10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,307 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.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Chrysler Pacifica Owner Comments (Page 4 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #250

May 012024

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Licensed independent service center diagnosed that I have coolant leaking into cylinder 5 and that the head gasket is compromised and needs to be replaced. My vehicle only has 84k miles. No warning lights illuminated until I started to experience a shudder when starting the vehicle, shaky start and then the check engine light came on with a cylinder 5 misfire code. I noticed coolant was low and topped off. The vehicle has never indicated it was too hot, but I need to refill reservoir each time the vehicle is driven. I no longer feel safe driving my vehicle as a hot engine could cause failure while driving, leave us stranded in a vehicle with small children, or worse cause engine fire, accident, injury or death. I would never expect to have head gasket failure at such low mileage. I should be able to trust that an auto manufacturer can build a car that will last more than 84,000 miles without engine failure. Many people online are experiencing this same issue with large repair bills or engine replacements needed. I sincerely hope that a recall will be issued for this repair as it presents a safety issue.

- Logandale, NV, USA

problem #249

Apr 202024

Pacifica

  • miles
Value cover gasket failed and stated cracked heads. Car didn-??t overheat, but engine light came on. Had car towed to dealer. Bought warranty from dealer(powertrain) but dealer says coverage have not been approved yet. Car been in shop about 2 wks

- Wilson, NC, USA

problem #248

Mar 082024

Pacifica

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the check engine and the STOP and START warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that on the last occasion, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the battery was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was scheduled for a service appointment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

- Mcdonough, GA, USA

problem #247

Apr 292024

Pacifica

  • miles

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

While driving 45+ MPH, a warning message shown stating "stop safely, vehicle will shut off soon", which is followed by loss of power and inability to control the vehicle. No error codes generated. There is an open investigation according to the NHTS website, NHTSA Action Number: RQ24004.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #246

Apr 252024

Pacifica

  • miles
-service engine light went on 2 weeks ago, intermittently. - escalated when engine began locking/ shuddering while driving and engine light began flashing. - had vehicle towed to the nearby dealership - dealer diagnosed it as a blown head gasket due to manufacturing defects. Dealer offered up that -??they see this issue all the time-?? with the 3.6L Pentastar engine. - dealer quoted $6000 for the repair but forewarned that the other head gaskets would likely fail as well because of the manufacturer defect. Quoted $9500 to replace both - dealer suggested replacing both head gaskets but also refused to confirm integrity of the engine block and all additional cylinders with micrometer measurements and pressure readings. - there is a known and frighteningly frequent breakdown of this engine in the Chrysler Pacifica. - complete engine failure should not be common place for a vehicle with less than 100,000 miles.

- Encinitad, CA, USA

problem #245

Apr 252024

Pacifica

  • miles
Car ran fine during morning drop offs with kids to school, approximately 10 miles away. Stopped in parking lot to help with school events, car cooled down for 2 hours and would not start. Tried to jump start the car, it did not work. Car was towed to the dealership where we found out that the engine had seized. Car has 107K miles on it. All maintenance performed at dealership on time.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #244

Mar 262024

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Warning message stating "stop safely, vehicle will shut off soon", which is followed by loss of power and vehicle will only go about 30 MPH. There is an open investigation according to the NHTS website, NHTSA Action Number: RQ24004. Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short. Dealer says that the fix is to replace the Power Inverter module (PIM), for which we are waiting for the part.

- Kailua, HI, USA

problem #243

Apr 162024

Pacifica

  • miles
While driving a message came across the dash to "service charging system" and then a second message appeared that said "speeds limited" and the vehicle slowed to 44mph entirely out of my control.

- Charles Town, WV, USA

problem #242

Feb 162024

Pacifica

  • miles
Piston Number 3 is misfiring which is the from an error code. Replaced the piston 3 twice and now coolant is leaking into the engine which cause the coolant to leak into the engine. This is a safety risk since the car does not give a warning until there is no more coolant in the car which can cause a fire while driving. The issue was shown twice and confirmed by 2 independent mechanics and the dealership. The vehicle has been inspected and checked out by 2 independent mechanics and the dealership. It first appeared Feb 16 2024 when the check engine light came on and the next Monday the car lost coolant. The car also shook violently when it was started.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #241

Mar 292024

Pacifica

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle hesitated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was diagnosed and determined that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

- Stevenson Ranch, CA, USA

problem #240

Mar 092024

Pacifica

  • miles

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

The engine overheated and the vehicle became with three children inside on a major New Jersey highway. This vehicle was advertised for families with kids, and appears to have a safety defect. The first sign something was wrong was when the check engine light came on; shortly after the vehicle became inoperable on the highway. We took the vehicle to several different mechanic shops, including the dealership, and we were told the vehicle has a major engine defect, either a blown head gasket or a total engine failure. The vehicle is currently at a Chrysler dealership being examined.

- West Orange, NJ, USA

problem #239

Mar 262024

Pacifica

  • miles
Purchased the car used in 2018. Worked fine. Always kept up with my oil changes. Car now over 72000 miles. Suddenly, noticed car would jerk while im driving. Was told engi e misfire. Had it fixed so i thought. After a while, happening again. Also, without any warning, suddenly coolant disappears somewhere in the car. Not coming out at all. And without warning, car overheats. Constantly filling with coolant. Engine light suddenly comes on. Blinking on and off. Now im in engine failure. Not in warranty. Checked several forums, tons of people with the SAME issue. Bad engine from Chrysler. My Supreme warranty is expired, i am single mother of three and cannot fix. Still financing this vehicle. Can anybody help me? I dont have thousands of dollars to fix this.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

problem #238

Mar 042024

Pacifica

  • miles
My Vehicle suddenly stops while the car is in motion, it shuts completely off. I had an instance where my car shut off coming off the freeway off-ramp. This has happened on numerous occasions and we have been trying to call the dealership to see if there is any recall. We are never given a straight answer and we feel unsafe to drive our vehicle

- Helendale , CA, USA

problem #237

Feb 142024

Pacifica

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering and there was a lot of exhaust and a burning odor. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was coolant in the compartment where the spark plug was located, and that the head gasket was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

problem #236

Jan 232024

Pacifica

  • miles
I keep getting a check engine light that reads as cylinder 5 misfire. I have replaced the spark plug and coil pack and it still will read as a cylinder 5 misfire. Often times when we start the van, it acts as if it has engine problems. I know this is very common in 2017-2018 Pacifica's and seems very unsafe. Something is wrong with the engines in those years of Pacifica's. I have had this check engine light read 4 times and 2 mechanics looked at it and replaced some parts to success.

- Seward, NE, USA

problem #235

Mar 012024

Pacifica

  • miles
The van auto shutoff during a stop in an intersection. The van did not turn back on when the pressure was released from the pedal. The engine was off and I was in the middle of the intersection. The gear shifter knob was unable to move to a different gear. After multiple attempts to restart the car were unsuccessful, the car finally restarted after cycling through the att, run, start menus without the brake being depressed and then pressing the break and pushing the start button. This vehicle has had the recall work performed related to this issue and the repair is insufficient. The stall is intermittent and difficult to repeat.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

problem #234

Jan 032024

Pacifica

  • miles
The #5 cylinder keeps having a misfire sometimes causing failure of the vehicle to get up and move when needed in an emergency Situation this being a family van make even putting children in danger at times. After inspection by myself a Mechanic that even taught College Automotive repair, I have also taught Jet engine repair I find this concerning. Is what is happening is the head gasket is leaking coolant into the #5 Cylinder and we all know water will not admit a spark. Rust can be seen on the Valves and top of Piston cylinder upon inspection. This is a well know issue across the United States and Chrysler Dealers and manufacturers, their mechanics, parts and service departments also know this. This is poor workmanship inferior parts. But the most concerning is not being able to get a response out of the vehicle to get out of the way in an emergency situation and that the owners of Chrysler Corporation do not care. With the cost the consumers paid for these Vehicles it should not have to fall on them due to the inferior parts and workmanship of the manufacturing Company. The Average Consumer cannot afford to fix this issue, and some are still paying for their Pacifica's Immediate action should be taken with this problem as many Babies, Children and adult lives are being put at risk. I would recommend to stop driving these vehicles immediately until the problem is resolved. Accident waiting to happen possibly causing bodily harm.

- Haughton, LA, USA

problem #233

Feb 062024

Pacifica

  • miles
Tried to start car. When start button was pressed the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. Multiple error messages. FCW unavailable, power steering unavailable, fuel door open, park brake unavailable, park sense unavailable, Service hybrid electric system, power steering unavailable. The gear indication, both on dash and by shifter was flashing. The car would not turn off. I had to open hood and disconnect 12v battery for the car to power off. Waited 10 seconds and connected 12v and it power on, but the check engine light is still active

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #232

Jan 292024

Pacifica

  • miles
Received message that Start/Stop component was not working. A few weeks later, check engine light came on. Brought to mechanic, was told to replace main and auxiliary battery. Paid to replace those and two days later, got both the start/stop message and the check engine light again. Brought back to mechanic who, upon finding countless other consumers who have had the same issue, found a blown head gasket with coolant leaking into the engine. Our vehicle has only 44k miles on it and is at risk of overheating while driving and the engine may be damaged.

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #231

Jan 212024

Pacifica

  • miles
The check engine light came on and the vehicle experienced a slight loss of power. Later the Start/Stop indicator light cam on with a message saying it has malfunctioned. Upon driving the van continues to have issues going up hills and accelerating from a stopped position. The check engine light remains steady without blinking.

- Peebles, OH, USA

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