2020 Chrysler PACIFICA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
168 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
34,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 62 of 168 complaints (36.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 53 | 31.5% |
| Steering behavior | 34 | 20.2% |
| Braking behavior | 33 | 19.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 15.5% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 10.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 62 |
| Engine | 52 |
| Power Train | 36 |
| Steering | 31 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 5 |
Electrical System: 62; Engine: 52; Power Train: 36; Steering: 31; Unknown Or Other: 18; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Seats: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 140 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 26 |
| 2024 | 40 |
| 2025 | 39 |
| 2026 | 30 |
2020: 7; 2021: 6; 2022: 20; 2023: 26; 2024: 40; 2025: 39; 2026: 30
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 53 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 33 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11351382 · 2020-08-26 (August 26, 2020)
WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED THE ENGINE REVVED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ENTER THE INTERSECTION BEFORE I COULD STOP IT. THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE A FEW SECONDS LATER. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC AT THIS TIME. THE SECOND TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED I WAS STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT AND ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED WHEN THE ENGINE REVVED. I HAD TO APPLY CONSIDERABLE BRAKE PRESSURE TO AVOID REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I OBSERVED THE TACHOMETER READ ABOUT 2500 RPM AND IT RETURNED TO IDLE AFTER ABOUT F…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11351382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11418155 · 2021-05-22 (May 22, 2021)
FIRST COMPONENT FAILURES - Passenger sliding door: a) WHILE DRIVING, the passenger sliding door mechanism engages and attempts to open the door - the driver then sees a notification "to operate the sliding door, put the vehicle in park"; b) when parked, if the door is open and we want to close it, we can engage the closing mechanism with button or fob, but then it will not stop and re-open even if there is an obstruction; it has closed on my wife's arm and almost hurt one of the kids. One can even try to stop the door from closing with their f…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11367081 · 2020-10-29 (October 29, 2020)
MY WIFE WAS STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE SECOND ROW. A CAR APPROACHED THE LIGHT AND SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF HER CAR II DON'T THINK THEY WERE SLOWING DOWN). SHE THEN HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT DID NOT FULLY ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, SHE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL CAUSING FRACTURES, A CONCUSSION AND A MINOR BRAIN BLEED.*DT*DT*DT*JB*JB *TR*TR
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11367081 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11449602 · 2022-01-31 (January 31, 2022)
Ice buildup in the fender well to the tire which effects turning and steering. It happened all last winter and twice this year.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11449602 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11310289 · 2020-02-20 (February 20, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN CONTROL ACCELERATION FOR 20 SECOND, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOSING THE ABILITY TO HOLD THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE RAV UP TO 7000 RPM AND THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AFTER THE VEHICLE COOL DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVING TO CHAMPAIGN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM DEALER, (1906 MORELAND BLVD, CHAMPAIGN, IL 61822) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11310289 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11447663 · 2022-01-16 (January 16, 2022)
Complete failure of electrical system. When it happened the display screen said the vehicle will shut down soon. Suddenly everything started turning on and off, the transmission disengaged. The motor started racing with all electrical components turning on and off and suddenly everything shut off. All vehicle components were rendered useless. Chrysler dealership tried jump starting the vehicle and nothing happened, no power at all. They then tested both batteries with a GR8 and found that the auxiliary battery had failed. After testing the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11447663 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11471082 · 2022-06-27 (June 27, 2022)
While driving at freeway speed a check engine light came on follows by “service electrical system “ then limp mode which limits the vehicle to 40mph. Very dangerous on the freeway. Luckily we made it off the freeway but the vehicle locked itself in park gear and began to make loud grinding noises with wipers going on randomly. This happened in a busy intersection. Car was inoperable had to be towed. Would not roll so flat bed tow was not possible. Dealer says the 12v battery was bad and it also needs a new transmission. If a 12v battery ca…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11471082 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11484567 · 2022-09-15 (September 15, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road and attempted several times before the vehicle restarted and was able to drive to his residence. The contact stated he continued to experience the failure while driving. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The fail…
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11484567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11486475 · 2022-09-26 (September 26, 2022)
Has stalled on freeway twice now. All check engine lights come on, car goes into limp mode then stalls. Will not allow moving from park into drive. Has left us stranded 3 times. Chrysler including dealers not helpful.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11486475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11646248 · 2025-03-04 (March 4, 2025)
2020 Pacifica keeps stalling. From a stop light or stop sign the vehicle will lurch forward without warning. Recently, from a strip mall I stopped before pulling out into traffic and the vehicle lunged forward peeling rubber and shot onto the main road and I had to slam on the brakes to get the vehicle under control. At the next stop light, it stalled and I couldn't get it started. I'm handicapped and I had to exit the vehicle with my canes and advised the driver behind me of the problem. I've made 5 trips to the dealer with this problem. T…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11646248 at NHTSA ↗