Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 15 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
The vehicle has had a suspension problem since purchasing the dealership has not been able to determine the issue after replacing the axle,struts, low arm control,motor mount now the state the steering wheel rack
The power steering is intermittently losing power during turns. This just started to occur within the past week so it has not yet been taken to a shop. Yes it is available for inspection. Safety was put at risk due to it being a family car with children. A quick response was necessary to prevent oversteer during correction. Apparently this is a known issue on earlier models and seems to be continuing. No warnings.
Power steering malfunctioned and stopped working in the middle of driving. It works intermittently.
Steering is clicking when stationary while turning the wheel and also while idling over bumps. Brought dealership and would need an entire steering gear assembly replacement
This is an intermittent issue that has been happening for a while now and the car was sent to the dealership twice but the issue still persists. The engine would shuts down or partially loses torque all of a sudden and the steering becomes very stiff. At the same time you would see all kinds of alarms, error messages, and check lights on the dashboard. I would then have to pull over to the side of the road, turn off the car, then try to start it back up. Usually after several attempts (one time that took nearly 30 minutes), the car works properly again with no error messages but sometimes I'd still have some persistent check lights on the dashboard. Error messages and check lights that I see include the following: -Service Electronic Stability Control -Autopark Engaged -Shifter Autocorrect Active -Park Brake Temporarily Unavailable -AWD System Temporarily Unavailable -Automatic Emergency Braking off check light -Forward Collision Warning off check light -Check Engine light The dealership has been unable to properly diagnose and fix this issue so far. On the first visit, they replaced the main battery, auxiliary battery, some wire harnesses that I was told had some corrosion, and the adaptive cruise control module. On the second visit, they replaced the CAN Bus star connector. The same issue still persists after replacing all above components.
When driving at speeds over 45 mph and making turns (eg on high ways) the van will sway and rock. I have installed new shocks, had an alignment, had ball joints and sway bars inspected, and had tires restated. I’m wondering if there is some sort of an issue with the electronic assist power steering that senses g forces and compensates inappropriately. It is extremely dangerous and we have nearly lost control of the car while doing a routine turn. It happens when turning left, but not when turning right.
If I am trying to park and going like 10 miles an hour and start turning the steering wheel, it starts shaking. And it does it every time.
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH and attempting to slow down to park in a parking spot, the steering wheel started shaking unexpectedly. There was a clunking sound coming from the steering wheel. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,432.
More often than not, the steering wheel column gets stuck at 10-11 o’clock positions and 1-2 o’clock positions. So it typically happens when making slight bends on my local roads and highways. This requires a hard jolt on the steering wheel to get it un-stuck. This is extremely unsafe to do at high rates of speed and/or with traffic on either side of me and it feels only a matter of time before it results in an accident. When I brought the car into the dealer for a different repair, they noted in their follow-up inspection a, “rep clunk from steering gear the wheel both ways” and quoted me $4800 for repair. I’m assuming that’s to replace the entire steering column, which is pretty outrageous considering the part is less than $900 OEM and would be about 2-3 hours of labor. I purchased the car 6 months ago as a certified pre-owned car from a dealership and the CarFax report came back completely clear, recall repairs weren’t even mentioned on it. I’ve seen some discussions on online forums describing a similar issue.
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)
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V436000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Car would make a grinding noise over 5mph. We looked under the vehicle to find a loose bolt to the left of the left tire.
We were coming down a mountain from Flagstaff to Phoenix at night in heavy, fast traffic when my engine just died. No power, no power steering, no power assisted brakes. Total emergency. I have never been so scared in a vehicle. Nearly rear ended by semi at full speed. Had to try to find a shoulder on a mountain and pull over fast to avoid collision. Then once pulled over the Pacifica does not just start right up again Have to go through a process. THEN it happened AGAIN 20 minutes later. ALMOST another REAR end collision. That night I found out there's a recall for this exact problem WITHOUT A REMEDY!!!!!! I took it right in to the dealer for a software update that ... GET THIS ...doesn't fix the defect but is supposed to give me more warning that my engine is ABOUT TO SHUT OFF!!! PLEASE DO NOT allow them to get by with this bandaid. This is truly a life threatening defect. They MUST fix this or buy back my vehicle. PLEASE HELP!!! Chrysler is risking our lives.
I was driving uphill at slow speed; then a garbage truck in front of me needed to do a 3 point turn so I switched to reverse to back up. At that point the vehicle started flashing an alarm, I think said "service hybrid system" or something like that and instantly began rolling down the hill for about a block, while I was completely unable to engage the break or gas, to switch to drive, to control the wheel, even the emergency brake failed. I was rolling backwards for about a block completely unable to control any component of the car when the emergency break finally engaged. I was able to turn on my hazards at that point, but the vehicle would not start, nor would it turn off. I could not make it reverse or drive or even turn off as I sat stuck in the middle of an intersection. After several minutes like that I was eventually able to restart the car and drive slowly home. This is MURDER by Chrysler waiting to happen. I was very lucky no child or vehicle was behind me as I rolled downhill into an intersection. I was very lucky to not be hit by oncoming traffic as I sat stuck after rolling a block downhill backwards-- THESE ARE MINIVANS FILLED WITH CHILDREN!! MY 4 children! Chrysler in Berkeley service said they haven't heard of this before and will see me only next week, and not sooner! However, There are numerous similar complaints registered. I am afraid to drive it at all at this point. This is a very new car with less than 10K miles on it. RECALL IMMEDIATELY PLEASE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
On freeway , running on gas - the vehicle gave an error “service charging system” and vehicle shutdown and de accelerated rapidly - forward momentum only We are on freeway and no shoulder and narrow escaped an collision trying to get a safe stop at speed of 20-25 miles and slowing down from initial of 70 mph This is serious safety concern and how was this released for sale is certified by NTSB is a surprise and shock Multiple owners have complained of this
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
Data on this page last refreshed .