10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,900 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #309

Jun 252025

Pacifica

  • miles
Coolant leak in cylinder 3 due to faulty head gasket. Based on the blogs, this is an issue with all Pacifica not just 2018. This requires a full engine replacement which most families cannot afford nor afford to replace the vehicle. If we keep driving it with this issue it becomes a safety issue. Quote is an $11,000 repair.

- Le Claire, IA, USA

problem #308

Jul 032025

Pacifica

  • miles
On Thursday, July 3, we were on our way out of town and had just gotten on a highway when I smelled something burning, saw smoke (we thought was steam at the time) coming from the hood and heard the engine making a grinding, or rattling noise so we pulled over immediately. My husband got out of the car to start to take a look when another vehicle who had just passed us backed up and motioned frantically saying -??Your car is on fire!-?? So we got out and looked under the front of the car and sure enough, there was liquid spilling onto the ground and fire coming from underneath. So we quickly got away from the car and called 911. Another gentleman who had been going West also stopped to make sure everyone was okay and was also calling 911. Within 10-14 minutes the front of the car was totally engulfed in flames.

- Round Hill, VA, USA

problem #307

Jun 192025

Pacifica

  • miles
Vehicle engine shuts off while driving down the road. Will start up after a few minutes. Traction control light and auto start stop light will come on. Random right wheel noise will come and go. Have had multiple mechanic shops check vehicle with no findings. Vehicle loses all power when shuts down.

- Catlettsburg , KY, USA

problem #306

Jun 102025

Pacifica

  • miles
Check engine light and auto start/stop function stopped while vehicle began to run rough and slow approximately one week ago on my way home from work. BARELY accelerated to 25 on my way home. Nearly got hit as it did happen in traffic. Took it to Auto Outlet Service Yard for diagnostic purposes. Mechanic stated blown head gasket and needs new motor estimate 4500 dollars only had vehicle 6 months get oil change regularly, drive to and from work and school only.

- Tuscaloosa , AL, USA

problem #305

Jun 162025

Pacifica

  • miles
Recurrent intermittent power steering failure and intermittent engine stall. Steering wheel gets stuck when turning right while driving at speed on highway. Steering wheel gets very heavy and requires some force to get it back to center. If I let go of the steering wheel, it would stay in the same position until I move it back. When driving at slower speeds, usually when navigating around turns or roundabouts, the engine will stall and then drastically jolt into gear. Two different mechanics have not been able to identify the root cause. They have checked alignment, electrical codes, and other potential issues without any answers. After research, I believe I am experiencing similar issues as detailed in the Safety Recall V53 / NHTSA 19V-348 Power Steering Assist. My VIN was not included in the recall, but I believe my car is showing similar concerns. I have requested a local Chrysler dealer look into this issue specifically and I have an upcoming appointment.

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #304

Mar 202025

Pacifica

  • miles
My 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has confirmed internal engine damage-?"scoring in the cylinder wall-?"diagnosed by an authorized Chrysler dealer. This occurred with no abuse or neglect, and the failure is consistent with many documented reports involving the 3.6L Pentastar engine. Chrysler is aware of premature failures in this engine across various models, but has denied goodwill assistance in my case despite providing it in others. I have involved the Washington State Attorney General-??s office (File #[XXX]), and I believe this should be part of a broader investigation into systemic engine defects that pose safety and financial risks to consumers. Mileage at failure: 77,000 Diagnosed by: Renton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (WA) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Federal Way, WA, USA

problem #303

Jun 012025

Pacifica

  • miles
The oil filter housing was poorly designed and leaks on virtually every one of these vehicles.? Thus causing engine failure and breakdown which may lead to potential serious harm to travelers as our family suffered.? After more than a year of research talking to mechanics and Chrysler owners and service personnel, I have come to aa clear understanding:? This Oil Filter housing should have been recalled.? Subsequently, ? in later models engineers changed the oil housing manufacturing from a plastic to metal application, to a metal to metal application.? Simply put, the expansion ratios of metal and plastic are measurably different, ? thus the OFH leaks with time due to heat and cold temperature? fluctuations. our Breakdown happened on [XXX] and I have been talking to Chrysler and there personnel since that time, with no help. This is a dangerous over sight! There is much more to this story that I will disclose upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Sewickley, PA, USA

problem #302

Jun 052025

Pacifica

  • 105,769 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,769.

- Monroe, MI, USA

problem #301

May 292025

Pacifica

  • miles
Head gasket needing replacement due to cylinder 5 misfire at 7 years/55,000 miles. This appears to be a defect in the engine for this year and 2019 year. I am willing to be a named defendant if there is an opportunity to go after Chrysler for this as they are offering no assistance for this known defective engine.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #300

Feb 182025

Pacifica

  • miles
I had my Chrsyler Pacifica since Nov 2018. Recently I heard a noise and Dealer suggested change in Transmission. Ever since I have problem with Car stopping im middle of road, towed 5 times to dealer and dealer says he fixed it but still same problem with vehicle stalling happen. yesterday (05/20), delaer informed that vehicle stalled in road while they did test drive after they fixed the problem. I am scared to drive this car anymore. Dealser did not want to loan their car as well anymore, I am without car for more than 30 days during this all 5 incidents.

- Cerritos, CA, USA

problem #299

May 202025

Pacifica

  • 143,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam shaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

- Mosinee, WI, USA

problem #298

May 162025

Pacifica

  • miles
The oil filter housing adapter is made of plastic. They frequently break and mix the coolant and oil, leak oil out of the system and into the heads. This is a known problem and engineering solution of an aluminum housing has been made. They should recall this part and replace or reimburse for people who have had to do this already.

- Dublin, OH, USA

problem #297

May 012025

Pacifica

  • miles
Brought Pacifica into the dealer because of "check engine" light. Car had some shaking too upon startup. There was also some "ticking" sounds in the dashboard. Dealership told me that the head gasket of the first (and likely third) needed to be replaced. There was an engine 3 misfire per diagnostics. I was quoted at $4,600 for the repair. This appears to be a known issue, as the dealer said "we don't know if this will turn into a recall." There seems to significantly similar issues all over the Pacifica message boards.

- Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, USA

problem #296

Apr 062024

Pacifica

  • miles
My car wasn-??t driving properly (2024) so I brought it to a Chrysler dealer in Mt Juliet TN. They did some cylinder work for $2300. The vehicle had approx. 85000 miles on it. The check engine light came on again at about 90000 miles (2025) so I brought it to Christian Brothers in Mt Juliet TN and they did spark plug work for $1700. The check engine light came on immediately after and the same auto mechanic said it was the head gasket. I brought it to Car Max in Nashville TN to sell it but they didn-??t offer enough and said the error code indicated a cylinder misfire.

- Wakefield , MA, USA

problem #295

May 022025

Pacifica

  • miles
Major engine damage at 83,000 miles (blown head gasket). Vehicle was well maintained. It seems that this is common issues with the Chrysler Pacificas.

- White Lake, MI, USA

problem #294

Apr 052025

Pacifica

  • miles
Leading up to the failure the smell of coolant was noticeable after driving the van. Coolant reservoir never showed a drastic decrease in coolant but I would top minimally every 6-8 months. I took the van to 3 different shops stating that I smelled coolant with zero evidence of a leak. System was tested and found not be leaking coolant at each shop and recommend continue to drive the vehicle. At 61,000 miles CEL came on with code P0305. Code was for a misfire in cylinder 5. CEL ended up going away only to come back a few days later. Engine never displayed any signs of overheating and consistently runs at a normal operating temp according to the onboard display. Inspection showed coolant pooling in cylinder 5 and wear on the camshaft. Oil changes completed every 3k miles and the recommendation from shop was to put in a new engine in a car 1K beyond the warranty. Reading numerous posts suggests that this is a continued issue that Chrysler doesn't want to take ownership for on their products.

- Rochester, MN, USA

problem #293

Apr 142025

Pacifica

  • miles
Engine has 85000 miles on it and has never missed an oil change or service. Car has never overheated, but a check engine light has come on for a misfire in cylinder 6. Dealership indicates there is a blown head gasket and pitting on the engine. This car is too new to have such significant engine problems and it looks like it is a very common occurrence.

- Spanish Fork, UT, USA

problem #292

Apr 232025

Pacifica

  • miles
Vehicle starting having some issues on startup. Check engine light came on and immediately took it in to the local shop to have it inspected. The HEAD GASKET had gone bad--while not fully blown it was leaking coolant into the cylinder and would have left us stranded on the side of the road with our three little kids if it completely failed when we were out and about.

- Bentonville, AR, USA

problem #291

Mar 032025

Pacifica

  • miles
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding a critical design flaw in my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica that resulted in a severe overheating incident on the highway. I have experienced a sudden and dangerous failure wherein my vehicle-??s coolant drained rapidly, causing the engine to overheat within minutes of driving under normal conditions. Below, I address key questions related to the malfunction: Component/System Failure and Inspection Availability: The core issue appears to be a malfunction within the engine cooling system, directly linked to a problematic head gasket design. I have inspected the affected system and component by a qualified independent service center at your request. Safety Risk: Although my vehicle did not exhibit any warning lights or alerts prior to the incident, the rapid onset of overheating posed an immediate danger. This unexpected failure could have resulted in a catastrophic engine failure, thereby placing me, my passengers, and other road users at significant risk. Confirmation of the Issue: Despite strict adherence to routine maintenance, the problem has been confirmed by a independent service center. Their inspections indicate that this is not a result of neglect but likely a consequence of a fundamental design flaw which appears to be a common issue with this van and previous years with remediation. Third-Party Inspections: While the manufacturer has not yet conducted a formal inspection, independent service centers have reproducibly identified the problem. I am open to any further investigations by Mopar. Previous years have same issue with extended warranty and repair being paid for at no cost to the owner, as this is not new it needs fixed Warning Indicators: Prior to the overheating incident, there were no warning lamps, messages, or alerts to indicate any potential issue with the cooling system. The situation escalated unexpectedly from normal operating conditions to a significant problem within a few minutes on the highway.

- North Olmsted, OH, USA

problem #290

Nov 212024

Pacifica

  • miles
The vehicle randomly stalls, goes dead and becomes unresponsive. This has happened numerous times at lights, stop signs and in the middle of the road.

- Seattle, WA, USA

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