10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,001 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #179

Jun 192019

Pacifica

  • 50,394 miles
We bought the car new and there has been an on going random problem car that feels like a hard jolt, like being hit from behind, a loud clunk noise and hesitation when it is shifting gears. It started shortly after 10,000 miles and still continues at 50,000 miles. It happens the majority of the time at 15mph but has happened at 35 mph also. We have had to be checked by the dealership several times and they can not duplicate the problem on demand. They have updated software and replaced a module but it still occurs. This is a safety issue as we have no idea when this will happen and could easily cause an accident. The last time it happened five times within a two hour time period. We drove straight to the dealer and they kept the car eight days and were never able to duplicate the problem so we were told there is nothing wrong with the car. It is just not true. Chrysler cares said since there is nothing to fix they cannot help us. We have no choice but to get rid of the car for the safety of our family.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #178

Jul 012019

Pacifica

  • 18,000 miles
First, the two batteries in the vehicles are failing prematurely. Ours just failed about a week after the start/stop system light activated on dash. Our van was parked for 7 days at an airport and upon returning from vacation the batteries were dead and unable to be recharged. Ironically, my sister-in law in California whom we were visiting, had the exact same problem with theirs while we were there. Again, a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. My research shows this is a reoccurring issue all across the country according to google research and carcomplaints.com. Some people are having their van die or stall while in motion. Second, there is a problem with the paint bubbling up around the hood edges. Again, my research on google and carcomplaints.com reveals many are suffering this bubbling paint issue. Last, the transmission has an extremely hard shift intermittently between 10 to 15 mph. So hard in fact, it feels as if you have been rear ended. Again, research on google and carcomplaints, com and Pacifica forums, indicate this is not an isolated issue. Many are experiencing this issue.

- Scottsburg, IN, USA

problem #177

Mar 082019

Pacifica

  • 30,000 miles
For a year now our transmission slips when going into first gear. The van will come to a complete stop and then continue moving which results in a hard jerk. It was so bad on a trip that the check engine light came on and we could not get the van out of first gear. We were even trying to drive over the Ohio river at the time! we took the van to the dealership. The dealership reset the van but the issues still occurred. We were informed by the dealer that chyrsler will not fix the issues until our check engine light comes on again. We continue to have the jerking issues and the transmission continues to slip. Now the van wants to excel at times. We are completely frustrated with our van!! I am the primary driver and have an extremely bad back! the jerking is causing issues with my back. We would never recommend a Chrysler Pacifica. I can't believe Chrysler willing to put us in danger!!

- Fairborn, OH, USA

problem #176

Jul 012017

Pacifica

  • miles
Hard shifting in low gear (and now sometimes at high speed). The problem began before 25,000 miles. Have taken it to the dealer multiple times for a fix. I'm always told the problem can't be reproduced. I'm now just waiting for the transmission to fail. This is unacceptable.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #175

Sep 012017

Pacifica

  • miles
Aug 2017 purchased at 14K miles, then rattle noise on start up, then rattle noise upon pressing the gas pedal while accelerating or de accelerating, now downshifting hard, shifting hard to the point it gets stuck for a second, people have almost rear ended me, I have almost rear ended people pressing gas to get it to go and it sticking then suddenly speeding

- Millsboro, DE, USA

problem #174

Jan 012019

Pacifica

  • 10,000 miles
Hard shift while driving at around 15 mph. It feels like hitting by another car from back. It occurs every time I speed up slowly around 15 mph. Took it to dealer and dealer told me it was because it is 9 speed transmission and the shift range is narrow, and they can do nothing about it. Very disappointing. And not sure if it will damage transmission.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #173

Feb 012019

Pacifica

  • 27,000 miles
The contact own a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving 14-18 mph, when either accelerating or decelerating, the vehicle experienced a hard shift. There were no warning indicators or signals illuminated in the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to southfield Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (28100 telegraph rd, southfield, mi 48034, 248-331-9937) where it was diagnosed that the vehicle needed an update and there were no failures with the brakes or shifter. The approximate failure mileage was 27,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #172

Jun 172019

Pacifica

  • 17,000 miles
I was pulling out into traffic and tried to accelerate and the vehicle wouldnt until I heard and felt an enormous bang from the transmission finally shifting. Had I not had a center lane I wouldve been hit by another vehicle. Dealership stated they can not replicate it so nothing is wrong. Im afraid to drive it especially with my family.

- Debary, FL, USA

problem #171

Jun 182019

Pacifica

  • 25,008 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate immediately after a complete stop until it reached approximately 30 mph. Afterwards, the vehicle would accelerate normally. The vehicle was taken to hanford Chrysler Jeep (369 N 11th ave, hanford, ca 93230) to be diagnosed, but they were not able to replicate the failure. The contact also stated that the failure occurred every time the vehicle was driven below 30 mph. The failure began since the vehicle was purchased in July of 2018. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,008.

- Hanford, CA, USA

problem #170

Sep 302017

Pacifica

  • 755 miles
Since we bought the vehicle brand new in September 2017, we keep having issues with the transmission shifting. It will shift so hard you feel as if you were hit from behind. Its not only nerve wrecking but scary. It does this without warning, usually about 10 to 25 mph, that is enough to cause whiplash at that rate. Its to the point, I M afraid to drive the vehicle not knowing what is going to happen next. It does this whether you are driving on the city streets or highways. We have spoke to Fiat Chrysler and greve dealership with no results.

- Spencerville, OH, USA

problem #169

Apr 012019

Pacifica

  • 22,000 miles
Since the summer of 2018 when my car reached around 15,000 miles, it began hesitating, losing power, being unable to accelerate, and shifting very hard intermittently. It slams into gear so hard at times it feels like the car has been hit from behind. The problem happens most often when turning out into traffic from a complete stop, or when slowing down as approaching a turn and then accelerating after the turn. The transmission was supposedly replaced, and then a month later it happened again, worse than before. The hard shifting also sometimes happened while accelerating to come up to speed while driving on the thruway. The car has also begun revving erratically. Most recently, the rpms shot up to 5000 and stayed there while driving through town at less than 30 mph. Most recently the car was in the shop from 4/1-4/25 and from 5/24 to present.

- Saugerties, NY, USA

problem #168

Jun 152019

Pacifica

  • 24,000 miles
Leasing 2017 pacific touring L. ever since it passed 8K miles, jerking movements after coming to a stop, like some body hit you from behind. Took it East hills Chrysler and Jeep dealer in long island, NY twice. The first time they updated the software they said. 2nd time they couldn't duplicate the problem. Ofcourse cuz this jerking movement happens. Sometimes. In June 2019 this is happening a lot everyday with the NY city traffic on the highway. May 2019, van stalled while stopped at red light. Screen said 'shift to park to drive....' had to do shift and press the start button twice to get the control back of the vehicle. This time wife and 2 children with me. Of course ppl started honking and yelling cuz it's nyc. Also most of the time while fueling, the fuel pump stops. Really scared to drive this van anymore.

- New Hyde Park, NY, USA

problem #167

May 112019

Pacifica

  • 41,962 miles
Our Pacifica was stopped at a stoplight. When the light turned green, the parking brake engaged and a message came up that said to service the shifter. We were able to turn off the engine and restart it, but we were not able to get the Pacifica to shift to drive or to get the parking brake to disengage. Sheriff's deputies who came and remained on scene with us who are familiar with Chrysler cars were also not able to get our Pacifica to move. Thankfully this incident happened in a situation that was not terribly busy. I am concerned that this would have been extremely dangerous if it had occurred on a busy road. The document from the repair cites tsb 18-002-19. The work that was done was to replace the shifter. Our van only had 41962 miles on it at the time of the incident. If this is a common issue, some work should be done to set up some sort of recall that would make this less of a safety issue. As a result of this incident and a similar incident due to a hood latch sensor failure we no longer felt safe in this vehicle. Once the repair was complete, we traded in the van to buy something we feel much more safe in.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #166

Jun 102019

Pacifica

  • 22,587 miles
Car jerks while driving and accelerating on the road. The car jerks while in motion city and highway driving. Chrysler dealership are unable to fix this issue, they have changed battery and updated software but car is still jerking while in motion.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #165

Jun 032019

Pacifica

  • 67,000 miles
While driving around 30 mph the car on its own slipped out of the drive gear and the dashboard chimed and reported the car was in reverse, the gear knob indicated the same however the car was not in reverse. As I proceeded to drive in traffic, I switched the gear knob to drive and accelerated. The car was sluggish and the RPM were not registering. I drove home (5 miles) slowly because the car was sluggish seemed to only be in first gear. Car was towed to the dealership. They are unable to recreate the problem. This is a safety hazard.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #164

Jun 042019

Pacifica

  • 29,000 miles
My van has had this issue since around 29,000 miles and I am currently around 53,000. I have been to the dealership over 15 times and still have no solution because the problem doesn't show on a computer, nor does it happen when a service tech is with me. When the van is shifting between 1st and 2nd there is a jolt like being hit from behind and a noise. I have this on video 3 separate times and the service advisor tells me that it is normal for a 9 speed transmission to do this. There is no way this is normal, others have been with me and have thought I have slammed on brakes because the jolt is so strong. This happens in parking lots, turns and from a complete stop to start. It always happens at 14-15 mph and is extremely scary at times and there is no solution from anyone.

- Union, SC, USA

problem #163

Jun 012018

Pacifica

  • 16,000 miles
Over a year ago our Pacifica began hard shifting from a dead stop and in lower speeds. Sometimes it is so bad we feel we got rear ended. It is very sporadic and difficult to duplicate. It is becoming very unsafe. My fear is the hard shifting and the car stopping will cause an accident. Dealer says they can't duplicate the problem so they can't fix it. It seems there should be a recall. I have seen at 30 complaints on one web site complaining of the exact same issue.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #162

May 242019

Pacifica

  • 49,000 miles
I purchased a new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica van in November 2016. I started to notice a hard shifting pattern, so hard that it feels like I'm being rear-ended by another vehicle. I have taken it to the dealership 4 times with this complaint on 9/13/17, 6/11/18, 2/27/19 and 5/24/19. The first 3 visits I was told that there was a "software update" and that should fix the problem. The hard shifting would be fixed for about 1 week and it would start back up again. My last visit on 5/24/19 I was told that no shifting issues were appearing on the diagnostics test. My van continues to hard shift on a daily basis. This is becoming a real safety concern as one time it shifted so hard while I was driving on the highway it completely jolted my car. Another instance, while dropping my child off at school at the drop off line, I was completely stopped with my break on and as I slowly began to accelerate my car was not moving and then all of a sudden jerked forward. I almost hit the car in front of me. I've been reading countless blogs and forums of the same complaint with other 2017 Chrysler Pacifica's. most of the people who drive this vehicle have young children in the car. I do not feel safe in my van and even my eight-year-old keeps asking if we are getting hit from behind by another car because of the jolting. It is a very scary moment when this jolting occurs and it increases my heart rate every time this happens, this happens to me at least three to four times per day.

- Festus, MO, USA

problem #161

Apr 132019

Pacifica

  • miles
As we are driving along, especially after a stop or slowing down for a turn, the car jerks suddenly and then accelerates on its own. This has been happening more and more often.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #160

May 282019

Pacifica

  • 38,000 miles
While driving my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica at low speeds (10mph-20mph) it seams to shift out of gear and then slams back in startling everyone in the vehicle feeling like we were rear ended. We have had this vehicle back to the dealer multiple times for the software update. After the update it drives ok for a while then happens again. While operating this vehicle making a left turn into a lane with on coming traffic it occurred almost causing me to get into an accident.

- Penfield, NY, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »