Chrysler Pacifica 2017–2025
2nd generation (minivan; unrelated to the crossover) · Chrysler RU
NHTSA data through 12 August 20265,767 complaints, 2,057 with mileageMethod
On this generation, 36% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 4 times higher than during the rest of the car's life.
- First 12,000 miles — 36% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 5 complaints (0.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 1,200
- 25%
- 7,120
- Median
- 20,000
- 75%
- 44,000
- 90%
- 70,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 385 | 18.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 243 | 11.8% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 221 | 10.7% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 163 | 7.9% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 132 | 6.4% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 121 | 5.9% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 110 | 5.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 93 | 4.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 90 | 4.4% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 70 | 3.4% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 96 | 4.7% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 49 | 2.4% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 36 | 1.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 38 | 1.8% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 32 | 1.6% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 21 | 1.0% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 30 | 1.5% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 16 | 0.8% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 14 | 0.7% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 11 | 0.5% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 9 | 0.4% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 10 | 0.5% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 7 | 0.3% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 9 | 0.4% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 12 | 0.6% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 5 | 0.2% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 4 | 0.2% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 3 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.0% |
| 200,000+ | 5 | 0.2% |
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 5,767 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017–2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and 2,057 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
36% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 4 times higher than during the rest of the car's life. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the engine (22.2% of complaints, typically around 15,000 miles), the electrical system (18.7% of complaints, typically around 20,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (16.8% of complaints, typically around 25,000 miles).
37 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Engine15,000median 15,000 miles, middle half 5,500 to 39,000
- Electrical system20,000median 20,000 miles, middle half 8,000 to 42,000
- Transmission and driveline25,000median 24,850 miles, middle half 10,000 to 44,000
- Steering28,000median 28,000 miles, middle half 7,000 to 63,000
- Problems owners could not categorise16,000median 16,000 miles, middle half 6,000 to 34,000
- Fuel and propulsion system12,000median 12,164 miles, middle half 2,500 to 36,000
- Brakes16,000median 15,650 miles, middle half 6,000 to 38,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1,283 | 22.2% | 15,000 | 5,500–39,000 |
| Electrical system | 1,076 | 18.7% | 20,000 | 8,000–42,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 966 | 16.8% | 25,000 | 10,000–44,000 |
| Steering | 514 | 8.9% | 28,000 | 7,000–63,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 500 | 8.7% | 16,000 | 6,000–34,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 252 | 4.4% | 12,000 | 2,500–36,000 |
| Brakes | 202 | 3.5% | 16,000 | 6,000–38,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 188 | 3.3% | 17,000 | 3,000–32,000 |
| Body structure | 109 | 1.9% | 16,000 | 8,500–37,000 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 108 | 1.9% | 10,000 | 1,000–14,000 |
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 20,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The engine accounts for 22.2% of complaints (1,283 reports, 404 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 15,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,347 and 39,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 18.7% of complaints (1,076 reports, 381 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 20,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 8,000 and 41,962 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 16.8% of complaints (966 reports, 378 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 24,850 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 10,376 and 44,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 8.9% of complaints (514 reports, 155 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 28,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 7,000 and 63,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 8.7% of complaints (500 reports, 176 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 16,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 6,000 and 34,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 4.4% of complaints (252 reports, 50 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 12,164 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 2,700 and 35,700 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2017 model year drew the most — 2,343 complaints — while 2025 drew the fewest at 37. The median year sits at 348.
That makes 2017 an outlier: roughly 6.7 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 37 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the electrical system (8), the airbag system (6), the reversing camera and sensors (4). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 5,767 complaints filed against this generation, 195 reported a crash; 52 reported a fire; 142 reported an injury; 1 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 3.4% 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, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 36% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the engine and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The engine in particular shows a median failure mileage of 15,000, 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
Powertrain / Wiring — Engine Stall 2017–2019
Abrupt engine stall and loss of power steering assist traced to improperly installed/routed wiring; recall covered roughly 198,700 gasoline Pacificas. A separate recall attributed stalling to a powertrain control module defect on 2018 vehicles.
Hybrid Transmission Wiring Connector 2017–2023 (Hybrid only)
An internal transmission wiring connector can short circuit, causing unexpected engine shutdown/stall, most often above 25 mph. Recall covered roughly 67,000-76,000 Pacifica Hybrids; remedy was a power inverter software update plus, where needed, an instrument cluster software update. NHTSA later opened a recall-query investigation into whether the software remedy was adequate.
High-Voltage Battery (hybrid) 2017–2018 (Hybrid only)
Fire risk from the LG-supplied high-voltage battery pack while parked and charging; roughly 20,000 vehicles recalled after 12 owner fire reports, with owners told to park outside and away from structures and to stop charging. Same cell supplier implicated in the Chevrolet Bolt and Hyundai Kona EV battery recalls.
Transmission (948te 9-Speed) 2017–2019
Early shift-quality complaints — harsh or delayed engagement, hunting between ratios — addressed through repeated TCM/PCM calibration updates rather than hardware. Characteristic of FCA's early 9HP applications.
Seat Belts / Front Axle 2018
Separate recalls on 2018 vehicles for a seat belt that can become unlatched and for a front axle defect.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2,343 | 1,270 |
| 2018 | 1,337 | 552 |
| 2019 | 463 | 111 |
| 2020 | 259 | 38 |
| 2021 | 669 | 35 |
| 2022 | 348 | 25 |
| 2023 | 243 | 19 |
| 2024 | 68 | 4 |
| 2025 | 37 | 3 |
Recalls (37)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V358000 | 2026-07-16 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 26V327000 | 2026-07-16 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 26V362000 | 2026-06-23 | Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery |
| 26V296000 | 2026-06-16 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:wheelchair Restraints/Securement:critical Fasteners |
| 26V189000 | 2026-05-14 | Air Bags:side/Window:curtain |
| 25V876000 | 2026-02-05 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:wheelchair Restraints/Securement:latch/Anchor: |
| 25V877000 | 2026-01-27 | Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:wheelchair Restraints/Securement:latch/Anchor: |
| 25V573000 | 2025-10-14 | Air Bags:side/Window:curtain |
| 25V302000 | 2025-10-14 | Air Bags:side/Window:curtain |
| 25V471000 | 2025-08-07 | Equipment:appliance:tv/Radio/Speakers |
| 25V388000 | 2025-07-03 | Equipment:appliance:tv/Radio/Speakers |
| 24V888000 | 2024-12-17 | Seats:barriers |
| 24V436000 | 2024-07-09 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 24V238000 | 2024-04-30 | Visibility:windshield:critical Fasteners |
| 24V240000 | 2024-04-11 | Traction Control System |
| 24V199000 | 2024-04-11 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette |
| 23V753000 | 2023-11-28 | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery |
| 23V500000 | 2023-08-31 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
| 23V010000 | 2023-02-23 | Electrical System:wiring:connectors/Plugs/Receptacles |
| 22V619000 | 2022-08-30 | Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:linkages |
| 22V181000 | 2022-04-07 | Seats:mid/Rear Assembly |
| 24V793000 | 2020-10-22 | Air Bags:side/Window:curtain |
| 20V191000 | 2020-04-27 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 19V886000 | 2020-01-09 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera |
| 19V348000 | 2019-05-24 | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery |
What owners reported
Many other drivers complaining about same issue: 1. Driving at low speed (10mph or less) transmission does a hard shift as if it was trying to engage 2nd or 3rd shift. Car does a huge bump when the shift is engaged. 2. At high speed (65mph ~) is possible to hear a rattling noise coming from left side panel / drivers…
2017 · 10 miles · Transmission and driveline
I continuly have to have my battries replaced at least 6 months to a yr. Also my car keeps stalling and it kick a lot more now then it has been since i got the car. My issues occure when i'm driving and its worst when driving up hill. I have been taking it to the orginal dealership for all services they have all…
2017 · 10 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that two weeks after purchasing the vehicle new, the vehicle would jerk while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal. The RPMâs was stuck on 2,000 RPM. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer…
2017 · 11 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 2,057 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page