2018 Chrysler Pacifica Suspension Problems

My 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has developed a progressively worsening creaking noise from the front left suspension. It began two years ago occurring only occasionally when accelerating from a full stop or exiting a driveway, and has since become constant under most normal driving conditions including acceleration, deceleration, and slow turns in either direction. The vehicle has approximately 35,000 miles and has been driven exclusively on regular paved roads with no off-road or unusual use. The pattern of gradual degradation on a low mileage vehicle suggests a corroding or deteriorating structural component rather than impact damage. An authorized Chrysler dealership recommended replacing both lower control arms at approximately $3,300, framing this as necessary to continue diagnostics rather than a confirmed repair. No specific component was isolated as the cause. This is directly relevant to Recall V15 (NHTSA 19V143000), issued for right front lower control arm ball joint separation on 2018 Pacifica and Pacifica Hybrid vehicles, which could cause loss of directional control without prior warning. My vehicle was excluded from that recall despite exhibiting similar symptoms on the left side. Two documented owner reports establish safety relevance. A mechanic warned an owner that their left ball joint should be replaced or risk failure while driving, leaving them unable to steer ([XXX]). Separately, an owner reported control arm bolts falling out causing the vehicle to steer itself in random directions ([XXX]). I request NHTSA investigate whether Recall V15 should be expanded to include the left front lower control arm. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11750884

Incident

Jul 16, 2026

My 2018 Pacifica Hybrid suffered a catastrophic suspension separation while driving—the exact failure described in Safety Recall V15. The driver fortunately arrived at home safely only seeing smoke coming out form the tire rubbing against the wheel hood. Although my VIN isn't showing as 'active,' this is clearly a safety defect. I would like to open a case for a Goodwill Repair or a 'Special Policy' adjustment because this is a known dangerous failure.

NHTSA ID

11732649

Incident

Apr 20, 2026

When taking turns the steering "sticks" amd it takes extra physical force to "unstick" the car. While unsticking by turning the steering wheel harder than normal, it either crosses into uncoming traffic or runs off the shoulder. It unsticks but with the extra physical force, it generally causes you to over correct and/or swerve/veer all over the roadway. 2018 with 72k miles

NHTSA ID

11694637

Incident

Oct 20, 2025

My 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has ongoing electrical problems that match the same symptoms described in existing recalls, but my VIN is not included in those campaigns. The issues began around 08/30/22. The vehicle has experienced stalling, electrical shutdown, dashboard warning lights, loss of power steering issues, failure of the start-stop system, dead batteries, loud creaking, popping, squeaking noises from the front suspension, especially when turning, backing up, steering lock, or going over bumps. These events began in 2021 and continue despite numerous repairs at mechanics and dealerships. Despite repairs and inspections, the problems continue. I have reviewed NHTSA recalls and found recall numbers 18V524000, 20V334000, 19V143000 as well as battery ground recall for 2017–2019 models, and my vehicle’s problems are identical to those safety issues. The dealer confirmed that my VIN is not covered, so I have been responsible for repair costs. These defects create a serious safety hazard, especially when the vehicle stalls or loses power while driving. It places my family and other drivers at risk of a crash. We have been stranded on highways and in the center of busy intersections due to loss of power. I strongly request that NHTSA investigate whether the existing recalls should be expanded to include additional VIN ranges, since many 2018 Pacifica owners (myself included) are experiencing the same electrical failures. I have had the vehicle inspected/repaired on: 4/15/21, 9/15/22, 10/2/23, 11/22/23, 8/10/24, 7/21/25, 8/7/25, 9/23/25 for battery ground, electrical module replacement, wiring repair, and strut repairs. The issues persist despite these attempts.

NHTSA ID

11689702

Incident

Aug 10, 2024

There is a loud creaking noise coming from the front end, most likely suspension. It seems worse when the car is turning and even more so when backing up and turning steering wheel. I am aware of the V15 recall for the Pacific and from what I have read the symptoms are nearly identical. Along with this there are at times more of a clicking sound.

NHTSA ID

11583615

Incident

Apr 8, 2024

There is a loud clicking and popping noise from the front drivers side suspension when turning or going over bumpy ground. The car also pulls to one side unexpectedly when going around corners Sometimes while driving the car will shut down and restart as if rebooting a computer.

NHTSA ID

11581436

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

There is a prominent loud creak/squeak noise when locking the steering wheel all the way to the right, and slowly backing up. It is replicated every time. There is a V15 lower control arm recall on prior years, but this VIN was not covered. I am very concern it may be of similar issue, and makes me worried for the safety of my children.

NHTSA ID

11523766

Incident

May 1, 2023

The left ball joint (front lower control arm) became squeakier and squeakier until the mechanic said it should be replaced or risk it failing while I drive which could leave me unable to steer/control the car. The mechanic said the dealer ought to cover it since they recalled some of this model year for this same issue on the right side but not all of them. The dealer would not cover replacement.

NHTSA ID

11498569

Incident

Jun 23, 2021

Loud creaking noise (and sometimes what sounds like a spring) coming from the front passenger side suspension. At first this happened when the vehicle was backing up with the steering wheel turned and locked to the left. It's now extended to while braking. I know prior models were recalled for bad lower control arm ball joints. My vehicle didn’t fall in that window, but this vehicle should be included in that recall (v15 recall)

NHTSA ID

11454625

Incident

Mar 19, 2020

There is a very loud creaking noise coming from the front driver side suspension. This happens every time when I put the vehicle in reverse and turn and lock my steering wheel all the way to the right and press the accelerator to back up. It doesn’t sound safe. I know prior models were recalled for bad lower control arm ball joints. My vehicle didn’t fall in that window, but this vehicle should be included in that recall (v15 recall).

NHTSA ID

11436192

Incident

Oct 2, 2021

The upper control arms bushings needed replaced due to a popping noise from the wheel any time I turned. You then could feel the pop under your feet when you turn. We got them fixed, but now it has started popping again just 2 weeks later. There is now a rattling/clanging noise coming from the feet area when you hit a bump. It’s pretty loud at times and you can feel vibrating in the steering wheel. I feel very unsafe with my two children being in the car and traveling around town. The auto start stop battery has also been replaced many times. It keeps going out and will make my car turn off while driving at times.

NHTSA ID

11432351

Incident

Aug 16, 2021

HAD A WHEEL ALIGNMENT IT STILL PULLING TO THE SIDE .I DO THINK IT THE CONTROL ARM LOWER ARM,TRAIN AXLE ASSEMBLY AXLE SHAFT. RADIO DOESN'T WORK CORRECT OR WITH BLUETOOTH. IF I GET A CALL IT WON'T GO BACK TO PLAYING THE RADIO OR BLUETOOTH. NEED TO TURN OFF CAR FOR AWHILE AND START AGAIN! BACK CAMERA SOMETIMES BLACKOUT.

NHTSA ID

11400363

Incident

Jan 2, 2021

ON DRIVER SIDE TIRE I HEAR A POPPING OR GRINDING SOUND WHEN I TURN AND SOUNDS LIKE MY BALL JOINT POPPING

NHTSA ID

11390538

Incident

Nov 12, 2020

Mileage

52,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING IN MY 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA ON A RURAL STREET WHEN IT SUDDENLY FELT LIKE THE FRONT PASSANGER SIDE TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL & AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT, PUSHING UP AGAINST THE CURB. THE CAR STARTED TO SMOKE AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. CONCERNED IT WAS GOING TO GO ON FIRE, MY DAUGHTER & I RAN OUT. WHEN WE WERE OUT OF THE CAR I SAW THAT THE FRONT AXLE CONNECTING THE TIRE HAD COME COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED AND DROPPED TO THE STREET WHILE DRIVING. I CALLED 911 FOR HELP. THE FIREMEN ARRIVED FIRST. THE CAR WAS STILL REVVING & SMOKING BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO SHUT IT MANUALLY SO THEY HAD TO LIFT THE HOOD & CUT THE WIRES. THE POLICE ARRIVED & INVESTIGATED THE AREA. THEY SHOWED ME THE GAUGE MARK FROM WHERE THE TIRE AXLE DROPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET WHICH WAS BEHIND WHERE THE CAR STOPPED AGAINST THE CURB. THERE WERE ZERO INTERFERENCES IN THE AREA (POTHOLE, DEBRIS, SIGNS, RAILGUARDS ETC.). IT WAS A SMOOTH STREET WITH A LOW, GRADUAL CURB. THE OFFICER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT MY FAULT & DUE TO A MECHANICAL FAILURE ON THE CAR. HE WROTE THAT IN HIS REPORT AS WELL AS ON THE NOTEPAD PAPER WITH HIS INFO & PHONE # TO GIVE THE THE DEALERSHIP. 2 2018 RECALLS THAT MAY EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH MY VIN IS NOT AFFECTED - WHICH I WOULD LIKE FURTHER INSPECTED, SO I'M CONTACTING THE NHTSA TO HOPEFULLY EXPAND THE RECALL VIN #S. *2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA RECALL, THE FRONT-AXLE HALF-SHAFTS MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY ASSEMBLED, PREVENTING THE SHAFT FROM BEING PROPERLY SECURED TO THE CONSTANT-VELOCITY JOINT. IF THE AXLE SHAFT DISENGAGES FROM THE CV JOINT, THE MINIVAN WILL HAVE A LOSS OF DRIVE OR ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE. *CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 47,771 OF THE 2018 PACIFICA AND PACIFICA HYBRID MINIVANS BECAUSE PARTS THAT CONNECT KEY SUSPENSION AND STEERING COMPONENTS ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL MAY FAIL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. *DT*JB*DT *AS

NHTSA ID

11277493

Incident

Oct 18, 2019

Mileage

11,000 mi

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE 10/29/18 AND ITS BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE TIL ABOUT JULY 2019. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO FIX A CLICKING NOISE IN THE FRONT LEFT SIDE AND EVERYTIME THEY CHANGE A BUNCH OF PARTS BUT DONT FIX IT. NOW ITS A LOUD SQUEEKING NOISE EVERYTIME I BACK OUT MY DRIVEWAY OR PULL OFF IN DRIVE. IVE TAKEN 3 TIMES AND THEY CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS. IVE HAVE TO RENT A VEHICLE AND THE DEALER ALSO LET ME USE A 2 DOOR LOANER KNOWING I HAVE 4 KIDS. THEY KEEP SAYING BRING IT BACK MONDAY. WELL THATS ONLY 1 PROBLEM. 3 TIMES ALREADY WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE MY BACKUP CAMERA COMES ON BUT DONT GO OFF WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE. SO WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY BACKUP CAMERA IS ON AND IS VERY DISTRACTING AND DANGEROUS. THIS PAST WEEKEND MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING WHILE WE WERE GOING SOMEWHERE, WELL WE WERE IN TRAFFIC ON A VERY STEEP HILL SO HE HAD TO STOP. WHEN HE WENT TO STEP ON THE GAS TO GO THE CAR WOULDNT GO. IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WASNT GETTING SIGNAL THAT THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE. IT WAS VERY SCARY. SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THE REASON I PURCHASE THE 2018 PACIFICA WAS BECAUSE I HEARD IT WAS A GOOD CAR AND DEPENDABLE AS I HAVE 4 CHILDREN THAT I HAVE TO GET TO AND FROM SCHOOL , DOCTORS AND SPORTS. I REALLY HOPE SOMEONE THERE AT CHRYSLER CAN HELP ME OUT.

NHTSA ID

11255890

Incident

Jul 17, 2019

Mileage

28,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHILE SHE WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS TURNED COMPLETELY TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ORCHARD CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (LOCATED AT 64600 VAN DYKE, WASHINGTON, MI 48095, (586) 430-5086) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIE ROD AND AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,605. *BF CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE RIGHT SIDE TIE ROD. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THE LEFT SIDE IS DEFECTIVE.*JB

NHTSA ID

11209013

Incident

Feb 10, 2019

Mileage

9,605 mi

LOOSE FEELING IN FRONT END WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AND GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD,HAD VEHICLE SERVICED 4 TIMES BY 2 SERVICE PLACES,THE NOISE STILL EXISTS AND I AM CONCERNED SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN DRIVING MY CAR SO I HAVE RENTED A VEHICLE A FEW TIMES TO MAKE SURE OF MINE AND MY FAMILY'S SAFETY,THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 TO 3 MONTHS NOW AND EVERY TECHNICIAN CAN'T SEEM TO DUPLICATE THE NOISE THAT WE FEEL WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS,IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS BOBBLING AROUND UNDER THE CAR,THIS ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS THE STEERING WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN AND IT MAKES SOME SORT OF RUBBING OR KNOCKING NOISE,THIS HAS BEEN SO FRUSTRATING AND I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN IF I DON'T GET THIS CAR FIXED,I HOPE SOMEONE OUT THERE CAN HELP ME,[XXX] 4/13/19,THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11195997

Incident

Apr 9, 2019

Mileage

6,118 mi

PACIFICA WAS COMING TO A STOP AFTER A MILITARY CHECKPOINT AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THE SPEED WAS LESS THAN 30 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE SHOWED A SERVICE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION AND NEEDED TO BE PLACED IN PARK TO RESTART. IT DID RESTART IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ID

11182906

Incident

Feb 27, 2019

Mileage

8,550 mi

MAJOR PROBLEM WITH MY AXEL/CV JOINT. OBVIOUS LOUD CLICKING AND CLINKING WHEN BRAKING, ACCELERATION FROM A STOP AND TURNING. HAD INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY IN THE AXEL/CV JOINT. THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL ON EXACTLY THIS PART WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS YET THEY ARE ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE DEFECT IN 60 VEHICLES PLEASE HELP MY CHILDREN'S CAR IS NOT SAFE. ALSO ROLLS WHEN IN PARK AND VIOLENTLY SURGES ON RIGHT HAND TURNS

NHTSA ID

11144871

Incident

Jun 19, 2018

Mileage

5,000 mi

1- TURN THE VAN ON. CLICK ON UCONNECT THEATER THEN SHIFT TO R OR CLICK THE SURROUND CAMERA TO ACTIVATE THE CAMERA, CLICK ANY BOTTOMS TO CHANGE THE CAMERA VIEW, IS NOT WORKING. THE SCREEN FREEZING AND NOT RESPONDING ANYMORE. TURN THE VAN OFF FOR 2 HOURS. TURN IT ON AGAIN, THE CAMERA OPTIONS WILL WORK FINE. CLICK THE UCONNECT THEATER AGAIN, GO BACK TO THE CAMERA OR SHIFT TO R, THE BOTTOMS THAT CHANGE THE VIEWS ARE NOT WORKING AND NOT RESPONDING. 2- PUT THE USB FLASH TO PLAY MOVIES. GO TO UCONNECT THEATER, IT WILL READ THE USB AND I CAN PLAY MOVIES. DISCONNECT THE FLASH AND CONNECT IT AGAIN, IT WILL NOT READING IT ANYMORE. TURN THE VAN OFF FOR 10 MIN. THEN TURN IT ON, IT WILL WORK AGAIN. ONCE I DISCONNECTED AND CONNECT IT AGAIN, IT WILL STOP READING IT. SOFTWARE ISSUES. (WATCH THE VIDEO THAT I DID (HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GC7O60KHJ4W) 3- ON SPEED 5 OR LESS, DRIVING FORWARD OR BACKWARD, WHEN I TURN RIGHT, THE STEERING WILL SHAKE. SOUNDS LIKE ROCK AND PINION OR STEERING COLUMN ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11101719

Incident

May 28, 2018

Mileage

9 mi