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.
Our 2017 Pacifica has been in for diagnostic review/repair several times. While traveling between speeds of 50-70 miles per hour after a period of anywhere between 35-90 minutes when making easy right corners the steering sticks in place between 11 & 1 positions. Has been noticed on shorter distances in hotter weather than and on longer trips farther into the drive. We recently had the electronic power steering computer replaced which did not fix the problem. Currently the dealership is advising that the rack and pinion need replacing but the warranty company will not pay as they are not able to replicate the error in the presence of the warranty company inspector. Since replacing the electronic power steering was unsuccessful in correcting the problem, the warranty company is requiring the dealership to provide proof of part failure before they pay. My son turned [XXX] on [XXX] and got his drivers license. At this time we do not have $4,000 to replace the rack and pinion and the warranty company won't cover it due to dealership errors. It is my understanding there are hundreds of reported cases of this same exact issue without any recalls. We refuse to allow our [XXX] son to drive a literal death trap with known and reported steering issues to the government and manufacturer but that may not be an option for everyone. May god or whomever forgive the souls of those who wait for the death of a child or other before taking action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Sticking steering in turns, shimmy/rattle in steering wheel when making hard slow speed turns. The steering wheel felt like it had slack in it when moving it back and forth while stationary with engine running. After driving on the highway the steering kept sticking to the right when rounding small curves. I had to physically pull the wheel back to straighten. This almost caused an accident a few times. There are some SERIOUS DEFECTS and safety issues with this make and model of car. Others have reported this problem on the Chrysler cares forum and found a defective steering rack and gear. I belive this is a broad problme with certain makes and models of the pacifica and extremly dangerous for a family car. I do not feel safe even driving this car on a highway anymore.
The steering of the vehicle has started intermittently grabbing when turning curves or changing lanes. Dealer kept it for 3 days and said they could not duplicate the issue. I experienced the issue several times on my way home and it is getting worse. I had new tires put on the vehicle and a wheel alignment done and still experiencing the issue. I have checked the internet and see that many others are having the same issue with the 2017 Chrysler Pacific but no one seems to have an answer. The vehicle was purchased new from a dealer program car and had about 3500 miles on it. The steering issue has just started recently, and the vehicle is out of factory warranty, but I do have Endurance extended warranty. The grabbing of the steering is getting worse and I am afraid it will lock up and cause an accident. Vehicle only has 60,065 miles on it and no accidents.
Steering "sticks" intermittently going around curves. It releases itself with a jerky action. I have been to the dealer for service. They could not simulate the problem of find any error codes. I am not alone with this issue. It poses a serious safety issue. It started it 2022 and has become progressively worse.
When driving at highway speeds while in a curve the steering will stick which causes u to possibly over correct and could cause an accident... and after doing some research this seems to be a very common complaint with these particular vehicles of the same year model and newer with no resolution...
- Coalmont, TN, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that on the second attempt to start the vehicle, the brake pedal was stuck on the floorboard and failed to return to its normal position. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be jumpstarted. An independent mechanic was contacted and advised the contact to depress the brake pedal harder to start the vehicle. The contact stated that a friend assisted in depressing the brake pedal harder, and the vehicle started; however, the windshield wipers engaged independently, Additionally, the steering wheel made an abnormal sound and became difficult to turn. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle on another occasion, the rotary gear shift dial lights failed to illuminate, and the message "Service Shifter" was displayed. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V348000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,270.
Vehicle steering gear is binding internally (confirmed by local service department). The safety concern with this is when steering at highway speeds the steering wheel locks and requires excessive force to move, which has not yet but almost caused an accident. There are no signs of outside force influencing this issue (ex. front end damage front collision or wheel mis-alignment). I have read online in an owners forum of several other cases where this is happening and that they recommend filling out a report with NHTSA as to make you aware of this in case of it being a larger issue. Vehicle has not been repaired yet as the part required is around $2,800 plus labor on top of that. I'm not filling this out to complain, but rather to make you aware of a potential safety issue of this particular model vehicle. Thank you for your time.
My car has been stalling while I drive and also it said power steering unavailable. Both happened while I was driving which almost caused an accident. Sometimes it stalls while I-??m at the stop light and press on the gas to go. It says to shift to park and turn ignition on. It-??s been happening for over a year for the stalling and for the power steering unavailable only 2x.
The vehicle was diagnosed with a short in the electrical steering cable. It started off with just a minor glitch when steering which caused the car to simply caused the car to shift into neutral but was quickly resolved by shifting the gear into park and then into drive. This resulted in a really major glitching in system while steering to where the car was shifted into neutral in the middle of driving and will not turn off the van or allow you to shift the vehicle into park. It also caused the windshield wipers to stay on without the ability to turn them off as well. This is an extremely dangerous issue for a commonly used family vehicle especially one travels the highway everyday. I-??m just grateful we-??re in our neighborhood going at a low speed with little to no cars traveling. On the highway this could have caused serious vehicular damage due to accidents and injury or fatalities for the person who has to push the car out of the road and the family riding in the car from impact. This Negligence of the manufacturer will cost my family $4521, which is just simply unfair. Im requesting thorough investigation on this matter with the a recall on all vehicles who can possibly have this issue as well.
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.
1. When making turns to the right, the steering wheel sticks and requires a strong tug to the left to free it. Has happened on at least five separate occasions. Also sometimes just sticks slightly. 2. Caused car to swerve into next lane. Fortunately there was no other vehicle there at the time. 3. Have taken to dealer 3 times, but they are unable to replicate issue. 4. Has not been inspected. 5. No warning lights or symptoms.
When driving, car completely shuts down. Usually happens when we are slowing down or stopping, but has also happened when accelerating. No lights come on and never happens when we take it to a mechanic. Happened 10x today alone but 5x over last seven days. We thought it was an issue with the auxiliary battery, but continues to happen. 130k on 2017 Pacifica
STEERING ISSUE. Steering wheel sticks, does not return to center position without pulling on the steering wheel. When taken to dealership several times, the following response occurs. "Can Not Duplicate issue, Therefore Problem Does Not Exist!" Someone is going to be injured or killed, if this REAL PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED!! This is not an isolated incident, hundred + + complaints, Exist.....
Battery light comes on, power steering goes out, start/stop function switches in and out of accessory mode, then total power drain and vehicle will not turn over or maintain a charge. vehicle is available for inspection. safety was compromised by lack of control of steering and vehicle shutdown in a roadway. issue has not been reproduced by independent services or dealer or other representatives. battery light appeared, etcs light came on, voltage meter drained very quickly until total loss of power.
The rear subframe holding the rear axles suddenly broke in half while driving 30 miles an hour down a residential street. Luckily, I was able to control the vehicle to get it to a shop where it was replaced. The vehicle had never been in a wreck.
When driving the for a while the steering is getting bound up it sticks slightly and you have to pull harder to correct it doesn't want to let me steer it back to straight, it sticks unexpectedly while your trying to steer back to straight
As many others have reported, the power steering is "sticking" and requires effort to come back to center. The dealer claims they "cannot replicate the problem." I am left to wonder if the problem from the 2019 recall is coming back to haunt us.
Steering sticks consistently when going around curves, usually around the 10 and 2 areas. Vehicle steering has to be manually forced back to midline. Occurs more frequently the longer the drive and usually at speeds only over 30mph.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tacoma, WA, USA