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.
1.6
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,892 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.
Engine cradle is rusting through and is going to crack in half, the engine will fall out if not replaced. I was notified of this when my car was in for an oil change. Thank god or we could have been in a horrible accident.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving various speeds or while the vehicle was idling, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine cradle and mounts were severely rusted with holes. The vehicle was determined to be unsafe to drive and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 145,801.
When driving the car would stall at stop signs or has issues maintaining speed going up hills. Also I took the vehicle into a mechanic and they told me the sub-frame is completely rotted through and the steering is being held together with 1 bolt. They stated the car is unsafe to drive.
- Bellevue, NE, USA
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Subframe of the engine cradle. I was told during last inspection (April 2016) that the subframe of the engine cradle is rusted. The same was confirmed on 3/18/17 at Firestone service center, bensalem, pa. It's repair will cost a significant amount and it is not safe to drive as the the engine may fall out. It is a very high safety risk.
Official Chrysler service repair shop has been doing my oil changes every 3 months - 4 times a year since 2005 when I purchased the car. Not once has their mechanic mentioned the rust of the cross member. I only found out and took pictures this week when I had a local shop change my breaks and do transmission service and they showed me the rust, could not believe that no one ever mentioned this as it was extreme with cracks and holes and that Chrysler is aware of this issue regarding rust on cross member due to them not properly coating the engine cradle. Chrysler has had certain VIN #'s recalled, but claim not mine though build in 2004, I am in a snow belt state ( NY). They don't want to take responsibility. I am afraid to drive car, dangerous and engine can fall out - could cost $4000-5000 to repair front and back - and unfortunately I don't have finances to purchase a new car. I just want my car covered under their warrantee. This problem did not happen over night. I only have 127,000 miles and rarely drive in the snow as it is awful in the snow.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving 25 mph, the contact heard a loud noise and the front end of the vehicle shook. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home where he took photos of the undercarriage of the vehicle. The photos were shown to a dealer where it was determined that the engine cradle was rusted and could fall out of the vehicle. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 124,000.
Brought vehicle in to have the starter replaced and when they put it up on hoist they called me back to show me that's the engine cradle was almost completely rusted out and that it was unsafe to drive. This will cost a lot to repair. Very upset about this
Dealer is saying the engine cradle is rusting out and that it needs to be replaced. There is almost no rust on the vehicle yet this important part of the frame is rusting out?
Our 2005 Chrysler Pacifica (156,595 miles) passed our annual state inspection, but we needed to travel 1000 miles, so we asked our mechanic to give it a more thorough look just to make sure it could handle a long distance trip. The underside of the engine cradle looked fine, but he happened to feel it move, so he used a camera to inspect the hidden upper side. Good thing he did! the engine cradle was practically rusted through, and the engine could have dropped out if we hit a significant bump. I was shocked to discover that this is a problem that Chrysler knows about, but only recalled a hand-full of cars. This is a disgrace. My family could have died, and many others are at risk for a known problem that is not easily spotted on a routine inspection. Not to mention, we had to pay nearly $3000 for repairs. We could not trade in the rust heap for a better car since the Pacifica has no resale value, also thanks to this "cradle rot" problem. For shame Chrysler!
I went for an oil change and was told that the engine cage is severely rotting away and driving my car is a road hazard. I only have 138,000 miles on my car and would like to drive it until it dies...but right now I was told the replacement part is no longer made and I would have to find a salvage car to find a replacement part. The quadrant remains that I bought a used car from a Chrysler dealer that should have known about the recall on this part due to it not being manufactured correctly for corrosion resistance. Apparently I am not the only one with this problem. If I were to sell it I would be passing a dangerous car on to someone else...I still owe on this car and it is worth less than what I owe let alone dangerous to drive to work 75 miles a day. Chrysler needs to make amends or reparations for the lack of action regarding the safety issue here...and this is a big safety issue.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, it was discovered that the engine cradle was completely rusted. The dealer diagnosed that the engine cradle needed to be replaced due to the rust. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,725. Updated 01/24/2017
We have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica touring edition with 69005 miles. Beautiful automobile, we store it in the winter, no rust anywhere on the body. We brought it in to the dealer for an oil change and nys inspection. The dealer informed us that the front and rear cradle of the frame had rusted and deteriorated so badly that the vehicle would not pass nys inspection and was unsafe to drive. The cost to repair was $4626. I found a service bulletin that stated that Chrysler was extending the warranty on the Pacifica to vehicles in the Canadian market and salt belt states to 150,000 miles but for reasons that they would not explain, my vehicle was covered even though I live in upstate NY, an obvious salt belt state. This is clearly a latent defect in this model rendering the vehicle unsafe and should be recalled and repaired by Chrysler.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While undergoing routine maintenance, the certified mechanic diagnosed that the engine cradle was fractured and had severe rust. The cradle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000. Updated 01/05/16 updated 02/14/17.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While operating the vehicle, the transmission experienced very hard shifting. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer who discovered that the engine cradle was rusted and corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
I took my vehicle in for new tires and an alignment and was told by the mechanic that I have rust rot in the subframe. Which now I know is called cradle rot. I contacted Chrysler and they said there was nothing they would do.
At the service dealer today I was told that my engine carriage frame is so rusted that it is not safe to drive. The sides are also severely rusted. I bought this car new and have serviced it every 3000 miles. I go through the car wash in the winter alot. I learned that Chrysler was aware of this problem early on. Why was I not notified of this, so my car could have been under coated ( which should have been done as soon as the problem was noticed) and I could still be driving it. I am 71 and on ss, and planned on this being my last car. Now, it can't be fixed and I couldn't with a clear conscience trade or sell it. Wouldn't want a family with kids in the car, going down the road and have the engine fall out. This is a safety issue that needs to be addressed before someone is killed. My car looks like brand new inside and out. I meticulously took care of it. At 153,000 miles, I think it is just getting broke in, only to find that underside is broke, rusted, done! please do something. Thank you.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Valley, NE, USA