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.
Blown head gasket. Had to get it repaired. Steering is catching as well. Probably need a new steering box. It-??s been one expensive repair after another.
I bought my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica limited about two years ago. It-??s been the worst decision I-??ve ever made. I have just about a 3% rate and with the amount of issues these things have I-??m so far upside down it-??s not even funny. This car with all of its known issues is depreciating faster than I can pay for it. I currently have about 129,000 miles on it. I couldn-??t get rid of this thing if I tried. The Chrysler dealership I service it with said they would give me $4000 IF they were willing to buy it back. The engine build company my mechanic uses says they won't even build these engines at all because of how many issues they have. So no option other than to buy the exact same engine is has now through Chrysler and know it will do it again. I-??m having stalling/accelerating issues (shop can-??t figure it out, kids cry when it stalls in traffic.. I've been in for it about 9 times to two different place) Oil cooler housing unit replaced last year (taken it back in a few times for ongoing leak, now need a head gasket) Head gasket Batteries galore Ongoing start stop issues My AC went out the month I bought it (leak in the lines near the rear) 3000k to fix The shop says it needs lifters, cam shafts and rockers (might as well do the engine if I had the extra money after paying off the rest of the repairs) My heated and cooled seats have stopped working numerous times Dash comes on and off when it wants Back up camera stays on the screen while I drive as much as it doesnt My rear washer fluid sprays INSIDE the car onto my kids Rear power seats stopped working multiple times now Get in to head to work and it just won-??t start-??. Have to basically play a video game with the controls and key fob to miraculously start it up Starting to rust already We have owned 2 Durango-??s, 2 dodge rams, a Chrysler Sebring and now this. Clearly we support Chrysler but after this my husband switched to a ford truck and I will be going back as soon as I can if this isn't resolved.
[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Subject: Complaint Regarding Recurrent Mechanical Issues and Potential Safety Concerns with 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Dear NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to formally report repeated mechanical issues with my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica (VIN [XXX] ), which have raised significant concerns regarding the vehicle-??s reliability and safety. In 2023, my vehicle initially experienced a persistent ticking noise in the engine, leading to extensive repairs. These included replacing the tappets, rockers, and timing chain tensioner on the right bank of the engine. Following these repairs, the vehicle exhibited low oil pressure, ultimately requiring a complete long block replacement. These issues left the vehicle out of service for nearly two months, significantly disrupting our daily lives. Despite these major repairs, my Pacifica has recently developed overheating issues, necessitating the replacement of the radiator at an estimated cost of over $2,000. The vehicle has less than 60,000 miles, and I find it deeply concerning that such critical mechanical issues are occurring at such low mileage. These repeated failures suggest a potential underlying defect in the design or manufacturing of this vehicle, which could present a safety risk. An overheating engine, for instance, poses a potential hazard both to the occupants and to other road users. As a police officer and parent of three young children, I rely on this vehicle for my family-??s safety and transportation. I respectfully request that the NHTSA investigate whether these issues are indicative of a broader defect in 2018 Chrysler Pacifica models. I believe an investigation could help identify potential safety risks to other owners and encourage Chrysler to address these problems proactively INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The hybrid battery coolant heater (part 68443445AC) was confirmed a problem, however the dealership wont review ANY recalls on my vehicle until I pay $1700 to replace that part. However, there are MULTIPLE incidents online showing this is a problem with this vehicle and should be a recall as this is obviously defective within the first 150000 miles. My car has roughly 124K miles, making it just outside the warranty coverage. Shortly before this lamp warning (check engine) came on my steering wheel started "sticking" making it hard to steer in a curve, causing me to veer off the road. Within 7 days of this happening, is when my check engine light appeared, throwing code POE15. The heat now also takes much longer to warm up- like 30 minutes longer. The dealership said none of the issues are connected, however after online research I have determined that is not true.
- Jasper, GA, USA
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An engine fault code for P0303 has become active on my 2018 Pacifica. This code was confirmed by an independent service center and confirmed that the code is active. The service center ran a compression test and showed that cylinder three is low on compression. They then ran a hydrocarbon test and confirmed exhaust in the coolant. This diagnosis points to the common issue related to a bad head gasket potentially due to a warped head/block. The car has never overheated and all service maintained.
REPAIR ORDER DATE: 11/04/2024 MIKE PERRY CHRYLSER/NACOGDOCHES PROBLEMS: SHAKING WHILE IDLING/STOP-START NOT WORKING ACTIONS TAKEN: REPLACED SUPPORTS AND MOUNTS ENGINE SUPPORT -?" $105 TRANS MOUNT -?" $274 ENGINE MOUNT -?" $155 PARTS - $535 LABOR - $600 TOTAL - $1191 REPAIR ORDER DATE: 10/14/24 - MIKE PERRY CHRYSLER/NACOGDOCHES PROBLEMS: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON/ENGINE MISSING ACTIONS TAKEN: REPLACED GASGETS, GASGET FLANGE, CAMSHAFT, THERMOSTAT GASGET - $250 GASGET -?" $120 GASGET EXHAUST FLANGE - $43 CAMSHAFT INTAKE - $572 ANTIFREEZE COOLANT - $53 THERMOSTAT - $122 PARTS - $1014 LABOR - $3752 TOTAL - $5129 REPAIR ORDER DATE: 10/02/24/SOUTHERN CHRYSLER LUFKIN ISSUE: CAR WOULDN'T START ACTIONS TAKEN - REPLACED STARTER AND BATTERY FUSE FUSE BOX - $202 LABOR - $636 TOTAL - $855 REPAIR ORDER DATE: 9/25/24 /MIKE PERRY CHRYSLER /NACOGDOCHES ISSUE: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ACTIONS TAKEN: REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND COILS IRIDIUM IX - $15 IGNITION COIL SET - $274 LABOR - $300 TOTAL - $710 SERVICES FROM 9/25/2024 THROUGH 11/04/2024 *Approximately 6 weeks TOTAL EXPENSES $7,855
Vehicle just dies when you brake. This has now happened twice. Once in May 2024 and now Oct 2024. You have no steering and cannot be put into neutral or park. Must pull neutral cord to get pushed out of road. No codes pull up other than the neutral cord used. In May 2024 towed to dealer and they replaced starter but could not find anything else. In Oct 2024, took it to an independent car place and he could not find anything wrong, just re-boot computer. This is very dangerous; this is a handicap van modified for a wheelchair person to be put in through the back of the van. If I get hit in the back, I can't get my son out of the van. Extremely unsafe! I know the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica's were recalled for this and I believe the powertrain control module software was updated or the chip was replaced. This needs to be recalled for the 2018's also.
Engine code misfire cylinder #3 and losing coolant. Took it to the mechanic who diagnosed it has a failed head gasket and coolant leaking into the cylinder. Vehicle had 85,000 miles at the time.
Misfire code on cylinder 1. Pulled the coil and plug and replaced, cleared code. Code returns in a matter of days. Then engine temp hot flashes during a short drive, so I purchase approved OAT coolant and fill it back up. Happens again three weeks later. Then two weeks later. Have local mechanic replace coolant pump and thermostat thinking that might do the trick. It doesn't. Issues return in a week. Mechanic can find no coolant leak and says the only thing that makes sense is a blown head gasket. I browse Chrysler forums and see that this is a common issue. No recall as of yet.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L+ with 59,300 miles on it that we bought new from the dealer with a blown head gasket needing replacement of cylinders 3 and 4. We are outside the powertrain warranty. We got a check engine light [XXX] and found code p-0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). We were fortunate enough to get it to the dealer the very next day. It failed the engine block test and we were informed that the head gasket had blown and needed replacement. They also recommended replacing cylinders 3 and 4. This cannot be the expected lifespan of this engine or car. Searching forums on the internet and unfortunately it is a common problem with pacifica's and other vehicles with the pentastar 3.6L engine. We are averaging <10,000 miles per year, did not drive it aggressively, and got regular maintenance on it. This seems like obvious premature failure of the engine. Chrysler wanted $8200 for the parts and labor to fix it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
In April of 2022 my dash engine check light went on, as well as my start stop. Van was running rough and coolant missing. Chrysler fixed seals, gaskets. In July of 2024, 3000 before warranty ended, the same thing, Chrysler fixed. As of today October 10, 2024, the same dash lights and coolant missing. Now I am over 100,000 warranty. they just fixed this issue. Looking at Technical Service Bulletins and thousands of Chrysler forum complaints report the same issue. Despite two warranty fixes almost 10,00 in 15 months, the same issue continues. In 2024 this past fix Chrysler said this on the phone, Failed leak and combustion test. Cylinder head gasket has gone. Cylinder itself. Cylinder one. Misfire but not as bad. Checking the cylinder wall. Seems odd. Really inspecting the cylinder wall. Odd it would come back odd a year later. Not sure what he is going to find. They can do it tomorrow unless more. When my husband called today all they said was payment is on us of it is not the same thing but did not day to was we did this 3 months ago. I took my van to auto zone after same dash lights went on and they read the code, misfire cylinder one
I have a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with 50k miles and it is still covered under the powertrain warranty. 1. I had a check engine light with code as "misfire on cylinder 6" in August of 2024. I had all spark plugs and engine coils replaced. 2. I drove the vehicle for one week before the engine light came back on with the same code, and then the vehicle wouldn't start. It was towed to a dealer. 3. A dealer replaced the starter assembly and valve body. 4. I drove the vehicle for 2 days before the engine light came back on with code as misfire to a different cylinder. 5. I am now being told by the dealer that I need to replace both cylinder heads, both cylinder head gaskets, timing cover gaskets, valve cover gaskets, valve cover gaskets and the coil boots (again) because they were ruined the the failure/leaks in the other parts.
The check engine light recently came on, and there was an issue with starting and idling, so we replaced the battery and the light went off, but would randomly come back on. One day notice the vehicle as overheating, and found the coolant tank to be completely empty. Refilled the tank, and several days later the problem arose again. Checked under the van immediately after refilling, no leaks detected. Took van to the dealership and was told the head gasket was bad, and the coolant was leaking into cylinder 3. Recommended repairs noted are as follows: -??HEAD GASKET IS BAD. LEAKING ON CYLINDER 3. NEEDS A NEW HEAD AND GASKET TO FIX ISSUE. WILL ALSO NEED CAMS, LIFTERS, AND ROCKERS DUE TO THE TICKING COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTOR-?? I-??ve seen that apparently, this is a more than common issue specifically with the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. Others have recommended a total engine replacement, as the damage caused thus far is significant enough that replacing only the head and gasket would be, as quoted, -??a very expensive bandaid.-?? This is the only vehicle we have available for my wife and four small kids, and to see that it-??s such a common and, thus far ignored problem is infuriating to say the least. Vehicle was purchased 2 years ago, and has depreciated $21,000 in that short amount of time. Repairs are estimated around $6000. Vehicle value is estimated around negative $12,000, so we-??re stuck with a faulty vehicle regardless. With the overwhelming number of complaints regarding this issue, almost verbatim, there is absolutely no reason Chrysler should continue to be allowed to let this go unresolved. The fact that the vehicle depreciated so rapidly in such a short time span should be a testament in and of itself to the known and perceived quality of these vehicles, and if ever I can be rid of it, it-??ll be that last Chrysler product I ever own.
76,115 and my head gasket is blown. After researching, I found that there are more than over 1000 people with the same issue. Dealership says they can do nothing. Chrysler of America says they have no resolution either. This is ridiculous that so many people are having the issues with low miles on their vans. Something has to be done. I'm not sure why there is not a recall already (because Chrysler won't accept the fact that they messed up). People don't have money to replace the head gaskets and/or replace heads or even engines. Please help.
The vehicle has stalled several times while driving and while at a stop light leaving the van completely disabled and it will not turn on or start again. My wife and 2 year old were put at risk when the vehicle stalled on them at a major intersection and my wife was unable to put the vehicle into parking or drive since there was no power after it stalled and dashboard lights flicked on and off multiple times.. Stall has also happened at drive thru almost causing collision with vehicle in front. The stall produces dashboard error messages reporting an internal transmission malfunction, auto start/stop error, and or a problem charging the battery. Certified ASE mechanics can-??t reproduce the issue or find anything to pin point the issue after multiple diagnostic tests ran and physical thorough inspection. Every time a stall happens loads of error codes (85+) pull up but none point to the root cause of stalling happening. Vehicle has most up to date software update done over a year ago.
At just over 100K miles, vehicle had check engine light come on (P303) indicating cylinder #3 mis-fire. After replacing spark plugs did not resolve the issue, further diagnosis from mechanic revealed leaking of coolant into cylinder #3 as the cause of the miss-fire. This is further borne out by the rough starts when cold followed by more smooth operation once the coolant is burned off. Research on-line shows that this failure is common in Chrysler Pacifica rather than a one-off incident. Leaking of coolant into the engine not only puts the engine (and therefore vehicle occupants) at risk but also damages the catalytic converter which can have an impact on the environment.
Cylinder head gasket failure: known to be a common failure in the Pentastar 3.6L engine. Repair in thousands, and may not be a solution as the engine block may warp due to failure preventing a proper seal with the cylinder head. The number of cases of this failure is alarming and should really be considered a proper consumer risk.
Purchased vehicle used and have put on miles. But since day 1 issues have been arising. First the Auto stop/start function stopped, 2 years later still unable to find the fix. More recent the gear shift just doesn-??t work/turn on randomly or turns off while driving which is a safety concern. Now for the past 2 months the gear shift will not work or while driving the vehicle just loses acceleration and braking and slows to a stall and I can-??t do anything until the gear shift turns back. I had 3 children on [XXX] when this started putting all our lives in danger. We were stuck for 2 hours the vehicle ran but was not drivable. Every mechanic says something different and it is a luck of the draw if the vehicle will work when you try it. Batteries all tested good. No obvious other issues other than loss of power steering for a short time. All warning lights flashing on and off randomly but it coincides with the loss of driving capabilities. I just want to be done with this vehicle it-??s dangerous and now I-??m stuck with it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2018 Pacifica with multiple similar issues. August 2018 - Recall - Reprogram Powertrain Control module May 1019 - Recall fixes (Power steering and ball joint). July 2021 - start/stop light came on - took to dealership and they replaced the battery for that system. Feb 2022 - Recall customer satisfaction notification 1 Y65 July 2022 - ISSUES begin - Cylinder misfire - and car would not start and was smoking. Van was towed to dealership. The dealership had the van for 2 months and had a difficult time really diagnosing the issue. They ended up replacing the right Cylinder head - which is a major part of the engine. Just being over the 60,000 mile mark, we had to fight with Chrysler to honor the warranty on this very expensive fix. Spark plugs were also changed at that time. August 2024 - check engine light is back on, as well as the automatic start/stop button. We took to Auto zone and the diagnosis was Cylinder 6 misfire. All along we have felt there should have been a recall on this van. Is it an electrical issue that is failing? Searching online there are a lot of these complaints about Cylinder misfiring issues with this year/model. It also looks like there may have been a class action lawsuit as well. A 4 year old van should not need a major engine repair. Now here we are 2 years later with a 6 year old van and having a similar issue. We are worried it is going to be another costly fix. We have had nothing but issues with this van and it is unacceptable, especially regarding a brand new car. We have all our receipts indicating appropriate and timely oil changes and transmission flushes, etc from the dealer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Mckee, KY, USA