2019 Chrysler Pacifica

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-008 regarding complaints alleging a loss of motive power condition potentially due to a transmission malfunction in Model Years 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV).  On January 17, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued safety recall (NHTSA Recall 23V-010) involving 2017-2023 Model Years (MY) Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) produced between August 12, 2016, through January 9, 2023. The recall states that the loss of motive power condition in these vehicles is caused by an internal transmission wiring connector that may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.  An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.  In discussions with FCA on Recall 23V-010, ODI confirmed the recall was related to investigation PE22-008.  The remedy for 23V-010 is to update the Power Inverter module (PIM) and/or Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) software to provide drivers a message stating “Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon” followed by a chime and MIL, PRNDL blinking (on cluster and shifter knob), low SOC (State of Charge) warning and reduced power mode.  The recall remedy does not replace the defective hardware that was described in Recall 23V-010, and the wiring connector short still exists on these vehicles. To date, ODI has received 132 reports for the population of vehicles subject to recall 23V-010.  These reports allege a loss of motive power condition that reduces the vehicles speed, followed by dashboard warning lamps displaying messages associated with recall 23V-010.  The presence of these warning lamps and messages indicates the vehicle likely had the recall remedy applied. Follow up discussions with FCA confirm their remedy does not prevent a loss of motive power, but instead limits torque to the engine and after an unspecified number of miles or period of time, the engine will shut down.  When this occurs, FCA relies on the owner to transport the vehicle to a dealership after they experience a loss of motive power condition, at which time the defective hardware is replaced.  Furthermore, the dashboard messages introduced in the recall remedy may cause the driver to pull over in an unsafe location. Pulling over in an unsafe location may expose the occupants to undue harm. The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy, frequency, and safety consequence of the remedy for recall 23V-010.  To review the ODI reports cited in the opening resume ODI report identification number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22008 to investigate allegation of loss of motive power, potentially due to transmission malfunction, in certain Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. In a January 17, 2023 letter to NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) submitted recall notice 23V-010 involving a transmission motor wiring defect in 67,118 model year (MY) 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) manufactured from August 12, 2016 through January 9, 2023. FCA determined that an internal transmission connector short could result in an unexpected engine shutdown under certain conditions. Follow up correspondence with FCA confirmed this defect results in an electric motor position trouble code that was the basis for opening PE22008, therefore NHTSA is closing this investigation. The 23V-010 recall remedy is a software update to address the hardware failure associated with PE22008. When a hardware failure is detected, the vehicle limits motive power while instructing the driver to pull over to a safe location. NHTSA is concerned that drivers will pull over to an unsafe location when the warning message associated with the recall remedy displays on the dashboard. Due to the nature of the recall remedy and related reports, NHTSA has opened Recall Query RQ24004 to assess the recall remedy. The reports and failure report summary values included with this closing action are related to allegations of Recall 23V-010 remedy inadequacy. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

When driving on the road and slight turning of the steering wheel from 11-1 o' clock position, the steering locks or gets stuck and I have to apply extra force to turn the steering wheel to get it to turn OK.

NHTSA ID

11775505

Incident

Nov 2, 2026

I am experiencing an issue with the steering in my vehicle, in which the steering wheel shutters and rattles/shakes when making turns. This happens mostly when turning left at slow speeds, but also sometimes when turning right. The shuttering and shaking typically happens around the 11 and 1 o'clock position. This issue is very worrisome, as I am afraid that the power steering will completely fail one day, leading to a crash. I am also having an issue in which the start/stop system shuts down in the middle of driving the vehicle around town. More than half of the time that I drive it, the start/stop system stops working, and a warning light appears. I have had a few times in which the engine will turn off completely at a stop light, which is very worrisome. The dealer has diagnosed the steering issue as needing a new steering rack, at the cost of $5000. Reading online, I am finding MANY other Pacifica owners who have these exact same issues. I believe that they are caused by manufacture defect, and a recall needs to be issued. I believe the problems with my vehicle are related to NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: PE25009.

NHTSA ID

11773833

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

At 105,000 miles the check engine light came on, at which point the vehicle experienced rough starts and a rough idle. Vehicle also began emitting white/gray smoke from the exhaust upon starting. Upon diagnosis it was determined that coolant was leaking into #4 cylinder requiring head gasket replacement. Total repair came to $4,287.07. This is a known issue commonly being experienced by other Pacifica owners. This major mechanical issue is a safety issue and could easily have stranded my family on the road. We were fortunate to have been home and located near a known and trusted mechanic when the issue presented.

NHTSA ID

11772075

Incident

Sep 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle lost motive power and the engine shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving in Reverse (R), the rearview camera displayed a frozen image. The dealer was notified of the failures. The contact stated that the failures were known issues for the vehicle model. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and advised the contact to report the issues to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 112,000.

NHTSA ID

11771050

Incident

Sep 28, 2026

Mileage

112,000 mi

I am reporting repeated electrical failures affecting my 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Touring, including recurring auxiliary battery failures, stop/start warnings, dashboard malfunctions and electronic shifter faults. Despite multiple dealership repairs, the problem continues. August 22, 2023: Auxiliary stop/start battery replaced under Mopar warranty at Jim Shorkey Chrysler, as documented in subsequent service records. August 26–28, 2024: Following another stop/start warning, Ferman Chrysler tested both batteries and found both failed load testing. The main battery was replaced and auxiliary battery warranty work was documented. September 8–9, 2025: Stop/start warning followed by electronic shifter malfunction. Ferman Chrysler confirmed the auxiliary battery had failed and replaced it under warranty. July 7, 2026: Jim Shorkey Chrysler documented previous starting problems and reported battery health at 78%. October 13, 2026: On starting the vehicle, the instrument cluster flickered repeatedly, and multiple warning lights appeared. A Service Shifter warning followed, and the rotary gear selector indicator lights stopped illuminating. Gear selection remained functional, and the lights subsequently returned. Diagnostic codes included P00FD (Battery B state of charge), U145D-00 and U0402-00 (transmission control communication), U0432, U0418, C006A-54 and C2222-68, indicating faults involving multiple electronic systems. My concern is that repeated battery failures may be symptoms of an unresolved electrical defect affecting the electronic shifter, instrument cluster and communications between safety-critical control modules. This raises concerns about potential loss of gear selection or reliable vehicle information. The September 2025 dealership records document a similar combination of stop/start and shifter faults, demonstrating that this is a recurring problem. I request that NHTSA investigate this potential safety defect. I have retained dealership invoices.

NHTSA ID

11770982

Incident

Oct 13, 2026

Steering wheel sticks when slightly turning either direction and when you apply force to unstick over corrects making it very dangerous and a safety issue especially on highways. Researching shows this is pretty common in this year and model

NHTSA ID

11768755

Incident

Oct 3, 2026

We are on a 5th! Auxiliary battery since purchasing the vehicle new in 2019. It fails every 1-2 years and it causes the main battery to drain as a result of it which means replacing both batteries on average every 18 months.

NHTSA ID

11767410

Incident

Mar 25, 2021

My 2019 Chrysler Pacifica experienced repeated electrical/network communication failures. The first sign was erratic dashboard behavior and a check-engine light in our resort parking lot. We drove to Pep Boys, where it was evaluated and we were told it was okay to drive. We then drove to Chick-fil-A (.4 miles from Pep Boys). While stopped in the drive-thru in Drive with my foot on the brake, the vehicle began dinging, the engine revved, and multiple warning lights/messages appeared, including the check-engine light, red electronic throttle control warning, “Blind Spot Alert Temporarily Unavailable,” “Service Trans Stop Safely Shut Off Engine to Engage Park,” and “Stop/Start Not Ready.” After shutting it off, it would not reliably restart, and when it did, I could not shift it to move. The vehicle returned to Pep Boys, where DTCs U0001 (CAN C Bus) and U0401 (Implausible Data Received From ECM/PCM) were documented. It then went to a Chrysler dealership in Florida. They evaluated it and told us it checked out and was okay to drive. After leaving that dealership, the problem returned while my family and I were traveling at highway speed. The vehicle malfunctioned and began losing acceleration. I exited the highway. When I stopped at a stop sign, the vehicle died. It restarted but again would not shift. Eventually we were able to reach a nearby gas station. The problem continued intermittently as we tried to get home. Because we could not predict when it would happen again, we determined it was unsafe and had it towed. A Chrysler dealership in Georgia then documented numerous loss-of-communication codes and performed a PCM software update. The vehicle passed testing and was released, but the problem returned again after we returned to Ohio. The vehicle was ultimately towed to a Chrysler dealership in Ohio. The communication faults became active during diagnosis, and the dealer replaced both CAN-C and CAN-I splice-block connectors. The problem has not recurred since.

NHTSA ID

11766093

Incident

Jul 31, 2026

Note: Document released 10/2/2026. Multiple Warning Indicators On In The IPC. ESM - PRNDL Flashing. And The Vehicle Will Not Shift Into Gear. The Wipers May Be On, With An Electric Parking Brake Unavailable.

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

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

HOSE AND TUBE - EGR COOLANT

Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection

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