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 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
104,767 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.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving 30 mph and applying the brake pedal to come to a stop, the front end of the vehicle began to shake. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 137,000.
On the highway there were these vibrations in the pacific so my husband and I took the car to the mechanic which recommended new suspension so we got those. The problem wasn't fixed my husband took it to another mechanic for new tires, suspension and alignment to be told that our only means of transportation was not fit to drive because the subframe completely has rotted out. Thank god he did that, I'm horrified my child was in it all this time. My husband and I called the number 1 800-992-1997 DaimlerChrysler. To be told there is nothing that can be done for us the mileage of the car was outside warranty. The mechanic's quote for is over $2000. I'm not sure what to do right now to get to work and manage my usual weekly errands.
During routine yearly state inspection, inspector found that engine cradle was rotted out.. the engine cradle has big hole on right side from rot. I have been told by numerous body shops that this part of frame should never rust through.
I recently changed my own oil on this vehicle. When I was underneath of it I observed 1 medium sized rust hole thru the subframe and 2 smaller rust holes in the subframe. This is an issue with these vehicles after I further looked into the issue that others were having with this vehicle. I have pictures of this issue. This is known as cradle rot. The lower motor mount of the engine is bolted into this subframe. And if continues to get worse the engine can fall out of the vehicle. Not only I have 3 holes in it there is a lot of rust on this subframe that looks could be more of an issue in the years to come. I do not understand thru all the years of being under vehicles this is by far one of the worse I have ever seen. I do not feel safe now driving this car. Especially with my family in it. This car may be 10yrs old but has low miles and is in very good condition. You would never know by looking at this vehicle inside and out that there is something majorly wrong underneath it, unless you yourself crawled under it. And the vehicle has always been garage kept.
On routine check by my mechanic, he noticed that the engine cradle had rusted so badly that he can stick his fist through one section. Called Chrysler corporate and opened up a case with them. They told me to take it to the dealership for a "diagnostic". called Chrysler back and told them the Pacifica was at the dealership and they could call to get the results. They refused to speak with the dealership and told me I was out of warranty and that they would not replace the defective part. Why send me for a diagnostic then"? just to get my $125 dollars?" extremely frustrated. Chrysler dealership mechanic said he would not be driving his family around in the car if it were his. This seems to be a recurring problem from what I have found on line. Please investigate!
- Manasquan, NJ, USA
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I was recently at the dealership to receive a routine oils change when I was informed by them that the engine cradle has become rusted and may in the future fail. And according to Chrysler, my vehicle isn't covered by their recall. This should not be the case, as it fits the description of all the other vehicles covered by their recall.
Loud clunking noise when shifting into reverse from park or taking off from a stop. Once it is in 2nd or 3rd gear you don't feel or hear noise. I figured my motor mounts were bad again (replaced about 4 years ago) and when I checked they looked bad so I took it to a local repair shop. They confirmed they were shot but also said my engine cradle was rusted out and that was why the motor mounts probably went bad so fast. We have had 3 bad winters in Indiana and they use a lot of salt. So, I searched the internet and found plenty of similar complaints but Chrysler isn't doing enough to repair or compensate owners for the cost. There is a class action suit filed in Ohio that I will try to get on board with in hopes of recovering some costs. I'm afraid to Transport my daughter and friends in my vehicle, which is the primary vehicle for our family.
I put my car in reverse, yesterday and the car stalled. I just had a mechanic look at my car today and just found out the subframe of my Pacifica is rotted and cracked! I was told not to drive it because the engine is abnormally lifting up and slamming down on to the starter wire and causing sparks which could cause a fire! I'm surprised there isn't a recall on this already!!
Took car to get oil change today was told when I picked it up that the engine cradle was rotten and that it was unsafe to drive contacted Chrysler abt issue and was told that its my problem to fix even after finding letter of warranty that extended the coverage for cradle to 10 years 150000 mile nowhere did it say in letter abt it being for a 6 week span between Feb and may needs to be a recall
I own a 2005 Pacifica limited, I purchased this car in 2009 from a Chrysler dealer. I have taken this car back to the same dealer who sold me the car for servicing (oil change, repairs, ect). Not once was I informed (during the purchase or any time during servicing the Pacifica) about the rotting subframe. I have all of my records showing the inspection underneath with no mention of the rotting/rusted subframe. This car belongs to my wife and she drives our two kids in this car (not anymore). After reviewing other similar complaints I am very upset and frustrated with this whole situation. I have had electrical problems with this car and the whole time it could have been from the rotting/rusted subframe (that was never mentioned). I have put soooo much money into the repairs of this car and I feel like most could have been avoided, had I known about the subframe.
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.
I had been having issues with my vehicle sputtering while driving on and off for a few months. I had a tune- up done which worked for a few weeks until it started up again. I was driving my children to school when the car started to jerk front and back and the engine would alternate between reving up and sputtering like it was going to die out. I managed to drop my kids of at school and get back home. My husband took the car in and they service guy said that it would cost around $5000 to repair. He stated that the engine mount was cracked and the frame was rusted which had caused damage to some of the vehicle wiring. We took it to another shop and the service guy at this shop said the same. He told us that the vehicle was not safe to drive that the engine could essentially fall right out while I was driving it. Needless to say I decided not to drive the vehicle again. I used this vehicle to drive my children everywhere. I am extremely frustrated with this situation because I was not aware of this type of problem with my vehicle prior to this incident. I am thankful that nothing happened while I was driving with my children; but I can't help but wonder how may other people are out there driving around in this vehicle not knowing what could happen. My husband contacted chrylser which was a waste of time. I wonder how they can get away with this. Not only am I out of a car but I cant get much on a trade in because the vehicle isn't safe to drive.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the frame that holds the engine was rusted and rotted, causing the engine to shake and become unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was unable to be determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Engine motor mount failure was reported by servicing mechanic. It was replaced. It had to be replaced again after only 4000 miles (92000 odometer). After some haggling, it was replaced by mechanic under warranty but no explanation regarding how this could happen so soon.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. A mechanic and independent mechanic stated that the engine cradle was rusted during an oil change. The mechanic stated that the engine cradle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000. MA 10/8 updated 3/14/16 updated 12/12/2017
Extensive undercarriage rust was found during a routine oil change. This rust effects the motor bolts as well as motor support carriage. The mechanic has advised that the car is not safe to drive. The car has 81,268 miles and has been well maintained. Upon investigation, I discovered this problem has been consistently reported by owners of this vehicle. The car has been used to Transport children on the highway and after examining the rust damage Chrysler should have notified owners of this serious safety risk and should be responsible for the repair.
Took my Pacifica in for a car alignment and walked out with the news that my engine is about to fall. I found out that my sub frame front engine cradle needs to be replace asap, otherwise it's not safe for me and my baby to drive. There's a huge rust problem, when I called the Chrysler dealer they told me that there was no recall and that the fixing cost would be around $2500. I started researching this problem and found out it?S a widespread issue. Guess it sucks to be all the rest of us. Nothing ever was mentioned about this defect in the rusty engine cradle and god knows what could happen if it won't be fix. I am a single parent and I can't afford to pay for someone's mistakes....updated 09/22/15 updated 11/28/2017
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was heard from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine cradle was cracked and rotted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,500.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Nottingham, MD, USA