The Chrysler 62TE is the six-speed automatic that ran behind the V6 in Grand Caravans, Town & Countrys, Journeys, and 200s for the better part of a decade. It's not the worst transmission Chrysler has ever made, but it's closer to that end than to the better end of their lineup. The defining problem is solenoid pack failures. The transmission has multiple solenoids controlling pressure to the various clutch packs, and they fail one or two at a time as miles accumulate. When a solenoid fails, drivers experience erratic shifting — sometimes a refusal to upshift, sometimes a hard 2-3 shift, sometimes the transmission goes into limp mode and locks itself in second gear until the codes are cleared. The internal solenoid replacement on a 62TE is a $400-$900 job in parts, plus labor. Some shops replace the solenoid pack as a unit; others rebuild the failing solenoids. After solenoids, the next failure mode is internal clutch pack wear. The minivans in particular put high loads on this transmission — they're heavy vehicles with families inside, lots of stop-and-go driving, frequent towing of small trailers and bike racks. The clutch material wears down, the fluid gets contaminated, and the transmission starts slipping under load. The repair is full transmission removal and rebuild, $2,500-$4,500 at an independent shop. The vehicles these are bolted into are largely out of warranty by now and the 62TE problems are well-known to Chrysler-experienced shops. Most of them know exactly what to expect when one of these comes in with shift complaints. The fluid spec on this transmission is critical. Chrysler ATF+4 is the only correct fluid. Generic Dexron will damage the transmission within 20,000 miles. Some shops get this wrong and the customer pays for it later. Owners who change the fluid every 30,000-50,000 miles with proper ATF+4 substantially extend the transmission's life. Owners who skipped fluid service are the ones whose transmissions fail at 100,000-150,000 miles.
Chrysler 62TE 6-speed Automatic problems
19,663 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across 43 vehicle applications. 54 active recall campaigns.
Every vehicle in the 62TE family
Production span by model. The 62TE shipped roughly 2007-2017 across 7platforms we track.
Year ranges are curated editorial mappings of which vehicle generations carried this 62te. Color is per manufacturer.
Known issues
- Solenoid pack failure causing erratic shifting
- Internal clutch pack wear leading to slipping
- Transmission fluid contamination from worn clutches
- Limp-mode lockouts requiring transmission rebuilds
- Weak design for the loads in heavy minivan applications
Where the safety risk concentrates
Top problem categories across the 62TE fleet. Bar length is total complaint volume; the colored bands at the start of each bar are the share of complaints in that category that carried a crash, fire, injury, or fatality on the NHTSA record.
Affected vehicles Top 25 by complaint volume
Recent owner reports 8 most recent across the family
The steering becomes stiff or seems to get stuck when between 10 or 11 o'clock position. It appears to be slowly deteriorating. It has not been reported yet and no warning lights showing. It does not yet stop the vehicle from being in control. It has been noticed over last year and not always as…
The car shifts really hard going into 2nd gear, it feels like I've been rear-ended. It is awful. Also sometimes it loses power then accelerates on its own. Both issues are safety issues. this happens several times a weeks for the last 3 years.
The driver's headrest deployed without collision. The incident occurred at an auto service center and I noticed when the vehicle was returned to me. The mechanic inspected the headrest and stated a part in the headrest broke causing it to deploy. He advised to call the dealer for repair. The…
Was driving home from work (on city streets) and noticed that the engine seemed to be idling higher than normal RPMs. Van would not shift from first gear and would not accelerate beyond about 30 MPH, very sluggish, while RPMs rose above 3K and engine made a grinding/whining sound. No warning lights…
When going to accelerate, the car will not shift into gear. It g Jerks and it takes a few seconds to physically move foward. There are times when turning onto a road or highway it will not accelerate as it should.
When driving the vehicle shifted to N and then back to D automatically. Shuddering sometimes. Took the vehicle at dealer and they mentioned transmission is and an issue and will need torque converter.Code P0740 and check engine light illuminated after this.
Common questions
What vehicles use the Chrysler 62TE 6-speed Automatic?
The Chrysler 62TE 6-speed Automatic was used across 43 model-year combinations from 2007-2017. Affected applications are ranked on this page by complaint volume.
What are the most common problems with the 62TE?
The dominant complaint patterns are: solenoid pack failure causing erratic shifting; internal clutch pack wear leading to slipping; transmission fluid contamination from worn clutches. Across all affected vehicles in our database, 19,663 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA, plus 54 active recall campaigns.
How much does it cost to repair the 62TE?
Costs vary widely by failure mode. A fluid service or solenoid replacement can be a few hundred dollars. A valve body or mechatronic unit replacement runs $1,200-$2,500. Full transmission replacement on a unit of this scope is typically $3,500-$6,500 at an independent shop, more at the dealer. The specific cost on your vehicle depends on which failure occurred and how far it progressed before service.
Should I avoid vehicles with the 62TE?
The complaint data points to specific failure patterns. Some affected vehicles have had successful long-term service after a software update, fluid change, or valve body replacement. Others have needed multiple full transmission replacements. The right call depends on the specific vehicle's history. Read the editorial above and check the rank list for the model-year combination you're considering.
Does an extended warranty help on a 62TE-equipped vehicle?
On transmissions with documented widespread failure patterns, the math frequently favors coverage. A $4,000-$6,000 transmission repair against a $2,000-$3,000 warranty is straightforward. The key is reading the contract carefully — many service contracts exclude transmissions specifically on vehicles with known patterns, or require the failure to occur during specific mileage windows. Use the calculator on the specific vehicle's page for the actual math.
If you own a Town & Country, Caravan, or Journey with a 62TE, treat the fluid service as preventive medicine. ATF+4 every 30,000-50,000 miles. If you're shopping one used, ask for fluid records. Without records, factor in $400 for an immediate fluid service and budget for the possibility that the previous owner skipped it.