2018 Chrysler PACIFICA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
863 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
14,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 326 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 372 of 863 complaints (43.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 181 | 21.0% |
| Engine operation | 149 | 17.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 141 | 16.3% |
| Braking behavior | 106 | 12.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 91 | 10.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 0.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 372 |
| Electrical System | 281 |
| Steering | 171 |
| Power Train | 153 |
| Unknown Or Other | 112 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 47 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 37 |
| Service Brakes | 31 |
Engine: 372; Electrical System: 281; Steering: 171; Power Train: 153; Unknown Or Other: 112; Fuel/Propulsion System: 47; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 37; Service Brakes: 31
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 210 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 55 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 29 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 210; 25,000 to 49,999: 55; 50,000 to 74,999: 29; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (210). 537 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 |
| 2018 | 77 |
| 2019 | 138 |
| 2020 | 54 |
| 2021 | 55 |
| 2022 | 69 |
| 2023 | 94 |
| 2024 | 112 |
| 2025 | 136 |
| 2026 | 124 |
2017: 4; 2018: 77; 2019: 138; 2020: 54; 2021: 55; 2022: 69; 2023: 94; 2024: 112; 2025: 136; 2026: 124
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 181 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 149 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 141 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11047391 · 2017-11-20 (November 20, 2017)
WE WERE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT AND STOPPED ON A RED LIGHT IN AN INTERSECTION ON A HIGHWAY. WHEN IT WAS 'GO' OUR PACIFICA 2018 (400 MILES ON IT) DID NOT RUN. LIGHT IS ON 'RUN', DIAL SHIFT ON DRIVE AND I DID NOT TURN OFF THE CAR. I STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AGAIN BUT IT JUST WOULD NOT RUN. OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND ME STARTED HONKING AND I SIGNALED THEM TO GO AROUND ME. SO TURNED TO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THEN TURNED BACK ON. STILL IT WOULD NOT RUN. FOR THE THIRD TIME I TURNED THE ENGINE COMPLETELY OFF, OPENED THE DOOR. THEN CLOSED THE DOOR …
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11047391 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11053801 · 2017-12-10 (December 10, 2017)
I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE 12-2-2017 AND THE ENGINE HAS STALLED 3 TIMES WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT? WHAT CAN I DO THIS IS NOT NORMAL.
Owner-reported narrative. 135 miles reported. Look up ODI 11053801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11054071 · 2017-12-11 (December 11, 2017)
DURING THE VERY FIRST MODEST SNOW FALL OF THE SEASON, I WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP AT INTERSECTIONS WHERE OTHER CARS COULD STOP. AT EVEN EXTREMELY SLOW SPEED, I HAD TROUBLE NEGOTIATING CURVES. I HAD TO DRIVE MUCH SLOWER THAN OTHER CARS AND YET COULDN'T STOP FOR YELLOW LIGHTS WHEN OTHER CARS COULD. I AM LEAVING THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL I CAN GET SNOW TIRES BECAUSE IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE MY BRAND NEW VAN WITH THE FACTORY EQUIPPED "ALL WEATHER" TIRES. I HAVE DRIVEN LONG DISTANCES IN MUCH WORSE WINTER WEATHER OVER 42 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER FELT …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11054071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11057682 · 2017-12-30 (December 30, 2017)
2018 TOURING L PLUS TOWED. WAS DRIVING ALONG AND STARTED LOSING ALL POWER, SYSTEMS STARTED TO SHUT DOWN, VAN WAS LIMITED IN SPEED AND FUNCTION. BY THE END ALL WARNING SYSTEMS HAD FAILED, POWER STEERING WAS GONE, ABS WAS GONE, AFTER THE BATTERY HIT 8.9 VOLTS WE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRANSMISSION, THE "D" ON THE DISPLAY STARTED FLASHING AND THE VAN SHUT OFF 15 SECONDS LATER. ONCE THE VAN WAS OFF I WAS UNABLE TO PUT IT IN PARK OR APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,968 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11062301 · 2018-01-11 (January 11, 2018)
CAR SHUT OFF WITH THE "PUT CAR IN PARK AND RESTART" MESSAGE. IT TOOK 2 ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. CAR HAS ONLY 795 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED WITH THE FUEL SAVER OPTION SET TO THE OFF POSITION.
Owner-reported narrative. 795 miles reported. Look up ODI 11062301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11065956 · 2018-01-30 (January 30, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TELEGRAPH CHRYSLER (12000 TELEGRAPH RD, TAYLOR, MI 48180) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11065956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066948 · 2018-02-05 (February 5, 2018)
3RD ROW PACIFICA SEATS HAVE A BUTTON TO RECLINE SEATS BACK AND FORWARD WITHIN REACH OF CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS WHICH CAUSES CAR SEATS TO BECOME LOOSE AND NO LONGER INSTALLED PROPERLY. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE AND I AM CONCERNED THIS WILL CAUSE INJURY BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE OR CHILD LOCK THE SEAT RECLINE. ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS LED TO NO IMMEDIATE RESOLVE OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THIS COULD CAUSE INJURY TO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS. THE BUTTON IS AVAILABLE FOR USE WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11066948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072158 · 2018-02-11 (February 11, 2018)
WHEEL WELLS FILL UP WITH SNOW AND ICE BUILDS UP. THE TIRES HAVE NO ROOM TO WORK. THEY SPIN BUT DON'T GO ANYWHERE. YOU CAN HAVE YOUR PEDAL TO THE GROUND, AND THE TIRES ARE NOT ABLE TO PROPEL FORWARD B/C OF THE EXTREME SNOW/ICE BUILD UP IN THE WHEEL WELLS. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS B/C IT CAN HAPPEN AS YOU ARE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. ONCE THE LIGHT TURNS GREEN, YOU ARE UNABLE TO GO B/C THE TIRES JUST KEEP SPINNING. THE ONLY WAY TO GET YOUR CAR MOVING AGAIN IS HOPE THAT SOME OF THE SNOW BREAKS LOOSE OR YOU HAVE TO MANUALLY REMOVE THE BUILD UP THAT IS …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072158 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
12 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V542000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other
Reported: 2017-08-31 (August 31, 2017)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with the 8-passenger seating option. In certain passenger seating and vehicle situations, the second-row center seating position seat belt buckle could cause the left outboard seat belt to become unlatched.
Consequence: Inadvertent unlatching of the left outboard seat belt can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a shorter second-row seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T54.
NHTSA campaign record ↗17V824000 · Equipment
Reported: 2017-12-21 (December 21, 2017)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. A list of the affected trailer models is available at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17V824-0103.pdf. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
Consequence: If the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Kidde customer service service toll-free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information. Chrysler's number for this recall is T82.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V332000 · Electrical System:Software | Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 2018-05-17 (May 17, 2018)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.
Consequence: If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V395000 · Equipment:Electrical:Anti-Theft Devices | Electrical System:Ignition:Anti-Theft:Control Module
Reported: 2018-06-14 (June 14, 2018)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) plug may be removed without a tool. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Consequence: If the MPR is engaged unintentionally, the vehicle could roll away striking and injuring a bystander or cause a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MPR plug, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U50.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V492000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2018-07-26 (July 26, 2018)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
Consequence: If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V493000 · Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft
Reported: 2018-07-26 (July 26, 2018)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.
Consequence: If the axle shaft disengages from the CV joint, the vehicle will have a loss of drive or allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right halfshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U80.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V524000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 2018-08-09 (August 9, 2018)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles and 2018-2019 Jeep Cherokee and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Consequence: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V143000 · Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm
Reported: 2019-02-28 (February 28, 2019)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica hybrid vehicles. The right front lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle.
Consequence: A control arm separation could increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front knuckle and lower control arm for damage, replacing the components as necessary. The right front lower control arm knuckle pinch bolt will be replaced with a larger-diameter pinch bolt. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began April 26, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V15.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V348000 · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
Reported: 2019-05-09 (May 9, 2019)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Pacifica vehicles equipped with engine stop/start systems. A loose battery ground connection may result in an intermittent loss of power steering assist and/or a stall.
Consequence: A loss of power steering assist or a stall can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery ground surfaces, clean the contact surfaces as needed, and properly reassemble the ground connection, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US' number for this recall is V53.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V886000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
Reported: 2019-12-12 (December 12, 2019)
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Pacifica vehicles equipped with an 8.4 inch radio display, 360 degree surround view camera system, and seat back video screens. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed on the radio after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Consequence: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VE2.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V010000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles | Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
Reported: 2023-01-17 (January 17, 2023)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.
Consequence: An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Power Inverter Module (PIM) software and, if necessary, update the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the electronic control module (ECM) software, free of charge. FCA US will notify dealers and begin notifying owners on or about: 03/21/2023 for 2021 model year vehicles, 05/02/2023 for 2019-2020 model year vehicles, and 06/15/2023 for 2017-2018 model year vehicles. FCA began notifying owners on February 23, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03A.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V876000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility:Wheelchair Restraints/Securement:Latch/Anchor:
Reported: 2025-12-17 (December 17, 2025)
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Consequence: An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
NHTSA campaign record ↗