Chrysler Pacifica 2004–2008
1st generation (crossover) · Chrysler CS
NHTSA data through 12 August 20264,826 complaints, 4,024 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 58,000 and 128,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 82 complaints (2.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 21,150
- 25%
- 58,000
- Median
- 96,125
- 75%
- 128,000
- 90%
- 155,797
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 190 | 4.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 62 | 1.5% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 61 | 1.5% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 62 | 1.5% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 79 | 2.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 60 | 1.5% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 70 | 1.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 75 | 1.9% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 87 | 2.2% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 87 | 2.2% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 104 | 2.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 100 | 2.5% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 114 | 2.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 109 | 2.7% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 117 | 2.9% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 137 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 173 | 4.3% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 149 | 3.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 125 | 3.1% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 150 | 3.7% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 212 | 5.3% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 132 | 3.3% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 169 | 4.2% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 148 | 3.7% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 160 | 4.0% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 137 | 3.4% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 149 | 3.7% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 66 | 1.6% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 107 | 2.7% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 107 | 2.7% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 115 | 2.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 59 | 1.5% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 76 | 1.9% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 39 | 1.0% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 37 | 0.9% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 24 | 0.6% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 28 | 0.7% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 22 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 17 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 27 | 0.7% |
| 200,000+ | 82 | 2.0% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 4,826 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2008 Chrysler Pacifica, and 4,024 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 58,000 and 128,000 miles. The median is 96,125 miles.
The most-reported areas are body structure (20.3% of complaints, typically around 112,000 miles), the engine (12.6% of complaints, typically around 114,000 miles), the engine and its cooling system (9.9% of complaints, typically around 59,000 miles).
What fails, and when
- Body structure112,000median 112,000 miles, middle half 88,000 to 138,000
- Engine114,000median 114,000 miles, middle half 91,000 to 140,000
- Engine and its cooling system59,000median 58,900 miles, middle half 27,000 to 89,000
- Transmission and driveline80,000median 80,000 miles, middle half 41,000 to 114,000
- Suspension110,000median 110,000 miles, middle half 82,000 to 134,000
- Electrical system78,000median 77,500 miles, middle half 26,000 to 119,000
- Problems owners could not categorise119,000median 119,000 miles, middle half 91,000 to 141,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 981 | 20.3% | 112,000 | 88,000–138,000 |
| Engine | 608 | 12.6% | 114,000 | 91,000–140,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 479 | 9.9% | 59,000 | 27,000–89,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 449 | 9.3% | 80,000 | 41,000–114,000 |
| Suspension | 431 | 8.9% | 110,000 | 82,000–134,000 |
| Electrical system | 341 | 7.1% | 78,000 | 26,000–119,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 219 | 4.5% | 119,000 | 91,000–141,000 |
| Steering | 194 | 4.0% | 84,000 | 50,000–121,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 175 | 3.6% | 122,000 | 90,000–152,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 159 | 3.3% | 72,000 | 46,000–100,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 96,125 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Body structure accounts for 20.3% of complaints (981 reports, 848 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 112,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 88,000 and 138,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 12.6% of complaints (608 reports, 532 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 114,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 91,000 and 140,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 9.9% of complaints (479 reports, 416 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 58,900 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 27,000 and 88,581 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 9.3% of complaints (449 reports, 379 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,633 and 114,000 miles.
The suspension accounts for 8.9% of complaints (431 reports, 349 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 110,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 82,144 and 134,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.1% of complaints (341 reports, 274 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 77,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 26,000 and 118,779 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2005 model year drew the most — 1,802 complaints — while 2008 drew the fewest at 155. The median year sits at 1,056.
Recalls and what they cover
No recall campaigns covering this generation appear in NHTSA's post-2010 recall file. That is not the same as an absence of problems — recalls address safety defects specifically, and many of the complaints above concern faults that are expensive or annoying without meeting that threshold.
Reported severity
Of the 4,826 complaints filed against this generation, 138 reported a crash; 89 reported a fire; 126 reported an injury; 14 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 2.9% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 58,000 and 128,000 miles, with a median of 96,125. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, body structure and the engine are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Body structure in particular shows a median failure mileage of 112,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Engine — Rocker Arm Shaft 2004–2008
A broken retaining pin on the rocker arm shaft blocks the oil passage, producing a loud top-end ticking noise and eventual valvetrain wear. Affects the 3.5L, 3.8L and 4.0L V6 across the whole run; the single most-reported engine complaint for this generation.
Transmission (41te/41ae 4-Speed) 2004–2008
Failure of the externally mounted input/output speed sensors and of the solenoid pack, dropping the transmission into limp mode (locked in 2nd gear) with a P0700 stored. Common enough that P0700 is the signature code for this platform.
Structure — Front Engine Cradle/Subframe 2004–2008 (salt–belt vehicles)
Front engine cradle corrodes and can split apart in salt-belt states, in severe cases allowing the powertrain to drop. A structural rust failure mode, not a wear item.
Engine — Intake Valve Carbon Deposits 2004–2008
Carbon buildup on the intake valves of the 3.5L and 4.0L V6 causing misfires and check-engine lights.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1,332 | 1,101 |
| 2005 | 1,802 | 1,489 |
| 2006 | 1,056 | 889 |
| 2007 | 481 | 409 |
| 2008 | 155 | 136 |
What owners reported
Purchased Chrysler Pacifica 2004 6-4-04. Immediately after purchase began to make a loud chirping/squeaking noise. Bought in for repair 6-10 (144 miles). Service advised defect had been repaired ( new belt ). Picked up car on 6-14-04 noise was still very evident/not fixed. On 6-15 reported defect was still not…
2004 · Steering
Does the nhs care about all the complaints on the Chrysler Pacifica to have the million dollar company pay to fix this family car right or recall the car in general. I called the company and because where my car was manufactured its not entitled to replacement because it shouldn't have rusted subframes which is…
2004 · Body structure
When my Chrysler Pacifica gets to 1/2 tank of gas, the car starts to stall. Especially when slowing down or turning a curve. I've taken it to the dealership twice (each time i was told that they could not replicate the problem, but i was out of gas -- each time i had 1/2 tank of gas -- when i turned a curve, it…
2004 · 5 miles · Fuel system
The blower switch is stuck on the highest mode and i am unable to turn off the blower and the blower will continue to run for about 10 seconds after engine is shut off. Thus when i start my car the blower is on high . The car is a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. Has there been any reports from other owners with this issue?…
2004 · 80 miles · Electrical system
Built from 4,024 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page