2017 Chrysler Pacifica

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of alleged defects related to the electric power steering (EPS) system in model year (MY) 2017–2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. ODI has received 94 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting a condition in which the steering system exhibits a sticking sensation during gradual turns, particularly when the steering wheel is positioned near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position. Complainants allege that during these events, increased steering effort is required to return the wheel to center. In many cases, this is followed by a sudden reactivation of EPS assistance, which may result in an oversteer condition. This behavior could increase the risk of a crash, especially at higher speeds. ODI has identified multiple VOQs describing similar symptoms. This investigation will assess the frequency, root cause, and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged EPS malfunction. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On February 11, 2022, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued a safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-077) on all 2017-2018 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) produced between August 12, 2016 through August 7, 2018. The recall addresses ignition “OFF’ fires that originate at the high voltage (HV) battery pack assembly. An ignition ‘OFF’ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning. At the time of the recall filing the root cause of the vehicle fires was unknown and under investigation by FCA and suppliers. A software remedy designed to improve thermal event detectability by monitoring battery diagnostics is currently being installed on subject vehicles as an interim remedy. As of November 23, 2023, the root cause of the battery failure is unknown. From December 2022 through December 2023, NHTSA has received four consumer complaints (VOQs) alleging vehicle thermal events involving recalled 2017 and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs. Additional information collected from complainants confirmed a thermal event originating near or at the HV battery pack after the Recall 22V077 remedy had been applied to the vehicle. Follow up meetings with FCA and suppliers in November and December 2023 to discuss the ongoing root cause investigation and post-recall remedy incidents indicated a recent increase in HV battery thermal events. Furthermore, a review of NHTSA complaint data indicated the post-recall HV battery thermal event complaint rate now exceeds pre-recall levels. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to review the effectiveness of the original recall remedy, understand the root cause of the battery fires, investigate additional reports of Pacifica PHEV HV battery fires, and to increase monitoring of the manufacturer root cause investigation. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

By letter dated November 30, 2017, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requesting it open an investigation into allegations of engine stalling in the model year (MY) 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, a new vehicle platform. In support of its petition, CAS cited 57 NHTSA complaints alleging an engine stall in the subject Pacifica vehicles, in addition to other information it provided.On December 1, 2017, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened Defect Petition 17-003 as requested by CAS.ODI sent an information request letter to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), the manufacturer of the subject Pacifica vehicles, on December 12, 2017 requesting information related to engine stalling in Pacificas.The letter requested FCA provide the information by January 23, 2018.On January 11, 2018, and after technical discussions with ODI, FCA filed a defect information report advising the agency that it would conduct a safety recall of certain MY2017 Chrysler Pacificas to address a condition resulting in engine stalling without warning.The recall would address nearly 154,000 MY2017 Pacificas manufactured with engine control software that did not contain a routine intended to address loss of crankshaft position information required to keep the engine from stalling.FCA noted the condition could lead to a stall without illuminating a Malfunction Indicator Lamp, and without setting any Diagnostic Trouble Code.Given these conditions, dealer technicians would be unable to properly diagnose, much less correct the cause of the stalling, which resulted in additional stalling events and significant consumer frustration.ODI reviewed consumer complaints it received through the date of FCA's recall filing and identified 88 alleging engine stalling.The ODI complaints generally describe stalling that occurs at low engine (RPM) and/or vehicle speeds, and are consistent in that regard with most of the 445 reports FCA provided.Also both the ODI and FCA reports note that the engine could be readily restarted after stalling.Both circumstances are consistent with the root cause FCA identified and is conducting a recall to address.Additionally, FCA was able to identify an older vehicle population that used the same engine as the MY2017 Pacifica, however the vehicles were manufactured with the remedy level software; according to FCA reports of stalling in this population were significantly lower.No crash or injury reports were identified in either the ODI or FCA reports.Certain MY2017 and all MY2018 Pacificas were manufactured with the remedy level software and are thus not included in the recall action.In view of the recall action FCA has announced, ODI considers the petition moot and is closing the action without a grant or deny decision.The closing of the petition does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist, and the agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.Reference (ODI) numbers for the above NHTSA complaints:11060960, 11060808, 11060711, 11057809, 11057520, 11057493, 11057171, 11057169, 11057025, 11055566, 11055031, 11054808, 11054746, 11054717, 11054274, 11054085, 11053669, 11053588, 11053553, 11053322, 11052905, 11052892, 11052654, 11052336, 11051390, 11051158, 11048832, 11048728, 11048720, 11048661, 11048626, 11048175, 11047936, 11047831, 11047793, 11047687, 11047684, 11047399, 11045061, 11042619, 11040610, 11040502, 11040294, 11039494, 11035468, 11034698, 11033417, 11032016, 11030729, 11029903, 11025266, 11025119, 11023691, 11023539, 11022835, 11022154, 11021223, 11019457, 11016083, 1101

I experienced the red turtle light on a trip to [XXX] two weeks ago. It was intermittent, it would come on and go off within about 5 seconds total. I realized the fire hazard risk recall had not been completed. Upon returning home I took my vehicle to the dealer. At that point I did not have a cel illuminated just the red turtle light intermittently. They had returned the van to my possession saying it was fixed. I drove the vehicle for about an hour and once again got the red turtle light and no Cel. I immediately texted the service manager at the dealership with a video of what it was doing. No Cel light only intermittent red turtle. Now fast forward to today. The dealership says the van needs a HV battery heater to the tune of over $2,000. It now has the red turtle and and the cel illuminated. This battery heater has been an extremely common issue for the pacificas and the jeeps with the hybrid drivetrain (essentially the same). There needs to be some sort of recall for this issue as the problem is common among pacifica and jeep owners with the hybrid drivetrain. P0E15 code is active currently. I have attached pictures showing the red turtle and no cel. Service manager says the cel is currently active on the vehicle along with the red turtle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11776056

Incident

Oct 22, 2026

The vehicle has suffered multiple severe safety hazards involving the power sliding doors and the primary dashboard infotainment screen. 1. POWER SLIDING DOORS (BODY DEFECT): Both the left (driver) and right (passenger) power sliding doors have experienced a critical structural hardware failure of the center roller hinge assemblies. The passenger-side center roller wheels completely shattered during operation, causing the entire heavy sliding door to catastrophically detach and fall completely off the vehicle frame. The driver's side door center roller is now showing identical cracking plastic, binding, and imminent failure. This presents an extreme risk of severe crush injuries or trapping passengers. 2. UCONNECT TOUCH SCREEN (ELECTRICAL & VISIBILITY DEFECT): The factory 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment touch screen has suffered an internal hardware failure that causes the screen to flash and strobe violently and continuously, even during system reboots. This flashing creates an intense driver distraction and cabin blinding hazard during night driving, severely compromising road visibility. Furthermore, the failure completely disables the backup safety camera and the ability to operate vehicle defrost and climate safety controls.

NHTSA ID

11775038

Incident

Nov 1, 2026

safety complaint regarding a severe CAN bus communication failure in the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica (gas model, base trim, no Engine Stop-Start) resulting in a sudden loss of transmission control while driving. The defect manifests as an intermittent loss of communication between the Electronic Shifter Module (ESM) and the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Without warning, the rotary shifter (PRNDL) indicator lights go dark and a "Service Shifter" message appears. This triggers a cascade of safety system failures, disabling Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Blind Spot Alerts. Most critically, the loss of network data causes the vehicle to enter "limp mode," locking the transmission in its current gear and refusing to upshift or downshift, creating a severe crash hazard in active traffic. The root cause is a physical hardware defect in the CAN-C Star Connector junction block (Part No. 68321746AA) located behind the passenger-side glovebox. The pin receptacles inside this distribution block degrade and lose tension, allowing data wires to vibrate loose. Striking the passenger-side dashboard physically reseats the pins, instantly restoring network communication, shifter lights, and transmission function. Dealerships are misdiagnosing this defect by following factory diagnostic trees that mandate replacing the functional Electronic Shifter Module (an ineffective $1,400 repair) instead of addressing the faulty Star Connector. My vehicle has been at the Chrysler dealership since initial diagnosis with no resolution, as the dealer refuses to repair the known wiring defect without first replacing the functional shifter. The sudden loss of transmission control and active safety systems due to this faulty communication block is an extreme safety hazard. Chrysler must issue a mandatory recall to replace these degraded Star Connectors.

NHTSA ID

11774630

Incident

Sep 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving 52 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated even though the RPM was abnormally elevated. The failure mileage was approximately 129,650.

NHTSA ID

11774142

Incident

Oct 28, 2026

Mileage

129,650 mi

While driving and accelerating in the Walmart parking lot, the van immediately locked up, slammed myself and my kids forward, and was locked where it would not engage any gear other than park.

NHTSA ID

11773335

Incident

Oct 23, 2026

Steering is loose and fails at times resulting in very hard turning. When making a left turn into oncoming traffic, lost steering entirely for a few seconds. Symptoms point to failing steering rack which is very dangerous

NHTSA ID

11773099

Incident

Oct 20, 2026

SMOke reported in the Vehicle while parked and it starting automatically called fire department to clear the smoke and they noticed it high voltage battery was triggered about this

NHTSA ID

11773048

Incident

Oct 22, 2026

My electric steering has been making noises for a long time. The dealership failed to find the noise the first three visits. On the fourth visit it was verified but they told me that Chryler's flex care warranty denied it. I hear it is a very common problem and Chrysler does not want to address it.

NHTSA ID

11773002

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

Passive Entry O/S Dr Handle Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star Online S2623000040.

Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) Update Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● U0412-00 - Invalid Data Received From Battery Energy Control Module "A".

Passive Entry O/S Dr Handle Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star Online S2623000040.

HOSE AND TUBE - EGR COOLANT

Calibration Requirements For The Power Sliding Door Module (PSDM).

Power Liftgate Intermittently Inoperative. Will Not Open/ Close. Liftgate/Hatch Ajar Message Displayed. Rev A