Chrysler Pacifica problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 9 model years (2018–2026), NHTSA has logged 2,728 owner complaints and 36 safety recalls for the Chrysler Pacifica. That averages 49.8 complaints per year on the road — a typical number of complaints (index 1.23 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Minivans segment it ranks #3 of 4 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest); the segment average is 52.0.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2023 and 2024 models run 68% below the 2018 and 2019 models (52 early complaints per model year versus 177).
The 2018 model year has the highest rate (125.4 complaints per year) and the 2024 model year the lowest (25.4). The 2018 model year runs at least 50% above this model's average of 49.8 complaints per year on the road across its tracked model years. The 2024 model year runs at least 40% below this model's average of 49.8 complaints per year on the road.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (36.0% of complaints), followed by Electrical (18.0%) and Transmission / powertrain (14.3%). Engine complaints are 1.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 112 complaints (4.1%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 66 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 538 complaints versus 498 in the previous 12 months — up 8%. The 2018 model year generated the most recent reports (171). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 40 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 36 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2026 (7), 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning, 2 fixable over the air. 6 NHTSA investigations have covered this model, 3 still open; the latest is “Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering” (preliminary evaluation, opened 2025-09-05, still open).
Within its segment it has more complaints per year than Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival, but fewer than Honda Odyssey.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 ▲50%+ | 1,102 | 125.4 | 3.11 | 171 | 12 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 359 | 46.1 | 1.14 | 57 | 7 | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 228 | 33.6 | 0.83 | 39 | 6 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2021 | 401 | 69.3 | 1.72 | 66 | 7 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 331 | 69.1 | 1.71 | 67 | 10 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2023 | 195 | 51.5 | 1.28 | 76 | 14 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2024 Fewest complaints | 71 | 25.4 | 0.63 | 30 | 11 | Engine | View › |
| 2025 Too new to rank | 30 | 16.8 | 0.42 | 22 | 9 | Airbags & seat belts | View › |
| 2026 Too new to rank | 11 | 11.0 | 0.27 | 10 | 5 | Engine | View › |
▲50%+ = 50%+ above this model's average yearly rate. “Too new to rank”: under two years on the road, so the model year cannot be named the one with the fewest complaints yet. 1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 538 · Previous 12 months: 498 Within ±30% year on year
Problem areas
Engine ›
981 · 36.0% · 1.61 vs. all vehicles · Falling
Electrical ›
490 · 18.0% · 1.14 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Transmission / powertrain ›
390 · 14.3% · 1.22 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Steering ›
213 · 7.8% · 1.22 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Unspecified or other ›
169 · 6.2% · 0.69 vs. all vehicles · Within ±30% year on year
Other
132 · 4.8% · 2.62 vs. all vehicles · Falling
Brakes ›
102 · 3.7% · 0.62 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Airbags & seat belts ›
87 · 3.2% · 0.84 vs. all vehicles · Rising
Body & structure ›
56 · 2.1% · 0.23 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Fuel system ›
48 · 1.8% · 0.41 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Wheels, tires & suspension
30 · 1.1% · 0.44 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Driver-assist systems
26 · 1.0% · 0.17 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
4 · 0.1% · 0.09 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 40 months
What owners report
The contact owned a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving up to a four-way intersection at approximately 5 MPH, a second vehicle driving approximately 50 MPH crashed into the front driver’s side quarter panel of the vehicle.
On 8/9/2026, two days after purchasing the aforementioned brand-new vehicle (8/7/2026), the vehicle experienced a fire in the undercarriage below the engine while I was driving with my wife and our [XXX] daughter in the vehicle.
I am reporting repeated electrical failures affecting my 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Touring, including recurring auxiliary battery failures, stop/start warnings, dashboard malfunctions and electronic shifter faults.
This vehicle is experiencing a severe, recurring premature failure of the power sliding door lock actuators on both sides. When I took it to the dealer for inspection I didn’t know the clicking sound was a problem.
Received a recall notice the end of XXX for 06D/NHTSA 26V-189. Wife called local dealership on XXX to set up an appointment. Person said someone will call you back in 24 to 48 hours. No one called. I called XXX Talked to same person my wife talked to.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Minivans
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Sienna | 615 | 27.6 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 17 | Other |
| 2 | Kia Carnival | 507 | 45.8 | 1.13 | Improving | Rising | 7 | Electrical |
| 3 | Chrysler Pacifica | 2,728 | 49.8 | 1.23 | Improving | Within ±30% year on year | 36 | Engine |
| 4 | Honda Odyssey | 3,433 | 79.4 | 1.97 | Improving | Rising | 27 | Electrical |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 36
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 2
- Over-the-air fix: 2
Safety recalls: 2018 (12) · 2019 (7) · 2020 (6) · 2021 (7) · 2022 (10) · 2023 (14) · 2024 (11) · 2025 (9) · 2026 (5)
Investigations
- Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering Open
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of alleged defects related to the electric power steering (EPS) system in model year (MY) 2017–2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. ODI has received 94 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting a condition in which the steering system exhibits a stickin…
- Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short. Open
On July 22, 2022, the 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). On January 17, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued safety recall (NHTSA Recall 23V-010) involving 2017-2023…
- Ignition-off high voltage battery fire (Remedy effectiveness of Recall 22V-077) Open
On February 11, 2022, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued a safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-077) on all 2017-2018 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) produced between August 12, 2016 through August 7, 2018. The recall addresses ignition “OFF’ fires that originate at the high voltage (HV) battery pack assembly. An ignition ‘OFF’ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupa…
- Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing Enel X Way USA, LLC's JuiceBox residential charger. Closed
On October 3, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE24028 to investigate alleged failures of Enel X Way's JuiceBox Level 2 residential EV chargers. The allegations were described as thermal incidents and electrical malfunctions, which could trip the circuit breakers in Juicebox owners’ homes and disrupt electric vehicle charge cycles. On October 2, 2024, Enel X Way posted on it…
- Pedestrian alert sounds Closed
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and ele…
- Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power Closed
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22008 to investigate allegation of loss of motive power, potentially due to transmission malfunction, in certain Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. In a January 17, 2023 letter to NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) submitted recall notice 23V-010 involving a transmission motor wiring defect in 67,118 model year (MY) 2017-2023 Chrysl…