2021 Chrysler Pacifica Complaints

STEERING — Filed 10/02/2026

After turning hard to the right in a tight corner there is a catch in the steering system when returning to center occasionally

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — Filed 09/06/2026

The contact’s daughter owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, there was a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The contact’s husband inspected under the hood and became aware that there was a pin-sized hole in the fuel line and that there was fuel leaking inside the engine compartment. The contact stated that the fuel supply line was touching the engine and the vibration from the engine had caused the pinhole in the fuel supply line. The fuel supply line was replaced by the husband, and the vehicle was repaired.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/14/2026

Around 08/2026, FCA US LLC Dealer performed FCA Safety Recall 52D (NHTSA 26V-362) on my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid. The recall included a software update to the high-voltage Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM). Before the service, the radio and infotainment system worked normally. Right after the recall service, the radio screen on the instrument panel stopped working and the infotainment software began crashing repeatedly. As a result, the radio and audio system can't be used. The dealer confirmed that the problem appeared after the recall repair but has refused to fix it. The vehicle is still unrepaired. 1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The radio and infotainment system failed: the center screen on the instrument panel, its operating software, and the audio system. The screen stays blank or unresponsive, and the software crashes or restarts repeatedly. The failure started right after the Recall 52D software update. The vehicle hasn't been repaired and can be inspected at any time on request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Because the screen doesn't work, I've lost functions I rely on while driving: Radio and audio, including emergency and traffic broadcasts; The screen also crashes and restarts while I'm driving, which is distracting. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. Dealer saw the problem and confirmed it appeared after the Recall 52D repair. The dealer has refused to repair it. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The dealer inspected it after the service recall. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 09/18/2026

Vehicle is a 2021 plug-in hybrid minivan within the population of an open safety recall for internal high-voltage battery failure that can result in fire, including while parked and not charging. The recall remedy, performed at a dealer, consisted of a battery control module software update intended to detect the defect, plus battery pack inspection and replacement if flagged. Approximately six weeks after the recall remedy was performed, the malfunction indicator lamp illuminated. Scan of the hybrid battery controller returned two stored codes: P1D43 (internal control module shut-off test monitoring time error) and U029A (lost communication with hybrid battery pack sensor module). U029A indicates the battery controller cannot communicate with the module that monitors individual cell voltages and temperatures. The engine and transmission controllers returned no codes. There were no drivability symptoms at any point. The pack charged fully and delivered normal electric range before and after the codes appeared. The dealer diagnosed the condition and the manufacturer approved a high-voltage battery pack replacement. Approximately 24 hours later the manufacturer rescinded that approval and instructed the dealer to clear the codes and return the vehicle to service to see whether the codes reappear. The dealer stated it had not seen an approved claim reversed in this manner. The dealer reports being unable to reproduce the codes after clearing; the duration and conditions of that retest have not been provided. I have requested the engineering findings and the basis for the reversal in writing and was told they are proprietary. The manufacturer has not provided the retest parameters. My concern is that the vehicle is being returned to service with a documented fault in the high-voltage battery monitoring system, on a platform subject to an open fire-risk recall, without the basis for that decision being disclosed.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 09/28/2026

Our van will not charge when plugged in and a message on the dashboard says "Service Charging System". Also, the car will not go into reverse when turned on and the gear is showing in "R", reverse. It will not let me back up out of our garage.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/17/2026

I am submitting this complaint regarding the handling of Safety Recall 66B (Rearview Camera Visibility) on my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, VIN [XXX]. The vehicle was taken to a Chrysler dealership by the previous owner shortly before I purchased it, and Recall 66B is recorded as completed. However, the Uconnect system currently displays software version FCA-MY21.R17.99-PROD. According to the official Recall 66B procedure, vehicles at the R17.99 software level require the applicable update to U35.34. The procedure specifically instructs the dealer to check the software level and perform the required update. I contacted a Chrysler dealership and requested verification/correction. The dealership refused to perform the recall because its system shows 66B as already completed. I was also told that the software version displayed on the Uconnect screen does not necessarily represent the actual software installed. However, the dealership did not provide me with a wiTECH diagnostic report showing the actual radio software level, nor documentation identifying the exact recall procedure performed. The vehicle has also experienced Uconnect connectivity issues, including phone/navigation disconnections and failure of the software update process. I am not alleging intentional fraud or falsification. My concern is whether Recall 66B was properly completed and documented. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this complaint and determine whether the recall completion should be independently verified, including the actual wiTECH software level, the software level before/after repair, the labor operation performed, repair date, dealership and repair order. I can provide photographs, repair documents and other supporting evidence upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 09/03/2026

My vehicle has open Safety Recall 66B. My radio, navigation, and touchscreen worked normally until a recent dealership service that included a 12-volt battery replacement and high-voltage battery recall service. Immediately after I picked up the vehicle, the touchscreen developed a “ghost-touch” issue and began operating by itself. The dealership stated in writing that Recall 66B may address the issue, but that they have previously experienced radios locking up and becoming unusable while performing the recall software update. They stated that this was the reason they intentionally did not perform Recall 66B during my initial service visit. I asked the dealership to confirm with Stellantis or management who would be responsible if the radio became unusable while performing the safety recall. The dealership later told me that they had spoken with their manager and confirmed that if the recall caused the radio to lock up, replacement would be my financial responsibility because the vehicle is out of warranty. I am NOT declining Recall 66B. I want the safety recall completed. However, I do not believe I should be required to assume the financial risk of the radio becoming unusable as a result of the recall procedure itself. I am asking NHTSA to review this situation and the dealership’s handling of Safety Recall 66B.

SEATS — Filed 08/19/2026

Both second-row seats in my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid have developed serious safety-related mechanical problems. While my children were seated in the second-row seats and the vehicle was being driven, the seat locking mechanism suddenly released. I heard a sudden release sound, the seat release lever moved, and the lower floor-locking mechanism disengaged, allowing the seat to become unsecured and move/slide while the vehicle was in motion. This problem affects both second-row seats. The seatbacks also do not remain securely locked in position. I am extremely concerned that if a second-row seat or seatback unexpectedly releases while a child is seated in it, the occupant may not be properly protected during normal driving, sudden braking, or a collision. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Chrysler dealership for inspection. The dealership provided an estimate of approximately $6,302 to repair the second-row seats. I was informed that because the vehicle has more than 100,000 miles, it was not eligible for Goodwill assistance. My concern is not simply the cost of an out-of-warranty repair. Both second-row seats have experienced locking/anchoring problems, including an actual incident in which the seat became unsecured while the vehicle was being driven with my children seated in the second row. I am asking NHTSA to investigate whether this represents a safety defect involving the second-row seat locking and anchoring mechanisms.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 09/08/2026

I am reporting a critical manufacturer-imposed restriction that prevents the completion of a life-saving safety campaign, Recall 52D (NHTSA ID: 24V362), which carries a strict "Park Outside and Do Not Charge" advisory.My vehicle has an active fault code P0E15 (Electric Coolant Heater control performance), which is a well-known, widespread factory defect in Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids. When I took the vehicle to an authorized Stellantis/Chrysler dealership to perform the urgent 52D safety flash, the dealer officially refused to perform the recall. They stated that the manufacturer's diagnostic software (wiTECH) completely blocks the 52D software update from being uploaded if the P0E15 fault is present.I contacted FCA US Customer Care (Case Number: 97720299), and they officially replied that they will not issue a corporate override for their diagnostic software. They are conditioning the execution of a critical fire-safety recall on me privately paying for the repair of a separate known manufacturer defect (P0E15 heater), due to the vehicle's export status.This is a severe threat to public safety and an unacceptable corporate practice. A manufacturer should not be allowed to design diagnostic tools that block critical, life-saving safety recalls due to other unrelated factory defects, effectively forcing owners to drive potential fire hazards unless they pay for commercial repairs. I request NHTSA to investigate FCA US's refusal to deploy safety updates on vehicles with active P0E15 codes.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/02/2026

Rear view back -up camera fails to operate at least once a week. The computer screen does not come on. This problem was subject to a recall last year and supposedly fixed, but it seems to have failed again. This seems to be a radio interference software problem.This is a very serious problem that Chrysler needs to fix correctly. The dealer says unless the problem happens at his shop, they cannot fix it. But it happens occcaisionally so it would be difficult for me to reproduce this. I believe there is a recall on newer models from Chrysler.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 11/23/2025

This vehicle quit driving and you can move it. Confirmed bad transmission. I bought it this way from the insurance company because it bounced off a concrete barrier. I suspect this happened when the transmission failed. Unsure of a police report due to it happening to the previous owner.

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/13/2026

Another driver failed to yield to traffic and drove right into the side door, gas tank and rear wheel at about 35 mph. Not a single airbag was deployed within my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. I did sustain injury

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/24/2025

The contact owned a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, upon depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would surge forward 3 to 4 feet before proceeding to slow down or come to a complete stop. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the failure was not duplicatable and nothing was found to be wrong with the vehicle. The local dealer proceeded to replace the spark plugs, the brake fluid, field spark plug weld, and gasket cylinder head cover, however the contact stated that after the repair the failure increasingly persisted leading them to be involved in a crash where the contact stated that while driving on a highway at 55 MPH, there were two vehicles stopped ahead, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle proceeded to surge forward and crash into the vehicle Infront of them with the entire front end of their vehicle. The impact caused the vehicle in front of the contact to crash into the rear end of the vehicle in front. That vehicle sustained damage to the entire rear and front end of the vehicle as the impact caused that vehicle to crash into the rear end of the vehicle in front of it. No property damage was reported. The vehicles came to a stop upon rebound after the impact. The air bags were deployed. The vehicle was towed to an auto body center, and no warning lights were illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact was injured while seated in the driver's seat; the passenger in their vehicle was not injured. An individual in the vehicle in front of the contact was injured. The contact sustained injuries to their ribs and sternum. Medical treatment was needed for the injuries, and the other individual also required medical treatment for unknown injuries. The individual at the front of the line in this collision was not injured. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed as it was declared a total loss. The approximate failure mileage was 82,500.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 06/09/2024

I was backing out of the driveway. I had all the safety features on, and I was checking my surroundings. Typically, the blind spot and front sensors would alert me to dangers. However, on this and many other occasions the warnings didn't alert me to danger on my passenger side that I couldn't see. this resulted in damage to the front quarter panel of my van as well as damage to the bumper. The body shop said it would cost at least $5000 to repair the damage. I can't afford that; in turn I am driving around with the damage.

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/18/2024

The contact owned a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while stopped in congested traffic, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. As a result, the vehicle was sent careening head-on into the vehicle ahead before coming to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact's daughter was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for nondescript injuries to her neck and shoulders. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 108,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/03/2023

The power lift gate door opened on its own when my husband opened one of the side sliding doors. The rear door then collided with the shopping cart that was parked behind the car and continued to open, lifting the grocery cart with our 45lb son and all of our groceries up off the ground. My husband lunged to catch our son and our 2 year old daughter fell, landing head first on the asphalt. She is currently in the emergency room. The door is meant to STOP opening if it bumps another object or feels resistance. It is also not meant to open on its own. I found several videos of this exact issue (the power lift gate opening on its own when the sliding door is opened). However, the resulting injury has caused alarm and I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle. We have video footage of the incident from the grocery store’s security cameras.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 08/30/2023

This incidet happened on August 30, 10:30am PST. 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plugin Hybrid vehicle while parked in the garage catches a fire due to Plugin Battery. The car was not in charging when incident happened. The car was last used previous dat afternoon around afternoon for a short trip of couple of miles only, and then parked inside the garage. At 9 am in the next day morning I was in the garage, and no smoke identified. At around 10:15am we noticed burning smell inside the house, and when we checked entire house inside and then garage, found garage was filled with smoke, and smoke is coming out of Chrysler pacifica vehicle. We immediately called 911, and fire department came immediately with in couple of minutes and started working on controlling the smoke and fire inside the car. Fire fighters noticed smoke is coming out of plugin battery, and tried to put out the smoke, they were continuously running water entire day, and could not stop the smoke/fire coming out of the battery. If they stop the water for few minutes, smoke starts again. They have been working on the car to put of smoke entire day, even called chrysler to understand on how to control the smoke out of the battery, no luck, At around 8pm, they have setup 2 hoses running water from the home to the car continuously, and check the car often to make sure it is under control. I will be checking all the night to make sure it won't caught the fire and cause additional damage to the house. My garage is filled with smoke, and my entire house is also had smoke. It is a nightmare situation for me and my family to experience this, I want to make sure every other family purchased 2021 chrysler pacifica plugin vehicle are safe.If we were not home or sleeping in the night, it could have been a much worse situation of losing the family and entire house due to the fire.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 06/03/2023

The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid will lose all power while driving. I have had it back to the Dealer for this Problem. I got a Recall for this in April. I took it in to the Dealer to do. They told me that Chrysler does not have a fix for this yet. Within 400 miles after that it done it again while my wife was driving and caused a crash.

POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 06/02/2023

I stopped my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, placed the transmission knob into park, opened the driver's door, leaving it opened with the engine running, and walked to the rear of the vehicle. I opened the tail gate and removed some boxes, threw the boxes into a dumpster, which was approximately 20 feet away and forward of the vehicle. I then returned to get two additional boxes from the rear of my vehicle. I retrieved the boxes and as I walked from the rear of the vehicle, it started to back up. I dropped the boxes, jumped out of the vehicle's path and tried to get into the driver's seat to stop the vehicle, but was unsuccessful as the vehicle picked up speed and the driver's door caught me and I fell. My vehicle was stopped after hitting a parked car in our church lot. Just a scratch on my vehicle's rear bumper, but frontend damage to the compact car it hit. No one else was in my vehicle. I then drove to get urgent care from cuts and bruises. (FYI - My insurance covers 100% of my care). I have aa service appointment to have the vehicle checked out tomorrow morning at San Antonio CDJ.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 03/08/2022

While driving above referenced vehicle, I was driving southbound on Hwy 515 when i noticed a vehicle driving northbound began to lose control, so i slowed down and then began to watch the vehicle cross the median and headed straight for me. I pushed the pedal to the floor to accelerate to get out of his way but the vehicle did not respond, i pushed the pedal again on several occasions and the vehicle just bucked and did not accelerate. Unfortunately the vehicle hit me right in the door at a high rate of speed. Unbeknownst to me this vehicle had been in the shop on several occasions for this exact problem: This can all be verified due to the fact i had a Chrysler service manager on the phone as this horrific experience unfolded

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE — Filed 04/11/2023

Description: My 3 year old daughter was getting out of the rear of the vehicle on the drivers side. The door is automatic and closes via button in the passenger compartment or the remote keyfob. She pushed the button to close the door and the door closed on her wrist and hand, the door did not automatically reverse and the door latched with her hand still inside. She was injured and needed to go to the hospital. This issue has also happened to several other people as well. There is a Facebook page dedicated to complaints on this Van. The door has closed on adults and children both. There were no warning lights, the vehicle has had a recall done on the auto open sensors under the doors. This issue occurred on April 11th 2023. The manufacturer was contacted and they have opened a case. The case number is 85938082

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 09/09/2022

I was on the highway traveling at 60mph, with the adaptive cruise control on. The semi in front of me began to brake, I tapped off the cruise control and began braking. The semi came to a complete stop and I pushed my brake pedal to the floor to stop my vehicle. It did not stop. My Pinnacle has emergency braking and forward collision warning. My driver's instrument panel did not give a forward collision warning indication in a timely manner and my emergency braking did not stop my vehicle. At the time of the accident vehicle had less than 10,000 miles, dry weather conditions, and vehicle was used for leisure - in town driving. A month previously, I took my Pinnacle into the dealership because I didn't feel my brakes were working properly. They felt mushy, little resistance, and were making a noise. An inspection was performed by the dealership but were unable to detect a noise or visual issue. My safety was put at risk when a system I depended upon, that was advertised as, "Full speed forward collision warning with active braking assists you by providing both visual and audible warnings as well as applying emergency braking to help bring the vehicle to a full stop, if needed" (chrysler.com/pacifica/safey-security.html) failed. The brakes didn't engage properly to stop us before hitting the vehicle in front of us. The forward collision warning indication didn't happen in a timely manner, it was delayed causing us to lose precious seconds. If this had been a passenger vehicle in front of us we could have injured the occupants and we ourselves could have been gravely injured had we been traveling at a higher rate of speed. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealership, but was taken there prior to the incident less than a month before. I reported the problem to Chrysler the day of the accident. The vehicle is pending inspection by insurance and I have asked that the Electronic Data Recorder be removed and the information on it to be evaluated.

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/11/2022

Accident where my entire forward drivers side was smashed. My head has a gash from hitting the side drivers window. NOT ONE air bag deployed. Have pictures of damage.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 07/02/2021

We have had intermittent issues with the rear hatch not closing when any buttons or key fob pushed since purchase. On 7/2/21 aprox 6:30 pm I was walking around rear of the vehicle the rear liftgate was fully open. A passenger pressed rear hatch button to close not realizing at that moment I was walking under I am 61.7" tall the liftgate came down full force on my head it did not beep and retract. It continued pressing down something sharp pierced my scalp and I was knocked to the ground, bleeding from the wound with severe neck and head pain and pain in 3rd right finger I had landed with hand underneath. I was driven to the local ER diagnosed with a closed head injury and laceration, CT scans were done of head and neck, and x-ray of right hand, 2 staples were inserted to close the wound. We were able to reproduce and videotape the liftgate failing to stop. A report was filed with Chrysler Customer Care ID no 7992588. On July 14 at 1 pm an engineer met us at dealership from Bosch and witnessed the lift gate force sensor not engaging twice. He refused to video tape this or to allow us to take a videotape, or to submit the video we had previously taken. He took photographs only. We asked him twice and he stated that he had witnessed the problem and it would be in his report. He downloaded into his laptop from the car computer and told us there was a software update needed for the rear liftgate. On 7/20/21 we received an email from Stellantis Special Investigations fcagroup.com stating that "After review of the inspection report and photos no apparent defect was found with the liftgate operation at the inspection. Therefore we respectfully decline any assistance associated with this matter". We had dealership do the software update on 7/21/21. On 7/22 I contacted customer care to receive a written version of the email as it will not print legibly and this was refused. I requested a copy of the engineering inspection report and this was also refused.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/15/2021

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 to the dealer to inspect the car. A few days later , we received an email saying that there was no manufacturing defect found with few other details about the inspection . We have since called several times to ask questions about the inspection and are told a “supervisor” needs to call us back. Despite being given several dates/times when this would happen, they have failed to call us back to discuss.