Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts store for a diagnostic test. The employee retrieved DTC: P0A43-00 (Drive motor 'A' position sensor circuit intermittent). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and update 22-100 was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to Nyle Maxwell Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Austin (13401 Highway, Ranch Rd 620 N, Austin, TX 78717) where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the vehicle experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V010000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System) however, the contact stated that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in-Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the "Turtle Symbol" was displayed with the message "Vehicle Will Shut off Soon - Pull Over" displayed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the same dealer. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure again. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving at various speeds and was a recurring failure. The manufacturer was contact and referred the contact to a dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was 57,016.
The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated and slowed down with a message to "Pull Over Safely - Engine Will Shut down" displayed. The contact pulled over and the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 58,000.
My family was driving down the highway and an error message came on the dashboard telling us to " stop safely. Vehicle will shut off soon". The vehicle lost acceleration power making it dangerous to change lanes. We made it to the shoulder and turned off the car. We called our service station since they had just done a recall update regarding these types of error messages. We were able to start the car again with only the engine service light on. We assumed there was some type of issue as we transferred from battery to gas since it's a hybrid. We had just drained the battery when this error message had appeared. However, this happened again less than an hour later into our trip but and our battery had gained some power due to hills. We again pull to the shoulder. We're able to turn off the car. Let rest for 1 minute restart and then it was drivable. …
The vehicle, shortly after starting, says service charging system and loses power completely. Power steering goes out along with any brake assist and no gas pedal power. I've almost hit several cars while trying to regain control of the vehicle. When I finally get it to stop, the work around I've found is to power off the car for a few minutes, power it back on, then it'll work. But this happens about once a week. The dealer attempted a repair once but issue persists. We're taking it back in. But based on online forums, this is a dangerous and widespread problem with the Pacifica Hybrid. Please investigate! I have kids. Thanks!
While driving down the highway at about 65MPH on battery, the car suddenly lost power when the battery reached <1% instead of immediately switching to gasoline powered mode. The car continued to slow down until it was stopped and gave an error saying to service the charging system. I was then able to turn the car off and restart it, from that point it continues in gasoline mode. This was a dangerous situation to loose power unexpectedly on a busy highway. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer.
The car has lost power while driving multiple times. It was in the shop for many months more than once regarding the issue. An error came on the screen saying "vehicle speed may be reduced" then it stopped. The most recent time. After the recall fix. I got a second warning telling me to pull over because the car was going to stop. I barely made it off the highway into a parking lot. The time before that I was off the side of the road on a frontage road because the car could not make it to a parking lot.
The vehicle stopped in February 2023 due to a power inverter problem (it's subject to an NHSTA safety recall). We were driving to Florida from Philadelphia when a "red turtle" warning light came on. We were able (luckily) to get off the highway before the vehicle stopped with all electrically systems impacted (the car wouldn't even turn off). We managed to pull into a parking lot then had the vehicle towed to the nearest dealer. Since then we have been trying to get the car repaired to no avail.
A coolant leak in the engine led to contamination, misfiring spark plugs. Check engine light came on while driving, and very soon thereafter (~3 minutes) car began sputtering while accelerating and shaking while idle. Acceleration seemed particularly unreliable and dangerous, leading driver to immediately exit the highway and continue straight to dealership on back roads. Dealer found that coolant had leaked into the engine, causing the need to replace right side cylinder head, gasket and spark plug.
I was returning home from a road trip and with five miles left the accelerator stopped working and the check engine light came on with the service electrical system message. I was able to safely coast to the side of the road. It started working again but it stopped working 5 more times and barely made it to my driveway. It's been in the shop since 7/6 and now they say a new hybrid transmission will be in on 8/3. This is the worst situation that I have ever had with any vehicle!
Engine complaints in other Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, 38% of the model year's 58 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.