2023 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 was driving down the highway at 65 mph in heavy 5pm traffic with my boyfriend in the passenger seat, and suddenly, the driver-side sun visor fell off and hit me in the face. I almost lost control of the car. It was hanging there the rest of the drive. I couldn't pull over or anything because of the traffic and no safe place to stop. I had to drive with one hand and hold the visor out of the way with the other hand while trying to also shield my eyes from the extreme sun of that time of day. There is a Chrysler technician bulletin for the Pacifica about the left-side sun visor appearing loose, yet they haven't bothered to issue a recall, and they won't even fix it for free. They want $544.54! I have extreme sun sensitivity, and they won't do anything about the visor. The repair shop at the dealership didn't even give me a price on replacing the visor for 3 days. Instead, they tried to get me to do a bunch of other repairs when I had already had a full diagnostic elsewhere a few weeks before and they did a recall repair without even asking my permission, and I had not signed anything. It took about two hours, but I was finally able to disconnect the visor myself so that it would not continue to dangle in my face when I drove the car. They refused to give me the part number I needed to repair the visor myself.

NHTSA ID

11773894

Incident

Oct 19, 2026

2023 Chrysler Pacifica, approximately 39,000 miles. Multiple safety-related electrical and restraint-system issues remain unresolved. Open recall 06D (NHTSA 26V189, side curtain airbags) has not been completed. The vehicle was at the dealership from September 17 to October 10, 2026. No confirmed part order for the recall was placed during that time. The recall was only discussed after I raised it. Dealer stated the parts are on back order. The recall addresses curtain airbags that may not retain sufficient pressure during deployment, increasing the risk of partial or complete ejection and injury in certain crashes. The Service Airbag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was released twice (September 23 and October 10) with the light still on. An illuminated airbag light indicates the supplemental restraint system may not function as designed in a crash. The vehicle also developed a no-shut-off condition in which it would remain running after the ignition was turned off. This occurred on September 26 (video available) after a dealer replaced the CAN bus connector on September 23. A vehicle that will not shut off creates a risk of unattended operation, carbon monoxide exposure, and fire. The vehicle was sent home twice with the airbag light on, the open 06D recall unaddressed, and the no-shut-off fault recurring. Video of the September 26 no-shut-off is available.

NHTSA ID

11770379

Incident

Sep 17, 2026

While driving on a highway during rush-hour traffic, my car had an alert that said “ stop safely vehicle will shut off soon” I quickly pulled over on the side of the highway and my vehicle completely stopped working within a minute. This all happened in about 30 seconds. I would step on the gas and it wouldn’t go even though the car was still on and in drive. It was extremely scary to lose driving speed while driving so fast on the highway out of nowhere. I feel very lucky that my children were not in the car considering it’s a minivan and that I was able to get over to the side of the road. I am worried that if this happens to somebody else they might not be as lucky it was extremely scary. It was during rush-hour traffic with semi trucks on the highway. I did not feel safe in my car with the speeds and size of the cars flying by me so I got out of my car and stood on the other side of the guard rail.

NHTSA ID

11768737

Incident

Oct 1, 2026

Rear trunk gets disabled after 10 minutes and will not open/close by remote or electrical rear switch causing a child or van camping issue. It has to forced physically by pulling it down and can't be done by short people. While van camping and adult or child cant open the trunk

NHTSA ID

11768185

Incident

Sep 1, 2026

Car shows no warnings when vehicle in front slows very quickly. All selections to enable this function have been made. It is available for inspection provided it is local to central Florida. In my previous vehicle, a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I relied on and received Forward Collision Warnings which prevented my crashing into another car no less than 4 times. Though this car has been ADAS scanned (3 times) with appropriate scanners, no codes are detected. It has been “calibrated” by a body shop recommended by the dealer where I was assured it was “working.” It is not. I’ve taken it to an iCar certified ADAS cal facility and was told it all checks out, there’s nothing they can do for me. Meanwhile, I do not have Forward Collision Warnings. As I have to have wheelchair accessibility, I’m stuck with this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11762247

Incident

Aug 26, 2026

All relevant recalls on the vehicle have been previously performed. On 8/25/2026, after starting the vehicle it displayed a warning message to "Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon." That message was able to be cleared after four cycles of turning the engine off and re-starting. After driving the vehicle for approximately 5 miles, while the car was in motion, the message returned to "Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon." The van was pulled over and turned off and cycled back on in an attempt to clear the warning as it was less than 2 miles to go until home. The message cleared and was able to be driven the rest of the way home. It currently has a yellow, illuminated powertrain malfunction light. Plan is to have the vehicle towed to Chrysler for diagnosis and repair.

NHTSA ID

11759567

Incident

Aug 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle on a slight incline and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle started rolling backwards while the driver’s side door was still open. The contact attempted to activate the parking brake; however, the parking brake failed to function. The contact attempted to press the START/STOP button to turn off the vehicle but was knocked down by the door and was ran over by the front driver’s side wheel. The contact sustained several fractured ribs, punctured lungs, internal bleeding, bruises to the right shoulder, a wound to the right ankle, and carpal tunnel to both wrists, and cervical disk displacement. Medical attention was provided for the injuries. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the Auto Park feature was inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11758632

Incident

Feb 18, 2026

Mileage

80,000 mi

While driving at highway speeds, my 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid suddenly lost all propulsion power. A turtle icon appeared on the dashboard cluster, and the vehicle stalled, creating a severe safety hazard on an active highway. Chrysler Care previously stated my VIN is not included in the 03A recall (NHTSA Campaign 23V010000) for internal transmission short-circuits. However, my vehicle has experienced the exact software limp-mode shutdown and mechanical failure described in that campaign. The manufacturer must expand this recall to cover later 2023 production batches before a fatal accident occurs. My husband and 4 children were stranded in the left lane with no time to move over on a major Chicago highway. The car was towed to a Chrysler mechanical service team. They are claiming that the code is not active and they need it to be active in order to diagnose anything. While driving in the left lane warning that read, " stop safely. Vehicle will shut off soon" a red turtle and a large red triangle with a "!" In the middle. The car was unable to drive leaving them stranded and very scared.

NHTSA ID

11758354

Incident

Aug 14, 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.

COMPRESSOR - AIR CONDITIONING

COMPRESSOR - AIR CONDITIONING

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

EVAPORATOR - AIR CONDITIONING

EVAPORATOR - AIR CONDITIONING