2018 Chrysler Pacifica Brakes Problems

I am experiencing a serious brake safety issue involving the brake booster on my Chrysler Pacifica. When braking, the pedal becomes extremely hard, pushes back against my foot, and requires excessive force to stop the vehicle. In some instances, when I am at a complete stop, the brake pedal pushes upward and the vehicle begins to move forward on its own. This issue causes a loss of braking assist and significantly increases stopping distance, creating an unsafe driving condition and risk of collision. The problem occurs intermittently but has worsened over time. Chrysler/Stellantis has acknowledged this brake booster defect by issuing a warranty extension; however, they have not issued a safety recall. I was denied repair coverage solely because my vehicle is now outside the extended warranty period, despite the fact that the defect is known and directly affects braking performance and vehicle control. This is not normal wear and tear. It is a failure of the brake assist system that compromises safe operation of the vehicle, whether driving at speed or stopped in traffic. The condition presents a clear safety risk to occupants and others on the road. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA can investigate whether this defect warrants a formal safety recall.

NHTSA ID

11716680

Incident

Feb 9, 2026

Car will not start with push button and/or key fob push. Problem started 10 months ago with dead stop/start battery. Both batteries were replaced and then two months later stop/start system failed at stop lights. Car would stall once break was released to go. Had car serviced, starter replaced. Next day, car stalled and would not restart in parking lot, service department could not find any problems and no error lights found so the solution was to turn stop/start system off. A few months later car would not start on first try, took several pushes and sometimes a keyfob push. Sometimes "no key fob detection" light. Car was sent to service center again and they could not find any problems. At this time car only starts on 2nd push. Problem has worsened over the last 5 months, car takes at least 5 tries to start or doesn't start at all. Additional observations: brake gets very tight and pressurized after the first attempted start, steering wheel is locked.

NHTSA ID

11708188

Incident

Feb 3, 2025

Well driving down the interstate my van slammed on brakes stated safety mode engine will.shut off soon. Now it will not start. It could have caused us to get in a serious wreck.

NHTSA ID

11700502

Incident

Nov 19, 2025

I have been experiencing a brake surge when I come to a stop, it has been a few weeks now (or maybe months). It feels like the regenerative braking is disengaging and the friction brakes are not engaging immediately. I am concerned this is a brake handoff issue and a major safety problem.

NHTSA ID

11696208

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

At a stoplight the FCW ( forward, collision), warning dash light went on and engaged the brakes, thankfully, no movement was taking place.I had to put the car in park and then drive to be able to resume.This indicates that it could have occurred at high speeds, potentially causing a collision

NHTSA ID

11695562

Incident

Oct 25, 2025

While I was driving the right control arm seperated from the car. I was fortunate that I wasn't on the highway, also that I did not cause a collision with another car/person. With no warning the car felt as if it dropped on to the ground. Soon after I received an error message saying to service the brakes which i assume was also damaged when the control arm fell... I had to have the car towed to a repair shop and received a list of repairs. The car is avaliable for inspection. I had no clue how something like that could even happen. Ive been trying to find answers when i saw a recall on another car by the same maker that perfectly summed up what happened to me. Chrysler's number for this recall is V15.

NHTSA ID

11619720

Incident

Sep 5, 2023

The van continues to accelerate when I'm braking. This has happened 4 times after an hour or two of driving the freeway. As we were exiting the car continued to Rev up as we applied the brakes. Thank God the light was green. Another time I tried to park and as I was braking the car was accelerating. I had to quickly put it in park position. The van is in the shop, Hunter Dodge, now and they ran a diagnostic test and failed to find a problem.

NHTSA ID

11562402

Incident

Dec 15, 2023

Wiring for Air-Pump/Power Brake Booster caught fire, see attached image

NHTSA ID

11556112

Incident

Nov 20, 2023

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The shifter module fails or malfunctions and it put the vehicle in park. All the electronic controls in the vehicle malfunctions even when the vehicle is driving like the ABS, displays, throttle, ADAS and all other controls How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle suddenly starts throwing the warnings while you are driving - sometimes in the freeways, it also jerks, throttle and other controls and displays goes blank, you are not sure even if the emergency flasher is activated Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? It started almost 2 years ago in Dec 2021 when the check engine light first came, dealer tried to fix by replacing the 12 volt battery but the problems started slowly and in August 2022 disabled the vehicle completely. The vehicle had been with the dealer most of the time since then and its still not fixed as of today

NHTSA ID

11549099

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

I have recognized at least 6 times within the first ten minutes after propulsion on, when I apply the brakes on dry pavement, with even brake pedal pressure, the brakes do not grab properly and the car continues to glide forward for a few moments, Then I put the car in park (often at a traffic light) to try to clear or reset the problem.

NHTSA ID

11519581

Incident

Apr 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while parking, the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to respond. The vehicle lunged forward and struck an unoccupied Honda Pilot. The vehicle lost power but restarted after several attempts. There were no warning lights illuminated. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, police report or fire. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 67,084.

NHTSA ID

11514047

Incident

Mar 27, 2023

Mileage

67,084 mi

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The van stalls, the wheels lock up, the transmission shifter becomes unusable, and of the warning light start flashing on the dashboard. Yes, it’s available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? It stalled in the middle of the road blocking traffic from both ways and was unable to be moved for over half an hour. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, by an independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, not until the day it stalled on 8/30/2022z

NHTSA ID

11484277

Incident

Aug 30, 2022

When applying pressure to brake short, the pedal pushes up and back at driver forcing vehicle not to stop. Research shows this is a common problem with this minivan's brake booster. Parts backordered for months.

NHTSA ID

11435107

Incident

Aug 30, 2021

On numerous occasions the van has lost brake function. I can slowly be coming to a stop and press brakes all the way to the floor and I'm still coasting. So dangerous and scary. There is a hissing sound LIKE as If air pressure is building up in the brake line which is pushing against my foot is on the brake pedal, allowing the vehicle to move slowly when it should be stopped. As a mom of 3, I feel very unsafe I took it to the dealership and 2 other people and no one can't find what is wrong. I feel very unsafe.

NHTSA ID

11429379

Incident

Aug 16, 2021

CAR STOPS FINE AT FIRST BUT IF YOU ARE STOPPED LONG ENOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL PUSH TOWARDS YOU AND THE CAR WILL BEGIN TO ROLL EVEN WHEN PRESSING HARD ON PEDAL. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY A HISSING NOISE. I HAVE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO STOP. THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY TIME BUT HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 30 DAYS.

NHTSA ID

11406164

Incident

Apr 2, 2021

Mileage

41,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE KEPT DRIVING AND SUDDENLY MADE A STOP ALONG WITH A JERK BUT NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE PEARL CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 15,300.

NHTSA ID

11351108

Incident

Aug 24, 2020

Mileage

15,300 mi

PURCHASED VEHICLE NEW APRIL 2019. THE START/STOP SYSTEM HAS GIVEN A DASH MESSAGE 4 TIMES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED BATTERIES AND THE ENTIRE DRIVERS DOOR MECHANISM TRYING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A BRAUNABILTY HANDICAPPED CONVERSION AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE VEHICLE STOP AND START AS NEEDED. IT CANNOT STOP AND NOT START IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. IT ALSO HAS A SLIDING DOOR PROBLEM THAT HAS FAILED AND STRANDED THE HANDICAPPED PERSON. THIRD SITUATION IS THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES FAILED, HOWEVER THE COMPUTER ON THE VEHICLE INDICATED NO PROBLEM. THE QUESTION BELOW ASKS FOR A DATE IT HAPPENED THIS IS ONGOING SO I AM USING TODAY'S DATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327699

Incident

Jun 8, 2020

Mileage

4,000 mi

VEHICLE EXHIBITED "UNINTENDED ACCELERATION"; THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN WHILE MAKING A SLOW (10 MPH) LEFT HAND TURN. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED. ACCELERATION LASTED FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT DID STOP ACCELERATING AT THAT POINT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP JUST SHORT OF A PARKED CAR I WAS TRYING TO PARK BEHIND. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE OR SINCE THE INCIDENT. NOTE: I AM AN EX POWERTRAIN CALIBRATION ENGINEER SO I KNOW UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FROM MY PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT. ALSO, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE INCIDENT HAPPENED. AND THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT INTERFERENCE (PEDAL PHYSICALLY CAN'T REACH THE FLOOR).

NHTSA ID

11300760

Incident

Nov 28, 2019

Mileage

38,900 mi

1. IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS VEHICLE HAS HARSH SHIFTING, JERKS LIKE ITS SHIFTING INTO A DIFFERENT GEAR WHILE DRIVING UNDER 40 MPH. THIS STARTED HAPPENING TWO WEEKS OR SO AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW AND DOES THIS ONCE TO TWICE A WEEK. 2.) IN MOTION ON STREETS AND FREEWAY THE STEREO GOES BLACK RANDOMLY AND WILL NOT TURN BACK ON, RADIO ALSO WILL RANDOMLY JUMP FROM MULTIPLE STATIONS INCLUDING AM/FM, CARPLAY, ETC. WHILE DRIVING. 3). IN MOTION DRIVING ON CITY STREETS THE VEHICLE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM KICKED IN WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND STOPPED VEHICLE DEAD IN ITS TRACKS WITH 3 CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. I MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS AND WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FOR ONE HOUR UNTIL IT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF AND THEN WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK INTO DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ID

11299146

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

200 mi

2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STALLING. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY WAS DEAD UPON PURCHASE. THE DEALER REPLACED IT. A WEEK AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT START. IT HAD POWER, BUT THE KEY FOB COULD NOT BE DETECTED. THE SLIDING DOORS REOPENED AFTER BEING CLOSED. THE VEHICLE APPLIES THE BRAKES WHEN REVERSING OR GOING FORWARD AS IF TO STOP A CRASH. THE VEHICLE JOLTS/LUNGES AND ROLLS A LITTLE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE ENGINE RATTLES FOR A FEW SECONDS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE STALLED/IDLED AND SHUT DOWN WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND IN TRAFFIC. THE DASH DISPLAYED ENGINE STOP START SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *JS

NHTSA ID

11282191

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

WHILE IN MOTION, AT LOW SPEED AROUND THE INTERSECTION, THE CAR STALLED AND LOST ALL POWER, THE BRAKE PEDALS BECOME HARDER TO PUSH, AND THE POWER STEERING WAS GONE. THIS HAPPENED 5-6 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF 3 MILES THAT WE HAD TO TRAVEL HOME.

NHTSA ID

11267386

Incident

Oct 9, 2019

Mileage

800 mi

MANY TIMES WHEN I OR MY WIFE HAVE PRESSED THE BRAKES THE VAN SURGES FORWARD OR LUNGES FORWARD. VERY SCARY. HAPPENS A LOT. IT FEELS LIKE WHEN WE PRESS THE BRAKES THE ELECTRIC ENGINE JUST FOR SOME REASON TURNS ON AND PUSHES THE VAN FORWARD, FIGHTING THE BRAKES. IT IS CRAZY. HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

NHTSA ID

11266673

Incident

Mar 2, 2019

Mileage

1,000 mi

VAN WILL RANDOMLY NOT START AFTER JUST BEING DRIVEN. DASH BOARD LIGHTS UP AND ENGINE CLICKS BUT WILL NOT TURN OVER. SEVERAL MESSAGES COME UP FOR SERVICE. (SEE PICTURES ATTACHED.) HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND THERE'S NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT STARTED BACK UP AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR OF PROBLEM SOLVING. BATTERY WAS FINE. HEADLIGHTS, HORN, INSIDE LIGHTS AND RADIO ALL WORKED FINE. WHEN CLICKING ON PARKING BRAKE BUTTON, THE LIGHTS FLASH ON THE DASH AND CAN HEAR CLICKS BUT WON'T TURN ON THE BRAKE.

NHTSA ID

11253998

Incident

Sep 8, 2019

Mileage

16,531 mi

COMING HOME FROM CHURCH, A NEIGHBOR WAS OUT WASHING HIS CAR, AS HE MOVED TOWARD THE ROAD I BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE SPED UP TO A HIGHER SPEED. AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR, I LOOKED DOWN TO SEE MY RIGHT SHOE WAS ON BOTH PEDALS. THIS HAD HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE. MY SON WENT OUT AND CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND FOUND IT AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL. HE TOPPED IT OFF TO THE MAXIMUM LEVEL. MY SON BELIEVES THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. BUT REPORTING IT MIGHT BE BETTER FOR OTHERS. SINCE I HAD TAKEN IT INTO CHRYSLER A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND THEY SAID THEY HAD PREFORMED A 32 POINT SAFETY INSPECTION, I DID NOT SEE HOW THE COULD HAVE MISSED THE LOW BRAKE FLUID, OR HAVE NOT TOPPED IT OFF. IT SEEMS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS UP HIGHER THAN THE GAS PEDAL BY SEVERAL INCHES WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED, BUT AFTER SEVERAL MILES - MORE THAN 11 MILES - IT LOSES THE HEIGHT IT STARTED WITH. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT LESS THAN 20 MPH ON A SUBDIVISION STREET. THIS HAD HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE, WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE OR DRIVEWAY, MOVING AT LOW SPEED. EACH TIM AFTER HAVING DRIVEN A LONGER DISTANCE THAN NORMAL. OVER 11 MILES. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD GONE LOWER TO THE FLOOR AND WAS AT OR BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE GAS PEDAL. IF THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED, THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE MUCH TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, ONLY 3 INCHES BETWEEN THEM, AND THIS IS THEN A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11229898

Incident

Jul 7, 2019

Mileage

29,605 mi

WAS PARKING MY CAR USING PARK ASSIST FEATURE. THE CAR SPEED UP AND CRASHED THE REAR BUMPER INTO ANOTHER CAR.

NHTSA ID

11206217

Incident

Oct 31, 2018

Mileage

100 mi