2006 Chrysler Pacifica Body & structure Problems

A few weeks ago we took our car to a mechanic to have the brakes worked on as a part of routine maintenance. When we picked it up, he noted that when he had it up on the lift, he saw that the engine cradle was very badly rusted. He said that we shouldn't drive it anymore because of the risks involved. I tried to crawl under the car when we got home (there isn't a ton of clearance) but I saw what he was talking about. At that point we looked online and found hundreds and hundreds of similar experiences and complaints. We were left dumbfounded at the risks this introduces...thinking about what would happen if this mechanic hadn't noticed the issue and we'd been driving down the interstate with our kids when the thing decided to give way. And the fact that the manufacturer knows of this issue and has done nothing is beyond disgusting. Fortunately we found out from the mechanic, not from the engine falling out. Even still, this means that we're left with a worthless car. While our car is abandoned in the driveway hoping for Chrysler to right their wrong, we still see lots of similar vehicles on the road. I'm guessing that their owners don't know that they're driving death traps either. We had a 2008 Tacoma with similar frame rust issues and Toyota recalled it almost a decade after it was manufactured, and replaced the entire frame. Chrysler should have to do the same to repair their shoddy and negligent design, or at least compensate us for the complete loss of value so that we can have some money to put towards its replacement. I also think that this issue needs to be publicly noted for all similar model years. We'd purchased this from a Chrysler dealership, and had checked the Carfax and Consumer Reports before purchasing this vehicle, and none of them noted these issues even though the vehicle was a few years old at the time. Vehicle has been repaired.*JB

NHTSA ID

11435073

Incident

Aug 4, 2021

PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 2013, INQUIRED ABOUT DEFECTS AND RECALLS BUT WAS TOLD THERE WAS NONE. VEHICLE HAD 46,000 MILES ON IT AT TIME OF PURCHASE 104K PRESENTLY. GOOD RUNNING VEHICLE UP TO PAR ON MAINTENANCE, WHICH ALL GOES TO WASTE WITH A ROTTED SUBFRAME. RESEARCHED 100'S POSSIBLY 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE, WHERE WAS MENTIONED NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. CONTACTED CHRYSLER MYSELF TO PUT IN COMPLAINT AND AGENT WOULD NOT EVEN FORWARD IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL BECAUSE THE LACK OF RECALL OR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE COST FOR A NEW FRAME FROM A CHRYSLER DEALER IS OVER 2K AND COST JUST AS MUCH TO REPLACE. BUT THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR WEEKS. (COULD THIS MEAN THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE IN LINE WAITING TO ORDER AND NEEDING THIS PARTICULAR PART?) CANNOT TRUST USED PARTS BECAUSE OF MANY CHRYSLER PACIFICA OWNERS HAD TO SALVAGE THEIR VEHICLE FOR THE SAME REASON. MORE OF AN INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE DONE INTO THIS. IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC WHO CAN AFFORD THESE OUTRAGEOUS, UNEXPECTED REPAIR COSTS OR EVEN A NEW VEHICLE. MY ONLY OPTION IS TO SALVAGE IT FOR WAY LESS THAT IT'S WORTH, AS I MENTIONED IT DRIVE GREAT! I CANNOT SELL IT TO ANYONE ELSE KNOWING THE SAFETY HAZARD IT HAS ON IT AND I CANNOT AFFORD A CAR PAYMENT. I AM FEARFUL OF MY ENGINE FALLING OUT OF THE BOTTOM IF I DRIVE IT. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE, TOO MANY VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. FORCE A RECALL ON CHRYSLER FOR THEIR ROTTED SUBFRAMES.

NHTSA ID

11404558

Incident

Mar 23, 2021

I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR INSPECTION. I ALSO WANTED THEM TO CHECK THE MUFFLER. I WAS CONTACTED BY THE GARAGE, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME UNDER THE ENGINE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THEY SAID EVEN IF THEY COULD REPLACE THE MUFFLER THERE WOULD BE NOTHING TO ATTACH IT TO. THAT'S HOW DETERIORATED IT IS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY RECOURSE I HAVE ? I WOULD LIKE CHRYSLER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT. THANK YOU, LARRY LA BELLA

NHTSA ID

11372764

Incident

Oct 27, 2020

Mileage

142,000 mi

BOUGHT CAR 2018 FEB . NO MENTION OF WHOLE UNDER CARRIAGE RUSTED OUT - 2004-2008 CHRYSLER FORGOT TO SPRAY FOR RUST. WHEN WE GO WE BOUGHT IT LATER IN EVENING - WAS ASSURED THAT CAR HAD BEEN CHECKED OUT AND SOUND. WE HAVE DONE SOME REPAIRS ON OTHER THINGS - THERMOSTAT , RADIATOR , TIRES ABS SENSOR ISSUE BUT THERE WAS NO MENTION OF UNDERSIDE BEING RUSTED FROM FRONT TO BACK - TWO YEARS AND THE ENGINE IS GOING TO FALL OUT AND CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. THIS CAR WAS SUBMERGED IN WATER SOMEWHERE BEFORE WE RECEIVED. THIS IS THE SHORTER VERSION OF THIS SITUATION. ALIGNMENT IS NOW WAY OFF , PULLS TO ONE SIDE OUT OF NOWHERE. WEARING ON TIRES- JUST TOOK IT INTO HEARTLAND TIRE BY HOUSE AND TOLD DO NOT DRIVE AND THAT FIXING IT WOULD BE OVER 3500 OR MORE.

NHTSA ID

11343505

Incident

Jul 30, 2020

Mileage

145,000 mi

SEVERE CRADLE RUST. MECHANIC HAS SAID THE ENGINE COULD FALL OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ID

11320166

Incident

Apr 2, 2020

Mileage

145,000 mi

MY CAR WAS BUILT IN 2005 WHEN THE SUBFRAME RECALL WAS ISSUED, I CALLED THEM TO TRY AND GET SOME HELP, BASICALLY GET REIMBURSED FOR THE LABOR OF GETTING THE REPLACEMENT SUBFRAME INSTALLED. THE OLD SUBFRAME FINALLY BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT CITY SPEEDS AND I WAS LUCKY THAT THE SHOP I USED LET ME KNOW. WHEN I CONTACTED THEM, THE STATEMENT WAS THAT DUE TO THE AGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE CAR, WE CAN NOT HELP YOU. NOW IF I HAD OF BEEN ON A ROAD TRIP OR DRIVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSE SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO ANYONE WHO HAS THIS VEHICLE AND HAS RUN OUT OF WARRANTY TO GET IT REPLACED. BELOW ARE PHOTOS OF THE OLD SUBFRAME AND THE DOOR STICKER

NHTSA ID

11315855

Incident

Feb 28, 2020

Mileage

186,000 mi

THE BOTTOM CHASSIS IS ROTTED UNDER THE MOTOR NEAR FRONT WHEELS CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING FOR MY FAMILY

NHTSA ID

11296900

Incident

Jan 3, 2020

MECHANIC NOTED SEVERE ENGINE CRADLE/SUBFRAME ROT AT TIME OF OIL CHANGE IN OCT. 2019, PHOTO TAKEN AND ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE. IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED MANUFACTURER TO REPORT (CASE # 64707500) ADVISED NO CURRENT RECALL AND BEYOND WARRANTY PERIOD. FCA ADVISED IT REQUIRES DEALER DIAGNOSIS FOR ANY ISSUE/RESOLUTION. CAR INSPECTED BY DEALER (TURNERSVILLE CHRYSLER, 3100 BLACK HORSE PIKE, TURNERSVILLE, NJ) ON 10/15/19. NUMEROUS PHOTOS TAKEN, (STATED KNOWN PROBLEM VIA PRIOR TSBS + DIAGNOSES OF OTHER PACIFICAS) CONFIRMED MASSIVE RUST/ROTTED OUT SUBFRAME AND SWAY BARS, ALL WHICH NEED TO BE REPLACED. (CAN FIT ENTIRE FOREARM THRU RIGHT SIDE ROT, LEFT SIDE LESSER ROT) ADVISED DO NOT DRIVE - SAFETY RISK. VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 126,000 MILES AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED. REPORTED UPDATES TO FCA UNDER CASE # WHO REFUSED TO PAY/REPAIR. DEALER UPLOADED PHOTOS TO FCA WARRANTY DEPT. FOR FURTHER REVIEW, BUT UNSURE IF ANY ASSIST/RESPONSE FROM FCA IS FORTHCOMING. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM DEALER IN NOV. 2006, WAS MANUFACTURED AUG. 2005 IN WINDSOR, ONTARIO & SOLD IN 'SALT BELT' STATE, SIMILAR TO 2004/2005 MODELS WITH SAME ISSUE & FOR WHICH FCA PROVIDED ONLY SOME EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR REPAIR, EVEN WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING IT DID NOT PROPERLY COAT SUBFRAMES DURING 5 MODEL YEARS. REPLACEMENT COST OF EST. $3000+ IS PROHIBITIVE ESPECIALLY WHILE VEHICLE REMAINS PARKED, & WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION FOR EMPLOYMENT.

NHTSA ID

11270061

Incident

Oct 15, 2019

Mileage

126,300 mi

WHILE GETTING CAR SERVICE MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THE SUBFRAME IS ALL ROTTEN NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR . HE SAID THE MOTOR MAY FALL OUT..

NHTSA ID

11268404

Incident

Sep 18, 2019

Mileage

127,000 mi

THE ENGINE CRADLE IS SEVERELY ROTTED THAT COULD CAUSE A DROP TO THE ENGINE

NHTSA ID

11255541

Incident

Sep 15, 2019

Mileage

74,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHEN THE CONTACT CHANGED THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE K FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIELDS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM GLENVIEW (2800 PATRIOT BLVD, GLENVIEW, IL 60026, 847-446-5100) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEFECT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A QUOTE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11253675

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi

THE REAR OF MY ENGINE CRADLE DROPPED OFF THE BODY OF MY PACIFICA CAUSING ME TO LOOSE MY POWER STEERING. THE REAR OF THE CRADLE IS HANGING 5 INCHES BELOW THE BODY. WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT 5 MILES TO MY HOUSE. I DISCOVERED IT WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE SUV, AT MY HOUSE. CRADLE WAS ALREADY WELDED WHERE IT HAD A RUSTED SECTION. I BOUGHT IT USED 2 YEARS AGO.

NHTSA ID

11243981

Incident

Jun 29, 2019

Mileage

104,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A TIRE REPLACEMENT, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000.

NHTSA ID

11232473

Incident

Jul 2, 2019

Mileage

146,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE SUBFRAME OF HER FATHER'S VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN PART FELL FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED MARTIN CHRYSLER (3195 BARBER RD, BARBERTON, OH 44203, (330) 753-4444) WHERE THE RUST ON THE SUBFRAME WAS CONFIRMED. THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS, BUT THE RUST WAS STILL CRUSTED ON THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11218923

Incident

Jun 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT WESTGATE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM DEALER (2695 E MAIN ST, PLAINFIELD, IN 46168, (317) 839-655) IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CRADLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A RATTLING SOUND THAT WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS WHEN ACCELERATING IT FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS LIFTING UP FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD CORRODED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,044. *BF CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS IN HIS DRIVEWAY AND NOT ABLE TO SELL OR TRADE IT.*JB

NHTSA ID

11206816

Incident

Mar 25, 2019

Mileage

117,044 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING STATE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE ENGINE COULD SEPARATE FROM THE SUBFRAME DUE TO THE SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,005. *BF*JB

NHTSA ID

11205726

Incident

Mar 15, 2019

Mileage

100,005 mi

ENGINE CRADLE MOUNT (SEVERLY RUSTED THROUGH). IT IS SO BAD, I CAN NO LONGER SAFELY DRIVE THIS CAR.

NHTSA ID

11195923

Incident

Apr 12, 2019

Mileage

107,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS BEGAN TO ROCK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

NHTSA ID

11187484

Incident

Jan 18, 2019

Mileage

169,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND VEHICLE FRAME WERE CORRODED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HUNTINGTON JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM (1220 E JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON, NY 11743, (631) 629-6920) WHERE THE CORROSION WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

NHTSA ID

11184848

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

138,000 mi

I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MY ENGINE CRADLE IS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR AND WILL NEED REPLACING. CHRYSLER RECALLED 2004-2005 IN RUST BELT AREAS TO REPLACE ENGINE CRADLE. THIS ISSUE AFFECTS 2004-2008 WHICH MY CAR IS A PART OF. THIS RUST ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE MOTOR TO FALL OUT FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE AND CAUSE SERIOUS SAFETY RISK

NHTSA ID

11170972

Incident

Jan 17, 2019

Mileage

136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD RATTLING NOISE AND BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SHIMMY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MOTOR CRADLE AND THE SUBFRAME WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO PLACE A HAND THROUGH THE SUBFRAME. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL PROTRUDED OUTWARD AT AN ANGLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED DUE TO SIGNIFICANT SUBFRAME DAMAGE. THE CONTACT DESCRIBED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AS "ROLLING BACK ON ITSELF". MCDONALD CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM BIG RAPIDS (14061 NORTHLAND DRIVE, BIG RAPIDS, MICHIGAN 49307, (231) 796-2651) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 246,000.

NHTSA ID

11152025

Incident

Nov 13, 2018

Mileage

246,000 mi

ON 10/11/18 I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR A STATE INSPECTION AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT ITS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WOULD A BE A RECALL ON THIS AND I CONTACTED A CHRYSLER DEALER AND I CALLED CHRYSLER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT. DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED HUNDREDS OF TIMES. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR THIS WOULD BE BETWEEN $2000-$4000 AND CHRYSLER IS AWARE OF THIS VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I WAS ADVISED THAT I CANNOT DRIVE THIS CAR ANYMORE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. I AM THE SOLE PROVIDER AND TRANSPORTATION FOR THREE YOUNG CHILDREN AND CANNOT AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER AND ALSO SPOKE TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS. THE TOLD ME THAT THE POTENTIAL DANGER WOULD BE MY ENGINE FALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

11140674

Incident

Oct 11, 2018

Mileage

150,000 mi

THE CRADLE AND FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. MY MOTOR CAN DROP OUT ANY SECOND. IT IS A HAZARD TO BE ON THE ROAD. I CANNOT DRIVE IT. THE CAR IS AT A SHOP.

NHTSA ID

11118263

Incident

Aug 7, 2018

Mileage

163,539 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS ENGINE CRADLE RUST. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11100427

Incident

May 20, 2018

Mileage

132,000 mi

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS REGARDING THE CHRYSLER PACIFICA HAVING UNDER BODY FRAME DAMAGE. MY MECHANIC INSPECTED THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF MY VEHICLE WHEN PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE RECENTLY AND NOTICED THAT BOTH SIDES OF THE FRAME ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND HAVE HOLES IN THEM. HE ADVISED THAT IT WILL NOT BE SAFE FOR DRIVING IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. HE ADVISED THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL! PLEASE ADVISE.

NHTSA ID

11097196

Incident

May 21, 2018

Mileage

65,000 mi