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.
Had issues with struts replaced them and went to Sears to have new tires put on. A couple days later wanted to eliminate noise from power steering pump, dropped car off at mechanic. They called me and told me to tell me the car should be JUNKED! & sent me the pictures attached to this thread. Not only are my family & I out $500 we spent at Sears now we have no vehicle or any way to recoup any costs. "Sad Face"
My check engine light came on. I took it in to the shop and dropped her off. They called the next and said the rust and corrosion to my engine cradle was going to make the engine fall out and it was pretty bad.
I had to replace two motor mounts and the whole engine cradle. I have never had a cradle rust before and I have had many cars and trucks older than the car I have now. What a rip off from Chrysler for skipping rust treatment on the cradle. They just had recalled 2004-2005 and then changed their minds about recalling the 2005. Which is what my car is a 2005.
- Donna F.,
Mason, US
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What can I say, I was the dumbass who bought a Chrysler. That will NEVER happen again!!! Ive had several problems with my 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, the biggest now is the whole underside of the vehicle is rusted out pretty bad. The cradle arm is the worst part, but not the only part rusting. The cradle arm is so bad theres cracks, and holes in it. took it for an oil change n they told my wife not to drive it at all, it was to dangerous. Thats the last thing she wanted to here, driving several small children everyday. This is obviously an ongoing problem. Chrysler needs to MAN UP and take responsibility for there garbage products. I hope they have to write everyone who owns one a big check. Go class action lawsuit! I know I'm among many,many others with the same problem. I will never own another Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep product again, and neither will my kids or anyone else I can prevent from buying. This wasn't my first but will be my last. Every other Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep i've had has major problems to go along with all the rust they ALL get! The bright side is there aren't and won't be many that survive a long period of time. Do you ever see older Dodge trucks or SUV's? I don't!
The date the cradle rot was discovered was October 4 when I took the Pacifica in for a routine oil change, filter changes and safety check. The service technician showed me the problem underneath the vehicle, and it was very alarming to me; but not surprising.
I have been noticing a large hum for quite some time with my car. In fact, I looked back through my service receipts to see when I brought this vibration, hum sound to the dealer's attention. I had had my tires rotated on January 4, 2017 at the store where I purchased my tires. On March 22, 2017 I took my car into the dealer to get an oil change and have the multi-point inspection. I mentioned that there was a louder than usual hum, vibration or acceleration sound and it sounded as if it was coming from the front of the car. Their service order reads:
Customer States: WHIRRING NOISE FROM FRONT END UNDER ACCELERATION (ENGINE PERFORMANCE CONCERN) INSPECTION FOUND VEHICLE OPERATING NORMALLY AT THIS TIME NO ACTION NECESSARY AT THIS TIME The service writer said it could be just tire sound from the tire rotation.
Okay, it is now October 4, and I still have the same sound only to find out the car has "cradle rot." I'm thinking that any service technician would've seen the cross member/cradle to issues back in March when I called attention to the front end sounding different. This much disintegration didn't happen in less than six months time! I've tried to keep my car well maintained so it looks nice and runs well for being 12-years old. I figured my car was good for several thousand miles. Now, I've got an unplanned expense!
The thing that disturbs me is that the dealer has been inconsiderate in not notifying me of this cradle rot problem months ago. I can't be the first 2005 Pacifica owner that has been at their dealership and had this issue! Also, it is disconcerting that their negligence in not informing me of this problem can or could result in serious injury to myself as well as other drivers.
I think there should be a class action suit . . . perhaps, I've missed out because I only learned of this problem in the last week! My whole life I've been a faithful Mopar owner, but I feel betrayed. I'm now in the process of looking for a different car, hoping my car won't fall apart until I can find a replacement. My next car will not be a Mopar!
I have been the sole owner since 2005. I have had minimal work completed on the car and mostly done through the dealership. A more concerning issue is that I took my car into the dealership last year because of a rattling noise under the card. I was told that the entire front end suspension needed to be replaced. At he time of repair, the cradle rust/rot was not brought to my attention and it's clear that the current major damage has not happened in less than a year.
I fell in love with my Chrysler Pacifica we bought it used put new tires on the front right, wore out quickly we were told by the garage in January 2016 the tie rod is going need replaced. bought new tires July 2016 take it go tie rod repair turns out tirod is not the problem the frame is so rotten. I'm so afraid it's going to break and my pregnant self and my 2 girls will be injured. I contacted Chrysler of course they said sorry about your luck can't help you! We scheduled the repair which we can't really afford it's time to buy back to school clothes and supplies and we have a baby on the way. Choose be teen the and our safety, I'm dissatisfied with Chrysler. A friend of our has same car they warned us last summer they were going through this it cost the thousands of dollars.
2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring Model less than 100K love the car. Recently the car would just began to wander to the left while driving. Took to a garage and they pointed out the problem see attached picture. Definitely a safety hazard not sure why Chrysler isnt taking care of the vehicle owners having this mechanical issue. Its for sure a defective OEM cradle engine support part that Chrysler installed and now consumer are experiencing issues while driving.
Ive owned three Chrysler vehicles over the last 10 years never again.
When some one gets killed maybe then they'll resound and make the situation right...... R Coia Chicago
i can't believe they got away with this!! Rusted into three different spots dealership should be responsible to. how can you sell then resale a car that's known to be defective and how can a judge throw it out with all the internal emails saying their defective.. there is cars in fields that's been there 40 years in better shape than this.
During a routine oil change my mechanic called me in the shop and showed me the rusted condition of the engine cradle. Recommended to get it fixed ASAP, as the power steering mount and most other areas were rusting away. Car was 10 years old and we were the second owner, having it for most of the 10 years.
Estimates to get the part replaced ran from $2000-$3000.
We have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica Touring edition with 69,005 miles. Beautiful automobile, we store it in the winter, no rust anywhere on the body, the car is like new. 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 $4626.00.
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 area. This is clearly a latent defect in this model and should be recalled and repaired by Chrysler.
My husband's car wasn't shifting properly so he took it to the mechanic on the way home from work. Basically, the engine cradle prematurely rusted out. There were cracks on all three corners that caused the motor mounts to crack as well. Come to find out, as this loosens up the transmission knocks against it and the gears start to slip. Now his transmission needs rebuilding and to replace all the damaged parts, along with labor, will cost us a whopping $3300. Of course I contacted Chrysler about this complaint and they informed us that we do not qualify for the extended warranty. It's sad to say but we should've known better than to buy American. We will never make that mistake again.
How can you have a car where everything else is running fine but the part that holds your entire engine together fails? I drove a Chevy Impala till 300000 miles and never had anything like this happen. Chrysler should fix this.
Took my husband's car in for routine maintenance and the phone call we received was, hey, you can't drive this car anymore. The engine is going to fall out of it! My kids are in this car routinely. I can't even begin to put my rant into words.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
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Looks like the engine thing fell off and blew a hose and all the oil is gone out of the engine very long hard time withe hassle all together
- Tabitha H., Falkvile, US