CarComplaints.com Notes: Engine cradle rot is a serious problem in the 2004-05 Chrysler Pacifica. Chrysler admits they didn't apply enough coating to the vehicle's sub-frame during assembly, but only offered to cover a very small portion of the vehicles they messed up.
So what happens when your engine cradle rots? Well, the engine could fall out for starters. It could also cause problems with the suspension and other components but did I mention THE ENGINE CAN FALL OUT? The worst part is you might not know because there's no way to see the problem without getting under the car.
If you have a 2004-05 Pacifica, make sure to have your mechanic inspect your sub-frame for rust and corrosion.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,640 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
This car has a serious rust issue on the undercarriage. It starts on the subframe then works its way to the frame of the car. There front suspension has been replaced 3 times in the month alone. Due to this issue I have in regards to this, I can't jack my car up with the jack that comes with the care, if I do it will go right thru that is what it feels like to me.. I can not get a rear alignment on my car because of the rust and my tired have worn or day. If anyone knows anything could they please help I am feed up with this care..
I took my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica to have routine maintanence done on it. I was told from my mechanic that my frame was rusty, rotten and had holes in it. He went on to say that it is dangerous to be driving as the frame of the car in an accident will not be effective and would basically crumble. He said to immediately take it to a Chrysler dealership and have them look at it. I took it as told to the dealership and they did confim my mechanics finding. They handed me a phone # to Chrysler. I called and got the run around again and again. Yes they are aware of the problem, but my car isnt included in the 7000 to be fixed. But yes it has the same issues, but no we cant help you. It is a $2500 fix that Chrysler is well aware of. I have poured over online articles, news casts, all concluding the same thing. Some get fixed and some dont. I was told by my dealership to file a comlaint, keep on complaining and hope Chrysler will help. It is a safety concern in driving my car, there is no safety in my car right now, nor is there any value to my car as even the dealership has told me... they cannot take it in on trade or anything else for that matter as it is unsafe. Help!!!! it appears that only the people that get any help are the ones that go to the press/news etc.
Took my car to have a plastic front panel put back on. The repairman sent me pictures of the engine cradle rusted out. Told me the car was unsafe to drive until it was fixed. Contacted local Chrysler dealer and gave me information to contact customer service. Called customer service and my vehicle was outside the coverage described on bulletin 13-001-12 issued on Mar 16, 2012 by Chrysler. They were not able to provide any relief on the repairs which will be between $3500 and $4000 depending on parts cost. My vehicle was built September 18, 2003, and put in service on December 22, 2003. The service bulletin only covered vehicles from Feb 23, 2004 to Mar 31, 2004. I am sure my vehicle is in the same category as the covered vehicles, same rust problem, same areas of the car, etc.
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the frame was completely corroded. The failure was gradually getting worse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
- Scottsburg, IN, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Took car in for inspection that is required in the state of pa..mechanic would not ok inspection sticker because the engine cradle on my Pacifica is so badly rusted..you could put your fist into it...can not be repaired because it is all falling apart...I was told not to drive it...to dangerous...I called Chrysler they will not do anything about it...I see on the internet and the news that I am not the only person having this problem...my car only had 50,000 miles on it because I am retired...can't anyone do anything about this before we end up dead...what about states that don't inspect you cars...what am I to do retired and no car to drive...I can't afford the price of repair...Chrysler should take care of this...they need to stand behind their products.
Engine cradle/mount and frame is completely rusted out. Unsafe to drive. Stuck with a pile of steel that has no trade in value or resale value. Apparently, this effects almost every 2004 Pacifica. NHTSA ought to be looking into this issue more closely. It's obvious that the hundred's who've registered a complaint on this website are feeling that the Agency does not care to investigate. Shame on Chrysler; shame on NHTSA.
On above state date, I took my vehicle in for a routine oil change and tire rotation. My mechanic discovered that the subframe/engine cradle had rusted out and that I shouldn't drive it until it is repaired. Stated "you could have died in this thing". after getting it repaired, I spoke to a customer service repair person at Chrysler and they informed me that due to my Chrysler Pacifica being manufactured on September of 2003 and not between February and March of 2004, they could not help me. The rep went on to add that she hears from people regularly in the same predicament but unfortunately she couldn't help. I believe she said her name was belinda or melinda.
The engine cradle has rusted out and the engine is ready to fall out of the car. Cannot pass safety inspection. No assistance from Chrysler on this after many calls. It seems to be a very, very popular issue. They said they will only fix something that has a recall. So basically they will not stand behind their products unless they are forced to. What a shame!
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the vehicle had severe rusting and corrosion of the under frame and engine cradle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 102,000.
I was jacking up the car to replace the brakes and the jack stand went right through the body sill! I looked closer and the entire undercarriage and subframe of the car underneath is completely rusted. Do not place your jack or jack stand near the body sill without checking it very closely. If your working on your Pacifica and it falls off the jack stands you could be killed! on my 2004 Pacifica, there is not one good place to put a jackstand. Everything is completely rusted. It is impossible to work on the car if you have to jack it up.
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the sub cradle on the vehicle was covered with an excessive amount of rust. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or a local mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The failure mileage was 85,000. The current mileage was 87,000.
Was warned that entire frame us rotted to a point where it will be unsafe to drive within the next few months. I have an 04 Pacifica with 165,000 miles on it to date. I was warned about 5K miles ago but he wasn't as concerned now that they see how fast it is weakening. Sad... I was so happy with my car for the past 10 years...
Vehicle purchased from dealer on 1-13-05 with 16,312 miles - with carfax history report. As of 2-11-14 it has 48,550. Also purchased the maxi care service contract - intended on keeping this car for over 100,000 miles. It has been garage kept and babied. Noticed a little bubbled paint about a year ago - now my repair shop suggested that I try to get rid of it before it gets any worse. There is absolutely no other damage to the vehicle inside or out. Looks brand new except for the rust described above.considering what I have read online I would be afraid to even sell this vehicle to another person in fear of a fatal accident. Is Chrysler going to do anything about this issue. I have to go out and buy another vehicle 50,000 miles prematurely. Why should I have to loose all this money"????"
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who discovered that the engine cradle was corroded. The contact notified the manufacturer of the defect but no solution was offered. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 113,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the sub-frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who verified the failure and stated that it needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that an independent mechanic discovered the engine cradle was rusted and corroded. The contact notified the dealer of the defect but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000 and the current mileage was 141,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that an independent mechanic discovered the engine cradle was rusted and corroded. The contact notified the dealer of the defect but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer of the defect but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 124,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Riverside, CA, USA