2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA Complaints

While driving in suburban traffic vehicle engine began running rough and lost most power with about 58000 mi on the vehicle. Received check engine light and vehicle entered 'limp mode' with Turtle Icon displayed on screen. Brought to dealer and it was diagnosed with a P0304 Cylinder #4 Misfire and leaking head gasket causing coolant contamination to engine oil. Dealer repaired the head gasket under warranty. About 2 months after the head gasket was repair at 60,098 miles while drive on the Interstate the engine began running rough. Check Engine Light came on and then Oil Pressure Light came on. We were able to exit the highway, had the vehicle towed to the same dealer where the head gasket was repaired under warranty. This time the engine was diagnosed with a failed #4 Cylinder connecting rod. Chrysler and Dealer refused to repair or replace the engine even though both leak and failure occurred on same cylinder.

This submission supplements my prior NHTSA ODI complaint regarding the same vehicle and loss-of-motive-power condition. On Nov 8, 2025, the vehicle experienced a loss of propulsion at highway speed, creating an immediate safety risk. The vehicle could not maintain speed and required evasive action with no propulsion to avoid traffic hazards. Following the incident, the vehicle was inspected and stored diagnostic trouble codes P0A3F-00 and P0A43-00 were retrieved, relating to drive motor position sensor / resolver signal loss or degradation. These fault codes are associated with loss of propulsion and indicate a propulsion control signal-path fault, rather than a condition resolved by software calibration alone. The vehicle remains available for inspection and is out of service at a dealership due to unresolved safety concerns. Since my prior ODI complaint, I provided formal written notice to the manufacturer describing the incident, the retrieved fault codes, and the safety implications, and requested a written response. Receipt was confirmed by USPS certified mail on January 6, 2026. No written response was provided, and repeated attempts to contact the manufacturer through customer service channels were not returned. The manufacturer authorized only a recall firmware update and declined to authorize or perform the intermittent wiring and resolver diagnostics identified in its diagnostic procedures for these fault codes. The firmware update does not inspect, repair, or replace the resolver, wiring, or related hardware indicated by the stored codes, and does not determine whether the underlying propulsion fault has been corrected. As a result, the vehicle has been out of service for more than two months, and the risk of another loss-of-propulsion event remains unresolved. This update documents the manufacturer’s non-response after notice and reliance on a software-only remedy that does not address the indicated propulsion system fault.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN MAJOR HIGHWAY, THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WENT ON. IMMIDIATELY MY POWER STEERING SHUT OFF AND I COULD NOT TURN WHEEL AT ALL. HIGHWAY WAS 55 SPEED LIMIT AND I COULD NOT EVEN PULL OVER. HAD VAN TOWED TO DAYTON ANDREWS CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS GOING TO BE $4,500.00. THIS VAN HAS 14,400 MILES ON IT. AFTER LOOKING ON LINE IF OTHER PACIFICA OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, IT SEEMED THIS IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM. I OBVIOUSLY CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS ALMOST BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND THE SALESPERSON INDICATED THAT EVEN IF I DID WANT TO FIX THE PART IS ON BACKORDER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY COULD GET THEIR HANDS ON THE PART. THE FACT THAT THIS PART IS ON SUCH AN EXTREME BACKORDER TELLS ME THIS PART IS IN DEMAND BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE. PLEASE HELP ! i AM GOING TO CONTACT MY ATTORNEY TO SEE MY OPTIONS. THIS VEHICLE IS BASICALLY NEW AND FOR SAFETY REASONS, BEYOND ANY FAULT OF MY OWN, IS UNOPERABLE.

Transmission shifts very hard from 2nd to 3rd gear and 4th to 5th gear at random times and at random speeds. Sometimes it occurs in parking lots at less than 15mph and other times at highway speed above 65 mph while cruising. This has caused the engine and transmission mounts to fail prematurely. When it was taken to the dealership multiple times, the service department said they could not replicate the issue but opted to reset the computer anyways. This fixed it for about 2 weeks before the issues came back. A computer reset will wipe the transmission shift learning but with normal daily driving it comes back. This should not be considered "normal" or expected behavior.

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized in the middle of the road. The contact stated that there was no power to the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred close to the residence, and there was not a lot of traffic. The driver was able to exit the vehicle and get to a safe area. The contact's brother-in-law was contacted for assistance; however, the driver became impatient waiting for assistance. The driver attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle started. The help arrived, disconnected and reconnected the battery cables, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer; however, the dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that a recall was issued, but for Hybrid vehicles. In addition, the contact referenced an open investigation for the failure. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice within two weeks. Additionally, the warning light that the “Auto START/STOP Unavailable” had remained illuminated since August 2025. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The vehicle is unsafe to operate and presents an immediate highway safety risk. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle experienced multiple safety-related failures. Headlights were inoperable from the time of delivery, requiring use of high beams at night to see the roadway. This created visibility and traffic safety issues from day one. Within the first month of ownership, the vehicle required towing. The vehicle is a hybrid and could not be shifted into neutral, yet it was dragged with the wheels locked during towing rather than transported on a flatbed. This caused damage to multiple systems. Following the tow, all four tires developed visible bulges consistent with being dragged while immobilized, creating a significant risk of tire blowout at highway speeds. Steering and alignment became unstable, with grinding noises and loss of predictable control. The hybrid underbody shielding was also damaged, leaving components exposed. These conditions have persisted despite repeated notice to the seller and service administrator. A repair facility has confirmed the vehicle is not safe for long-distance or highway travel. The vehicle must regularly be driven at interstate speeds, and continued operation poses a serious risk of crash or injury. The vehicle remains in service only due to lack of alternatives, despite known safety defects affecting steering, lighting, and tires.

The windshield fogging up is insanely unsafe. Had to pull over multiple times in rain no matter what the setting are. Recirc, hi low hot cold. Nothing makes it better. I’ve read several complaints online with the same issue

I purchased this van in March 2025, it was used about 62000 miles, but dealer said it was in good condition, no issues. In September 2025, a battery light came on, that also activated the Start/Stop could not be used and needed service as well as Service Shifter. I brought the vehicle in and they simply replaced the auxiliary battery and sent me on my way. On November 13th, I was driving and a battery light came on as well as the Stop/Start not available error, and then moments later said "Stop Safely Vehicle will shut off soon". Thankfully I was only moments from home, and made it safely with my 5 children who were also in the van. Obviously this is dangerous as the vehicle stopping while driving can kill myself, my children, anyone in my vehicle, as well as cars around me as I live in a busy area, Tampa, FL. This car had just been given a review in March when put up for sale, and I had brought it in for an oil change, as well as a motor mount replacement, and the aux battery change, before this. My car has been serviced multiple times and this should have been checked or errors/updates reviewed. This auto/stop start seems to be a key in the safety issues as well since that light comes on every time there is an issue. Now the dealer states they are going to replace my PDC, main fuse box, and see if that fixes the error, but I have read that this is an error in many Chrysler Pacificas and mine is another.

Component/System: The propulsion system of my 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, specifically a suspected internal transmission wiring-connector short—the exact hardware defect identified in Recall 23V-010 as capable of causing sudden loss of motive power. In my case, both propulsion sources (gas and electric) simultaneously ceased providing power, leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate. The vehicle, its transmission, and all hybrid-system components are available for inspection upon request. When inspected at the Chrysler dealership, technicians retrieved a diagnostic trouble code they acknowledged corresponds to the known wiring-connector short condition. This code was present before any recall procedures were performed. Safety Risk: I was traveling at highway speed with my family, the vehicle abruptly lost all motive power and began decelerating without my ability to maintain speed. I was forced to coast to the shoulder while surrounded by faster-moving traffic, exposing me and other motorists to the danger of a high-speed rear-end collision. Dealer Confirmation: The Chrysler dealer confirmed the presence of the wiring-connector-related fault code and agreed that it aligned with the recall defect pattern. However, they performed only the software update required under Recall 23V-010 and informed me that they would not undertake further inspection or physical diagnosis unless I paid out-of-pocket, despite the safety-critical nature of the failure. They are ignoring the fact that the physical underlying defect is not fixed by the software update, much to my frustration. With this unfixed, the car is not safe to drive IMO. Inspection: The vehicle has been inspected by an authorized Chrysler dealer. No additional parties have inspected it. The dealer did not examine or repair the wiring harness or connector itself, refusing my request to do so. Warnings/Symptoms: A hybrid/electrical-system warning message appeared moments before the shutdown. No prior symptoms

My 12v battery failed and damaged other system components. This is a description of the flaw from a mechanic that had the same problem: There is a major flaw in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The BPCM (high-voltage battery control unit) has no protection against high-voltage pulses on the 12-volt network. Moreover, the connection diagram of the high-voltage contactors does not contain any elements that could extinguish the counter-induction EMF pulses when the contactors are turned off. That is, when turned off, the contactors in the 12-volt network create high-voltage surges that can burn anything, any block that is connected to the 12-volt network. In my case, the power supply module of the high-voltage battery control unit BPCM was burned. The LG chem battery modules themselves were in perfect order during this malfunction. The circuit of this module is quite complex, the board is multilayered and it was difficult for me to repair it. I have a sloped driveway, and the failure led to my car starting to roll uncontrollably forward into my house. I was luckily able to stop it by throwing blocks under the tires while my wife held down the breaks. When I (or my wife) let go of the powerless vehicle's breaks, it would continue to roll as the power failure prevented the vehicle from either entering park or engaging the emergency break. We barely avoided significant property damage.