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.

While driving on XXX in [XXX], the van suddenly said "Stop safely, the vehicle will shut off soon". We were in a dangerous spot on a narrow section of the freeway. I was able to turn the van back on and drive for a couple of miles and then it forced me to pull over again. There was a lot of traffic driving by and swerving toward us so I started the car again and made it to an exit, where we were towed to the dealership. The dealership pulled a code P0A43 and noted a rattling sound from the transmission, and a burnt smell/metal contamination in the transmission fluid. The dealership sent the information to the manufacturer for a warranty replacement of the transmission. The manufacturer denied coverage, claiming that the Salvage title voids the warranty. However, this warranty is a result of recall 03A/23V-010, which should remain to be covered by law, regardless of title status. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11776834

Incident

Oct 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the second-row driver's side seat adjuster latch failed to lock as intended. The contact's minor child was seated in the seat when the seat independently moved forward and backward. The contact stated that two days later, the second-row passenger's side seat adjuster latch failed to lock as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with failed seat cable latches. The contact was informed that the seat cable latches needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the repairs were not covered under recall. The contact was informed that the failures were normal wear and rear. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 64,900.

NHTSA ID

11775405

Incident

Oct 24, 2026

Mileage

64,900 mi

Over the past couple of years the auto start-stop system has progressively gotten worse with erratic issues. I've been to the dealership, and have replaced the main and aux batteries multiple times to reset the system and fix the problem. New batteries do not fix the problem. The vehicle's electrical system has turned off the engine and stalled multiple times in the middle of intersections. The vehicle has shut down twice while attempting left turns across lanes of oncoming traffic and three times pulling from a side street onto a major road. This has started to happen everyday and is posing a safety issue for my two young children, family, and other motorists. This electrical issue is a well known problem of this model and multiple calls to the manufacturer and the dealership leaves me in the middle where neither want to provide a path for assistance as the dealership explains my issue as a manufacturer problem. In the past 3 weeks the electrical issue has impacted the vehicles ability to consistently start, sometimes the engine won't turn over and I have to jump the vehicle on an increasing basis. The start-stop system has created further electrical problems where the start-stop dash signal is on constantly, the dashboard lights up sporadically, and today the vehicle would not unlock by using the key fobs and with no physical key I am not able to access the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11775305

Incident

Oct 3, 2026

File an Immediate NHTSA Safety Complaint (Do This Tonight) The vehicle intermittently stalls completely while decelerating or braking at low speeds when the engine is warm. The dashboard flashes an ACC/FCW warning as the engine dies. This requires a full shift into Park to restart in active traffic, creating an imminent crash hazard. The vehicle has only 26,000 miles. Chrysler Case #98023933 is refusing to authorize diagnostic flight data logging or precautionary repairs because the dealer cannot immediately replicate it." •

NHTSA ID

11773331

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

My 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid (VIN [XXX]) is covered by safety recall NHTSA 26V-362 / FCA 52D (shown as "Recall Incomplete" on NHTSA's VIN lookup as of October 17, 2026), high-voltage battery fire risk. FCA advises owners not to charge the vehicle and to park it outside, away from structures, until it is repaired. FCA's dealer notice states the remedy for 2020-2021 model-year vehicles became available June 12, 2026. Shortly before drop-off, the vehicle's electronics began failing intermittently; no battery warning messages appeared and there was no fire. I purchased the vehicle from Clay Cooley CJD Ram (Irving, TX) on November 27, 2020. I presented it to Meador Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Fort Worth, TX on August 18, 2026 (repair order [XXX]) for this recall. As of [XXX], 65 days later, the recall repair has not been completed and the vehicle has not been returned. The dealer has provided no status updates. The dealer provided a loaner that is far below the Pacifica in quality, with much worse fuel economy. Under 49 U.S.C. 30120(c), failure to repair within 60 days after presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. I request that NHTSA look into FCA's remedy timeliness and parts availability for this campaign, including replacement battery packs, which FCA's remedy instructions say are ordered through its STAR Center only after approval, and whether FCA has met its remedy obligations for this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11772909

Incident

Aug 18, 2026

While standing sideways, my left shoulder towards the rear of the car, I pushed the open hatch button. The automatic door began to rise and lifted me up and tossed me against some metal furniture that was behind the car, in the parking lot of a deli. It was over in a second, I couldn't step out of the way because I was holding two bags of firewood, one in each hand, and there was a tall curb, say ten inches high that prevented me from moving quickly out of the way. The automatic return function failed and the power gate just lifted me off my feet and I landed badly on the metal stadium type chairs severely injuring my ribs. It took me a minute to compose myself and rise, shut the hatch and hobble to the drivers door and drive home. The next day I tested the auto return function on the hatch and with the smallest amount of resistance it worked, and auto reversed and closed, multiple times. I could not and can not repeat the failure. I weigh over 250 pounds and am amazed that the hydraulics had that much force to be able to lift me off my feet. My ribs still hurt 2 weeks later but are definitely on the mend. No one witnessed the accident, it may have been captured on video at the store? I have not taken the vehicle anywhere for testing. I believe it may have been raining lightly.

NHTSA ID

11771492

Incident

Sep 27, 2026

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

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).