10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 1,936 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.
The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter independently shifted from drive to park. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission solenoid shift sensor failure. The contact was informed that the transmission solenoid shift sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Casco, MI, USA
I received a service hybrid electric vehicle system warning. Also vehicle speed may be limited warning. When I shut the vehicle off, it was loud and remained running. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the warning happened while I was driving and I couldn-??t get speed to park in a safe location. I had my car towed to a local Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealer and they updated software related to my car that was the source of the problem. They also told me the battery completely drained. The recall was due to a faulty PCM that the recall was for. You can see in the invoice the problem I communicated to the manufacturer before they diagnosed my vehicle. You can see clearly the vehicle was still active even after shutting off, likely causing the battery to drain completely. And due to the faulty PCM, it failed to tell the systems to shut down. Chrysler is giving me $100 for the tow. But they say the battery is out if basic warranty so will not reimburse me the $650 or so for the battery. My argument is that it doesn-??t matter if the battery is out if basic warranty as the draining of it was a direct result of the recall and failed PCM. There is case law that supports the fact that If a recall-related defect (such as a faulty PCM) directly causes a secondary failure (e.g., battery damage), the manufacturer still bears responsibility, as the defect rendered the vehicle unfit for normal use.
- Newport, KY, USA
I came to a stop at a stop sign yet again & the emergency brake engaged & put the car in park & shut itself off. I-??ve lost count of how many of these forms I-??ve filled out & how many times it-??s happened and NOTHING IS GETTING SOLVED!!
- Janesville, WI, USA
See attached document for complaint.
- Poestenkill, NY, USA
My van once again gave the stop safely, vehicle will shut off soon & stopped right in the middle of the intersection. I-??ve lost count on how many times this has happened!!
- Janesville, WI, USA
I-??m experiencing persistent issues with my 2020 Chrysler engine. While driving, the engine frequently shuts down unexpectedly, often resembling a start-stop feature. When I come to a stop, the engine and lights go out, and the vehicle won-??t restart, which is particularly concerning while in traffic. Additionally, when accelerating, I notice a jolt in the engine followed by a loud knocking sound. These problems significantly affect the vehicle's performance and pose a serious safety risk. I would appreciate any guidance on diagnosing and resolving these issues.
- White Plains, MD, USA
I have a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid that has had transmission issues since 2022. I have taken it to the dealer 8 times for repair for the same transmission issue. In August 2022, the vehicle shut down on the interstate while driving. It was determined that it needed a new transmission after just two years. The vehicle was with the dealer for over 30 days awaiting a new transmission. Once the transmission was replaced, there was a battery issue in February 2023. In January 2024, the vehicle went into limp mode again, for the first time after the transmission was replaced. Repairs were attempted at the dealer. I have continued to have issues throughout 2024. In July 2024, the transmission wiring harness was replaced. The vehicle has gone into limp mode three more times since then. On 14 September, the most recent time the vehicle went into limp mode on the interstate, I took it into the dealer, and it was determined a second transmission replacement was needed. Chrysler has now issued a lifetime warranty on the transmission. It's only a matter of time before significant injury or loss of life occurs because of the transmission issues, especially because they normally occur only at higher speeds on the highway. Clearly, installing a third (or fourth or fifth) transmission will not fix the issues in this faulty vehicle. When I contacted Chrysler Cares yesterday I was told that because the transmission will be replaced for only the second time, I do not qualify for a buyback. However, it has been to the dealer to be serviced 8 times and was there for over 30 days during the first transmission replacement.
- Waynesboro, VA, USA
Vehicle sudden loss of power 3x in 3 months. Van has known recall for loss of power/possible transmission problem. Traveling 30-50mph for 20 minutes, start of morning temps 70 degrees, recall warranty (update was software to warn driver of power loss on screen) done and 1 month later began power loss. Screen reads "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon", engine light on, red turtle light on. Loss of power would not warn drivers to rear of slow down since brakes are not pressed promoting rear end collision, highway speeds slow down causes traffic and collision with limited place to exit safely, loss of power would not allow driver to exit traffic thus causing danger, obstacle for other drivers to avoid. Vehicle at dealer for software update: May 2024, 3x power losses after, 9/2024 returned to dealer, currently in service at dealer Data Source: Recall 23V010, Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-008 regarding complaints alleging a loss of motive power condition potentially due to a transmission malfunction in Model Years 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV
- Brea, CA, USA
After driving a few minutes gas engine died and received "Stop safely vehicle will shut off soon" on cluster as well as a turtle icon.
- Williamsville , MO, USA
Power steering has failed on 2 occasions while driving. Fault code was set and dealer confirmed fault codes using scan tool. Power steering returned after a few seconds of driving. This vehicle has an electric power steering pump. Fault code listed a communication failure between the power steering controller and body ecu. Dealer service department could not duplicate the problem and returned the vehicle to us saying there was nothing further they could accomplish. It is a dangerous situation losing power steering while driving. Warning icon did appear on our on screen driver display.
- Springfield, MO, USA
While driving, the vehicle spontaneously goes into limp mode and warns the driver to pull over immediately because it is about to shut down. This has happened at least 10 times in my ownership of this vehicle since 10/04/2023 and the first time on 10/09/2024 and most recently occurred 07/06/2024. The first time it occurred on a narrow mountain road at night but I was safely able to drive slowly for about a mile before finding a parking lot to pull over. Several times were significantly more dangerous and occurred while traveling 70mph on a busy interstate and forcing us to navigate across several lanes of traffic into the emergency lane in a vehicle that is no longer able to keep up with traffic due to significant power loss when limp mode. Once pulled over, the vehicle must be turned off for several seconds before restarting and driven again. Occupants are at significant risk of being involved in a collision during the entire process from unexpected power loss, navigating traffic with said power loss, parking and restarting the vehicle on the side of a busy road, and attempting to safely merge back into traffic which is often traveling 70+mph. This entire issue is due to a faulty wiring harness in the transmission of 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid that can short circuit and requires immediate shutdown of the vehicle when it occurs. Thus far the only remedy from Chrysler is a software update which installs a driver warning to pull over and restart the vehicle before it shuts down instead of immediately shutting off. This is marginally better than complete power loss but still poses significant increased safety risk for passengers and surrounding vehicles and a remedy that stops the failure from occurring in the first place needs to be implemented immediately. This has been known to effect 70,000 vehicles from 2017-2023 year models and the fact that a remedy to the actual problem has not yet been made is appalling and dangerous.
- Murfreesboro, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while making a sharp left turn at slow speeds, the vehicle shuddered. There was no warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle jerked forward upon releasing the brake pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact called JT-??s Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Lexington (4838 Sunset Blvd, Lexington, SC 29072) and JT-??s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Columbia (190 Greystone Blvd, Columbia, SC 29210) and was informed that there were no recalls on the VIN for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
- West Columbia, SC, USA
It-??s the same issue that the hybrid pacificas were recalled for. It pops up the random stop safely on the dash & then you-??re halting to a dead stop & the vehicle shuts off. This has happened several times.
- Janesville, WI, USA
Dealer said the transmission needs to be replaced. 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited (Certified) purchased in August with 28,500 miles. Bought the 7 year/100,000 mile extended warranty. Happened on Interstate 495. Chrysler Care was a joke. Wanted info filled out ONLINE. Ask for the zip code and couldn't go past that point. Finally called and waited on hold for 40+ minutes. Hell of a time trying to tell where I was on the interstate. I was almost directly under an overpass, told them the name of the overpass street and they kept wanting to put me on THAT street. Sent coordinates from Google Earth and they put me on the other side of the interstate going in the other direction. ? To make a 3-hour story short tow truck finally came and we got it to my dealer. Codes did say something about the transmission but the manager couldn't tell exactly. Now waiting for the service tech to call on Monday. Oh, BTW, no loaner available (even though it's covered in the warranty). The dealer called and paid for a Lyft to take us home.
- Ellicott City, MD, USA
In August 2022, while traveling on the interstate I received a warning that the vehicle was experiencing a power failure. It subsequently shut down while traveling at highway speeds. I was able to navigate off an exit that happened to be immediate and coasted downhill off the exit ramp to a safe spot. I was unable to power the vehicle off for approximately 10 minutes. Once able to power the vehicle off and keeping it off for a few minutes, I restarted it. The check engine light was lit but drivable. The dealer replaced the entire transmission. In January 2023, the dealer completed the recall associated with the vehicle. On 1 January 2024, while driving approximately 60mph, I received notice that the vehicle would shut down and to pull over safely. Upon turning the vehicle off and back on, the check engine was lit but drivable. The vehicle is currently with the dealer again.
- Waynesboro, VA, USA
Since performing the latest recall (03A/NHTSA 23V-010) this car has gone into a "limp home mode" a half dozen times -often with a car full of children and at least once in a long construction zone on the Washington DC beltway! The recall "fix" for the faulty transmission wiring was apparently to program the electronic control to recognize faulty wiring and put the car in "limp home mode" - supposedly this makes it safe! Really? on DC beltway at night in a construction zone! The dealership told me that Chrysler would replace the transmission - 5/25/23. I have been in contact with the dealer numerous times and also Chrysler customer care. No one can give me a delivery estimate for the transmission and in the meantime, we continue to experience the total loss of power in the most horrible of circumstances. Neither Chrysler nor the dealer has offered a rental car or a loaner vehicle. This recall was totally inadequate to address the wiring and safety issue due to the lack of response from Chrysler to fix the actual problem.
- Burdett, NY, USA
On 11/05/2023 at approximately 12 pm while getting onto the highway of 183 in Austin Texas @ Lamar increasing speeds from 45 to 65mph the engine shifted hard 3x. The engine surged then a hard shift. This occurred 3x. I-??m certain you understand the complexities of austin Texas traffic. No matter the time of day. Imagine those complexities with a car that was poorly made by a company that has never been held accountable.
- Austin, TX, USA
Exceedingly jarring transmission shifts at both low and higher speeds that are startling to the driver and could cause an accident. This has been a chronic issue that happens frequently but not in every use of the vehicle. Below is a date in which this recently occured.
- Rochester, MI, USA
The issue is the Pentastar V6 engine defect. It has caused engine misfires resulting in bucking and surging, decreased engine performance, hesitation, loss of power, premature wear on internal components.?The potentially dangerous issues on the -??defective design-?? of the engine-??s needle bearings within the rocker arms, the use of sub-standard materials and procedures during manufacture, -??defective or miscalibrated-?? ECM software, and poor quality controls.? The Defect causes unsafe driving conditions because the Class Vehicles, that includes 2020 chrysler pacifica, have a significant chance of failing while being driven. Further, even the lesser symptoms of the Defect affect vehicle performance and safety, making it harder for a driver to control the vehicle as it loses power, hesitates, or misfires. the vehicle has only been inspected by the mechanic at the dealership we leased the vehicle from.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Bridgeville, PA, USA