2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA Complaints

My van has had to sit in the extreme cold in my driveway with a battery pack because of no resolution. Dealer still confirms "no parts available". This poses a risk to my kids outside playing in the driveway. I'd like to push this forward or find a solution since I don't have the option of selling the vehicle.

While I was driving the car started beeping and all dashboard lights started flickering. Transmission started stuttering and engine rpm fluctuating wildly. Fortunately I was in my neighborhood and was only going about 15 mph and was able to pull to a stop. The issue is with a faulty star bus connection near the glove box. After watching a you tube on the same issue, I learned to hit the area near the glove box to reset the star bus connection. This has happened before but usually on startup. Dealer not able to repair after $1600 charge. This is the first time it happened while in motion. Again. Seems to be a common enough issue that there are several you tube videos with thousands of views.

VIN: [XXX] 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L Plus 3.6L Mileage at first failure: 52,930 On November 7, 2024 my 2018 Pacifica began losing coolant (I had to refill it multiple times) and exhibited morning engine shuddering/stuttering. I took it to Century Chrysler Jeep Ram in Mt. Airy, MD (Repair Order #XXX). They performed a 5-hour cooling-system pressure test and borescoped all 6 cylinders. Their notes state: “no coolant was found… no leaks… held pressure for entire 5 hours… could not find any leaks.” They replaced the spark plugs and performed a tune-up (total charged $1,606 after discount). Their own paperwork admits it “could be internal engine issue’s” and “will have to wait till gets worse.” They even wrote an estimate for a cylinder leak-down test but never performed it. The vehicle ran normally for only two days. The shuddering returned and rapidly progressed to complete no-start/stalling (engine would not crank). On December 17, 2024 I took it to Limitless Auto Solutions in Monrovia, MD (another Chrysler-authorized shop, Repair Order #XXX). They removed the intake manifold, all 6 spark plugs and coils to inspect for coolant intrusion. Exact diagnosis: “Rear Cylinder Head Warped – Coolant Intrusion In Cylinders 1 & 3” (Bank 1, rear head closest to firewall). They replaced the complete Bank 1 cylinder head, full gasket set, spark plugs, thermostat, coolant, oil, and related components. Total cost: $6,823.54 (paid in full; 36-month/36k-mile warranty issued). The first dealership’s failure to diagnose the known coolant-intrusion / warped-head defect (despite a 5-hour test + borescope) directly caused the engine to catastrophically worsen, creating a clear safety hazard of sudden stalling or hydrolock while driving. This matches hundreds of identical complaints on 2017–2025 Pacifica 3.6L vehicles. I request a full investigation and recall. Both repair invoices are available upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving vehicle suddenly, and randomly, has a loss of engine response whole pressing the accelerator. Engine randomly shuts off while parked or at a traffic light, and can be difficult to restart after causing a traffic hazard.

When driving steering at a slight angle to the right it feels like it sticks when corrected with a slight turn to the left.

When encountering a long gradual curve on the highway, the steering sticks and does not return to center unless a conscious effort is made to turn the steering wheel back. If this is not done the vehicle would continue into a state of over-steer. Although this typically happens at highway speeds (55-75 mph), it has occasionally occurred at slower speeds (35-45 mph). This has been reported to two different Chrysler dealers numerous times since I purchased it in February 2018 and neither acknowledged the condition. Each time both said that I am the only owner to report the incident. This has occurred in virtually every state along the I95 corridor from Massachusetts to Florida. The current odometer reading is 101,386.

As I was entering [XXX] between [XXX] and [XXX] the check engine light came on and a warning about finding a service charging station. The accelerator then stopped working, the car stalled out and I was unable to drive the vehicle. Thankfully, I was able to navigate the car to the breakdown lane as it decelerated. I then had to get a tow to the dealership. The engine light came on several times over the last few months prior to this incident but the dealership at shoreline Chrysler jeep dodge were not able to fit in the car to diagnose the issue. Their negligence led to this dangerous situation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving the yellow EPS (electrical power steering) light came on. Steering felt more stiff than usual. After parking the vehicle and turning the engine off to make a stop and coming back to turn it on (approx. 5 minutes later) the light was now red. Power steering had completely failed and would not work at all.

1) While in a gradual turn, with the steering wheel in the 10 or 11 o'clock position, and/or in the 1 or 2 o'clock position, the steering gets stuck and requires to over correct. This happens pretty much all the time and it is very scary at the moment. It feels like you need to yank the wheel so much that you might hit a car next to you. Apparently this is a very known problem with this 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. At the dealership, we have just been brushed off and told they cannot re-create the problem, but yet you can google search and see how many people have this problem. The vehicle is available for inspection. There are no warning lamps or messages when this happens. This has been happening since we bought the car in 2018. 2) Loss of power while in a turn. Quite a few times I have been making a left hand turn at an intersection and during the time I am accelerating, there is a couple second period where it feels as though I have lost power and am just coasting, but then the power kicks back in. I'm not sure if the car is not getting fuel to it, or if its power steering. It just feels dead, but there are no warning lights, messages or symptoms prior or during. I have not had this inspected yet, and it has happened a couple of times in the last couple of months.

Chrysler Pacifica 2018 about 56000 miles. Transmission seal is leaking that’s manufacturing defect. Chrysler is denying the warranty as this vehicle in not in recall for repair. Please advice Thanks [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)