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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,240 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #49

Dec 112020

Pacifica

  • 150,000 miles

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

Driving down interstate when the cruise cut out and the engine skipped. Pulled over to check engine fluids and all were ok. No engine warning lights or any other indication of something being wrong. Continued at approx 70 mph when there seemed to be an internal explosion within the engine causing the engine to stop and all front airbags to deploy. Vehicle then caught fire and was totally destroyed.

- Luverne, MN, USA

problem #48

Aug 202020

Pacifica

  • 65,000 miles
Its throwing a PCM code an the car is stalling so bad in the moddle of driving I have been stuck severeal times an I thunk there is a fuel leak I smeell gas so bed its throing PO300 code an wont chanfe even when I got all the parts I see there is a recall on my year of car can somwonw hwlp mw I cant keeo cutting off ill wreck

- Stoneville, NC, USA

problem #47

Feb 052020

Pacifica

  • 149,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle decelerated independently and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on four occasions however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or retrieve a fault code. Additionally, while driving at 40 mph, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The vehicle was towed to brookfield Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1845 pipestone rd, benton harbor, mi 49022), to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the oxygen sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The oxygen sensor was replaced seven times however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

- Hartford, MI, USA

problem #46

Sep 212011

Pacifica

  • 52,000 miles

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

Motor mounts have snapped and been replaced 3 times since purchase! body is too heavy for the frame. Now loud thuds at braking and accelerating. Always have had a fueling issue. Had fuel pumps, sending units, lines, fuel filler nozzle, everything but the tank replaced. Fuel gauge drops to empty even with fuel, when trying to fuel it will not allow it pump will shut off. Usually starts to do this when gas mileage is under 200 remaining. So frustrating. Yet Chrysler denies ever having heard of these issues! I see forums with my same complaint, yet it's a mystery for Chrysler! this has all been a continuous problem since I purchased the car in 2011.

- Winton, CA, USA

problem #45

Aug 082018

Pacifica

  • 129,700 miles
K-frame is rotted out not safe to drive engine could fall out

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

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problem #44

May 182018

Pacifica

  • 195,900 miles
When fueling gas pump automatically shuts off not letting gasoline into fuel pump. When half a tank of gasoline is left in car it automatically goes down to empty on fuel gauge. Egr valve problem, RPM too high when idled, feel like car slows down on own when driving on highway. Engine light on with P0507 code: Idle air control system RPM higher than expected and P1861 fuel line disconnected

- Chino, CA, USA

problem #43

Oct 032017

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Bought my 2004 Pacifica from a dealership used on June 5 2017 at that time I had the oil changed at the dealership the next day. Nothing said about the cradle almost rusted off on right side. Took Pacifica to get tires cause I planned a 1500 mile trip in a few days and wanted good tires. Needless to say besides $400 in tires I had to put $1800 into parts and labor for struts, tie rods, arms, brake pads, rotors and valve stems. Was shown the rusted cradle that was 3/4 rusted through and told it should get changed but the vehicle was safe to take on my trip. While driving when going 25-35mph with my foot on the gas pedal it chugs like its not getting gas and have also noticed it now when going 55 and taking my foot off the gas pedal it doing the same thing. There's been 4 or so times the fuel indicator has gone down to empty and back up again once while idling in a construction zone and almost died twice. Needless to say brought the vehicle to the dealership for an oil change October 3, they changed oil and did an inspection- my vehicle is no longer safe and need to talk to the dealer who sold me the vehicle. Right side of cradle totally rusted off. So why did they even sell the car when they knew it was unsafe or even sell me part because it was unsafe? dealerships and tire dealerships taking advantage of older people and women! I will be going into both these places and needless to say still paying on the repair with their credit card. I cannot drive an unsafe vehicle and put a few more thousand dollars into it. I also had a new battery put in cause not even a week after purchasing it it wouldn't start and needed an interstate battery! I cannot believe Chrysler is being so negligent about putting a recall on these vehicles. I've only owned Chrysler, Dodge and Plymouth vehicles the 44years I been driving.

- Linden, MI, USA

problem #42

Mar 232017

Pacifica

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at 10 mph, the accelerator pedal was being depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact also stated that there was a hard shift when the vehicle shifted between the gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air intake needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred, intermittently. The contact also stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was jump started however, the vehicle would stall. The vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the tcm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

- Shippensburg, PA, USA

problem #41

Jul 012016

Pacifica

  • 160,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While approaching a stop, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the error codes as P401 and P172. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure was related to NHTSA campaign numbers: 03V471000 (fuel system) and 04V113000 (power train). The failure mileage was 160,000.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #40

Jun 212016

Pacifica

  • 140,000 miles
I had the transmission solenoid pack replaced on May 8th 2015. On Jun 21 2016 the car became erratic and I had to pull over on a freeway. After being told the mechanic said that this solenoid pack had a hole blown through the metal in addition to a short in the electrical system

- Saint Clair Shores, MI, USA

problem #39

Mar 032016

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Won't let me pump gas in with out it constantly clicking off, when gas gage hits half it drops with in seconds. Traction control light engine light low and high tire pressure stays on but nothing shows on tester. Front end does a lot of popping, and clanking while driving even while turning and stopping.

- Columbus, KS, USA

problem #38

Jan 152016

Pacifica

  • 75,000 miles
The cooling system for the car does not work correctly. After a steady idle of about 5 minutes, the car will begin to get hot and the fans will kick on. Two minutes later it will do it again. The system it self seems ok, but the fan is constantly on and off. The motor get S so hot that the hood on my car is starting to turn. Next is the airbags. The airbag light for the passenger side is always on indicating a failure. The bag has never been deployed" now the biggest problem is the top end of the motor. My check engine lights keeps coming on. Keeps saying misfire on cylinder 4. everything has been replaced and I still get this code" my vehicle gets it regular maintenance and my mechanic said my car should not having these problems.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #37

Nov 112015

Pacifica

  • 190,000 miles
Frame is rusting under the engine and service bay at tire dealer said it was unsafe.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #36

Aug 252015

Pacifica

  • 156 miles
Will not pass inspection says vapor leak, has replaced gas cap twice, not able to find leak. Also the transmission shifts really hard, broken motor mount

- Florissant, MO, USA

problem #35

Jul 222015

Pacifica

  • 98,973 miles
Was driving down the street and heard a load bang when drivers side of car dropped down onto front tire. Car abruptly swerved into lane with approaching traffic. Vehicle stopped against the curb and oncoming traffic stopped in time. We towed vehicle to a friends business for inspecting and it was discovered the engine cradle had rotted out from rust. We called local dealer and was asked for our V.I.N # and was told our car was not part of recall because it was not built within a few weeks window. In searching more information online we found this is a huge issue on these cars. Please advise

- Amherst, OH, USA

problem #34

Apr 052005

Pacifica

  • 25,000 miles
My wife was parked. When she put the car into drive the lever did not stay in drive. It bounced into reverse and when she started to go forward the force of the reverse caused her to push harder on the accelerator hitting the vehicle behind her and one on the drivers side. We could not duplicate the problem again nor could the dealer while it was in for body repair. My wife lost confidence in this vehicle and we ended up trading it in for a major loss in $. we liked the vehicle and ended up bying another one and noticed that the shiftier had a totally different set up. We questioned Chrysler at the time and they said that there was no problem. A couple of years later we met someone who had the same vehicle as we did at the time, and they had a similar problem as we did but theirs ended up jamming and when they forced it, it broke the plastic sliding cover. Once that happened they had not other problems with it. They tried to replace the cover but none were available. This leads me to believe that Chrysler knew of the problem and elected to ignore it as it did not draw national attention I am not sure it this is too late for any corrective action or not, but I think they should be brought to task for ignoring it.

- Shelton, CT, USA

problem #33

Jan 152015

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles
Sub chassis frame assembly rusted and corroded. Was found when taken in for a routine oil change. Was advised should not be driven in current condition.

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #32

Dec 012014

Pacifica

  • 154,826 miles
Engine cradle has rusted a big whole through.

- Ashcamp, KY, USA

problem #31

Dec 012014

Pacifica

  • miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted but the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the power train control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 04V113000 (power train) and 03V471000 (fuel system, gasoline).the failure mileage was unknown.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #30

Mar 092011

Pacifica

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact attempted to engage the brakes and the vehicle jerked forward. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Brainer , MN, USA

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