Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Chrysler Pacifica owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact's son owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while his son was driving at 20 MPH, a state trooper had begun to wave his son's vehicle down. The trooper then informed him that the vehicle was on fire. All occupants immediately exited the vehicle and the state trooper was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. A police and fire report were filed at the scene and no injuries were reported. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the contact's home where it remained in his possession. The vehicle had yet to be deemed destroyed. The contact then called mcinerney Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of thunder bay(832 w chisholm st, alpena, mi 49707) where they informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle; however, upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 03V471000(fuel system, gasoline). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the engine rpms began to fluctuate between 4,000 and 5,000 and the vehicle would not accelerate over 40 MPH. The contact noticed smoke escaping from under the hood and as the failure was investigated, flames began erupting from the hood area. The fire department reported to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was deemed as destroyed. The cause of the fire was undetermined. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 03V471000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) which could have been related to the failure but the contact was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Motor mounts have snapped and been replaced 3 times since purchase! Body is too heavy for the frame. Now loud thuds at braking and accelerating. Always have had a fueling issue. Had fuel pumps, sending units, lines, fuel filler nozzle, everything but the tank replaced. Fuel gauge drops to empty even with fuel, when trying to fuel it will not allow it pump will shut off. Usually starts to do this when gas mileage is under 200 remaining. So frustrating. Yet Chrysler denies ever having heard of these issues! I see forums with my same complaint, yet it's a mystery for Chrysler! This has all been a continuous problem since I purchased the car in 2011.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While parked, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood and flames from under the vehicle. The vehicle then became engulfed in flames. The police and fire department reported to the scene and a report was filed. The cause of the fire was undetermined. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 03V471000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings) but was unsure if the vehicle was included in the recall. The contact stated that she had refueled the vehicle prior to the fire. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Gas gauge needle drops to empty when it gets to the half tank mark. I have had the car stall as if out of fuel when it still has half a tank of gas. I am constantly having to add fuel to the tank and it is slow going, because the nozzle constantly shuts off from fuel bubbling out. If the car is parked on a sideways slope, the fuel needle will go back up to the accurate amount, but once on flat Land goes back to empty. I can't remember the last time I was able to drive from full tank to low fuel light without refueling. Specs May show 14 gal. Tank, but in truth, only 7 or so gal. Is all that it operates on.
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle made a loud buzzing noise and shut down without warning. The vehicle was placed in neutral and pushed to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The failure was not remedied. The contact stated that the fuel pump was replaced in 2014. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 199,046.
While going down the highway at 70mph to pick up my son from school the vehicle stopped accelerating (just after putting a half a tank of gas in) and sputtered a bit like it was running out of gas. It would not start back up again and after my husband inspected it and tested the fuel system, says it is not getting fuel to the motor! If I weren't driving where I was and able to pull off on the side of the road I could have killed someone else (like my small child or someone else) or been killed myself. Very scary and awful!
Tl contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the fuel gauge malfunctioned and indicated that the fuel tank was half full. The contact mentioned that the gauge quickly decreased to empty as the vehicle stalled. Also, the contact indicated that while accelerating at any speed the front end of the vehicle would shake and vibrate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 164,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving, the vehicle ran out of fuel within three minutes without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (shaver Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram located at 3888 e thousand oaks blvd thousand oaks, ca 91382) where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank /pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Takata recall vehicle will not stay fired up as soon as soon as throttle is relased car dies immediately, sometimes not starting back up for 15-40 minutes, replaced idle air control, replaced throttle postion sensor, replaced all spark plugs, ran a fuel cleaner, and replaced alternator, car still will not stay turned over and still will nnot idle, if throttle and RPM drop car wil die in traffic sitting in drive way hasn't matterd where happens everywhere
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain sport utility vehicles, the chassis fuel supply tube May have been incorrectly manufactured.
Remedy: Dealers will install a secondary retention clip to the fuel line quick connect. Owner notification began on December 15, 2003. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-992-1997.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank punctures
On February 22, 2006, odi opened pe06-009 to investigate reports that the fuel tanks on model year (my) 2004 to 2005 Chrysler pacifica vehicles May be punctured by contact with road debris.the number of reports submitted by Chrysler was significantly higher than those submitted by other manufacturers who were requested to submit data as part of investigation pe05-050 into my 2003 to 2006 Nissan murano vehicles that…
Fuel tank punctures
Ea06-010 was opened based on information gathered in preliminary evaluation pe06-009.pe06-009 was opened based on information obtained in a peer information request as part of a preliminary evaluation (pe05-050) of fuel tank puncture in model year (my) 2003 through 2006 Nissan murano vehicles.in January 2006, Nissan submitted a defect information report to odi that identified a defect in the fuel tank shielding in…
Fuel System complaints in other Pacifica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 92 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica, 10% of the model year's 896 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chrysler Pacifica fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-471 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Nov 10, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Chrysler Pacifica fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 6 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.