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U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Chrysler PACIFICA problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

365 owner complaints analyzed

7 distinct recall campaigns

44,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 28 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 145 of 365 complaints (39.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues8824.1%
Transmission and shifting7019.2%
Braking behavior4311.8%
Engine operation3910.7%
Steering behavior277.4%
Fuel system concerns51.4%

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.

Electrical System
145
Engine
140
Power Train
119
Fuel/Propulsion System
74
Unknown Or Other
54
Vehicle Speed Control
22
Back Over Prevention
17
Steering
15
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System145
Engine140
Power Train119
Fuel/Propulsion System74
Unknown Or Other54
Vehicle Speed Control22
Back Over Prevention17
Steering15

Electrical System: 145; Engine: 140; Power Train: 119; Fuel/Propulsion System: 74; Unknown Or Other: 54; Vehicle Speed Control: 22; Back Over Prevention: 17; Steering: 15

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
12
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
6
75,000 to 99,999
4
100,000 to 149,999
4
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00012
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9996
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,9994
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 337 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.

2021
26
2022
91
2023
77
2024
66
2025
57
2026
48
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
202126
202291
202377
202466
202557
202648

2021: 26; 2022: 91; 2023: 77; 2024: 66; 2025: 57; 2026: 48

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 88 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 70 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 43 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 11418084 · 2021-05-21 (May 21, 2021)

Vehicle broke down twice related to the hybrid electrical system. First Incident: vehicle would not start after being parked and turned off; upon attempt to start, vehicle displayed a "Service Electronic Throttle Control" error message in dash. Second Incident: vehicle was in motion on highway at ~65 mph, and suddenly displayed "Service Hybrid Electric System" error message in dash. Vehicle proceeded to enter into turtle mode and began deceleration which is dangerous while on highway. Took vehicle in both times to different dealers. Both de…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418084 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11419321 · 2021-06-02 (June 2, 2021)

Here is our list they are "working on"... 1. had the no start issue 3 times...the first 2 times I could ONLY get it to start using the U-Connect app that we got free for the first year or whatever. The 3rd time I eventually got it to start after 3 tries. I did actually record the 2nd attempt so I have video proof of the exact issue. 2. we also have the issue of the entire system not shutting down after turning the car off AND completely exiting the vehicle...and even locking it. I can sit outside the van and listen to the music continue playing…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419321 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11431063 · 2021-08-30 (August 30, 2021)

We purchased our brand new 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited on April 19th, 2021, from Hoblit Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Woodland CA. At the dealership, my wife and I were able to add user profiles to the UConnect system, thereby customizing our driving experience to fit our individual needs. However, I started to notice a number of issues with the vehicle over the following weeks. UConnect Related: 1) The ability to add and remove user profiles disappeared. 2) The UConnect system randomly resets about once every couple weeks. 3) The UConn…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11431063 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11436943 · 2021-10-15 (October 15, 2021)

I was in the garage near the car when it started spontaneously. I had the key fob in my pants pocket. It turned off when I sat inside and pushed the ignition off button. Did not notice any warnings/lights at the time. There were no safety consequences. My Concerns: What else could happen spontaneously? Could it shift into gear? Carbon monoxide in the closed garage? Has not recurred. The only recent auto malfunction was the Information display (UConnect) had locked up a couple of weeks prior after a routine software download to the car. No prob…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436943 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11414581 · 2021-04-30 (April 30, 2021)

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VAN IT WILL PERIODICALLY NOT ENGAGE. THE GEAR SELECTOR WILL BLINK WHEN YOU SELECT A GEAR, BUT IT WILL NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL HOWEVER. THIS BECOMES A GREATER PROBLEM AS YOU NEED TO REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO CYCLE THE VAN BACK TO OFF. ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE COMPOUNDED BY FACT IT IS A PHEV AND THERE IS NO ENGINE NOISE TO HELP YOU NOTICE IT HAS NOT STARTED. CHRYSLER HAS SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT THEY HAVE GIVEN NO INFORMATION OTHER THAN A FIX IS SUPPOSED TO COME SOMETIME IN …

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11414581 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11418844 · 2021-05-28 (May 28, 2021)

I was stopped at a traffic light for several minutes. I started to feel like we were moving and checked the brakes to make sure they were still fully engaged. When I realized that they were and that I was still rolling, I put the car into park. I did bump the semi in front of me. I’m not sure if the impact or putting the car in park that stopped me. I have had the car for 3 months and never had anything like that happen. We had the car towed to the dealer and called Chrysler to report the problem. An inspector spoke to me and then went…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418844 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11430933 · 2021-08-29 (August 29, 2021)

I was driving at just over 70MPH in hybrid mode (battery fully depleted for full electric operation) and suddenly the van lost all power and a warning came up on the screen that said "Service Charging System". The van was totally stalled and had no power, but still had electrical functions. I had to pull over on the side of the road in busy traffic, put the van in Park and then restart. After this event, my engine light has remained on and I am attempting to schedule an appointment with the Chrysler dealer. This high speed stall in busy traffic…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430933 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11440404 · 2021-11-14 (November 14, 2021)

I purchased a pre-owned 2021 Pacifica Hybrid on November 4th 2021. After driving it off the lot, the vehicle stalled (essentially loses power and gas pedal does not work) while driving at a high rate of speed on the highway. Symptom: While driving at a high rate of speed (65MPH, 60MPH, 50MPH, 70MPH), van loses power and gas pedal will not work. Van is on <1% battery and running off gasoline power. After coasting to a stop on the side of the road, a message pops up that says "Service Charging System" and the check engine light comes on. …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440404 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11432866 · 2021-09-14 (September 14, 2021)

While driving our 2021 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV in EV on the highway, at speed of 65 mph, the vehicle lost power and the accelerator pedal became unresponsive. This has occurred on three occassions, each on different days. The dashboard signaled these issues: Shift to P to Start, Service Charging System, and the check engine light indicator. This is a very serious safety issue. The Engine and Power failed while driving at highway speed, this has occurred 3 times in the past few weeks. After losing power, the vehicle can only coast using it's o…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11432866 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11441157 · 2021-11-20 (November 20, 2021)

We have now had two incidences where the vehicle is being driven both on the highway and in the city. The vehicle malfunctions without any indication or warning. While driving the vehicle beeps and the check engine light comes on, you lose all control or ability to accelerate. You still have steering. The screen on the dash in front of the driver flashes and continues to flash and says there is an issue, while saying to move the drive to park. The drive options (park, drive, reverse, etc) flashes on and off but will not move anyways. You are…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11441157 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11525382 · 2023-06-05 (June 5, 2023)

The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, the pump handle was set to pump automatically. The contact stated the pump handle was ejected from the filler neck when the fuel tank was full, causing a fuel spill onto the ground. The contact was able to prevent further spilling. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11525382 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11600791 · 2024-07-10 (July 10, 2024)

Van has 70K miles. After a long road trip. last stop noticed a gas smell from the front of van. When opening the hood noticed gas had been leaking over top of the motor by spraying fuel. Moving the fuel line running over the top of the motor, showed it was rubbing against top of the coil pack on engine. The rubbing over time caused a small cut in the fuel line allowing for fuel leak. The fuel line seam to be malformed or is unsported causing the rubbing.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11600791 at NHTSA ↗