2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA Complaints

The back seat stow and go on passenger side closes randomly on while child is sitting in the seat. We are using a booster seat, so when it hits the booster seat it can't close any farther on the child. I had it looked at by a mechanic which said it would cost $1500 to repair. We have had to pull over and luckily have been able to get it to reverse. The seat also will try to stow when I open the side door on the passenger side. This is a huge safety concern to me as death can and has occurred in the past months.

As I am driving a warning pops up on the dash and says “ power steering unavailable service required “ while that shows up the steering wheel locks up. It goes away abruptly but it causes me to over turn.

Steering exhibits a sticking sensation during gradual turns, "particularly when the steering wheel is positioned near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position." Also Power Steering Service light comes on when car is started but then turns off when car is placed into drive on a semi regular basis, probably about 4 out of every 10 start ups.

The steering gets stuck trying to return wheel to center after going around a curve or slight turn. It usually happens at 10/11 and 1/2 o'clock positions. It gets stuck and then i have to either slow down and turn the wheel again a little farther, then try to turn it back to center to get it unstuck. This has been replicated by an independent service center. This has been going on for the past 6-7 months. Prior to this, the only thing that was noticed was when reversing and turning at the same time the wheel would shake like something was loose. if on a gravel road it can sometimes feel like the steering is shaky or loose and like there isn't full control. I took this to an independent service center for repair and they explained my whole power steering gear assembly would need to be replaced.

As I drive down the road above 45 mph my steering wheel feels like it gets stuck, I have to get it pulled back out of the stick. It’s a terrible feeling and is uncontrollable. All systems are off that may cause any issues and it still does this. This is a common problem that I have been researching with this year model can we get a recall on this. It’s been doing. It over 6 months

While traveling 350 miles from my home with my family of five, the vehicle experienced a sudden 'Loss of Motive Power' event. The dashboard displayed the message: 'Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon.' I lost the ability to accelerate and had to navigate to the shoulder in high-speed traffic. The vehicle is currently inoperable and the 12V battery has since died because the Power Inverter Module (PIM) has stopped maintaining system voltage. This vehicle had Recall 03A (NHTSA 23V-010) performed on July 7, 2023, and the more recent Recall Y40 update performed on March 11, 2026. Despite having the 'latest software remedy' installed less than 30 days ago, the vehicle suffered the exact safety failure the recalls were meant to address. This proves that the software-only remedy is insufficient to prevent the hardware failure (internal transmission wiring short). A formal Vehicle Scan Report performed at Lake Norman Chrysler (Dealer 60945) on 3/30/26 explicitly shows 'Distance Travelled with Light ON: 146 miles' (Page 14), documenting a sustained failure of the motive power system. Furthermore, the dealer’s own certified technician (J. Olmstead) provided a written Action Plan (Page 9) recommending a full Transmission and Power Inverter Module (PIM) replacement. Despite the documented 146-mile failure history and the technician's recommendation for hardware replacement under the XE1 Warranty Extension, the dealership service management is refusing to perform the repair, claiming they cannot 'replicate' the code as an active fault. I am currently stranded out-of-state with an unsafe vehicle that Chrysler is refusing to repair under the established safety warranty.

The van has just approx 55000 miles. While driving on highway, it suddenly lost power and from 60mph it came down to 20 miles in a matter of few seconds after few violent jerks. I was lucky that no vehicle was behind me. After that I pulled a side and then again started. It kept jerking and loosing power. Very carefully I got it to a mechanic. They are checking but they say looks like transmission issues. Engine light also came on. This happened few months ago however it was not this bad and my mechanic looked and he could not find anything. That problem went away after that incident. Kindly advise what to do in this situation. Chrysler Pacifica 2018 This van has lots of problems in other crucial area also like air fender switch, oil hose and cover that went bad as they are made of plastic. Then the trans mounts broke. It costed me dearly. Please Advice what to do? Best regards [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Battery drains between starts and has to be jumped in order to start. Takes several attempts before vehicle will start when jumping after battery dies. Often have to reset dash display or media hub as screens go blank after jumping. Has fairly new batteries. Certified mechanics confirmed parasitic drain. Possbly connected to media hub system.

Vehicle experienced intermittent and sudden loss of power steering assist while driving. Steering becomes extremely heavy without warning, creating a risk of loss of control. This is the same symptom addressed by Recall V53 (Power Steering Assist Loss). The recall was previously marked as completed, but the defect has returned, indicating an ineffective recall remedy. Issue occurs during normal driving and is reproducible. Chrysler claims safety recalls have a warranty and will not repair or reinspect it.

Engine experienced premature valvetrain failure (camshaft/lifter issue) at approximately 145,000. Vehicle developed ticking noise, misfire, and loss of power. Diagnosis confirmed camshaft/lifter damage requiring major repair. This appears to be a known issue with the 3.6L Pentastar engine and is documented in Chrysler STAR case S2309000013. Failure creates potential safety concern due to loss of power while driving. Vehicle is out of warranty, and manufacturer has not provided consistent support for repair despite known pattern failures.