Chrysler Pacifica 2004–2008 problems by year and mileage
1st generation (crossover) · Chrysler CS
NHTSA data through 18 October 20263,348 complaints, 2,829 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
Close- Median failure report
- 96,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 896
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2004
- Body structure323 reports · median 110,000 mi
- Engine141 reports · median 120,000 mi
- Suspension125 reports · median 110,000 mi
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
Close- Median failure report
- 97,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,244
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2005
- Body structure413 reports · median 116,000 mi
- Engine224 reports · median 120,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system211 reports · median 55,000 mi
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission · Exterior lighting — headlights
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
Close- Median failure report
- 93,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 726
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2006
- Body structure198 reports · median 108,000 mi
- Engine146 reports · median 107,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline109 reports · median 93,000 mi
Recall areas Power train — automatic transmission
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Chrysler Pacifica
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 380
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2007
- Transmission and driveline101 reports · median 66,000 mi
- Engine94 reports · median 96,000 mi
- Electrical system59 reports · median 90,000 mi
The 2008 Chrysler Pacifica
Close- Median failure report
- 78,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 102
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2008
- Electrical system24 reports
- Engine21 reports
- Transmission and driveline14 reports
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2005; earliest: the 2007, and the 2005 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2004–2008 Chrysler Pacifica reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 92,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 155,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 2,829
- Recalls
- 4
Most reported
- Body structure29.0% of complaints · median 112,000 mi
- Engine18.7% of complaints · median 111,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system14.3% of complaints · median 59,000 mi
Documented problems
- Engine — Rocker Arm Shaft2004–2008
- Transmission (41TE/41AE 4-speed)2004–2008
- Structure — Front Engine Cradle/Subframe2004–2008
- Engine — Intake Valve Carbon Deposits2004–2008
Owners filed 3,348 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004–2008 Chrysler Pacifica; body structure leads with 29% of them, and half of the 2,829 that record an odometer reading came by 92,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 55,000 to 126,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2004–2008 Chrysler Pacifica last?
On the 2004–2008 Chrysler Pacifica, half of the 2,829 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 92,000 miles and 90% by 155,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
356 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 62 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Pacifica reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Chrysler Pacifica 2004–2008 · 2,829 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
5,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 143 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 62 complaints (2.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 20,000
- 25%
- 55,000
- Median
- 92,000
- 75%
- 126,000
- 90%
- 155,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 130 | 4.6% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 48 | 1.7% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 52 | 1.8% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 44 | 1.6% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 58 | 2.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 47 | 1.7% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 55 | 1.9% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 63 | 2.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 67 | 2.4% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 68 | 2.4% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 76 | 2.7% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 76 | 2.7% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 88 | 3.1% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 86 | 3.0% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 86 | 3.0% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 104 | 3.7% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 118 | 4.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 106 | 3.7% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 90 | 3.2% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 95 | 3.4% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 143 | 5.1% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 89 | 3.1% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 100 | 3.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 100 | 3.5% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 108 | 3.8% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 90 | 3.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 100 | 3.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 47 | 1.7% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 71 | 2.5% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 68 | 2.4% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 75 | 2.7% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 37 | 1.3% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 50 | 1.8% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 27 | 1.0% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 25 | 0.9% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 13 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 19 | 0.7% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 17 | 0.6% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 14 | 0.5% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 17 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 62 | 2.2% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Pacifica problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Chrysler Pacifica 2004–2008
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Engine and its cooling system480 reportsmedian 59,000middle half 27,000–88,000
- Electrical system343 reportsmedian 78,000middle half 28,000–120,000
- Transmission and driveline450 reportsmedian 80,000middle half 41,000–114,000
- Suspension431 reportsmedian 110,000middle half 83,000–134,000
- Engine626 reportsmedian 111,000middle half 89,000–139,000
- Body structure970 reportsmedian 112,000middle half 88,000–138,000
- Problems owners could not categorise224 reportsmedian 118,000middle half 91,000–140,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 970 | 29.0% | 112,000 | 88,000–138,000 |
| Engine | 626 | 18.7% | 111,000 | 89,000–139,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 480 | 14.3% | 59,000 | 27,000–88,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 450 | 13.4% | 80,000 | 41,000–114,000 |
| Suspension | 431 | 12.9% | 110,000 | 83,000–134,000 |
| Electrical system | 343 | 10.2% | 78,000 | 28,000–120,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 224 | 6.7% | 118,000 | 91,000–140,000 |
| Steering | 201 | 6.0% | 85,000 | 52,000–120,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 179 | 5.3% | 121,000 | 89,000–152,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 162 | 4.8% | 72,000 | 46,000–101,000 |
Known problems with the 2004–2008 Pacifica
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
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.
Before you buy a 2004–2008 Pacifica: the 3-minute check
Generated from 2,829 mileage-tagged complaints, 4 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check engine — rocker arm shaft on 2004–2008 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check transmission (41TE/41AE 4-speed) on 2004–2008 cars.
- Check structure — front engine Cradle/Subframe on 2004–2008 (salt–belt vehicles) cars.
- Years differ here: from 102 to 1,244 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Pacifica problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi28% below | At 90k mi48% below | At 120k mi70% below | At 150k mi87% below | At 200k mi98% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 88,000–138,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 89,000–139,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 27,000–88,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 41,000–114,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 83,000–134,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 28,000–120,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 91,000–140,000 | later | later | in window | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Chrysler Pacifica 2004–2008 · 2,829 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 28% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 48% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 70% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 87% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2004–2008 Chrysler Pacifica recalls (4)
NHTSA records 4 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (2), the exterior lighting (1), the fuel system (1) (why one area can repeat).
Nov 2006 · 2005–2006 · Power TrainThis could cause a crash to occur without prior warning.
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump module and the power train control module (PCM) software may allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions.
What can happen. This could cause a crash to occur without prior warning.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the power train control module. The fuel pump module will also be replaced on vehicles built from august 1, 2004 through september 30, 2004. The recall began on november 21…
Mar 2005 · 2005 · Exterior LightingThe head lights may not operate properly which could result in intermittent or no headlight function.
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with halogen headlamps may experience an intermittent and eventual total loss of headlamp function.
What can happen. The head lights may not operate properly which could result in intermittent or no headlight function. This could impair a driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the wiring harness and low beam bulb on both headlamp assemblies free of charge. The recall began on march 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler…
Mar 2004 · 2004 · Power TrainThis could cause a crash without warning.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with a ngc-1 powertrain control module, the software protocole used to test the vehicle exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system may lead to engine stalling under certain operating conditions.
What can happen. This could cause a crash without warning.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module software. Owner notification began on march 15, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Nov 2003 · 2004 · Fuel System, GasolineUnder certain engine and vehicle dynamic conditions, the fuel line may separate, resulting in a fuel leak and…
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the chassis fuel supply tube may have been incorrectly manufactured.
What can happen. Under certain engine and vehicle dynamic conditions, the fuel line may separate, resulting in a fuel leak and an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
The free fix. Dealers will install a secondary retention clip to the fuel line quick connect. Owner notification began on december 15, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 3,348 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 88 (2.6%)
- Fires
- 67
- Injury reports
- 58
- Fatality reports
- 3
Pacifica problems by model year
The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,244, most of them about body structure, and the 2008 the fewest, 102. A typical year drew about 726.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 896 | 750 | 96,000 | Body structure (323) | 2 |
| 2005 | 1,244 | 1,042 | 97,000 | Body structure (413) | 2 |
| 2006 | 726 | 613 | 93,000 | Body structure (198) | 1 |
| 2007 | 380 | 334 | 75,000 | Transmission and driveline (101) | 0 |
| 2008 | 102 | 90 | 78,000 | Electrical system (24) | 0 |
What Pacifica owners reported
The contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle turned off independently but was able to be restarted. Additionally, the vehicle was difficult to start. The vehicle was taken to an independent shop, where the PCM was reprogrammed and an unknown fuel…
2006 · 95,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that upon start the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to operate as needed without warning. The contact called and informed several dealers of the failure and was informed that there was a defect with the power train. The manufacturer was not notified of the…
2005 · 73,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
The contact owned a 2007 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked in the driveway for a week when it caught fire. The contact's husband looked outside the window of their residence and noticed that the vehicle had caught fire from the engine. The fire also caused damage to the garage door…
2007 · 187,000 miles · Firerelated
The contact owned a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, she lost control of the vehicle as it went through a guardrail and crashed into a tree where it came to a stop. The contact stated that she lost consciousness as she could not remember went occurred in detail. A professional…
2006 · 102,000 miles · Equipment adaptive/mobility
Built from 2,829 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Pacifica generations
- Pacifica 2017–2025 1,487 reports with mileage, most about the engine