10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
16,339 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2017 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #105

Aug 032022

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Power steering sticks intermittently causing the vehicle to remain in a state of turn, locks up. The steering wheel must be forced back out of the turn, causing an unpredictable situation when moving back to straight. This is a very dangerous situation to the point where I will not allow my younger drivers to operate the vehicle.

- Saxonburg, PA, USA

problem #104

Aug 162022

Pacifica

  • miles
My 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring Minivan has a steering issue. Within the last several months, when driving at a variety of speeds, the steering wheel -??sticks-?? in turns. It has occurred on regular side roads, secondary roads, and on the highway. It generally happens when turning the car slightly. Examples include: (1.) during a slight turn in the road in a yield situation, (2.) during a slight turn when there is a bend in the road, (3.) when making a slight turn while on the on-ramp on the highway, (4.) occasionally when switching lanes on the highway. During these situations, the steering wheel sticks and does not return to center, instead, it has to be forced out of the momentary stuck position causing unnatural/unpredictable realignment of the car (swerve, jerking the steering wheel, causing panic). There are no associated lights or warnings. This problem first lead us to stop driving the car out of fear of getting into an accident (safety for ourselves and others). Then, upon research for similar problems on the internet, we see that there has been a recall for 2017-2019 Chrysler Pacificas for steering issues, but our VIN is not included. I-??ve had mechanics to look at it, one kept it several weeks trying to find the issue, done research online, the only answers are there-??s a problem but no one has a solution. All guess work. The Occupant Classification Module also has created problems with transmission failure. To be able to drive the van, you have to disconnect the passenger seat sensor. Driving down the road with the OCM connected it will suddenly lose power, transmission won-??t shift, which can cause a wreck not being able to get out of the way or completing a maneuver. Anytime there-??s a steering problem, random transmission problem, or loss of power in traffic, there-??s a safety problem.

- Pikeville , TN, USA

problem #103

Aug 152022

Pacifica

  • miles
While turning (exiting off the highway) to the right while going about 65 mph, my steering wheel seemed to stick at 2 o-??clock, and had to jerk the wheel to get it to re-center. Immediately after, I had to turn the wheel to the left while doing about 55mph, and it stuck again at about 11 o-??clock, and I had to tug the wheel back to center to get it to re-center. For the next 5 minutes, the steering continues to feel as if it was sticking in one position. Even when driving straight, I had to slightly jerk the wheel to follow the very slight curve of the road, in both directions, going as slow as 25mph. About 10 turns, both left and right, where the steering stuck in the initial turn direction, and I had to jerk the wheel back to center. Issue stopped when I was able to stop and turn off the vehicle. This issue happened 4 days before, but not to this extent. It happened twice, within 10 min of each other, both during a turn to the right, at 60mph and 55mph respectively. It is available for indirection upon request. This is very concerning for my safety, because it could absolutely cause a crash, when the driver cannot completely control steering. This problem has not been confirmed by dealership or service center, nor inspected by anyone. There were no warning lights, messages, or symptoms before first occurance on 8-11-2022, or any symptoms before sudden sticking on 8-15-2022.

- Osborn, MO, USA

problem #102

Dec 272016

Pacifica

  • miles

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

WE PURCHASED A 2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ONBOARD COMPUTER DISPLAYED A TRANSMISSION CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION CODE AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CONTACT FUELING THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER 5-6 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED AS THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE issues. Passenger side rear door opening and closing repeatly. Steering stiff and steering cloud locking and jerking the car to the right. Fail to accelerate. Lurking forward, .

- Gloucester, VA, USA

problem #101

Aug 032022

Pacifica

  • miles
Vehicle stalls out in motion at intersection. Loss of all electrical power. Vehicle comes back on after restarting in a intersection.

- Industry, PA, USA

problem #100

Aug 032022

Pacifica

  • miles
The car shudders when accelerating. The car jerks when making sharp turns in parking lots at low speeds. The car steering sticks when turning on windy roads I have to manually turn the wheel back to compensate and it is very jerky and dangerous.

- Suffern , NY, USA

problem #99

Jul 112022

Pacifica

  • miles

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

My 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring Minivan has a steering issue. Within the last month, when driving at a variety of speeds, the steering wheel -??sticks-?? in turns. It has occurred on regular side roads, secondary roads, and on the highway. It generally happens when turning the car slightly. Examples include: (1.) during a slight turn in the road in a yield situation, (2.) during a slight turn when there is a bend in the road, (3.) when making a slight turn while on the on-ramp on the highway, (4.) occasionally when switching lanes on the highway. During these situations, the steering wheel sticks and does not return to center, instead, it has to be forced out of the momentary stuck position causing unnatural/unpredictable realignment of the car (swerve). There are no associated lights or warnings. This problem first lead us to stop driving the car out of fear of getting into an accident (safety for ourselves and others). Then, upon research for similar problems on the internet, we see that there has been a recall for 2017-2019 Chrysler Pacificas for steering issues, but our VIN is not included. Fearing an accident, we brought it to our vehicle repair shop where we were told they believe it is : STEERING ANGLE SENSOR - Remove & Replace - Gas (SCCM) - [Includes: Adjustment.] Starting point for Code C2205-96 Steering angle fault. On the directions of "Report A Safety Problem" of this website, the NHTSA writes, "What is a safety-related defect?.....An example of a safety-related defect is a steering component that breaks, causing a driver to lose control." I would say this falls under that category. Once I pay for my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica to be fixed (an estimate of $755.62 for parts and labor), I will upload a photo of the repair invoice.

- Halifax, MA, USA

problem #98

Jul 092022

Pacifica

  • miles
I purchased this pre-owned vehicle back in Feb 2022. A few weeks ago, I noticed the steering of my vehicle requiring more effort to turn back straight once I was driving with the curve of the road. One day when I was turning my vehicle off. A warning message came up, to "Service Shifter". However, it came up once and never returned. I had it checked at Auto zone. They did not show any errors or issues. When I went to check the power steering fluid, I realized that it does not have fluid. But, instead some electric power steering system (not a fan). When I am the steering wheel sticks, when following the curve of the road, instead of the wheel returning to the center on its own. The steering sticks and I have to use extra effort to have the steering wheel return straight when needed. This is very concerning due to the safety associated with crossing other lanes unintentionally. This is putting myself at risks and other drivers on the road at risk, if my steering system is not functioning properly. I believe this is a major safety defect and should have a recall to be fixed. This steering issue happens regularly now when I am driving around curves.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #97

May 072022

Pacifica

  • miles
When turning around longer corners on the highway, the steering wheel jerks and I have to yank it free. The steering column was replaced and it did not help. Now they want to try replacing the struts. The van also jerks, stalls, catches a gear and bangs at different times. Most of the time this occurs from a full stop turning into a lane. When it stalls, it puts myself and children in danger if another car doesn't slow.

- Dwight, KS, USA

problem #96

Jul 012022

Pacifica

  • miles
Car stalled while driving with warning to service electrical module. Upon restarting, no power steering. If this occurred on a busy road, it would likely lead to an accident because the stall was sudden, and without being able to steer properly. After letting car rest for a while, it struggles to start, but power steering works now.

- Roswell, GA, USA

problem #95

Jun 072022

Pacifica

  • miles

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

My -??New to me-?? 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L has a steering issue. When driving at a variety of speeds, and with gentle steering inputs, the steering wheel -??sticks-?? in turns. I first noticed it on curves on the interstate, after I would input a slight right turn to follow the bend in the road, the steering wheel would not return to center on it-??s own, as is normal. Instead it took a noticeable effort to pull the steering wheel out of the stuck position. Causing quite erratic steering inputs on the interstate. (For example, the steering sticks to the right, and I drift to the far right side of the lane, and then once I apply enough force to overcome the -??jam-?? the steering releases, and I swerve back to the left of my lane). It happens very regularly, although not all the time. With time, I have gotten accustomed to it, and usually don-??t leave my lane anymore. But I just hope it never happens at a critical time, or gets worse! It seems to only happen on gentle turns to the right. There are no associated lights or warnings. I am quite knowledgeable about cars; I have seen some people in online forums suggest that it might be an alignment, or the wrong tires, or ruts in the road. I am certain it is not that. The car is malfunctioning, I am certain of that. I would suspect it is an issue with the electric power steering system. But I wouldn-??t rule out the rest of the steering system, or even some suspension issue. I have not had it to a dealer, or a shop yet. As the car is still pretty new to me. Still researching the problem through online forums.

- Peachtree City, GA, USA

problem #94

Jun 082022

Pacifica

  • miles
6-8-22 Driving roughly 15 MPH through town square and screen said "shift to P" could not steer and vehicle shut off. No other warning lights or messages were displayed. Has not had any precious similar issues. I put it in park, turn the vehicle off and restarted it. Started fine.

- Salem, AR, USA

problem #93

Nov 152021

Pacifica

  • miles
I have Pacifica Hybrid 2017 model minivan with a lot of problems. More than 6 times the minivan was not starting and if starting it would have all the check engine (so i needed to leave the minivan with 2 small kids and take a car service ) some of the signs that would all of a sudden start are service Hybrid Vehicle system, service electric throttle control park sense unavailable, Automatic High Beam Disabled, press break to prevent rolling, Blind spot alert temporarily unavailable in the middle of the road while I am driving. I towed the car to Chrysler and they won't pay for it as it was a hybrid problem, and it was under warranty. The dealer agreed that it was a hybrid problem under warranty, and they would fix it as it was a problem from the manufacturer. In a week the dealer said it was fixed. After I was taking the van home and while i was on the road all the signs came up on the control panel. It has all sorts of warning on the panel as mentioned above. I realized the car had the same issue. It won't let me change the gears and stopped completely when I came home. Then I called the dealer and complained, and they said to bring it back however they won't help me with the towing service. Again aftre 1-2 days the car started so i took to the dealer they said they have found the problem they don't know so Chrysler tech team is working on it. Then after 2 weeks they said they have fixed the car and also test drove. However i came home and after 3-4 more days the car still had same issues. It stopped on the highway in the. I managed to move to the rightmost lane and stopped over there on highway. This was a very scary incident. I gave the van back to the dealer and Chrysler reps again said they wil look at it. However, after 4 th attempt I gave them and brough it back. The problem still persists. No help from Chrysler or the dealer. each time they take more than 3-4 weeks and leave you on with no rental help as well.

- San Ramon, CA, USA

problem #92

May 012021

Pacifica

  • miles
The steering wheel sticks when you-??re straightening back out from going around a curve. It doesn-??t happen all the time but when it does it will continue for several days or weeks and then stop. It has been a continuous thing for months.

- Bunker Hill, WV, USA

problem #91

Jan 012021

Pacifica

  • miles
Steering sticks when going around light curves, wheel must be forced back out of stuck position. I've been following this thread and it seems to be an ongoing, unresolved problem with this car. This started a while after we bought the car (certified pre-owned). It has not yet caused an accident. No warning lights. https://www.pacificaforums.com/threads/2017-steering-problems.48061/page-3 We did have a battery completely die and have to be replaced, I don't remember if the problem started before that or not.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #90

Jan 012020

Pacifica

  • miles
The steering wheel continues to get stuck/stick when turning curves. Happens whether I go right or left and at different speeds. This has been happening for over a year now.

- Winter Garden, FL, USA

problem #89

Aug 202021

Pacifica

  • miles
1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request" The power steering wheel and YES 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I have to drive with alert the whole time because I will not know when the steering wheel will stop working and if it stop working while taking corner or I have to turn the wheel very fast I wont be able to do so.which might cause an accident to me or hit other people. 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? we took it to one place but they wont be able to identify it because it happens randomly. and we drop it at the dealership to check it but it has been 2 days since I dropped off but they did not do the inspection yet. 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No 5.Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear" The power steering wheel warning light will come up randomly while driving slow, fast or start and stay at the same place but it will not show up right away when you first start. It first appear around a month ago.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #88

Aug 072021

Pacifica

  • miles
1) Steering - when driving, the steering wheel almost feels -??stuck-?? when turning and going at least 40mph. It feels like it has to be -??jerked-?? back to straighten it out causing concern for over correction. Took to Chrysler dealership and was told they could find nothing wrong but did an update on my power steering. Seems to be happening more often. 2. Power train - while taking off from a stopped position or driving slowly (ie: parking lot) the vehicle shifts so hard it feels like you-??ve been rear ended. Again Chrysler dealership could find nothing wrong but this also happens frequently.

- Middleburg , KY, USA

problem #87

Jul 152021

Pacifica

  • miles
While driving vehicle with cruise control set to 55 vehicle stallings, losing power steering, and loses all driver-assist features, to include traction control, blind spot monitoring, power steering, forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, airbags, and other systems. Send back to dealership three times to two different dealerships and for same

- Havelock , NC, USA

problem #86

Jun 132021

Pacifica

  • miles
1st time on highway kept pulling to right on my oil change told dealer. He said he couldnt find anything and no warning light came on. 7/2020 I believed it was a safety issue to have no control and car was pulling and locking Havent traveled to far with pandemic. Went away for awhile upstate and driving home it worse so bad just driving and changing lanes it locked up and was hard to get it back in my control to turn to right it just shaked shimmed. i was really scared not to be able to drive my car smoothly. no inspection just the dealer the first time no warning or light came

- Manasquan, NJ, USA

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