2020 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.

I took my 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (VIN: [XXX]) to Sames Bastrop Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in [XXX], to have Safety Recall 52D performed on the high-voltage battery. Prior to bringing the van in, the vehicle was driving and charging completely normally with no charging errors. Sames performed the recall software update to the Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) under Recall 52D, but their diagnostic scan logged an active high-voltage fault code (DTC P0E15-00 for the battery pack coolant heater) and a stored bypass valve code (DTC P0E7C-00). Despite these active thermal management codes showing up in their system, the technician marked the vehicle as passed and returned it to me. After driving the van home the vehicle completely refused to charge on my very first attempt at home. The dashboard displayed a "Service Battery" warning message, and the charging system has been completely locked out ever since. This is a serious safety concern because the high-voltage battery recall was issued specifically to prevent battery fires and thermal runaway caused by internal cell defects. Returning a hybrid vehicle with an active thermal management failure during a fire-related recall leaves the battery vulnerable to overheating and disables the charging safety systems. The van was returned to [XXX], where it has sat for over a month. Sames initially stated that Stellantis was refusing to cover the battery replacement even though federal law requires safety recall remedies to be completed free of charge regardless of mileage. The charging failure and trouble codes have been confirmed by the dealership under Repair Order #XXX. I have also opened an active corporate case directly with the manufacturer under Stellantis Case #XXX, and Sames has provided a temporary rental vehicle through Enterprise while this is investigated. The van and all of its original high-voltage components are currently in the service bay at [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11764090

Incident

Jul 31, 2026

I was about to pull out into a main road with my 3 kids in the car, and my steering wheel locked up and became impossible to drive, had to quickly reverse and could not make it home. I then received an error message on my dash saying power steering unavailable, service requested. The car only has 118,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID

11763944

Incident

Sep 12, 2026

I experienced a sudden loss of power and steering while driving my vehicle. The screen advised me to pull over because the engine would shut off soon, but I already had lost steering and power. I turned the car off and was able to restart it and drive it 1 mile home, and the check engine light was on. I had it towed to the dealer. After 2 weeks of testing, the dealer reported, “When your vehicle was initially checked in, the following trouble codes were present: 5 BPCM FAULT CODES P1A21-00, P1D43-00, P1C01-00, P1A2A-00, and P1A29-00. We have completed Recall Y40.” The repair tech said they expected the engine to lose power again at some point and I would need to have it towed in again to be repaired then. The repairs made so far are only software updates, no hardware has been repaired because the dealer said the errors didn’t recur after they reset the system. I have elevated the issue with the dealer and am awaiting a response. I am concerned based on the error codes and technician information that my vehicle is still at risk of catching fire at any time or experiencing another catastrophic loss of power if the faulty hardware is not replaced.

NHTSA ID

11762907

Incident

Aug 15, 2026

Our family was driving and our teen in the third row said his seatbelt came apart. We pulled over to inspect. He was in the third row driver side seat. The stitching for the seatbelt and the seat had disintegrated. There is a sticky residue but no stitching. The leather is in pieces and the seatbelt is unusable. This vehicle is used for family transport so there is no known cause as to why this would have happened. The middle seatbelt stitching is also disintegrating

NHTSA ID

11762579

Incident

Sep 6, 2026

We own a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid that had been operating without any significant issues for approximately six years. Recently, the vehicle was subject to a recall involving the charging system, and we brought it to the dealership to have the recall work completed. Nine days after the recall service, the vehicle would not start and displayed a “Service Charging System” error message. The dealership arranged to have the vehicle towed back for evaluation. They kept the vehicle for approximately a week and a half but ultimately stated that they were unable to identify any problem. We were charged $200 for the diagnostic evaluation, and our insurance covered the cost of the tow. Approximately 10 days after receiving the vehicle back from the dealership, it again failed to start and displayed the same “Service Charging System” error. Given that we had no significant issues with the vehicle for approximately six years and that this problem began only nine days after the recall work was performed—and has now occurred twice—we are very concerned that the issue may be related to the recall service or that the underlying problem was not identified during the dealership’s initial evaluation.

NHTSA ID

11761392

Incident

Jul 29, 2026

Vehicle has suffered from electrical issues since 2023 with effects to front windows causing window to reverse down when trying to roll up, radio malfunctions that is a known Chrysler issue that removes the ability to control rear entertainment center from front screen leaving the feature unusable with small children in the rear for long periods of time, rear cross traffic warning detection malfunctioning and not making audible alarms or warning with vehicles and pedestrians behind vehicle, loud noises when braking that according to Chrysler TA is potentially the ABS system wanting to engage but didn't, electrical shorts causing intermittent surging of interior lights - slower functioning of sliding doors - shorted out multiple window washer pump systems leading to replacement - lane departure system malfunctioning causing vehicle to drastically steer vehicle towards a curbed center island in which I as the driver had to manipulate the wheel to avoid crashing - passenger slider door at time malfunctions causing the door to repeatedly open and close on it's own and also open on its own while vehicle was underway in reverse - blind spot monitoring system malfunctioning at times to not warn of vehicles in blind spot - vehicle stalled twice with check engine light on but no recorded data in computer of the events ever occurring. All of these issues have been inspected under both factory warranty and extended Mopar warranty with service department stating they could not replicate the error and no further investigation or diagnosing was completed. After "repair attempts" were made the malfunctions reoccurred with another service appointment being needed and more electrical errors happening over time. Per service department there were no DTC or check engine lights for our malfunctions, however years later they finally admitted there had been DTC logs but were ignored and not diagnosed. We feel the safety of our family and public are at great safety risk from the failures.

NHTSA ID

11759715

Incident

May 27, 2026

Backup camera goes in and out and then blue.

NHTSA ID

11753734

Incident

Jun 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at higher speeds and attempting to veer over to the left or right, the steering wheel failed to return to center. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID

11752426

Incident

May 15, 2026

Mileage

90,000 mi

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).

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