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2016 Chrysler 200: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners filed 344 complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Chrysler 200[1]. Two recalls cover it, and one of them is for cruise control that may not switch off[2][3].
Most reported problems
NHTSA has 344 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Of those, 22 mention a crash, 11 a fire and 20 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car, so the groups below overlap.
- Engine, 132 complaints[6]. Median mileage at failure is 41,000[6]. In the sample of 12 complaints we read, 10 describe the car stalling or shutting off while driving, sometimes with dashboard messages, and needing a restart[6]. Four of the 12 describe rough or delayed gear changes[6].
- Electrical system, 112 complaints[7]. Median mileage at failure is 45,000[7]. In the sample of 12 we read, 8 describe losing power or stalling while driving, often with warning lights[7]. Two describe rodents chewing wiring and two describe heavy oil loss before a stall[7].
- Air bags, 88 complaints[8]. This group has 14 crashes and 16 injuries, more of each than any other group[8]. In the sample of 12 we read, 6 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash and 5 describe an air bag warning light or service message, with one more mentioning it alongside transmission trouble[8]. The reports alone cannot tell us whether the air bags should have deployed in each crash.
- Power train, 63 complaints[9]. Median mileage at failure is 43,500[9]. In the sample of 12 we read, 8 describe hard, slow or slipping gear changes and 7 describe power loss or stalling while driving[9]. One describes a gear selector that is easy to knock into park or reverse[9].
Smaller groups are unknown or other with 55 complaints[10], brakes with 36[11], steering with 23[12] and electronic stability control with 18[13]. The unknown or other group has the most fire mentions, with 7[10].
Recalls
NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[2].
- Cruise control software (18V332). Filed May 17, 2018[3]. If a short circuit hits the wiring while cruise control is on, the driver may not be able to turn it off with the brake or the switch[3]. The car could then hold its speed or speed up, which raises the risk of a crash[3]. The fix is a free software update that dealers install on the engine or powertrain control module[3]. Until it is done, Chrysler advises owners to stop using cruise control[3]. If it will not switch off while driving, the advice is to brake firmly and steadily, shift to neutral and park once stopped[3]. This recall covers many Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM models, and the 2015 to 2017 Chrysler 200 is one of them[3].
- Chassis fasteners (16V589). Filed August 10, 2016[14]. It covers 192 cars built on May 24 and 25, 2016[14]. Some chassis fastener joints may not have been tightened enough, so they could loosen or fall out, which would reduce steering and handling and raise the risk of a crash[14]. Dealers check the joints and, where needed, retighten them or swap the fasteners, at no cost to the owner[14]. A car built outside those dates is not part of this recall[14].
Fuel economy
EPA rates the 2016 Chrysler 200 with an Automatic 9-spd in every version we have[4][15][16][17]. Fuel economy depends a lot on the engine.
| Version | City | Highway | Combined | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl, front-wheel drive[4] | 23 | 36 | 27 | $2,500 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl, front-wheel drive[17] | 19 | 31 | 23 | $2,900 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl, all-wheel drive[16] | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,050 |
The 2.4L is also listed on gasoline or E85 with the same ratings and the same cost[15]. Fuel cost is an EPA estimate, not what any one driver will pay[4].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel drive 5 stars overall, 5 for frontal crash, 5 for side crash and 4 for rollover[5]. The 4-door all-wheel drive has 5 stars for side crash and 4 for rollover, and no overall rating in our data[18]. Rollover risk is 10.7% for both[18][5].
Engine and size
EPA lists the 2.4L 4-cylinder at 184 hp[19] and the 3.6L 6-cylinder at 295 hp[20].
| Measure | Front-wheel drive sedan | All-wheel drive sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Length[21][22] | 193 in | 193 in |
| Width[21][22] | 71 in | 71 in |
| Height[21][22] | 58 in | 58 in |
| Wheelbase[21][22] | 108 in | 108 in |
| Curb weight[21][22] | 3,472 lb | 3,794 lb |
These dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[22].
How 2016 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 371 | 3 |
| 2012 | 638 | 4 |
| 2013 | 628 | 5 |
| 2014 | 192 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1,993 | 8 |
| 2016 | 344 | 2 |
| 2017 | 43 | 1 |
NHTSA has data for seven Chrysler 200 model years[2]. The 2016 model has 344 complaints and 2 recalls[2]. Four years have more complaints: 2011 with 371, 2012 with 638, 2013 with 628 and 2015 with 1,993[2]. Only 2014 with 192 and 2017 with 43 have fewer[2].
For recalls, 2015 has 8, 2013 has 5, 2012 has 4 and 2011 has 3, so 2016 sits below those years[2]. The 2014 and 2017 models have 1 each[2]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so this shows how much was reported and does not rank the years by quality.
Should you buy a used 2016 Chrysler 200?
The 2016 model sits in the middle of the Chrysler 200 years for complaints and recalls[2]. In the complaints we sampled, owners describe stalling or power loss while driving and rough shifting, so watch for both on a test drive[6][9]. The air bags group has the most reported crashes and injuries, and these are unverified reports[8]. Ask for proof that the cruise control recall was done, and check whether the car falls in the chassis fastener recall dates[3][14]. If fuel cost matters, the 2.4L is rated 27 MPG combined, against 23 or 22 for the V6[4][17][16].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chrysler 200?
- NHTSA has 344 complaints on file[1]. Engine is the largest group with 132[6], followed by electrical system with 112[7]. In the samples we read, owners describe stalling or power loss while driving[6][7].
- Does the 2016 Chrysler 200 have any recalls?
- Two are on file[2]. Recall 18V332 is about cruise control that may not switch off[3]. Recall 16V589 covers 192 cars built May 24 and 25, 2016 for chassis fasteners that may be too loose[14].
- What gas mileage does the 2016 Chrysler 200 get?
- EPA rates the 2.4L 4-cylinder at 23 city, 36 highway and 27 combined MPG[4]. The 3.6L V6 with front-wheel drive is 19, 31 and 23[17]. With all-wheel drive it is 18, 28 and 22[16].
- How safe is the 2016 Chrysler 200?
- NHTSA gives the front-wheel drive 4-door 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[5]. The all-wheel drive 4-door has 5 stars for side crash and 4 for rollover[18].
- Is 2016 a good year for the Chrysler 200?
- The 2016 model has 344 complaints and 2 recalls, compared with 1,993 and 8 for 2015[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so they do not rank quality.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 344 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Chrysler 200 (22 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 20 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Chrysler 200 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V332, filed May 17, 2018: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 200, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 36 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 132 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 41,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 112 complaints name the electrical system component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 88 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 1 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 63 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 43,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 55 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,231). NHTSA vehicle records
- 36 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,074). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 16V589, filed August 10, 2016: Structure. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for 200, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 36 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for 200 AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 28 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for 200, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 9-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 31 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chrysler 200 with 2.4L 4-cylinder: rated 184 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2016 Chrysler 200 with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 295 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 200 4DR SEDAN FWD: length 193 in, width 71 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,472 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, 200 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 193 in, width 71 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,794 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov