10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,520 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.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 3 of 23)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #408

Jan 262024

Pacifica

  • miles

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

This car has a blown head gasket at 123,000 miles. It seems this is a VERY common problem with this car and something that is clearly a factory defect. I have heard of this problem with many of these cars and a lot of them occur at less than 100,000 miles.

- Sioux Falls, SD, USA

problem #407

Jan 122024

Pacifica

  • miles
After smelling a burning smell when driving, an independent service center diagnosed that the engine oil cooler had failed causing the engine oil and antifreeze coolant levels to drop low enough that continued driving could seize the engine. The sparkplugs were damaged and a head gasket could be required as well. If not for the burning smell, the van could have stopped suddenly in busy traffic on the highway with my kids inside. The vehicle can be inspected anytime. I have not yet contacted the manufacturer. No warning lights went on. The only indication was a burning smell that I first thought was the new rear brakes I had installed.

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #406

Jan 012023

Pacifica

  • miles
I am experiencing an issue where the air conditioner blows hot air intermittently and now just blowing hot air. It seems to be a known issue with the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica but there doesn-??t seem to be a recall for my van. I also noticed that there seems to be an issue with the coolant leaking which after some google searching also seems to be a known issue. Please advise.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #405

Dec 162023

Pacifica

  • miles

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

The vehicle first malfunctioned 09/2022. All the signals on the dashboard came on including the wipers. Then the vehicle wouldn-??t accelerate and stopped while driving in the middle of the road. I got it towed to a Chrysler dealership and they had it for 4 four months and couldn-??t maintain power within the van. After 4 fours I received the van back and it was driving good. Recently, while out of town on 12/16/2023 the van began to run hot for the first time and I parked it. The next day it wouldn-??t start and I got it towed to a nearby shop on 12/18/23 and I was told it was my starter. I replaced the starter and the shop said it was something with my engine due to white smoke coming out the exhaust pipes. I got it towed again to a nearby Chrysler dealership on 12/19/23 and they confirmed after doing the diagnostic, the service shop said I needed a new engine because the coolant leaked into the cylinder heads blowing the gaskets. I asked what caused this issue and they stated overheating. The vehicle has never shown signs of overheating such as smoking or the gauges going up until that night which was a brief 5 minutes because I parked the van. I have researched and seen multiple cases like mine in both circumstances with this same kind of vehicle and not1 recall has been placed. I maintenance the vehicle as required and believe this is a manufacturing issue.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #404

Dec 232023

Pacifica

  • miles
2017 Chrysler pacifica has had multiple major engine failures. First was 2021 head gasket failure which lead to a new engine. Now 2023 the exact same thing has happened again. Engine temperature warning light came on got car towed. Head gasket failure again. This van is unsafe engine design is horribly flawed leading to multiple engine failures

- Marengo, IL, USA

problem #403

Dec 292023

Pacifica

  • miles
When going to accelerate, the car will not shift into gear. It g Jerks and it takes a few seconds to physically move foward. There are times when turning onto a road or highway it will not accelerate as it should.

- La Crosse , WI, USA

problem #402

Nov 232023

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Head gasket and Rear valve cover gasket replaced. Still smelling burning oil. Started with check engine light for misfire on cylinder 5. 75K miles on vehicle. There is a rough idle and loss of power at interstate speeds.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #401

Dec 132023

Pacifica

  • miles
There was a flashing check engine light and shaking engine. Found out there was a misfire at cylinder 5. Dealership found coolant inside the cylinder.

- Grimes, IA, USA

problem #400

Dec 102023

Pacifica

  • miles
Head Gasket has failed on the engine which resulted in radiator blowing out in the middle of traffic stranding my wife and four kids on the side of the road for hours. Seems to be a common issue with the Chrysler 3.6 engine in 2017 models and possibly 2018 models.

- Solon, IA, USA

problem #399

Dec 122023

Pacifica

  • miles
Blown engine gasket

- Owings, MD, USA

problem #398

Nov 282023

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Head gasket failed, causing the engine to overheat and damage to occur. Luckily, my wife was able to move safely off of the roadway. The vehicle was taken to LaFontaine CDJR in Walled Lake, Michigan, for repair. They confirmed that it was indeed a head gasket failure and the repair total would be around $6000. Research shows that this is a frequent problem with these vehicles, with numerous reports online.

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #397

Nov 222023

Pacifica

  • miles
Check Engine light came on in October 2023. Code indicated misfire cylinder #5. Dealer could not reproduce problem in shop. Returned vehicle with instructions to drive until check engine light came back on. 800 miles later light came back on. Dealer reported code was misfire cylinder #5 again on Nov. 22, 2023. Also found coolant in cylinder indicating blown head gasket. Recommended repair was engine replacement as Chrysler did not recommend head gasket repair. Cost $11,500. Engine has 56,000 miles on it. Power train warranty was 5 years/60,000 miles, so just out of warranty for time but not mileage. Problem could result in total engine failure while driving, putting driver and passengers at risk of injury or worse. Problem was confirmed by dealer on November 22, 2023 and vehicle is currently at dealer service center awaiting repair decision. My research shows that there have been many reported failures of this vehicles' engines with the identical symptoms and repair recommendations. Many Owners who opted for head gasket repair often ended up having to have engines replaced anyway. My vehicle has been dealer-maintained on schedule since I purchased it, as I had an oil change and basic maintenance contract on it that expired September 2023. It gave no indication of any problems before the initial check engine light in October. Never overheated or any other warnings that it had a failing engine. A properly maintained engine should not fail at 56,000 miles.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #396

Jun 112023

Pacifica

  • miles
While driving 70 mph on freeway passing a semi the engine shut off. Had steering and braking but no power. Managed to pull over without getting hit. Dash message "put in park, press brake and press start. Major panic attack as we were 200 miles from major town in the desert. Started car drove about 5 miles and it did it again. Dealer claims to never heard of that problem. Since getting home I've not taken vehicle on freeway. Utterly terrifying.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #395

Nov 082023

Pacifica

  • miles
Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing well. I wanted to share an issue I've been facing with my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, which I bought brand new back in 2017. Unfortunately, I'm currently experiencing a lack of heat while driving, and it turns out that the engine head gasket is blown and leaking coolant. It's quite disappointing to learn that this seems to be a common problem, with an ongoing lawsuit related to it.

- Oak Grove , MN, USA

problem #394

Sep 152023

Pacifica

  • miles
Engine overheating, leaking coolant, Engine 3 misfire, apparently it is a common issue. I have two children I drive around every day and almost had an accident when my engine started overheating. Cost of repairs outweighs current value. Check engine light is constantly on because of this. Car shaking when starting up, etc. This is too common of an issue for it not to be recalled at this point. I have had this vehicle less than 1.5 years and I've already replaced the compressor, the spark plugs, cleaned the fuel injector and body, and have had a mechanic run diagnostics on it multiple times.

- Bossier City, LA, USA

problem #393

Nov 042023

Pacifica

  • miles
Had engine issues a few years back around 87,000 and was fixed at Chrysler in Sarasota FL. Rods and other engine parts had to be replaced and engine was running hot. On 11/4/23 our vehicle is again experiencing the same engine issue at 105,000 miles. From what I have read on threads many costumers have expressed similar issues. I have an appointment on 11/7/23 with the local dealership in Knoxville.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #392

Nov 022023

Pacifica

  • miles
Engine code for misfire fixed and still has a shake, looking like head gasket. Transmission jerks upon shifting.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #391

Oct 012023

Pacifica

  • miles
I received a P0303 engine misfire code. I have noticed a very slow coolant leak. Thankfully I noticed the leak before the coolant ran out or else the car could have overheated and left me in a very dangerous situation. My mechanic ran a test and confirmed that there is a blown head gasket. My vehicle has ~85,000 miles and from what I have read that is very few miles to be having a head gasket fail.

- Shawnee, KS, USA

problem #390

Oct 122023

Pacifica

  • miles
I have a 2017 pacifica with 40,230 miles on it and has a blown head gasket.called chysler customer support to file claim on 10/12/23.van is at dealership for a week now waiting to hear from chrysler

- York, PA, USA

problem #389

Oct 052023

Pacifica

  • miles
On or around September 11, 2023, our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica began to stutter and shake upon ignition. On September 27th, the high engine temperature alarm came up. The coolant reservoir was empty. We filled it up and scheduled an oil change and diagnostic. The Check engine line did not come on for the mechanic during the diagnostic and oil change. The oil change was on September 29th. Shortly after the oil change, the Check Engine line came on again, and on October 5th, the high engine temp alarm came on again. The coolant reservoir was empty again. I filled it again, and drove it to another location. Within a matter of hours, the coolant reservoir was empty again. I scheduled a maintenance visit with our local Chrysler Dealership. I told the dealership the Check Engine light was on and that the reservoir for coolant appeared to be leaking and I had filled it up 3 times. I was informed that the Check Engine light is a Cylinder misfire, and that the car may need a tune up. Upon hear this, I asked the service advisor if they had check the reason for the leaking coolant. I was in disbelief that this was not done as per my original comments. After checking on the coolant leak, the dealership noted that there was no external coolant leak. An internal coolant leak is indicative of a leaking or damaged head gasket. The vehicle purchased in 2017 has 66,000 miles on it. This defective component at this low mileage has put my family at risk of a major accident and will continue to do so due to poor design.

- Rochester, MN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?