2015 Chrysler Town And Country

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE19014 on September 9, 2019, to investigate 128 consumer complaints alleging that the Active Head Rest (AHR) inadvertently deployed without the occurrence of a crash or other rear impact event in model year (MY) 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles.When ODI opened the investigation, ODI was aware of thirteen alleged injuries.A small number of Early Warning Reports identified driver and/or passenger front seat AHR inadvertent deployments without a rear impact event.Reported safety consequences resulting from the AHR deployments include concussions, headaches, soft tissue injuries, disorientation, nausea, vomiting and/or loss of vehicle control as a result of being surprised and distracted by being struck in the head by the inadvertent AHR deployment. On September 24, 2019, ODI sent an Information Request (IR) letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).ODI requested certain detailed information from FCA related to the following subject vehicles: MY 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger 200, MY 2010-2014 Dodge Calber, MY 2010-2014 Chrysler Sebring, MY 2013-2015 Ram Tradesman, MY 2012 Ram Van, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Grand Caravan, MY 2010-2016 Chrysler Town and Country, MY 2010-2017 Jeep Compass, MY 2011-2020 Dodge Durango, MY 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, MY 2010-2019 Dodge Journey, MY 2010-2012 Jeep Liberty, MY 2010-2011 Jeep Nitro, and MY 2010-2011 Jeep Patriot vehicles.On December 2, 2019, ODI received a response from FCA that included vehicle production data, consumer complaints, field reports, warranty claims, manufacturer actions, production changes, and other data related to the alleged defect from the start of production (2010) through September 24, 2019.On January 27, 2020, ODI received an update to the December 2, 2019, IR response from FCA.On September 22, 2020, ODI requested additional subject vehicle AHR information from FCA.ODI received FCA's response on October 21, 2020.ODI subsequently received an update to FCA's October 21, 2020, response on February 16, 2021.During the investigation, ODI requested updates to certain IR questions on two occasions.FCA provided updates to question #2 on March 5, 2021, and questions #2 and #5 on May 26, 2023. FCA’s IR response data identified approximately 7.5 million subject vehicles (with approximately 15 million AHR assemblies).Due to the large number of vehicles and failure reports, ODI focused its analysis on the FCA vehicle model with the highest failure rate to represent the worst-case scenario.For this purpose, ODI focused on MY 2012-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles for its analysis.This population includes 710,890 vehicles that FCA manufactured between August 19, 2011, and August 8, 2015.ODI identified 2,839 alleged AHR failures within this limited population.ODI identified 263 alleged injuries that were caused by AHR failures in MY 2012-2015 Grand Cherokees vehicles.Of these alleged injuries, ODI categorized them as eighty-two (82) soft tissue (neck/whiplash, bruise) injuries, four (4) concussions, fifty-nine (59) headaches, and one hundred eighteen (118) without a specific injury description.Although complainants have alleged injuries, ODI has been unable to obtain evidence to substantiate or validate any injuries where medical treatment was required.Consumer outreach was conducted by ODI, where sixty-three (63) FCA complainants with alleged injuries were contacted.Twelve of the sixty-three FCA consumers responded and were interviewed by ODI.ODI requested medical records, however, only one response was provided. Attorneys representing the responding complainant provided a synopsis that indicated they had experienced prior neck-related injuries dating to the mid-1990s.ODI also contacted one hundred (100) consumers who submitted Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) in an attempt to validate alleged injuries. Despite the efforts of ODI, the office has been unsuccessful at obtaining substantive documentation/evidence supporting complaints that allege serious injuries (where pre-existing medical conditions did not already exist). In addition to the low severity of alleged injuries caused by AHR deployments, there have been eleven alleged crashes and two alleged lane departures within the entire subject vehicle population that has been in the field up to sixteen years (with over 8,500 AHR inadvertent deployments).ODI was not able to validate that the alleged crashes were the result of inadvertent head rest deployments, and the crashes were minor in nature. ODI has conducted a thorough investigation of the alleged safety defect and with up to sixteen years of exposure for some vehicles and over 8,500 inadvertent AHR deployments, no serious crashes or injuries could be validated in the sub-population of focus.The lack of serious injuries validated by ODI with such large period of field exposure is consistent with thework done by NHTSA’s Human Injury Research Division and the Biodynamic Research Corporation, which support that an inadvertent AHR deployment is not likely to cause serious injury.In addition to the low risk of injury, FCA released an extended warranty program that covers inadvertent AHR deployment for ten years / unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. PE19014 is closed with the FCA extended warranty program.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances. To review a complete closing summary, please the attached closing report. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Transmission completely failed and had to be risky rebuilt. I was just driving down the highway and the transmission went into limp mode and I came to a fast slow down as it dropped the gearing. Also have noticed a huge issue with electronics putting me into a limp mode with wipers on headlights wont shut off, lose dash lights and speedometer with no blinkers or hazard lights. This left me in a very unsafe place as I had no way to tell other drivers where I was going or see how fast im going. Could have caused a huge accident 😕. Please look into this as there are many issues of this happening.

NHTSA ID

11752929

Incident

Jun 24, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while sitting in the vehicle with the vehicle turned off, the front driver's side seat headrest exploded without warning or impact. There was no injury sustained; however, the contact had a headache afterwards. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.

NHTSA ID

11751159

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

Mileage

157,000 mi

This is a safety-defect complaint regarding the Front Seat Active Head Restraint (AHR) on our 2015 Chrysler. In March 2025 the front passenger AHR SPONTANEOUSLY deployed with no collision or impact. The head restraint is now permanently dislodged and dangling from its original position. This creates an immediate safety hazard: it distracts the driver, protrudes into the front passenger seat area, and can cause pain or injury to front-seat passengers. This defeats the very purpose of the AHR and introduces new risks of harm. This is the exact defect NHTSA investigated in PE19-014 (inadvertent AHR deployment without crash). NHTSA closed that investigation in 2026 without a recall, citing FCA’s 10-year / Unlimited Miles warranty extension as sufficient remedy. However, FCA NEVER NOTIFIED US of the extension — even though our vehicle's VIN has been registered in our names at the same home address for ALMOST 5 years. We only discovered the warranty extension days ago through independent research. Our vehicle has extremely low mileage (59,666 miles total as of February 2026 — only 17,265 miles added in the 4.6 years of our ownership). We are the second owners and there is no history of accidents. Because we were never informed of the warranty extension, we could not request inspection or repair even though we were still within the 10-year extension when the headrest deployed. FCA customer service has now denied coverage, despite our initiating multiple phone calls and a detailed demand letter we sent in February 2026 with no response. As [XXX] and [XXX] on fixed Social Security income, we cannot afford an expensive replacement. The dangling head restraint remains an ongoing safety risk in our primary family vehicle. Please investigate this matter, particularly the failure to notify affected owners of the warranty extension that NHTSA relied upon to close PE19-014. The manufacturer’s “remedy” is ineffective if owners are never told it exists! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),

NHTSA ID

11726094

Incident

Mar 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shuddered while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a transmission flush was performed; however, the failure persisted, and the vehicle started stalling after the repair. An independent mechanic was informed about the failure, and the contact was informed that the transmission fluid flush would take a while to take effect. The contact was informed to monitor the issue to see if the failure continued or worsened. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, who diagnosed it with transmission failure. After negotiating with the mechanic about what to do with the vehicle, the mechanic suggested that replacing the torque converter would repair the transmission. The contact agreed to replace the torque converter. Less than a week after the repair, the check engine warning light was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, and DTC: P0868 (Transmission Fluid Pressure Low) was retrieved. The vehicle was taken back to the original mechanic, and the mechanic was informed about the fault code. The contact was then informed that the transmission oil cooler hose assembly needed to be replaced, and the contact had the part replaced. While the contact's husband was driving home after the repair, the vehicle stalled upon approaching a stop sign. The driver continued driving, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local mechanic, and DTC: P0868 was retrieved. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V461000 (Power Train); and associated the recall with the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was informed that there were no recalls associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

NHTSA ID

11717217

Incident

Oct 1, 2025

Mileage

98,000 mi

Plastic oil filter housing leaking oil causing check engine light to come on. P06DD oil pressure code for not changing to high pressure. Common problem with 3.6L engine. Can lead to engine failure. Failed housing needs to be replaced with upgraded aluminum housing. This is located under the intake manifold and is an involved repair that is typically in excess of $1,000.

NHTSA ID

11716376

Incident

Feb 6, 2026

The contact owns a 2015 Chrysler Town and Country. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the active head restraint on the driver's seat deployed independently, causing the contact get injured on the back of his head. The contact confirmed there was no impact, object, or crash. No warning lights were illuminated in the vehicle. No medical attention was required. The dealer or an independent mechanic was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent for diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11715143

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

Mileage

70,000 mi

Driver side active headrest deployed while driving the vehicle causing safety concern and head/neck injury and pain.

NHTSA ID

11710988

Incident

Dec 16, 2025

2015 Chrysler Town and Country lost propulsion power while driving, endangering 2 occupants and surrounding drivers. While driving on a residential road, vehicle came to a stop at intersection. Upon attempting to accelerate from stop and applying gas, vehicle jolted and would not accelerate past 5 miles an hour with transmission engaging and disengaging while shifter was in drive. Vehicle's transmission would intermittently engage and disengage for 1/2 mile with no warning lights or error messages. Vehicle idled as normal, but vehicle would not engage transmission properly when shifter set to "Drive" position. Vehicle was then parked in driveway off of the road.

NHTSA ID

11705676

Incident

Dec 17, 2025

PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE

PAD KIT - REAR DISC BRAKE, FRONT DISC BRAKE

"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)."

Incoming Vehicles with Deployed Active Head Rest (AHR) should have a through enquiry. If there is no Broken Pieces or Electrical failure, Direction to RESET the AHR following the Procedure.

Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On

LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect.