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.

1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,213 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.

2005 Chrysler Pacifica drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

May 012015

Pacifica

  • 88,000 miles

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

My vehicle began stalling while being driven on the street and highways, when turning and while stopped for light changes. Had to have battery "jumped" or charged several times. Battery had to be replaced twice because of discharged from alternator. Had alternator replaced. Battery continued to drained. Vehicle ran for one day and completely shut down while in motion. After jump starting the battery, vehicle ran for a couple of minutes. Was told by service mechanics, battery or alternator problems even after having those parts replaced. Finally had the vehicle towed to dealership that specialized in Chrysler and was shock when he stated it was the PCM (powertrain control module) which I believed and researched was part a recall for 2005 Pacificas in 2006. Told by the dealership that the fuel pump was fixed which is not the problem of this vehicle. The PCM is the problem, and the dealership is not owning this. I did not purchase the vehicle until 2010; so I honestly believed that this problem was not repair but claimed to had been. When referencing the recall notification (which I did not receive personally), the fuel pump problem was replaced for 2004 models not 2005 models. PCM problems were that of the 2005 models which was not repaired or replaced for this vehicle. I have had my vehicle towed approximately 7 times now. I am still paying insurance for a vehicle that is unable to be driven. The dealership wants to charge me $1000 for repair, that is a little less that half of what the vehicle is worth.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #62

Sep 282015

Pacifica

  • 108,000 miles
I went to get the 2005 chrystler Pacifica inspected and was told by the mechanic that the bottom was rusted so badly that the engine would fall out, and further that the year make and model was under recall for the same problem, the bottom rusting out horribly. I called chrystler with the VIN # and was told this 1 wasn't part of the recall even though it was the same year and make of the recall. I owe 4,400$ on the car and now am told the repairs would exceed 5,000$. I financed it for 6,455$ at the start. I'm disabled and greatly in need of help, I don't know what to do I have made a slew of calls to no avail at this point and continue to make payments as I don't want to ruin my credit, please help me, I don't know what to do.

- Worcester, VT, USA

problem #61

Oct 242015

Pacifica

  • 200,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving at 50 mph, the battery and ABS warning lights illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was not able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power train control module (PCM) and the transmission control module (tcm) failed. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V432000 (power train). The vehicle was repaired under the recall however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #60

Sep 052015

Pacifica

  • 96,319 miles

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

This vehicle was appraised as a trade-in for another automobile. It was discovered that its engine cradle was corroded and the vehicle was declared unsafe for resale. This situation is identical to numerous other complaints regarding Chrysler Pacificas and is the currently the subject of a class-action lawsuit.

- West Chicago, IL, USA

problem #59

Jul 312015

Pacifica

  • 186,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled and shook violently at any speed. There were no warning indicators illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic diagnosed that the egr, O2 sensor, and front motor mount were defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle had the same symptoms as listed in the recall for NHTSA campaign number: 06V432000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

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problem #58

May 092015

Pacifica

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted after the initial attempt, but the vehicle began to operate abnormally. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 06V432000 (power train); however, the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Masury, OH, USA

problem #57

May 082015

Pacifica

  • 193,600 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. The radio remained active, but the vehicle would not start. The battery was replaced. The vehicle was taken to auto zone where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module switch malfunctioned. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 193,600.

- Villa Rica, GA, USA

problem #56

Mar 122015

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles
We just bought our 2005 Chrysler Pacifica not to long ago, and the check engine light comes on and stays on, it also affects our gas milage, we had it checked and that's when we found out that there is a recall on the gas sensor in the tank, and every now and again when we make left hand turns it dies on us. We have a child with multiple disabilities and we need a vehicle that is going to be safe to get him to his appointments.

- Malvern, IA, USA

problem #55

Apr 022015

Pacifica

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the lights on the instrument panel would illuminate intermittently and the vehicle stalled. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who stated that the power train control module needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that the vehicle was included in a recall; however, the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The NHTSA campaign number and the failure mileage were unknown.

- Greenboro, NC, USA

problem #54

Mar 312015

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle engine cradle sub-frame is rotting through and nearly separating one portion from another. This will at some point in time fail in a catastrophic manner. This defect seems to be well documented on numerous web sites and Fiat Chrysler group is aware of this problem and makes like the problem is with only a very limited number of vehicles which is clearly not the case. They have an extended warranty of note for this very problem, but is limiting it to a very few cars manufactured between a very limited timeframe from late 2004 to early 2005, all others are excluded in spite of the fact that numerous Pacifica's are noted as having this problem.this repair is an approx. $3000 repair that Chrysler is ignoring the safety of the owners and families of these cars and those driving around them.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #53

Mar 112015

Pacifica

  • 166,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the PCM module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V432000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.

- Roseville, MI, USA

problem #52

Nov 122014

Pacifica

  • 245,000 miles
As I sat at a stop light waiting for it to turn green, the speedometer jumped up to 20 mph and the vehicle lunged forward. I almost rear ended the vehicle in front of me. The vehicles check engine light came on and had stated on since than. I had the code scanned and it came back as codes P0700 and P0740. I searched for the meaning of those codes and they pretty much said it was the tcm (transmission control module) which had been recalled on several Chrysler Pacifica's. I called the local dealer and they said that was not a recall on my VIN specific vehicle. I of course asked how it was not recalled on my vehicle when everything I have read says it was for all 2005-2006 Pacifica's. there have been other reports of this same incident happening with other Pacifica owners as well. I would like to have the tcm on my vehicle recalled and replaced just as thousands of others were. If I had been and closer to any of the vehicles in front of me the several times this has happened then I would have rear ended several people by now and none of the accidents would have been my fault. These incidents happen every time I am driving in town. It never lunes forward as far as I am aware, on the freeway. Please help me fix this problem before it does cause an accident.

- Cottonwood, CA, USA

problem #51

Oct 032014

Pacifica

  • 171,515 miles
I have just performed routine (10/03/20014) maintenance on my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The mechanic called to inform me of significant corrosion problem with the cross member (cradle) that supports the engine, transmission, front suspension and steering. His visual inspection, as well as mine, showed more then 75% of the passenger side cradle rusted away. An open case # 25736224 has been established by Chrysler customer support. My Pacifica was produced September 30, 2004 which is outside of the assembly dates established by Chrysler for extended warranty coverage. Failure of the cross member (cradle) would cause loss of steering, engine and transmission failure, and severed brake lines. Because this is a major safety issue it should be repaired by Chrysler corporation.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #50

Sep 032014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
The vehicle has stalled multiple times during a left turn. Apparently many of the 05 Pacificas were recalled for this issue, but the Chrysler service said my vehicle was not under the recall even though it has the same issue under the recall. 06V432000. Since my VIN does not pull up the recall they will not cover fixing the vehicle, even though so many other cars were recalled in the same year for this dangerous issue.

- Venus, TX, USA

problem #49

Sep 102014

Pacifica

  • miles
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the engine stalled. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle to side of the road. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the power train control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified about the failure and refused to provide any assistance since the vehicle had previously been repaired under an unknown manufacturer recall. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

- Belleville, MI, USA

problem #48

Sep 012014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 105,909 miles
The sub frame under the drive train has rusted out to the point that it has little or no structural strength, this has essentially rendered the car inoperative and unsafe to operate. The car has barely 100,000 miles.

- Springfield, MI, USA

problem #47

Aug 112014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 83,500 miles
I have a 2005 Pacifica. The car was in for body work, when a mechanic noticed severe rusting on the frame. He stated that the engine, could fall through the body frame! I did a google search and found hundreds of complaints about the problem. There is a story from a tv station in Florida covering this story. www.nbcmiami.com/investigations/some-Chrysler-Pacifica-owners-say-they've-had-dangerous-corrosion-problems-with-the-popular-minivan-243624441.html. This is a engineering failure according to my mechanic, who stated they did not included enough drain plugs. My daughter drives this car and I contacted Chrysler and they say it is past the warranty. This is unacceptable an engine should never be able to fall out of its mountings!!!!!!

- Ballwin, MO, USA

problem #46

Jul 162009

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 98,890 miles
Bought the car in January, 2009, the car stop on the freeway, push on the gas would not go, pedal stuck, the coolant systems do not work car will run hot, called Chrysler, they were no help is there any thing can be done, you buy a car and it is a piece of junk, all Chrysler do is pass the buck as well get stuck with junk.

- University Place, WA, USA

problem #45

Jun 162014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
I took my newly purchased 2005 Chrysler Pacifica to my mechanic to get the brakes serviced, and was told that the engine cradle was completely rusted out and the engine was in danger of falling out! my mechanic was extremely concerned (he is a friend and an honest mechanic who runs a very reputable repair and body shop in ottawa, ks). I called Chrysler before I purchased the car to see if their were any recalls on it, and was told their was not. The car is otherwise in perfect condition, no damage and very little wear inside and out. It was clear to my mechanic that this was due to some defect in the vehicle, and should not happen on a 10 year old car that is in as good of condition as mind is with only 110000 miles on it. To have a new engine cradle put it, it would cost over $4000. I cannot afford that, so we are putting in a reconditioned one, inspected to make sure it has no wear or rust on it, and we are painting and putting additional undercoating on it as to prevent any such recurrences. After looking online, I have since learned this is a widespread problem, and is effecting a large number of owners, and is much more widespread than Chrysler is willing to admit. I called them, and my car is supposedly not one effected in their 3-4 week window of production, yet it was completely rusted to the point of possibly causing a serious and even fatal car accident.

- Ottawa, KS, USA

problem #44

Mar 142014

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
I was driving and getting ready to turn at a light and as soon as I started to turn my car turned off. Also when I brake somewhat fast it makes a big clunking sound. Also ever since I've had the car it seems to shift pretty hard. I am mostly concerned with is turning off on me while I am driving though.

- Medford, OR, USA

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