2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA Complaints

The steering sticks when making gradual turns on the highway almost like it gets stuck

My Pacifica has a "sticking" or "catching" sensation, especially during gradual highway turns. I feel this is very dangerous and risks my safety and the safety of others on the highway.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica with the 3.6L V6 engine had a check engine light turn. At same time a vibration started, which was most noticable when the car was in idle. Also, a foggy exhaust started at the same time. No temperature or other warnings were occuring. After driving it to the repair facility the car was not able to be turned on. The findings are that there is a headgasket leak and radiator failure that resulted in coolant entering into the cylinder. That resulted in either hydrolock or engine overheating, causing engine failure. Again no temperature warning or other indication of a major issue was provided. The likely repair is a full engine and radiator replacement. It appears that many other Chrysler Pacifica vehicles have reported similar issues with the 3.6L Pentastar engine. No recall is currently available for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica for this issue, however, it looks like the older versions (~2011-2013) have had a recall for similar issues. I have reached out to Chrysler Corporate and requested support on this repair.

My 2018 Chrysler Pacifica suddenly had the AC unit blowing hot air at ~82k miles and 8-years of life. The unit died and as a family vehicle at the start of summer, I'm unable to carry my young children in it in the heat safely as it blows hot air regardless of the specified temp. Took it in for analysis and they found the AC Compressor was the culprit and apparently this is a known issue at Chrysler. I phoned to ask for a good will repair and was told that they can only offer technical assistance to a dealership on such issues. I ultimately decided to file my complaint here.

6/11/2026 merged onto busy highway vehicle was going approximately 45 mph sudden red warning light popped up to pull the car over safely. Vehicle will shut off. There was nowhere for me to pull over and the vehicle immediately shut off attempted to restart several times over the next 15 minutes, unable to restart nothing no power whatsoever called for a tow truck 40 minutes later due to the children in the car tow truck was not able to tow asked me to try and start again which I did and it started right up. He followed me to the Chrysler service department where my vehicle has remained since they tell me they can’t duplicate it nor can they find a code that I will have to wait for it to happen again and hopefully a code will pop up that they can fix. Spoke to Chrysler corporatio customer service and then called the dealership. They told her the same thing they couldn’t duplicate nothing they can do. She had no options for me other than to ask them to keep having them drive it until they come up with something , customer service did look it up and states that there is a probable transmission electrical wire issue that caused that to happen. I have requested a full transmission scan as recommended bycomputer forum , but so far no response. I have 2 twelve month old babies and a disabled son that are with me in the vehicle. I cant be caught in that kind of a traffic incident that puts their life as well as other vehicles in danger from collision 06/17/2026

Car has 110k on it with regular documented maintenance. The head gasket is blown and requires new engine.

This is related to the 23V-010 / XE1 recall and extended warranty for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited. The manufacturer is refusing the recall remedy because the catastrophic nature of the failure (transmission rupture) makes it impossible for the dealer to pull diagnostic codes. This creates an impossible standard for the consumer and effectively nullifies a federal safety recall. On XXX, I brought my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited to D’Ambrosio Service in Downingtown, PA.  I reported that the car was making a sound during acceleration. On April 16, I was advised that the noise was the rubbing of the heat shield which was reportedly adjusted and tested that the noise was gone.  On April 19 I sent a message to D’Ambrosio that the noise remained however I never received a response.  I believe that the noise was misdiagnosed and was actually warning signs of an imminent transmission failure.   On XXX, while driving, my wife and I heard a pop, saw smoke pouring out the back and immediately pulled over to discover a large amount of fluid spilling out of the bottom of the vehicle.  The vehicle was towed to D’Ambrosio service in [XXX] where it has remained unaddressed until June 10. On XXX I received a phone call from D’Ambrosio that the vehicle transmission had a hole in it (quote from service advisor "internal failure of the transmission, which has caused components to puncture the casing") and would need to be replaced at my cost.   When I inquired about the XE1 warranty extension, I was told that the lack of diagnostic codes didn’t justify the warranty.  I then asked that the issue be escalated INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The engine head gasket prematurely failed at 90,000 miles with excellent service / maintenance history.

The steering wheel gets stuck when doing gentle turns at moderate speeds (30-50mph). This is a safety issue because you have to fight hard to return the steering to neutral, leading to the possible to overcorrect. The problem seems to get worse when the vehicle is hotter, or after driving for several minutes. The problem has happened for several years and is getting worse and more frequent. Changing brakes and tires has not fixed it. The dealer has been unable to diagnose and fix it and I have paid for several diagnoses out of pocket now.

When we are driving around small curves as well as straight, the steering locks up. I am reporting as I was told to because this happens in all of these vehicles. If I move the wheel a little bit it comes out of it. This is our main vehicle and it just did it on the interstate going 80. It is a complete safety concern and extremely dangerous to be dealing with it especially when you have your children with you. It has been doing it since I had gotten the car back in March and it is making me nervous