10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
9,093 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 2018 Chrysler Pacifica:

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

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #45

Feb 082019

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 4,260 miles
Engine turned off/stalled without warning while in drive going about 35 mph on a highway exit ramp. Chimes started bonging and 'd' on dashboard started blinking. I was able to brake to a stop. Msg appeared to put car in park to restart. Car restarted immediately. This problem sounds similar to 2018 recall U87 for engine stalling, but my VIN is not covered in recall. Also, note the 2017 recall U01 for engine stalling. Some consumers noted in their complaints that the "fix" did not work. This is very troubling!! obviously two consecutive year recalls for engine stalling does not inspire confidence that the problem has been adequately addressed. I do not feel safe in this car. See current reported complaints (for same problem) online:..

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #44

Feb 082019

Pacifica

  • 4,700 miles
Sitting at stop light waiting for it to change when engine just turned off. Didn't know what had just happened or what to do, afraid I would get rear-ended. Light turned green and I had no power. I put van in park, pushed the ignition start button, van started and I was able to proceed in traffic. Didn't know if problem was related to the feature where engine turns off when stopped in traffic, then turns back on when you press the gas. I pushed the button so engine wouldn't turn off until I got home safely. Near zero outside temps and I thought vehicle had died. Luckily, driver behind me was paying attention and didn't jump the gun when the light turned green or I definitely would have been rear-ended. Apparently this is a problem that other Pacifica drivers have experienced. It needs to be fixed before someone is hurt. Makes me very uneasy to drive it not knowing when it might happen again. Will take to dealer as soon as possible.

- Hanover Park, IL, USA

problem #43

Jan 162019

Pacifica

  • 5,347 miles
Engine stalled during the stop/start function while idling at stoplights, and vehicle has to be restarted. Dashboard shows a quick message about electronic stability control, engine completely stalls out, and then shows a message to put vehicle in park and to restart the vehicle. Vehicle has 5,300 miles. This occurred on the Chrysler dealership *loaner vehicle* (a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica) while dealership is trying to troubleshoot same problem on owner's 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. Returned loaner vehicle to dealer for a different car.

- Plymouth, MN, USA

problem #42

Nov 162018

Pacifica

  • 11,000 miles
2018 Chrysler Pacifica purchased new. When the stop/start function is activated, the engine will completely shut off while idling at stoplights or stop signs, and Pacifica has to be shifted into park and restarted. (this happens intermittently and occurs going straight on the roadway and turning left or right.) chimes sound and dashboard display flashes a message about electronic stability control, engine completely stalls out, and then shows a message to put vehicle in park and to restart the vehicle. Started occurring around 11K miles and has happened 8 times to date. Several visits to the Chrysler dealership include: First visit was a software update and that didn't fix the issue. Second visit was to replace both batteries as both reportedly failed their tests, and that didn't fix it. Opened a Chrysler care case after 7th engine stalling incident. Third visit was to add a data recorder. Captured data on 8th stalling incident. Chrysler is unwilling to report what info was learned from the data recorder and whether root issue has been identified. Fourth visit to Chrysler dealership after data recording capture included replacing the crankshaft position sensor, and Chrysler believes that will fix the issue. Customer now has vehicle for driving (and further road testing).

- Plymouth, MN, USA

problem #41

Jan 192019

Pacifica

  • 13,000 miles
This happened on two occasions. I came to a complete stop, and the auto start stop shut the engine off like it's supposed to. However, when this happened a bunch of warnings came across my dash, saying certain safety features were disabled and the car wouldn't respond to the gas pedal. I had to put the car into park and restart my car. I took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong. It happened again after having it back for three days, and they said there was an 'update' for it. However when I picked up my car they didn't give me any paperwork to sign.

- Warren, OH, USA

problem #40

Jan 212019

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 15,554 miles
The engine automatically stops when going 10 mph or below. A message comes up to stop/start restart required. This happens when I am in traffic or idling at a light. It is occurring more frequently. Brought it to the dealer but they couldn't duplicate message so they did nothing. This is extremely dangerous. I read this was an issue in Jan 2017 and 2018 with 2017. Apparently there needs to be an engine control software update but because Chrysler did not authorize this the service dept at the dealer will not do anything. Extremely dangerous and can cause an accident to anyone driving. This is happening more frequently now on my car. It used to be only once today was three times in twenty minutes..... consumer experiencing engine stalls.

- Valley Cottage, NY, USA

problem #39

Jan 212019

Pacifica

  • 1,200 miles
While stopped at a stop sign the vehicle's auto stop/start function disabled the engine as normal. When I lifted my foot off the brake to engage engine the car stalled and "service auto start/stop" displayed on screen. Then the screen indicated to put the vehicle in park. After I put the vehicle in park I restarted the vehicle and operated normally. Vehicle was purchased new and has 1,200 miles on it. I will be taking the vehicle to my dealer for assessment.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #38

Jan 212019

Pacifica

  • 3,500 miles
Engine shuts off while driving, message displayed to turn off car and turn on again because of electrical failure. Brakes lock and car stalls until vehicle is set back to park and restarted.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #37

Dec 142018

Pacifica

  • 6,000 miles
While driving my 2018 Pacifica in 45 mph traffic on a local road, the car flashed 'stability control' and lost all power. The brakes went hard, the car completely stalled. The display read 'stability control' then disappeared from the screen and it instructed me to put car in park and to restart the car. The second time this happened I was driving 50 mph on a state highway slowing to make a left turn when the vehicle did the exact same thing as stated above.

- Dallas, GA, USA

problem #36

Jan 142019

Pacifica

  • 30,000 miles
While driving - slowing to a stop for a stoplight, my car's computer screens started flashing various warnings to restart the engine. At this point, the car was not responsive to the gas pedal / would not move and the power steering was also not functional. I had to put on my hazards, put the car in park and turn off and turn back on the engine.

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #35

Jan 152019

Pacifica

  • 10,600 miles
The car has lost power on several occasions. When stopped at a stop light/stop sign car shuts off completely and loses power. I brought the car to the dealer last week, they completed an update- however just today the car lost power on a main road which happens to be right in front of the dealer. I pulled in completely shaken as I had my daughter in the car and cars were coming from behind not realizing I am stalled in the road. I have left the car at the dealer. It is so dangerous and scary as I bought this car as a family car and I can't feel comfortable driving it.

- Unionville, CT, USA

problem #34

Aug 012018

Pacifica

  • 8,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled when it approached a stop light. The contact had to turn off and restart the vehicle to get it to operate. Also, while driving 30 mph, the steering seized and the vehicle rolled to a complete stop in the middle of the road. Also, "start stop required" appeared on the instrument panel. Autonation Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram southwest (7980 w tufts ave, littleton, co 80123, (303) 578-6099) stated that they would have to test drive the vehicle and try to replicate the failure. If they could not diagnose it in two days, they would have to return the vehicle to the contact.the manufacturer was called and immediately transferred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was 8,000.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #33

Jan 142019

Pacifica

  • 12,621 miles
While stopped at a traffic light in our town the van shut off and the electrical system starting sending me messages on the dashboard that the lane sense was not operating. I had my foot on the brake and tried several times to move the gear selector to park but it was locked in place. The ignition said it was in the run position which indicates the car should be running but it was not. The brake pedal was firm too, as it would be when the car is off. Finally after several attempts I was able to move the gear knob to park and then restart the car. I could have easily been rear ended, this was very scary and unacceptable on Chrysler's part.

- Montgomery, NY, USA

problem #32

Jan 052019

Pacifica

  • 10,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the power steering failed and the steering wheel was difficult to turn. Also, the emergency flashers were inoperable, the temperature gauge increased to high, and the vehicle failed to engage into gear. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to landmark Chrysler Dodge Ram of atlanta (5745 peachtree industrial blvd, chamblee, ga 30341, (678) 825-3200) where it was diagnosed that two batteries failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact had concerns about the safety of the vehicle. The contact called 911 for assistance during the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 57793693. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #31

Nov 232018

Pacifica

  • 8,000 miles
While approaching a traffic light the car came to a stop and completely shut down. I had to turn shifter of the car from drive to park and then restart the car. This is the 4th time this has happened. Scary time as the first time it happened I was making a legal K turn and the car shut off as I stopped the car before putting the car in reverse. I was T'd in the middle of the road. The first time occurred was 11/23/18 then again 12/18/018, again 12/21/18 and today 1/3/2018

- Unionville, CT, USA

problem #30

Dec 272018

Pacifica

  • 12,700 miles
When completing a stop at traffic lights, the vehicle start/stop system shuts off the engine and without warning it has not restarted automatically leaving us expecting to take off and having to put the vehicle back in park while in traffic and then restart the engine and move gear selector back to the drive position. I've nearly been rear-ended due to this several times. I have counted 7 times this malfunction has happened. When checking the vehicle for any dtc's there have never been any.

- Carlsbad, NM, USA

problem #29

Dec 292018

Pacifica

  • 2,884 miles
We purchased our 2018 Chrysler Pacifica in early October 2018 and have since put less than 3,000 miles on the odometer. Today, while driving on a level rural road near our home, a couple of warning lights started flashing out of nowhere: One indicating that blind-spot monitoring was disabled, and another re: Electronic stability control. Not long after we started up a hill a half-mile later, the accelerator stopped responding. We were slowing down. Then, the car basically stalled and came to a stop. More warning lights and sounds came on, including a check engine light, and one indicating that we needed to service the transmission. Then on the display above the wheel, a message said that we needed to turn off the engine to engage the parking brake. We called 911 in hopes of having an officer help direct traffic while we waited for a tow, as we were stopped around a curve and at a high risk of getting rear-ended. The car wasn't responding when I attempted to turn the engine off. I wasn't able to shift the car into park, either (the light above each gear flashed when I tried to shift away from drive). Also, the hazard lights wouldn't turn on, and nor would the parking brake (I had to keep my foot on the brake to prevent the car from rolling backward down the hill). As we waited for the tow truck, the lights on the dash continued to flash and the alarms continued on. At some point, I once again tried to turn the car off. It worked. Then, when I turned the car on again, only a check engine light came on. The tow truck driver also had no issue reversing the van up onto the bed of his truck.

- Mill Creek, WA, USA

problem #28

Sep 172018

Pacifica 6-cyl

  • 18,600 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle's horn did not work. An independent mechanic stated that the horn was built without a fuse and that one needed to be installed. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle lost power without warning. The vehicle was taken to dadeland Chrysler Dodge (16501 S dixie hwy, miami, fl 33157), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed and assigned a technician. The failure was escalated to a higher office of the dealer. The failure mileage was 18,600.... 2nd incident: Dec. 11: total electrical failure while parked in garage at home. Car was towed to dadeland Dodge where the auxiliary battery was replaced. 3rd incident: Dec.19: Total electrical failure while parked in garage at home. Vehicle was towed again to dadeland chryler. After much research they replaced the body coltrol module. The car was returned to me on Jan. 4, 2019 the car seems to be working well now.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #27

Jun 012018

Pacifica

  • 3,000 miles
The contact leases a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled numerous times when attempting to accelerate from a stop. The contact took the vehicle to sterling heights Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (40111 van dyke avenue, sterling heights, mi 48313, (586)-939-3900) where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump control module and fuel pump relay failed. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the dealer replaced the start and stop engine battery. The failure was not remedied. The dealer also test drove the vehicle and was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 3,000.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #26

Dec 072018

Pacifica

  • 3,130 miles
While stopped at a red light, and the auto shut off feature shut the car off, the vehicle would not start up again. This caused the car to be stalled out in middle of the road on a city street. Only a few minutes later did the car start up again.

- Lakewood, NJ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »