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 6 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #210

Aug 272023

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Vehicle is 5 years old and at 90,000 miles. Head gasket blew causing several thousand dollars in damage. This seemed very early to have to do this to the engine. I wanted to report in case this is a persistent issue with this particular model of car. If it is a consistent issue I would like to see. A recall issued.

- Ozark, MO, USA

problem #209

Aug 042023

Pacifica

  • miles
My 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has a blown head gasket. It has been to a Chrysler dealership and an independent auto repair shop. Both places told me that this is a known defect and commonly occurring problem with this engine. I have conducted my own research and it definitely appears to be a known defect and common problem. I was told that the head gasket could be replaced but more problems would follow and paying the large repair bill wouldn't guarantee the van would be problem free. The best option I've been presented with is to replace the engine completely. It is very disappointing to need to replace an engine in a vehicle that is only 5 years old and just barely over 100k miles.

- Irmo, SC, USA

problem #208

Jul 162023

Pacifica

  • miles
P0303 code. Ended up being a blown head gasket and required entire engine replacement from damage caused. Refused warranty as it was brought into dealership in Aug 5 2023 but warranty ended July 25 2023. All maintenance had been performed

- Saint James, MO, USA

problem #207

Aug 082023

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Van just unexpected shutdown no warming light nothing ! This is a handicap van rear entrance !!! On Tuesday August 8 2023, Daughter and handicapped granddaughter riding in van it just stopped she had to coast in the middle turn lanes until help arrived Did get daughter out in wheelchair push across 3 lanes traffic to safe very hot that day... On the NHTSA says as of January 17,2023 compaints on 2018 Chrysler Pacifica With inspected engine shutdown..

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #206

Aug 142023

Pacifica

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact stated that she shifted to park(P) and turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. A local mechanic met the contact at the scene and assisted in restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer several times; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure started to occur after the head gasket was replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the dealer had not performed a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Michie, TN, USA

problem #205

Jul 202023

Pacifica

  • miles
Cylinder 3 misfire, combustion gases in coolant, coolant consumption but no leak, probable failed head gasket

- Saint James, MO, USA

problem #204

Aug 082023

Pacifica

  • miles

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

A blown head gasket (and possibly warped head) were causing a cylinder 3 misfire. The vehicle has only 70,000 miles and has had regular maintenance performed. It appears the motor design is faulty, likely causing a build up of heat in the engine compartment or internal to the motor resulting in blown head gaskets. This is apparently a common problem and Chrysler should develop a solution to handle the issue.

- Savage, MN, USA

problem #203

Jul 262023

Pacifica

  • miles
Cylinder head inside the engine has a Crack with antifreeze leaking into the engine. I had been driving the car prior to being able to make an appointment at the dealership. Luckily there was not a crash due to this.

- Batavia, IL, USA

problem #202

Jul 232023

Pacifica

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, smoke came from underneath the hood; however, the contact turned off the vehicle. The contact waited for the smoke to settle before restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle for a short distance, and then the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed due to extensive melted engine parts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #201

Jul 232023

Pacifica

  • miles
The engine is failing due to poor design and parts. Coolant has leaked into the motor causing a misfire and likely a ruined engine. With this damage, the engine can stop at anytime risking all occupants especially if driving at higher speeds. This is a minivan intended to safely transport families. It has not been to the shop yet. There was first a fuel pressure sensor check engine code and then after that was fixed we scanned the stats few weeks later and now there is a misfire. This is all a far too common issue for Chrysler Pacifica with the 3.6 L Pentastar motor.

- Holland, MI, USA

problem #200

Jul 182023

Pacifica

  • miles

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

Currently have 62,254 miles on my car and the head gasket is now faulty requiring a repair that-??s almost $4,000. Check engine light came on prompting it to be looked at and head gasket was root cause. Appears to be a very common issue with Pacifica-??s but no service bulletins or recalls associated with this issue yet.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #199

Jul 152023

Pacifica

  • miles
My car won't start it says that the engine or accessory is on when it isn't. I had this same problem last year during covid so I replaced both the batteries last year. Now it's doing it again. This time how ever the light is flickering on the drivers side. The doors when I first got it and sometimes says still that there not enough power to operate sliding doors.

- Bronson, KS, USA

problem #198

Jul 022023

Pacifica

  • miles
- The car still has open recall Z11 ( RU PHEV hybrid traction battery fire). - The car had open recall XE1 RU PHEV transmission open. - The car became stranded refusing to put the transmission into gear. - Had to tow the car to the dealership. The dealer stated the traction battery fuse was blown. The dealer could not pinpoint the root cause of the issue, nor did chrysler have parts readily available to fix. The car still shows there's an open short. - The dealer could not complete diagnosis because of the Z11 recall. They stated that the traction battery can not complete self check procedure. - Chrysler is unresponsive in following up on the issue.

- Fort Lee, NJ, USA

problem #197

Nov 122022

Pacifica

  • miles
In November 2022, roughly 2 weeks before Thanksgiving our 2018 pacifica showed an engine code on the way home, it read to be a misfire. We were already enroute and near home so we cotinued driving. The low coolant light came on briefly as we were pulling into the driveway and the engine became hot. When I looked under hood I could hear a gurgling noise and noted th coolant resovoir to be empty. The next morning I added coolant and used a Gasket leak detection kit to confirm a blown head gasket. Vehicle was dropped off on a Monday and was in the shop for nearly a month waiting on parts. We were very fortunate to be so close to home. Failure occured under warranty but upon research found that the issue was fairly common among vehicles with this engine, some failures as low as 40k on the engine.

- Saint Leonard, Md 20685, MD, USA

problem #196

Jun 052023

Pacifica

  • miles
Got a check engine light for misfire cylinder 4. Take it to a dealer and told its blown a head gasket at 76k miles. They act like this has never happened. Start reading all the forums and it-??s a widely known issue that the manufacturer won-??t correct. Could have an accident or catastrophic failure caused by their negligence.

- Wentzville, MO, USA

problem #195

May 222023

Pacifica

  • miles
I purchased this vehicle Certified Used from a Chrysler dealership 2/2020 and it did well until about 1 month ago. The motor was running "rough'' and sometimes losing power. Diagnostic code P0303 came up and I am told by our mechanic that the 3rd cylinder is ''blown''. Most likely due to dropped valve guide and / or warped head. When I began to look up reasons for this problem online, MANY problems just like this for the 3.6L V6 Pentastar motor. I was told not to drive it any more than I absolutely have to as it could / will lose power without warning. I don't know if this has been confirmed by dealer or ISC but it is on many forums and subject to class action lawsuit. There has been no other inspection besides my local mechanic. Engine light did come on when problem first began about 1 month ago.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #194

May 052023

Pacifica

  • miles
My Pacifica Hybrid van has been at a Chrysler dealership (Castle Rock in Colorado) for over six weeks now to have the Z11 recall addressed. It is clear that neither Chrysler nor their dealers know how to properly fix this (potentially lethal) issue with their vehicle batteries. Chrysler have failed to provide a loaner vehicle, even though it is stated in their recall letter that they would, and their "Customer Care" hotline have been unable to assist in any way. No one will call me back or otherwise inform me of next steps.

- Parker, CO, USA

problem #193

Jun 012023

Pacifica

  • miles
Rough idle when starting cold. Cylinder 3 misfire. Loss of coolant. Jolt when accelerating.

- West Nyack , NY, USA

problem #192

May 292023

Pacifica

  • miles
Engine noise and rattling as well as coolant levels dropping dramatically. Mechanic advised head gasket repair and upon further inspection a NEW ENGINE on a 2018 vehicle. With more research, I see this has affected other Pacifica owners.

- Willow Spring, NC, USA

problem #191

May 012023

Pacifica

  • miles
Pacifica 2018 Model. The engine light started coming on. The car started shaking strongly at start but gets normal after some minutes. Took it to dealership. Dealership said same problem you are discussing. Coolant was gone. Head gasket gone. The cylinder 5 misfiring. The engine needs to be replaced. This problem is affecting just too many owners. Request Chrysler to acknowledge that it is a problem.

- Grayson , GA, USA

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