Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
My wife was parked. When she put the car into drive the lever did not stay in drive. It bounced into reverse and when she started to go forward the force of the reverse caused her to push harder on the accelerator hitting the vehicle behind her and one on the drivers side. We could not duplicate the problem again nor could the dealer while it was in for body repair. My wife lost confidence in this vehicle and we ended up trading it in for a major loss in $. We liked the vehicle and ended up bying another one and noticed that the shiftier had a totally different set up. We questioned Chrysler at the time and they said that there was no problem. A couple of years later we met someone who had the same vehicle as we did at the time, and they had a similar problem as we did but theirs ended up jamming and when they forced it, it broke the plastic sliding cover. …
Driving down interstate when the cruise cut out and the engine skipped. Pulled over to check engine fluids and all were OK. No engine warning lights or any other indication of something being wrong. Continued at approx 70 MPH when there seemed to be an internal explosion within the engine causing the engine to stop and all front airbags to deploy. Vehicle then caught fire and was totally destroyed.
Dt*: the contact stated when the vehicle was started, the engine sputtered and died twice. The vehicle was able to be started, and while driving 30 MPH, flames were observed coming from the underside of the engine compartment. The vehicle was stopped, the fire department was called, and the vehicle was taken to a service dealer. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was also notified. The following day, the check engine light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken back to the service dealer several times, however the dealer was still unable to determine any problems. Since that time, while driving at various speeds, the engine sputtered briefly on several occasions. On one occasion, the vehicle sputtered and stalled completely. …
On Wednesday I had heard a noise from under my hood, I figured I would bring it up when I brought my car in next week for an oil change. On Friday I was driving in a parking garage (which I have done hundreds of other times) when my car hit a column at the top of the turn. It was a hard left turn, at 5-7 MPH. The results over $12,000 of damage! The axle was ripped out of the transmission along with many other broken parts. Basically my front left tire was hanging like a loose tooth. All the broken parts were pushed to just under my pedals.the appraiser said that if this happened at higher speeds it would have broken my legs. All parts were replaced (through my insurance) but now I have a new car that I do not feel safe in. At the time the car had 4,800 miles on it. After reading cases like 10096021 and 10087837, did I have a defect? Is it a good thing that it did not happen on a highway?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the accelerator pedal was being depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact also stated that there was a hard shift when the vehicle shifted between the gears. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air intake needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however the failure recurred, intermittently. The contact also stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was jump started however, the vehicle would stall. The vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the TCM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle decelerated independently and stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on four occasions however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or retrieve a fault code. Additionally, while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle decelerated without warning. The vehicle was towed to brookfield Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (1845 pipestone rd, benton harbor, mi 49022), to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the oxygen sensor failed and needed to be replaced. The oxygen sensor was replaced seven times however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.
The cooling system for the car does not work correctly. After a steady idle of about 5 minutes, the car will begin to get hot and the fans will kick on. Two minutes later it will do it again. The system it self seems OK, but the fan is constantly on and off. The motor get s so hot that the hood on my car is starting to turn. Next is the airbags. The airbag light for the passenger side is always on indicating a failure. The bag has never been deployed? Now the biggest problem is the top end of the motor. My check engine lights keeps coming on. Keeps saying misfire on cylinder 4. Everything has been replaced and I still get this code? My vehicle gets it regular maintenance and my mechanic said my car should not having these problems.
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.
Was driving down the street and heard a load bang when drivers side of car dropped down onto front tire. Car abruptly swerved into lane with approaching traffic. Vehicle stopped against the curb and oncoming traffic stopped in time. We towed vehicle to a friends business for inspecting and it was discovered the engine cradle had rotted out from rust. We called local dealer and was asked for our v.I.n # and was told our car was not part of recall because it was not built within a few weeks window. In searching more information online we found this is a huge issue on these cars. Please advise
I was driving my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica when the acceleration started to taper off gradually. Eventually it went down to 25mph when I pulled off the road. As I turned off the engine smoke started flowing out of the vents in the car. Within a couple of minutes fire was shooting out of the passenger's foot well from the engine. The police was on the scene immediately and was unable to put it out two firetrucks and 4 police cars arrived at the scene. They stated they had never seen a car go up so fast. There was nothing but the shell left.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with a ngc-1 powertrain control module, the software protocole used to test the vehicle exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system May lead to engine stalling under certain operating conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module software. Owner notification began on March 15, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Transmission complaints in other Pacifica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 96 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica, 11% of the model year's 896 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-113 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Mar 4, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.