2021 Chrysler Pacifica Body & structure Problems

The passenger sliding door on my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is stuck half way open and will not move. The vehicle was parked and we opened the automatic door and it opened fine. I pushed the close button and it closed half way and stopped. The cables that connect the door to the open/close motor are hanging out. I called the Chrysler dealership and they tried to schedule me an appointment next week. I asked how to get it to the dealership and they said to drive it in. I said the door is stuck half way open and its not safe. They said to either drive it in or tow it in. I asked if there was a recall or an extended warranty. They said there was not and that I would have to pay for all repairs out of pocket. The motor actuates but since the cables don't move it faults out. I have pushed and pulled as hard as I can and the cables will not move. This puts all passengers in danger as the door is part of the structural integrity especially in a side impact collision.

NHTSA ID

11677591

Incident

Jul 19, 2025

Dear Sir, I am submitting this formal complaint regarding severe misconduct, fraud, and reckless endangerment committed by Hyundai Escondido, Hyundai Motor America, and Ally Financial in connection with the sale and financing of a dangerously defective 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Touring AWD (VIN: [XXX] ). 1. Background of the Case On [XXX] I purchased the above-referenced vehicle from Hyundai Escondido under the representation that it was a Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle that had passed rigorous manufacturer standards. The dealership provided me with a Carfax report showing no prior accidents or major repairs and falsely assured me that the car was in excellent condition. However, immediately after purchase, I discovered that the vehicle had severe hidden defects, including: •Extensive flood damage, which was concealed at the time of sale and significantly compromised the car’s electrical and safety systems. •Prior frame and structural damage from an accident that was never disclosed. •Critical electrical malfunctions causing the vehicle to swerve uncontrollably on its own, without any driver input. •Severe safety risks, which nearly resulted in an accident with another vehicle carrying a baby on board. •Substantial mechanical and structural issues requiring over $20,000 in repairs, making the car unsafe and unusable. Despite reporting these issues on the first day of ownership, Hyundai Escondido refused to acknowledge or rectify the matter. 2. Hyundai Escondido’s Role in Fraud and Misrepresentation •Knowingly sold a flood-damaged and structurally compromised vehicle without disclosure. •Misrepresented the vehicle as a Certified Pre owned. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11640763

Incident

Nov 14, 2024

While driving the vehicle on a highway - a hard solid piece of the exterior literally separated from the vehicle and flew off. This incident gave rise to the risk of an accident or injury to those traveling behind or to others traveling on the highway. A flying projectile is an inherent safety risk. No external force or event caused this. Vehicle literally fell apart on its own. Some kind of defective attachment process or mechanism. Vehicle was purchased new.

NHTSA ID

11633466

Incident

Dec 30, 2024

There is no safety feature on the automatic sliding doors that prevent them from fully closing on something or someone. Once they begin closing they will not reverse if they encounter an obstacle. Given the nature of the vehicle being primarily for family use with children as well as children being the passengers that would use this entry, not having a safety measure to prevent them from being crushed is unacceptable. My 3 year old had accidently hit the close button and the door kept pushing them forward toward the latch and even with considerable force pulling it the other way when I noticed and realized it also wasn't stopping or reversing to open, I was lucky to be there. Then again recently, my wife was in the car cleaning out some items where she had reached in and she accidently bumped the same button, however, the door kept closing on and pressing into her. I thankfully was on the other side and ran over and threw all my weight backwards for it to stop, again, not reversing. It was something we noticed early on, but figured with the electronic failure they continue failing to resolve it was related and would be either solved or the fault become a recall. However, after it happening again recently and without any safety recall, I'm now reporting.

NHTSA ID

11617744

Incident

Oct 2, 2024

Ghost braking. While driving on the road using the adaptive cruise control, the van initiated its braking system as if someone was in front of me. This happened with nothing in front of me for miles in sunny cool weather and while at night passing a car with fog. I assumed the fog case had some bearing as the car I was passing their tail lights appeared to illuminate the fog to a degree you would think was a car in front of me. Glove box needed to be replaced. Kept opening and slamming on my bride's chins. The trunk is soaking up water from an unknown source after heavy rains and car washes. We noticed the issue when we vacuumed the rear trunk space and took out the mat. We dried it at the local car wash and didn't think much of it until we went through a car wash again. And there was the leakage but unknown from where.

NHTSA ID

11579879

Incident

Mar 28, 2024

Description: My 3 year old daughter was getting out of the rear of the vehicle on the drivers side. The door is automatic and closes via button in the passenger compartment or the remote keyfob. She pushed the button to close the door and the door closed on her wrist and hand, the door did not automatically reverse and the door latched with her hand still inside. She was injured and needed to go to the hospital. This issue has also happened to several other people as well. There is a Facebook page dedicated to complaints on this Van. The door has closed on adults and children both. There were no warning lights, the vehicle has had a recall done on the auto open sensors under the doors. This issue occurred on April 11th 2023. The manufacturer was contacted and they have opened a case. The case number is 85938082

NHTSA ID

11517484

Incident

Apr 11, 2023

When I first purchased my 2021 Pacifica Hybrid Pinnacle in January 2021, randomly when pressing the lift gate button in the top left of the trunk it would beep multiple times and the lift gate would not move. The key fob, front button, and rear button would not engage the lift gate motor. You had to manually shut the lift gate and it would latch. Then in November 2021 I had the Y50 2021 RU Power Lift gate recall done on my vehicle and since then three times while driving the lift gate has popped up on its own. When you pull over all buttons are unresponsive and when you manually close the lift gate the locking mechanism does not engage. It just pulls right back open by hand or while driving. To resolve you must try over and over shutting the door, pressing the buttons, turning the vehicle on and off multiple times, letting it sleep and turn it back on and eventually the locking mechanism will engage. Have brought it multiple times to the dealer and every time they cannot recreate. Poses a dangerous safety issue while driving for the lift gate to open as you don't realize its not latched.

NHTSA ID

11463055

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback door would not close and lock securely. The contact stated that he attempted to close the hatchback door by using the key fob, by depressing the hatchback control panel inside the vehicle and the button on the hatchback door but it failed to close and latch securely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he manually pushed the hatchback with the assistance of his wife, but the door would not lock. The contact stated that they were able to close the hatchback door using duct tape. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the dealer advised the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The contact notified Goeckner Bros Inc (600 E Fayette Ave, Effingham, IL 62401) who sold him the vehicle and the dealer advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2,970.

NHTSA ID

11441768

Incident

Nov 25, 2021

Mileage

2,970 mi