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.

2004 Chrysler Pacifica body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2004 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #129

Sep 202019

Pacifica

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Subframe/Engine Cradle failed due to rust. Subframe is available for inspection upon request. My safety or the safety of others is put at risk due to the failed (rusted, corroded, rotted) subframe/engine cradle. Vehicle-??s engine is at risk of falling through the vehicle-??s frame at any moment whether the vehicle is parked or being driven. This problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle and the subframe component has been inspected by a Master ASE Certified Mechanic. No symptoms of the problem prior to the failure that owner has ever been made aware of.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #128

Nov 012020

Pacifica

  • 11,800 miles
The under carriage that holds engine in place is completely rusted through. I bought brand new tires from belle tire on September 9, 2020. By November 1 2020 I was observing extreme wear on the brand new tires. Went to my mechanic and was told the car is unsafe to drive due to the cradle rust rot, and the engine is about ready to fall out and would cause catastrophic emergency I and my family could die. Trying to find replacement and am being told it is such a problem that there is no parts available to fix this problem

- Hudsonville, MI, USA

problem #127

Jun 042020

Pacifica

  • 75,000 miles
Upon taking a the vehicle to a mechanic, I was informed the subframe which supports the engine is rusting to the point it will not hold the engine causing catastrophic failure. I have become aware Chrysler is aware of the future failure and will not fix it.

- Peoria, IL, USA

problem #126

Jun 122020

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 167,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle was taken to service. Shop would not work on vehicle stating the deterioration of the subframe was to extensive and they would not work on it. Upon closer inspection showed the frame in a great state of decay, with some places only being held together with thin strips of metal. These vehicles were recalled in the past for defective frames however not all were recalled and this is one vehicle that was not. The motor in these vehicles will fall out and could cause an accident which could result in serious injury or loss of life. These frames are defective in workmanship from the factory and should be handled by the factory across all 2004-2008 Chrysler Pacifica's affected by defective equipment knowingly installed by the factory that will lead to an accident and cause serious injury or death. Thousands of these vehicles are on the road today with occupants unknowingly driving these vehicles which are "ticking time bombs".

- Staunton, VA, USA

problem #125

Nov 232019

Pacifica

  • 141,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the front passenger side frame rail was rotted. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 141,000.

- Lowell, IN, USA

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problem #124

Nov 042019

Pacifica

  • miles
Car runs and drives well. However, our mechanice says the subframe is rusted so it will not pass inspection.

- Broadalbin, NY, USA

problem #123

Aug 242019

Pacifica

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Took a short drive. Turned off the vehicle. After a couple minutes smoke and flames were coming out of the hood. Grabbed a fire extinguisher opened the hood and put out the fire on the passenger side. The air filter housing was melted.embers were still spreading along the insulation attached to the hood. Manually removed the spreading embers with some tools. Not sure the cause. Also why is the insulation made of a material that is not fireproof?

- Lincoln, NE, USA

problem #122

Mar 012018

Pacifica

  • 110,000 miles
Engine cradle rusted out-had to be replaced. Chrysler failed to properly coat the engine cradles which allowed rust to damage the cradles and create a serious safety defect.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #121

Mar 182019

Pacifica

  • 199,000 miles
The sub-frame has rusted through, my mechanic is concerned about the possibility of the engine falling out if not addressed. It seems to be a common problem with the Pacifica model but I did not find out about it until I took it to my mechanic to find out why the car would "bounce" while driving down the road. It is especially noticeable when the car is shifting. He was shocked at the amount of rust he found underneath.

- Point Lookout, MO, USA

problem #120

Jan 032019

Pacifica

  • 164,000 miles
Front frame cradle rusted out. Was getting oil changed the garage I took it too brought it to my attention that is was very unsafe

- Rochester, IN, USA

problem #119

Dec 252018

Pacifica

  • 177,987 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall stationary, rusted crossmember

- Dayton, ME, USA

problem #118

Apr 062018

Pacifica

  • 125,000 miles
Cradle rot. Apply brakes & engine shifts forward.

- Marlton, NJ, USA

problem #117

Aug 282018

Pacifica

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While the vehicle was at tire discounters (7771 five mile road, cincinnati, Ohio 45230, (513) 618-1613) for a routine oil change, the engine cradle subframe was found to be severely corroded. The engine cradle subframe was not replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #116

Aug 272018

Pacifica

  • miles
I bought this vehicle used and then found out that the engine cradle has a rust hole in it which may make it unsafe to drive. I also learned that it is a common problem with this make and model and that Chrysler has no intention of addressing this problem. Chrysler obviously made this part sub-standard and should provide a replacement for the substandard part. It is definitely a safety hazard.

- Plymouth, MN, USA

problem #115

Apr 272018

Pacifica

  • 210,000 miles
I took my car in for an oil change and the mechanic informed me that the main sub frame was rusted and my car would not pass inspection without this being repaired. I see there is a major problem that Chrysler will not address. I need help

- Highland, NY, USA

problem #114

Feb 212018

Pacifica

  • 106,000 miles
There was a klunk in front end-took to mechanic-the subframe on the vehicle is rusted and is a safety hazard.

- Sioux City, IA, USA

problem #113

Dec 222017

Pacifica

  • 185,000 miles
Engine cradle rusting through: I took my wife's 2004 Chrysler Pacifica with 185,000 miles on it to our local mechanic for a small transmission leak. Once he got the car up on the lift he noticed the engine cradle was rusting through. He told me he thought there was a recall on it. I went on the internet and seen that there were hundreds of folks with the same issue. I contacted Chrysler case number: 3571359 and they told me I had to have a authorized Chrysler service dealer inspect the vehicle and they would see what they could do. I took our vehicle to the local Chrysler service dealer and had it inspected. They said that the cradle was perforated and rusted through and that it was past it's warranty by years and mileage. I sent that information to Chrysler and they emailed me back and said that they reviewed the information that the dealership reported but it was nothing they could do. The car is past the years and mileage of it's warranty. I sent them an E-mail saying how disappointed I am about there decision to do nothing about an issue they knew they had. My wife loves her Pacifica, we have owned it over 12 years. She bought it as a demo. It still runs great, it still looks great and even with the 185,000 miles on it the only thing that is wrong with it is the engine cradle rusting through. I feel that this issue could have been resolved years ago if Chrysler had sent us a recall or something to tell us that the cradle metal was inferior and should have been replaced / repaired sooner before our warranty ran out. Not to mention that it should have been a safety concern if the cradle would have rusted through and the engine fell out. I think this is a costly repair that we should have never had to do. I think Chrysler should help us with the resolution of getting our car repaired since they knew there was a problem and didn't tell us.

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

problem #112

Nov 252017

Pacifica

  • 132,000 miles
During a state inspection in Nov, 2017, I found out that the engine cradle frame, on the passenger side, is rusted. I called Chrysler today, on 800-992-1997, to find out if there is a recall. Sadly I was informed that there was none. The strange thing is that no other part of the circle shows any rusted part.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #111

Aug 312017

Pacifica

  • 75,000 miles
I gave my daughter my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica so she would have a vehicle that would Transport her, her two children ages 7 and 2, her husband and friends, pets and/or others. Her husband is a mechanic and as soon as she got it home he looked it over and refused to let her drive it. He said that the sub-frame was rusted-out and that it was unsafe to drive. After some research into the matter I discovered that what he referred to as a sub-frame was called the "engine cradle" and that this has been a problem with the Pacifica(s). There were service bulletins sent to service centers and that Chrysler acknowledged a problem for the Pacifica built for only a few months. The problem has occurred on many other months and years. The potential for deaths and injuries is a reality! if this engine cradle were to give way at slow speeds there would probably only be injuries to the occupants, unless another vehicle were involved in which case more injuries and death could occur. If the engine cradle were to fail at highway speeds and the engine hit the highway I can envision an end-over-end crash that would likely kill the occupants. If there were other vehicles involved there is no telling how many injuries and deaths there may be. I don't know if this has happened yet and if so how many times and to what severities, but my daughter, my grandchildren and son-in-law are not going to be victims. I seriously hope that it does not take the loss of life or lives to have this potentially deadly problem addressed and corrected. The cost of the repair is higher than the worth of the vehicle and the manufacturer must absorb the cost the repair.

- Kent, OH, USA

problem #110

Dec 292017

Pacifica

  • 222,222 miles
Subframe severely rusted to include areas around bolts to frame. Appears to have happened over time.

- Bowie, MD, USA

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