Ram recall 16V461 covers 26,298 2015-2016 Promaster, Journey, Grand Caravan, and Town And Country vehicles. Transmission-pump repair is free at franchised Ram dealers.
Ram is recalling 26,298 2015-2016 Promaster, Journey, Grand Caravan, and Town And Country vehicles because the transmission pump can seize and cause a loss of hydraulic pressure. If pressure is lost, the vehicle can lose motive power, increasing crash risk; Ram dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The automatic transmission in the 2015-2016 Promaster, Journey, Grand Caravan, and Town And Country uses hydraulic pressure to move power through the drivetrain. A transmission pump creates that pressure by moving transmission fluid through the valve body and clutch circuits. When the pump works normally, the transmission selects gears and keeps the vehicle moving as the driver accelerates.
In affected vehicles, the problem is inside the transmission pump rotor pocket, the machined space where the pump rotor spins. The pocket was built with dimensional variance outside the allowed tolerance because the in-line gage was not mastered correctly. That poor fit lets the pump rotor seize, which stops the pump from building hydraulic pressure.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the pump seizes, the transmission loses hydraulic pressure and no longer delivers power through the drivetrain the way it should.
Who's affected?
Covers Promaster, Journey, Grand Caravan, and Town And Country across the 2015 and 2016 model years, all involving the automatic transmission.
| 2016 Ram Promaster | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2016 Dodge Journey | automatic transmission |
| 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan | automatic transmission |
| 2015 Chrysler Town And Country | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Chrysler Town And Country | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 26,298 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
A transmission pump failure can drop hydraulic pressure and take away motive power, which increases crash risk in traffic. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and drive cautiously until it is completed. Repair is free at any franchised Ram dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2015-2016 Ram Promaster, Journey, Grand Caravan, or Town And Country is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ram dealer to schedule the free transmission-pump replacement that fixes the loss of hydraulic pressure.
- Bring the recall notice if Ram has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V461 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and leave extra room to pull over if the vehicle loses motive power.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ram technician replaces the transmission pump. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered. If you already paid out of pocket for a transmission pump repair tied to this recall, the owner letter asks customers to send the original receipt or other proof of payment to the company for reimbursement review. Keep copies of any paperwork you submit.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 24, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 1, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| August 1, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 1, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 18, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 18, 2016 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V461?
Recall 16V461 covers 26,298 2015-2016 Ram Promaster, Journey, Grand Caravan, and Town And Country vehicles with a transmission pump that can seize and cause loss of hydraulic pressure. That can cut motive power and increase crash risk. Dealers replace the transmission pump for free.
What should I do if my 2015-2016 Ram Promaster, Journey, Grand Caravan, or Town And Country is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V461. If it is, call a franchised Ram dealer and ask to schedule the transmission pump replacement. Reference recall S44 or campaign 16V461 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair this defect at no cost, and the remedy for recall 16V461 is a free transmission pump replacement at a franchised Ram dealer. Parts and labor are covered.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of motive power. In recall 16V461, the transmission pump can seize, which causes a loss of hydraulic pressure in the automatic transmission. If that happens while driving, the vehicle can lose propulsion and crash risk increases.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2015-2016 vehicle is included, then contact a franchised Ram dealer and reference recall 16V461 or S44.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V461000 |
|---|---|
| Ram customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V461 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V461000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →