Pressure Low), P0734 (Gear Ratio Error in 4th), P0745 (Gear Ratio Error in 5th), P083B (LC Pressure Switch Rationality), P1790 (Fault Immediately After Shift), P0944 (Loss of Hydraulic Pump Prime), P06DE (Engine Oil Pressure Control)

Repairs/costs cited: Complete transmission replacement required in most cases; some owners report $6,841–$10,000+ repair costs; one owner reported transmission pump, seals, bolts, and torque converter replacement during recall S44; debris found in transmission pan in some cases; transmission fluid pan drained and transmission cooler flushed in some repairs

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S44 (NHTSA Campaign 16V461000) issued June 2016 for 2015–2016 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles with 3.6L engine (code ERB) and automatic transaxle (code DG2) built July 31, 2015–April 18, 2016. Recall requires replacement of transmission pump, free of charge. However, many owners report their VINs are not included in the recall despite matching build dates, engine codes, and transaxle codes. Multiple owners state Chrysler Customer Service claims recall is VIN-based and their vehicles do not qualify, despite experiencing identical symptoms. One owner (narrative #4) reports transmission failure shortly after recall S44 repair was completed, with new diagnostic code P0760 appearing post-repair

Transmission Shifting Abnormalities / Rough Shift / Hesitation

Transmission exhibits rough or delayed shifting, lurching, jerking during acceleration or gear changes, and failure to downshift smoothly. Some owners report intermittent hesitation and abnormal shuddering. Multiple owners state software updates (PCM resets) were attempted but did not resolve the issue.

When: Reported between ~41,000 and 198,000 miles; some cases documented at 41,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Rough or harsh shifting, especially around 40 MPH; Lurching forward when shifting gears; Jerking during acceleration from stop; Failure to downshift when slowing down; Abnormal shuddering or vibration when shifting; Transmission hesitation or delayed response to accelerator; RPM fluctuations (surging or dropping rapidly); Intermittent loss of proper shift sequencing

Codes mentioned: P0128 (Coolant Thermostat Malfunction / System Performance)

Repairs/costs cited: Software updates attempted (PCM reset/reprogramming); one owner reported software upgrade performed at dealership but issue persisted; another owner advised to drive vehicle 100–200 miles to 'relearn' driving habits after software reset, but this did not resolve the issue; thermostat replacement attempted in one case

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler dealers have performed software upgrades and PCM resets as attempted fixes, but owners report these do not resolve the underlying shifting problems

Engine Stalling / Loss of Power While Operating

Engine stalls or shuts down unexpectedly while driving, with loss of braking and steering assist. In some cases, vehicle can be restarted by shifting to neutral or park. No consistent warning lights precede failure.

When: Mileage varies; one case documented at ~71,000 miles; occurs during normal driving and highway operation

Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls during driving at various speeds (30–70 MPH); Loss of braking assist (power brakes fail); Loss of steering assist (power steering fails); Vehicle shuts down and requires restart; Headlights and accessories remain on during stall; No warning lights preceding failure in some cases; Stalls can occur during turns, on highway, or at idle

Codes mentioned: P0700 (Transmission Control System Malfunction)

Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives; one owner reports this is a documented common issue with 3.6L Pentastar engine across multiple model years with no TSB or recall issued for 2016 T&C

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; one owner notes this is a common issue with no TSBs or recalls for 2016 T&C exhibiting this problem

Multiple Electrical / Electronic Failures After Transmission Service

After transmission service or repair, vehicle exhibits simultaneous failures in multiple unrelated systems: windshield wipers, turn signals, hazard lights, powered windows, instrument cluster readings (RPM, MPH, fuel gauge, mileage display), tire pressure monitoring, ABS, traction control, and HVAC systems. Failures occur while driving, at stops, and when starting vehicle.

When: Documented at time of transmission repair (March 2025 in one case); affects vehicle during operation post-service

Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers turning on/off by themselves; Inability to control turn signals and hazard lights; Powered windows operating without input; RPM gauge dropping to zero; MPH gauge reading zero; Fuel gauge dropping to empty despite recent refueling; Mileage not reading correctly; Check engine light remaining on in run position before full ignition; ABS light illuminating; Traction control / VSR light illuminating; Tire pressure detection warning; Blind spot system warning; HVAC system pressure drops and recovers; Acceleration skip / hesitation; Loss of control over multiple vehicle systems intermittently

Codes mentioned: P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold)

Repairs/costs cited: No completed repair documented; owner scheduled dealership appointment; owner notes other dealers unable to diagnose root cause

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; owner has appointment scheduled with Chrysler dealer (as of March 20, 2025 in narrative)

Oil Filter Housing / Oil Cooler Line Assembly Leaks

Oil leaks from the oil filter housing and oil cooler line assembly, requiring replacement of the entire housing unit (sold as one assembly). One owner notes this is a documented common issue on 2014+ Chrysler Town & Country 3.6L, Dodge Caravan 3.6L, and other Mopar vehicles with top-mounted cartridge-style oil filter.

When: Timeframe not specified; one owner reports leak discovery requiring repair

Symptoms owners cite: Oil smell entering through vehicle vents; Oil visible leaking onto engine and driveway; Oil coating top of engine

Repairs/costs cited: Entire housing/oil cooling line assembly must be replaced (sold as single unit); one owner paid $1,017.31 for dealership repair; owner notes technicians confirm this is a common issue on this platform

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB mentioned; owner advocates for recall consideration due to commonality and cost

Transmission Failure with Secondary Engine Damage

Transmission failure results in secondary damage to engine. One owner reports cracked cylinder head after transmission pump seizure; another reports engine knock/damage after sudden transmission downshift.

When: Documented at ~102,283 miles and 147,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Transmission failure causing engine damage; Cracked left cylinder head; Engine knock upon restart after transmission malfunction; Vehicle shaking at idle due to cylinder misfire

Codes mentioned: P0304 (Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected), P06DE (Engine Oil Pressure Control)

Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports cracked left cylinder head requiring replacement; another case reports engine knock with dealer refusing to repair engine (stating transmission under warranty, but engine not covered); one owner cites repair would exceed vehicle value, resulting in total loss

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated transmission damage covered under warranty but engine damage not covered; dealer refused further inspection or repair

Recall S44 Incomplete or Improper Application

Multiple owners report Recall S44 repairs did not resolve issues or caused new failures. One owner reports transmission malfunction beginning immediately after S44 recall work, with new diagnostic code P0760 appearing post-repair and dealer refusing to acknowledge connection to recall work.

When: Post-repair; one case October 3, 2025

Symptoms owners cite: Transmission erratic shifting after recall repair; Complete transmission failure to shift after S44 repair; Loss of acceleration in traffic post-recall

Codes mentioned: P06DE (Engine Oil Pressure Control) pre-recall, P0760 (Shift Solenoid C Malfunction) post-recall

Repairs/costs cited: During recall S44, dealer drained transmission fluid, removed front axles, removed transmission components, replaced transmission oil pump, seals, bolts, and torque converter; post-repair transmission failed to shift; owner notes TSB for P06DE requires PCM software update, which was not performed during recall

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall S44 work performed; dealer confirmed P0760 post-repair but refused further inspection or repair, stating it was 'not related'; no manufacturer response documented

Synthesized from 180 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 8 most recent

powertrain · filed 12/29/2022

My van will sporadically lose power and stall while driving down the road. I have to put in back in park to restart the van to continue on down the road. It's been scary driving with my 3 kids in the van. I'm afraid the stalling out is going to cause me to get into a collision. I had it in a shop recently and they told me that it was related to a recall S44 or 16V461000, but they didn't have a…

powertrain · 98,500 mi · filed 12/29/2020

La van se quedo sin cambios de velocidad, sin fuerza; fue la trasmision la que se descompuso. Estaba en movimiento cuando sucedi esto.*dt*jb

powertrain · filed 12/28/2021

Pump Failure in Transmission. Transmission Pump locked up and stalled vehicle in road locked up wheels

powertrain · 147,000 mi · filed 12/28/2020

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chrysler town and country. The contact stated that upon placing the transmission into reverse, the vehicle would not reverse as needed and that an unknown fluid began to leak from the vehicle. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where he was informed the vehicle needed a new transmission. The mechanic replaced the…

powertrain · filed 12/23/2022

Owner was driving car and noticed high pitch whir at low speed upon entering the highway, had the radio been on then this noise would not have been noticed. Driver was able to exit the highway. Upon reaching a stoplight the vehicle revved up to 60mph then down to zero. When barely compressing the gas this occurred again. Owner quickly turned off and on vehicle hoping to reset whatever was…

powertrain · filed 12/21/2020

The transmission pump seized causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.

powertrain · 61,000 mi · filed 12/20/2019

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chrysler town and country. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning after it came to a complete stop. The contact called state line Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of kansas city (1001 w 104th st, kansas city, mo 64114) and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign number: 16v461000…

powertrain · filed 12/16/2022

The transmission pump failed suddenly, resulting in severe slippage in the transmission and loss of motive power for the vehicle. The vehicle struggled to stay up to road speeds on the highway until I could get it parked in a safe place to get my family out of the vehicle. Later on that day, I tried to take the vehicle around the block, to which it barely would make it back to it's starting…

Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 180 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?

Across the 117 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 67,500 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 67,500; a quarter make it past 103,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?

No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
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