Chrysler Pacifica problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 8 model years (2018–2025), NHTSA has logged 2,650 owner complaints and 35 safety recalls for the Chrysler Pacifica. That averages 54.3 complaints per year on the road — more complaints than typical (index 1.29 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Minivans segment it ranks #3 of 4 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 52.1.
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
Across eight model years from 2018 to 2025, NHTSA has logged 2,650 owner complaints and 35 safety recalls for the Chrysler Pacifica, with complaint rates improving over time as the 2024 model year sits well below the average while the 2018 model year runs at least 50% above it. The most common problem area is Engine, accounting for 36.5% of complaints and occurring 1.6 times as often as across all tracked vehicles, followed by Electrical issues at 17.7% and Transmission / powertrain problems at 14.4%. Owners report recurring terms such as "van", "hybrid", "shut soon", "safely shut" and "power", with 109 complaints describing a crash or fire that resulted in 61 injuries and 1 death. Recent activity shows 565 complaints filed in the last 12 months versus 458 previously, while 35 recall campaigns have been issued, most received in 2024, including two fixable over the air and two with do-not-drive warnings.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.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 67% below the 2018 and 2019 models (52 early complaints per model year versus 177).
The 2018 model year has the highest rate (124.6 complaints per year) and the 2025 model year the lowest (16.7). The 2018 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. The 2024 model year sits well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (36.5% of complaints), followed by Electrical (17.7%) and Transmission / powertrain (14.4%). Engine complaints are 1.6 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “van”, “hybrid”, “shut soon”, “safely shut” and “power”. 109 complaints (4.1%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 61 injuries and 1 death.
In the last 12 months owners filed 565 complaints versus 458 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2018 model year generated the most recent reports (192). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 39 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 35 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2024 (6), 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning, 2 fixable over the air. 6 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 3 still open; the latest is “Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering” (opened 2025-09-05, still open).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival; Honda Odyssey have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Years to research carefully | 1,081 | 124.6 | 2.96 | 292 | 3.28 | 192 | 12 | Engine | View › |
| 2019 | 350 | 45.6 | 1.08 | 63 | 0.78 | 61 | 7 | Engine | View › |
| 2020 | 224 | 33.6 | 0.8 | 22 | 0.39 | 45 | 6 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2021 | 390 | 68.7 | 1.63 | 118 | 1.93 | 61 | 7 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2022 | 319 | 68.3 | 1.62 | 118 | 1.6 | 65 | 10 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2023 | 191 | 52.0 | 1.24 | 56 | 0.67 | 91 | 14 ⚠ | Engine | View › |
| 2024 | 67 | 25.0 | 0.59 | 48 | 0.68 | 29 | 11 | Engine | View › |
| 2025 Fewest complaints | 28 | 16.7 | 0.4 | — | — | 21 | 9 | Airbags & seat belts | View › |
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: 565 · Previous 12 months: 458 Steady
Problem areas
Electrical ›
470 · 17.7% · 1.13 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- hybrid111
- van75
- electrical111
- propulsion system41
Transmission / powertrain ›
382 · 14.4% · 1.24 vs. all vehicles · Steady
- transmission173
- hybrid88
- van66
- shut soon46
Other
128 · 4.8% · 2.67 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- notification hybrid56
- hybrid propulsion58
- propulsion system58
- system recall55
Airbags & seat belts ›
81 · 3.1% · 0.8 vs. all vehicles · Rising
- air bags39
- notification air28
- bags recall18
- received33
Body & structure ›
56 · 2.1% · 0.23 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- sliding17
- door23
- button12
- close12
Fuel system ›
46 · 1.7% · 0.4 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- van12
- fuel line7
- charging11
- hybrid11
Wheels, tires & suspension
29 · 1.1% · 0.44 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- lower control9
- control arm8
- suspension9
- creaking noise5
Driver-assist systems
24 · 0.9% · 0.16 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- cruise control13
- adaptive cruise10
- collision13
- system16
Lighting
4 · 0.2% · 0.1 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- van434
- hybrid465
- shut soon181
- safely shut137
- power638
- engine light377
- propulsion system119
- charging system129
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 39 months
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle on a slight incline and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle started rolling backwards while the driver’s side door was still open.
The vehicle caught fire earlier morning of 7/9/2026. It was sitting in front of house unoccupied. The alarm went off twice which pressing the key fob shut it off until the third time when the alarm would continue until it died down.
The steering sticks normally when slightly turned especially going highway speeds around bends. You have to “yank” the wheel from it being stuck and risk over steering off the road or into other lane. Huge safety risk.
While driving my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica FWD with approximately 86,000 miles, I have noticed abnormal steering behavior when going around gradual curves.
We own a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid that had been operating without any significant issues for approximately six years.
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 | 603 | 28.8 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 17 | Other |
| 2 | Kia Carnival | 433 | 44.0 | 1.05 | Improving | Steady | 6 | Electrical |
| 3 | Chrysler Pacifica | 2,650 | 54.3 | 1.29 | Improving | Steady | 35 | Engine |
| 4 | Honda Odyssey | 3,165 | 77.1 | 1.83 | Improving | Rising | 27 | Electrical |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 35
- 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)
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) 2017â2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. ODI has received 94 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting a condition in which the steering system exhibits a stick…
- 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 ownersâ homes and disrupt electric vehicle charge cycles. On October 2, 2024, Enel X Way posted on …
- 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 2017-202…
- 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 âOFFâ fires that originate at the high voltage (HV) battery pack assembly. An ignition âOFFâ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk o…
- 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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chrysler Pacifica model year has the most complaints?
The 2018 model year has the highest rate (124.6 complaints per year) and the 2025 model year the lowest (16.7).
Is the Chrysler Pacifica getting better or worse?
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 67% below the 2018 and 2019 models (52 early complaints per model year versus 177). In the last 12 months owners filed 565 complaints versus 458 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Chrysler Pacifica problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Engine (36.5% of complaints), followed by Electrical (17.7%) and Transmission / powertrain (14.4%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “van”, “hybrid”, “shut soon”, “safely shut” and “power”.
How does the Chrysler Pacifica compare with other Minivans?
Within the Minivans segment it ranks #3 of 4 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 52.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Toyota Sienna and Kia Carnival; Honda Odyssey have more.
Does the Chrysler Pacifica have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 35 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2024 (6), 2 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning, 2 fixable over the air. 6 NHTSA defect investigations have covered this model, 3 still open; the latest is “Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering” (opened 2025-09-05, still open).