2019 Chrysler Pacifica Complaints
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
358
Total
11
Crashes
3
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
Most Reported Components
Owner Complaint Reports
Showing 25 of 358 reports, crash, fire and injury reports first, then the most recently filed. The full set is on NHTSA.gov.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 10/03/2026
Steering wheel sticks when slightly turning either direction and when you apply force to unstick over corrects making it very dangerous and a safety issue especially on highways. Researching shows this is pretty common in this year and model
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 03/25/2021
We are on a 5th! Auxiliary battery since purchasing the vehicle new in 2019. It fails every 1-2 years and it causes the main battery to drain as a result of it which means replacing both batteries on average every 18 months.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 07/31/2026
My 2019 Chrysler Pacifica experienced repeated electrical/network communication failures. The first sign was erratic dashboard behavior and a check-engine light in our resort parking lot. We drove to Pep Boys, where it was evaluated and we were told it was okay to drive. We then drove to Chick-fil-A (.4 miles from Pep Boys). While stopped in the drive-thru in Drive with my foot on the brake, the vehicle began dinging, the engine revved, and multiple warning lights/messages appeared, including the check-engine light, red electronic throttle control warning, “Blind Spot Alert Temporarily Unavailable,” “Service Trans Stop Safely Shut Off Engine to Engage Park,” and “Stop/Start Not Ready.” After shutting it off, it would not reliably restart, and when it did, I could not shift it to move. The vehicle returned to Pep Boys, where DTCs U0001 (CAN C Bus) and U0401 (Implausible Data Received From ECM/PCM) were documented. It then went to a Chrysler dealership in Florida. They evaluated it and told us it checked out and was okay to drive. After leaving that dealership, the problem returned while my family and I were traveling at highway speed. The vehicle malfunctioned and began losing acceleration. I exited the highway. When I stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle died. It restarted but again would not shift. Eventually we were able to reach a nearby gas station. The problem continued intermittently as we tried to get home. Because we could not predict when it would happen again, we determined it was unsafe and had it towed. A Chrysler dealership in Georgia then documented numerous loss-of-communication codes and performed a PCM software update. The vehicle passed testing and was released, but the problem returned again after we returned to Ohio. The vehicle was ultimately towed to a Chrysler dealership in Ohio. The communication faults became active during diagnosis, and the dealer replaced both CAN-C and CAN-I splice-block connectors. The problem has not recurred since.
POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/26/2019
The transmission has a very abrupt slamming or violent jerk around 45 mph. This has been since we bought the vehicle. Even with consistent routine maintenance this slamming has gotten worse. I believe this to be a manufacturer defect in the transmission that will cause premature failure. We have reported this to every dealer service center and private mechanic shop we have visited and were told that either they couldn't work on it or that it would require thousands of dollars to tear apart and inspect and even then we would more than likely need to foot the bill even if it was a defect and then try to get reimbursement from Chrysler/Stellantis. This transmission defect along with the coolant leaking into the engine issue that was submitted a year or more ago that has gone unanswered is making me lose faith in the manufacturer and the government agency set to protect consumers and investigate these issues.
STEERING — Filed 09/04/2026
When in gentle right turns, the steering "sticks" at about 1:00 and I have to apply force to remove the steering wheel from that position. It results in oversteering, particularly at higher speeds.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/04/2026
Loss of power steering while driving
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE — Filed 07/16/2026
On 7/16/26 vehicle would not start; high-pitched noise heard near engine during no-start diagnosis. Towed to Goldy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Huntington WV. Per dealer invoice #27136: blown 500-amp main battery fuse found; after jumping past fuse, white smoke from exhaust and no coolant in system, diagnosed as blown head gasket. Repair: both-side head gasket replacement plus fuse assembly. Vehicle in shop 7 weeks, returned 9/4/26 with new unresolved issue: strong smell of burned electronics and antifreeze in cabin. All failed components available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: head gasket failure/coolant intrusion caused engine hydrolock, a sudden uncommanded loss of engine power that can occur without warning, including while driving in traffic. Burned-electronics smell raises electrical/fire risk; antifreeze odor raises cabin fume exposure and window-fogging visibility concerns. Confirmed by dealer: Yes. Goldy diagnosed and documented the fuse failure, coolant loss, and head gasket failure in writing, and performed the repair. Manufacturer/police/insurance inspection: Not by police or insurance. Spoke by phone with a Chrysler HQ rep 5 times (8/13-9/1/26) who was informed; no confirmed independent physical inspection by manufacturer beyond dealer's own diagnosis. Warning signs: P0304 misfire on cylinder 3 appeared first, progressing to complete no-start with high-pitched noise, prompting the tow-in and hydrolock diagnosis.
STEERING — Filed 09/03/2026
The van has a consistent steering catch when traveling most pronounced at 11 and 1. The steering hangs and then releases which causes the van to travel unexpectedly into the other lane of traffic. There are no faults or other indicators visible with the vehicle to warn the driver of an issue. The issue is more noticeable when the outside air temperature is above 85 deg F and the van has been drive 15 or so miles. Additionally, a visual inspection of all mechanical components of the van related to steering does not show any abnormal wear and tear. The van has 126K miles on it.
STEERING — Filed 09/01/2026
The steering sticks normally when slightly turned especially going highway speeds around bends. You have to “yank” the wheel from it being stuck and risk over steering off the road or into other lane. Huge safety risk.
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/23/2026
Almost got in 2 separate accidents because of a failed brake booster. No symptoms before hand to let me know anything was wrong. Came to a red light and the brakes became very hard to push and the vehicle proceeded to continue moving even though I hit the brake. It came to a stop in the middle of the intersection and I almost got hit. Also almost rear-ended someone because of the same issue. It has been confirmed at the Chrysler dealer that the brake booster failed. I have children and almost got into an accident twice because of it. Now I have to pay out of pocket because it got denied due to it being over the date of expiration. My vehicle has under 85,000 miles and now I'm out $700 because it won't get covered. It's a safety risk for me and my family.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 06/30/2025
1. Brakes give way and cannot stop car until halfway into intersection. Brake is metal to metal. Hear clanking sound………. Also 2. When stepping on brake, car speeds up. I’ve had 2 accidents by rear ending car in front of me. This has happened 4-5 times this past year.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 12/28/2023
Vehicle parked faced in in a tight fitting space in a hotel underground parking area. When leaving the knob was in the park position, push button start, vehicle started in the park position, looked behind and the people across from me had just loaded their van. They were now on the side of their van. It was now clear. I then placed the transmission from park to reverse still with the foot on the brake. I then released the brake . The vehicle suddenly and abruptly went in reverse without accelerating but when applying the brake the vehicle would not stop and continued going backwards even though I was firmly now pressing and pumping on the brake pedal to no avail. I yelled at my wife, "it won't stop, it won't stop" It backed up not stopping for approximately 25 feet and struck two vehicles finally coming to rest, The damage to all three vehicles including mine was minor. I reported the accident on private property to my insurance company. I know for a fact that my foot did not push down on the accelerator pedal nor was part of my foot on both the brake and accelerator pedal. which is almost impossible to do. The stop start system had broken three times since purchasing the van. This was done again 2 weeks before this accident. The vehicle is available for inspection. Quite apparent ithis is a safety risk. This occurred 1 day ago and has not been inspected. Accident on private property in Calif. No accident report was taken. No warning lamps, messages etc occurred. I keep the van in good repair. No warnings light at all other than the stop start feature which was dealt with by the Chrysler dealership. They, in my opinion have not been helpful to me. The rep I talked with at the dealership re the stop start problem was not aware that the alternator is 14 volts and the battery 12 volts. How basic.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 08/21/2021
The vehicle is a 2019 Chrysler/Braun mobility van, my wife is a paraplegic that has no feeling from the chest down. The Uconnect system is the issue. The Blind Spot Alert does not work, the Power Sliding Doors do not work, the Windows will not operate, the Heat go to 76 degrees and will not turn off, the Info Center goes black, the Back Up Camera will not work, the Navigation system stops working, the Audio stops working, the Audio/Bluetooth will not work, the Panel Lights come on but do not work. We were on a trip when the Uconnect system malfunctioned and all the above happened. The temp outside was about 75 degrees and the heat came on and the windows would not work. My wife's foot got so severely burned it needed medical attention and is still dealing with this 3 months later. The vehicle became an oven. With the power sliding doors being inop my wife is either a prisoner in her own vehicle or she cannot enter the vehicle at all. With her limited mobility and the backup camera inop it makes it unsafe for to back the vehicle up safely. If we are not familiar with an area we are going to it makes it that much more difficult to find our destination without the Navigation system working.
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 09/11/2022
1. The brake booster on my 2019 Pacifica failed, resulting in a collision at a red light. 2. I replaced the brake booster myself since the car was just out of warranty 3. Three months later, Chrysler sent a letter to an address that I have not lived at for 15 yrs and never had this Pacifica registered at - the letter said that the warranty period for the brake booster has been extended for 2018-2020 Chrysler Pacificas 4. Chrysler denied my reimbursement request because I did not have the replacement brake booster installed at a Chrysler dealer 5. My colleague has a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica which also suffered a brake booster failure, but is not covered under this warranty extension. 6. I called 3 separate dealers and multiple parts stores . . . .no one had a replacement brake booster in stock. The earliest I could get a replacement was 1 week by ordering it online. It appears that brake booster replacements are in high demand for this vehicle. -Why is this a warranty extension rather than a recall? -Why is Chrysler denying reimbursements for part costs? -Why is 2017 not included in Chrysler's warranty extension? -Why is Chrysler doing a terrible job of notifying owners (using addresses over 15 yrs old) rather than using addresses listed with the DMV or addresses used when purchasing the vehicles?
POWER TRAIN — Filed 12/14/2021
The following has happened twice. Once with me and once with my wife. The van is in reverse. My foot is on the brake. I am getting ready to reverse the van to get out of a parking space. Suddenly, the van lurches forward when I take my foot off the brake. The lurch is not soft of mild, it is shocking and frightening. In one case, we hit the car parked ahead of us. In both cases, had a person been in front of the car, he or she would have been surely injured.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,BACK OVER PREVENTION — Filed 10/24/2021
While traveling in the left hand lane I was hit on the right side pushing me into a median. I applied the brakes and they didn’t stop the vehicle. When the van came into contact with the curb. The airbags deployed. I smelt smoke and told my 4 young children in the back seat we needed to get out now. Two of my children were in 5 pt harness car seats in the third row. We were able to run to a safe area before it went up in flames less than a few mins later. There were no witnesses and no one around. My children and I could of been seriously injured or worse. No warning lights were active. No signs of failure until I tried pressing the brakes. The vehicle was inspected by the fire department that arrived on scene when it was fully engulfed in flames at that point.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 08/09/2021
We purchased our vehicle on July 8, 2019 and it was 18,179 miles on August 9, 2021, is slightly over what would be considered eligible under the NY Lemon Law for new vehicles. We took our vehicle in to the Service Center for a routine inspection on August 9, 2021, because we realized our sticker expired only to learn that it would not pass inspection due to the check engine light coming on. After they diagnosed it, we were told the reason for the Check Engine light being on was some wires had supposedly been chewed by rodents. The service department repaired the wires and we paid $979.55 out of pocket for that repair. We were told to pick up the vehicle on August 11, 2021 (with an expired inspection) and drive it for approximately 100 miles and then bring it back in one week to see if they would be able to perform the inspection. After driving the vehicle for less than a week is when the nightmare begins! FIVE INCIDENTS LATER, the vehicle’s electrical system continues to dangerously malfunction WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. The vehicle still can not be inspected. The service department continues to give the vehicle back to us band-aiding every repair of the electrical system and the issue IS STILL NOT RESOLVED. The last incident, the 5th time, we took a trip to New Paltz NY and we received the dreaded Uconnect Service Alert about the Malfunction Indicator as soon as we arrived there. We immediately cut our trip short and attempted to go back to the Bronx to return the vehicle to the Dealer Service center. We called Eastchester Chrysler and left a voicemail that we were on our way to return the vehicle again. The vehicle started to malfunction severely as we were driving on I-87. Practically every system was indicating failure including the Air Bag, Brake system, Electronic Stability Control, Shifter, Steering, etc. The vehicle stalled near Exit 14A Chestnut Ridge. We had to pay $340 to be towed to our home in the Bronx, because it was too late to take it to the dealer.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE — Filed 10/20/2020
THIS VAN WAS PURCHASED BY A DEALER WITH APPROXIMATELY 23,000 MILES. IT WAS SOLD TO A RETAIL CUSTOMER AND THE FOLLOWING DAY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE CUSTOMERS GARAGE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP AND CHRYSLER SAID THEY WOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIRE, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS CLEARLY UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. AFTER LEAVING IT THERE WHILE TRYING TO GET CHRYSLER TO FIX IT WE FINALLY SENT A TOW TRUCK TO PICK IT UP. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER GOT IN THE VEHICLE TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AGAIN. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS BURNER/MELTED AND CHRYSLER REFUSES TO LOOK AT IT OR REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY.
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/09/2020
THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHENEVER I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT FELT HARD AND DID NOT RESPOND. MUCH LIKE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE, THE PEDAL MADE A HISSING SOUND WHENEVER IT CAME UP. THE POWER BRAKE SYSTEM IS BEING LOOKED AT AND IS A COMMON PROBLEM. A RECALL ON THIS SYSTEM CLEARLY NEEDS TO OCCUR BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. COULD NOT STOP AT STOPLIGHT WITHOUT PUMPING BRAKES AND COULD NOT STOP IN DRIVEWAY WITHOUT HITTING MY OTHER VEHICLE ENTIRELY. HIGHLY RECOMMEND A DIFFERENT VEHICLE UNTIL THIS SYSTEM IS RECALLED BECAUSE OF HOW OFTEN THIS OCCURS
SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/10/2020
TRIED STOPPING FOR A RED LIGHT AND BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE. VAN SEAMED TO SPEED UP. GOT INTO RIGHT TURN LANE AND VAN SLOWED DOWN BUT STILL NOT STOPPING. HIT CAR IN FRONT, LUCKILY NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 12/17/2019
VEHICLE ACCELERATOR JAMMED WHILE SLOWLY BACKING VEHICLE (REAR END FIRST) INTO HOME GARAGE AT AROUND 12:15 P.M. ON DECEMBER 17, 2019. VEHICLE AND PASSENGERS WERE THROWN BACK INTO THE GARAGE WALL AT A HIGH SPEED CAUSING VEHICLE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. ON FORM BELOW, I ESTIMATED 1 MPH, BUT IT MAY HAVE BEEN LESS AS I WAS SLOWLY BACKING VEHICLE INTO HOME GARAGE.
STEERING — Filed 06/07/2019
2019 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. UNCONTROLLED STEERING WHEEL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL JUMPS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO CRASH INTO A LARGE ROCK DAMAGING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *JS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/01/2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SENSORS FOR BOTH PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOORS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REACHED INTO THE VEHICLE TO RETRIEVE HER PHONE WHILE THE SLIDING DOORS WERE CLOSING. THE DOOR SENSORS DID NOT RECOGNIZE HER HAND AND IT WAS CRUSHED BY THE SLIDING DOOR. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY FORCE THE DOOR OPEN TO RESCUE HER HAND FROM THE VEHICLE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE CONTACT TESTED BOTH SLIDING DOORS AND FOUND THAT NEITHER OF THE DOOR SENSORS FUNCTIONED CORRECTLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER AND HER CHILDREN'S SAFETY. THE CONTACT POSTED A COMPLAINT ON FACEBOOK REGARDING THE FAILURE. A CHRYSLER REPRESENTATIVE ONLINE REACHED OUT TO HER AND ASKED FOR HER VIN, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED SINCE THAT INTERACTION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500. *DT*JB
STEERING,POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/01/2019
WHILE MY WIFE WAS SITTING IN THE CAR WITH THE CAR RUNNING IN PARK THE CAR BEGAN TO GO IN REVERSE AND IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND BRAKES DIDNT WORK AND CAR CRASHED INTO A FENCE AND SHED. MULTIPLE WITNESSES CONFIRMED HER ACCOUNT AS SHE HAD WINDOW DOWN AND WAS SCREAMING WITH HER HANDS IN THE AIR. ONCE CAR CAME TO A STOP IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT CAR WAS IN PARK. VERY SCARY.
SEATS — Filed 04/20/2019
MY 4 YEAR OLD SON WAS PLAYING IN THE RIGHT REAR SEAT. HE APPARENTLY PUSHED THE BUTTON THAT FOLDS THE SEATS. WE HAD OUR BACKS TURNED. WHEN WE TURNED AROUND THE SEAT WAS STARTING TO CRUSH HIM. THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE WAY TO REVERSE THE SEAT CLOSING. WE HAD TO LET IT CLOSE THEN FOLD IT DOWN. THEN WE PUSHED THE BUTTON TO MOVE THE SEAT BACK UP AGAIN AFTER WE FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO THIS. HE WAS NOT PERMANENTLY INJURED AS FAR AS WE KNOW BUT WAS VERY FRIGHTENED. A DIFFERENT SIZED CHILD COULD BE INJURED BADLY. ALSO IF WE WERE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO HELP HE COULD HAVE BEEN TRAPPED FOR A LONG TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A LOT AT THAT TIME WITH THE IGNITION OFF. *DT*JB *DT VEHICAL WAS A RENTAL CAR AND DID NOT KNW ALL THE FEATURES.*JB
About This Data
Complaints are filed by vehicle owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They represent individual consumer experiences and do not necessarily indicate a widespread defect.
View on NHTSA.gov