2016 Chrysler Town and Country: whining or grinding noise

Filed Aug 8, 2025 · Transmission · MI

Van was driving fine, no issues. Regular maintenance done, and 100,000 mile work completed within last year. One day it was totally fine, the next day it was whining, hopping and driving unsafely. Transmission randomly needs replaced. Throwing codes for low pressure and the pump losing prime. All codes were transmission lost of pressure related and the transmission has an internal failure.

Filed May 15, 2023 · Transmission · IA

While driving with my children, my 2016 Chrysler Town & Country Limited Platinum van started to make a loud whining noise and then it started lurching forward. I could tell it tried switching gears but transmission was slipping. There was no errors given. This happened suddenly. Vehicle has 88,000 miles. I drove home, but barely made it home as it wouldn't switch gears smoothly. I had it towed to transmission shop. They said the transmission was shot and needed replaced or complete rebuild. Error code give was P0844 loss of hydraulic pump prime.

Filed Apr 7, 2022 · Transmission · FL

While driving home from shopping, vehicle lost power and started making a high-pitched whining noise. Engine was running fine but automatic transmission would not shift. This happened on road with speed limit of 50mph and I couldn't get the vehicle to go over 20mph. No warning lamps or messages appeared on the dash and there were no symptoms of any problem prior to this event, which happened on 4/4/2022. Vehicle was towed to local licensed repair shop. They have checked vehicle out and confirmed transmission needs to be replaced at only 79,000 miles!

Filed Oct 24, 2021 · Transmission · KY

Likely transmission pump failure or torque converter failure. Mileage is approximately 69,000. This is the second failure with same symptoms. Transmission slips out of gear, whines, clicks. Whining goes away when placed in neutral. After transmission slipped check engine light came on, no prior indication this was going to occur. Safety jeopardized on this occassion as we were pulling out of driveway located on blind curve when transmission failed. No collision occurred, but no action could've been taken to avoid collision if a vehicle come around curve. Was towed to Moore Ford Hartford Kentucky where the first repair was made. There was a known recall on 2015-2016 chrysler town and country for this problem. Dates of Manufacture: JUL 30, 2015 to APR 17, 2016 Manufacturer Recall Number: S44 the federal safety agency Campaign ID: 16V461000 Unsure if this unit was included in recall, but with this being second failure during our ownership I believe it deserve attention.

Filed Jul 30, 2021 · Transmission · NE

My van only has 59,400 miles on it. We were on vacation stopped at a stoplight, when the light turned green, I stepped on the gas pedal, the engine would rev up and there was a high pitched sound, and then the van would jerk forward. The van exhibited difficulty with shifting. No warning lights came on before this incident, only after the van started to exhibit difficulty shifting. Codes noted: P0734-Gear Ratio Error in 4th P0868-Line Pressure Low P0745-Gear Ratio Error in 5th P083B-LC Pressure switch rationality P1790- Fault Immediately After Shift P0944-Loss of hydraulic Pump Prime I had to have my van towed to a Chrysler dealership they noted that the transmission fluid pump line pressure was only getting to 25 psi and loud whine from pump. Debris noted in the pan. Transmission was replaced with reman due to debris in the pan and replaced trans cooler and flushed transmission lines. Had I kept driving my van, it could have easily stalled in an intersection. If that would have happened, my family could have easily been hit by on-coming traffic. There is a recall S44 for 2016 Chrysler Town and Country Vans for this exact thing happening to the transmission. I do not understand why my van is not included in the recall. My van only has 59,400 miles, this should not happen.

Filed Mar 26, 2021 · Transmission · 74,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound while driving at various speeds. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the drive belts however, the noise persisted. The contact stated that while her husband was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began shaking and stalled while approaching a traffic light. The vehicle shut off as the vehicle came to a stop. After several attempts the vehicle restarted. Once the contact's husband made it to his place of employment, he had the vehicle towed to the residence and then back to the same independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with a defective trans-axle oil pump. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v461000 (power train) which she linked to the failure however, the VIN was not included in the recal. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

Filed Jun 8, 2020 · Transmission · 167,300 miles · MO

Driving on city street, transmission started making a whining noise and lost power.

Filed Mar 9, 2020 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · MO · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 chrysler town and country. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds without warning a loud whining noise was heard with the vehicle unstable power control. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle operated as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred multiple times. Lindsay chrysler dodge llc, located at (809 missouri ave, saint robert, mo 65584 (573) 336-3000) was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v461000 (power train) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Filed Jan 12, 2020 · 98,000 miles · TN

While driving home from gas station, van started making whining noise and the RPM would just jump up all on its own. This is a van and have children that ride in it regularly and thankfully they was not in the car at that time. Was able to safely make it home and parked the car. Spoke to a mechanic and determined it was a transmission pump problem. I looked up my VIN number and according to multiple websites there was a recall on the van during a specific time frame my van was made. While looking my VIN number up on website though however it says there is no recalls on my van. Even though according to the main website my van should be covered under the months the recall was made for??? The website says it is covered under recall but typing in my VIN number there is no recall?? That makes no sense. The car would just randomly excelerate and jump RPM while driving. I'm very lucky there was no one on the road or no children in the car. I work sundays at my employment and had to take the day off due to nothing being opened to get fixed. Why is one website saying my car in covered but another is saying there is no recall???? I read several complaints from other people. If the manufacture made 37000 cars with this recall problem and it ended up blowing that many peoples transmission up, shame on them for not covering their product. Miles are right around 100000.

Filed Dec 9, 2019 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · MI

I heard a whining from the engine after traveling at highway speeds. Checked engine with no noticeable cause. After traveling further, the check engine light came on and the whine got worse. Took it to the dealership the next day and was informed that the transmission pump had failed.

Filed Oct 11, 2019 · Transmission · 72,015 miles · MS

The transmission pump and converter failed causing the transmission to lose power,slip out of gear,clunk. While pulling away from a stop sign. The transmission would whine,vibrate, clunk when put into a heavy strain like pulling a steep hill. This is the same transmission and problem as the recall. Chrysler said my VIN did not fall under the recall s44 . I believe chrysler should be held responsible knowing the transmission was faulty.

Filed Jul 15, 2019 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · NJ

Purchased van used from non-chrysler dealer june 2018. Since owning van we have only taken to chrysler for all maintenance work needed. After last oil change we felt the van was"acting funny". Trans. Was slipping/banging into gear on up shift and downshift.(intermittently) called dealership a week after oil change to take van back to get checked out. They said we had to schedule appointment for the end of may they were to bust to get us in any sooner. On may 29,2019 the van had a awful scrapping/whistle/buzzing noise coming from trans/engine area. No warning lights. On my way home from work van would be sluggish and then all of a sudden have a surge of power*bang* into gear especially when stopped at traffic lights then trying to go again. Almost ran into car stopped in front of me. Took van to chrysler dealer may 30th. Barely made it to dealer van had no power, loud whining/buzzing, banging into gear. Check engine light went on going to dealer. Findings by dealership trans oil pump loss of pressure. Suggesting replacing the trans. Assy. Asked them about recall for 2016/town&country trans pump? The dealer and chrysler goodwill dept. Both said van does not have recall? And because it has 66,374 miles the powertrain warranty is over & because we didn't purchase car from the dealership they can't help us with extending warranty or goodwill for replacing the transmission assy. The dealership diagnosed our problem as the same as the recall.