YearToAvoid

2016 Chrysler Town and Country Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

38/100

#6 most-complained of 9 Town and Country years

The 2016 Chrysler Town and Country has a complaint index of 38 and ranks 6th worst of 9 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other years. Transmission & Powertrain is the top problem area with 187 complaints, and there are 5 recalls including a transmission pump replacement.

Complaints
525
Recalls
5
Crashes / fires
12 / 1
Injuries / deaths
9 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 25 hwy

Top 2016 Chrysler Town and Country problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain187 (36%)
  2. Other111 (21%)
  3. Structure & Body111 (21%)
  4. Electrical System108 (21%)
  5. Engine81 (15%)
  6. Airbags16 (3%)
  7. Steering11 (2%)
  8. Fuel System9 (2%)
  9. Brakes7 (1%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (1%)

What owners report

  • Transmission emits a loud whining noise and loses power control at various speeds before the vehicle stabilizes after a restart.
  • Electrical outlets and lights billowed smoke into the cabin while parked, requiring evacuation and fire department response.
  • The TIPM module fails, causing the vehicle to stall in traffic, disable hazard lights, lock the transmission shifter in park, and disable power windows and locks.
  • Steering wheel controls, cruise control, and digital speedometer stop functioning with no available replacement part.
  • Second row bucket seat and headrest fold unexpectedly when adjusted, trapping and injuring a hand.
  • Vehicle veers suddenly to one side while driving straight, striking a curb or fixed object.
2016 Chrysler Town and Country complaints: complaints filed per quarter452016 Q22017 Q42019 Q22020 Q42022 Q22023 Q42025 Q2
660 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2016 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2020 Q3 (45).

2016 Chrysler Town and Country recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V824000Dec 21, 2017Other61,791 vehicles

    Equipment

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf

    Risk: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.

  2. NHTSA 16V461000Jun 24, 2016Transmission & Powertrain26,298 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan vehicles manufactured July 31, 2015, to April 18, 2016, 2016 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured August 17, 2015, to January 29, 2016, and 2016 RAM ProMaster vehicles manufactured August 15, 2016, to April 15, 2016. The transmission pump may seize causing a loss of hydraulic pressure.

    Risk: If the transmission loses hydraulic pressure, the vehicle may lose motive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission pump, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S44.

  3. NHTSA 16V300000May 16, 2016Structure & Body99 vehicles

    Seats:mid/rear assembly

    Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured March 16, 2016, to March 17, 2016. The nuts on the third row seatbacks were incorrectly torqued and may become loose.

    Risk: If the third row seatback becomes loose, it may separate from the seat frame, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-torque the third row seatback nuts, free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S37.

See all 5 recalls for the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country →

2016 Chrysler Town and Country fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
25 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Gasoline or E85
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2016 compared with other Town and Country years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015201620172018
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid88636420
2015Good25382420
2016Good38525520
2017No verdict001—
2018No verdict1301—

All Chrysler Town and Country years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country reliable?
Compared with other Town and Country model years, 2016 ranks 6th worst out of 9 with a complaint index of 38, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other years of this model.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chrysler Town and Country?
NHTSA complaints show Transmission & Powertrain issues lead with 187 complaints (36% share), followed by Structure & Body at 111 complaints and Electrical System at 108 complaints.
Does the 2016 Town and Country have a transmission recall?
Yes. Recall 16V461000 covers a transmission pump replacement for certain 2015-2016 Town and Country vehicles built between July 31, 2015 and April 18, 2016.
How does 2016 compare to other Town and Country years?
2016's complaint index of 38 is lower than 2010 (100), 2011 (75), and 2014 (88), all rated 'Avoid,' but higher than 2015's index of 25, which is rated 'Good.'

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.