InsightArise CarsU.S. Owner Complaint Index
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2021 Chrysler Pacifica problems, complaints & recalls

More Steady

NHTSA has received 390 owner complaints about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, or 68.7 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.63, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #70 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chrysler models its rate is 26% higher; against other Minivans it is 32% higher.

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

Complaints filed between 2021-04-20 and 2026-08-28. Median delay from incident to filing: 6 days.

390Complaints
68.7Complaints per year on the road
1.63Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
7Recalls · ⚠ 1
3.1%Share involving a crash or fire
61Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2020) drew 33.6 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 68.3 per year, about the same. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 118 complaints, 93% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Engine (37.2% of complaints), followed by Electrical (21.3%) and Transmission / powertrain (17.7%). Engine complaints are 1.7 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Engine reports, owners most often mention “charging system”, “hybrid”, “engine”, “shoulder” and “van”. 12 reports (3.1%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 11 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 31 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (34% of incidents). In the last 12 months 61 new complaints were filed, versus 74 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for this model year, 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 32% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses. 3 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.” (opened 2024-02-27, still open).

Complaint index

  • vs. all tracked vehicles1.63
  • vs. other Chrysler models1.26
  • vs. other 2021 models1.8
  • vs. other Minivans1.32
  • Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (118)1.93
  • #70 of 85 · 2021Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

  • 2018124.6 per year2.96
  • 201945.6 per year1.08
  • 202033.6 per year0.8
  • 202168.7 per year1.63
  • 202268.3 per year1.62
  • 202352.0 per year1.24
  • 202425.0 per year0.59
  • 202516.7 per year0.4

Chrysler Pacifica problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

  • Engine145 · 37.2% · 1.68×
  • Electrical83 · 21.3% · 1.35×
  • Transmission / powertrain69 · 17.7% · 1.52×
  • Interior & equipment27 · 6.9% · 0.77×
  • Fuel system18 · 4.6% · 1.07×
  • Steering11 · 2.8% · 0.43×
  • Other11 · 2.8% · 1.55×
  • Body & structure9 · 2.3% · 0.25×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Engine · Common terms in reports

  • charging system38
  • hybrid46
  • engine87
  • shoulder34
  • van27
  • shut42

Electrical · Common terms in reports

  • hybrid36
  • notification prevention18
  • prevention recall16
  • tool22
  • confirms available21
  • amount recall25

Transmission / powertrain · Common terms in reports

  • charging system18
  • power40
  • hybrid21
  • error20
  • transmission27
  • message21

Problem areas: Engine · Electrical · Transmission / powertrain · Steering · Interior & equipment · Brakes · Airbags & seat belts · Body & structure · Fuel system

When complaints were filed

2021: 26 26 2021 2022: 92 92 2022 2023: 89 89 2023 2024: 72 72 2024 2025: 63 63 2025 2026: 48 48 2026
  • Crashes reported: 11
  • Fires reported: 1
  • Injuries: 11
  • Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

  • <1 yr10.0%
  • 1–2 yrs23.3%
  • 2–3 yrs22.8%
  • 3–5 yrs34.4%
  • 5+ yrs9.5%

Median age at incident: 31 months

What owners report

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2021 · Minivans

ModelsComplaintsComplaints per year on the roadComplaint index
2021 Toyota Sienna407.10.17
2021 Honda Odyssey13824.30.58
2021 Chrysler Pacifica39068.71.63

Safety recalls (7)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY Campaign 26V362000 · 2026-06-04

⚠ Park-outside / do-not-drive warning

Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.

Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 23, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 52D. The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 11, 2026.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR: Campaign 25V876000 · 2025-12-17

Summary: Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY:WHEELCHAIR RESTRAINTS/SECUREMENT:LATCH/ANCHOR: Campaign 25V877000 · 2025-12-17

Summary: Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Risk: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN Campaign 24V793000 · 2024-10-24

Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Pacifica and 2020-2021, 2023 Voyager vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the side curtain air bags may prevent the air bags from deploying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A8B.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 24V436000 · 2024-06-13 · Over-the-air fix

Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES Campaign 23V010000 · 2023-01-17

Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.

Risk: An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the Power Inverter Module (PIM) software and, if necessary, update the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the electronic control module (ECM) software, free of charge. FCA US will notify dealers and begin notifying owners on or about: 03/21/2023 for 2021 model year vehicles, 05/02/2023 for 2019-2020 model year vehicles, and 06/15/2023 for 2017-2018 model year vehicles. FCA began notifying owners on February 23, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03A.

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY Campaign 22V181000 · 2022-03-24

Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Pacifica and 2021 Voyager vehicles. The second-row seat-to-floor mounting latch may bind and stick open, preventing the seat from properly securing to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Risk: An unsecured seat increases the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Z22.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

Frequently asked questions

How many complaints were filed for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?

390 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, or about 68.7 per year on the road.

What is the most common problem reported for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?

The most common category is Engine, accounting for 37.2% of complaints.

Does the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica have any recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 safety recall(s) for this model year. 3 NHTSA defect investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.” (opened 2024-02-27, still open).

Is the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica still generating complaints?

In the last 12 months 61 new complaints were filed, versus 74 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.

How does the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica compare with similar vehicles?

NHTSA has received 390 owner complaints about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, or 68.7 per year on the road — more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.63, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #70 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Chrysler models its rate is 26% higher; against other Minivans it is 32% higher.