Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Chrysler Pacifica owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED OUT! Safety risk. Had replaced. NEVER TOLD BY CHRYSLER THAT IT WOULD RUST OUT. NOW THE STEERING WHEEL WON'T MOVE! Power steering fluid full. CANNOT DRIVE IT. I'M A 72YO WOMAN WITH CANCER, NO FAMILY, CANNOT AFFORD EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. I NEED MY CAR REPAIRED.
Took our 2005 Chrysler Pacifica in for oil change and they informed us that the engine cradle is rotting out and that our engine could fall out and that would result in a bad accident. We called Chrysler and they would do nothing!!! We found out that many other people who own this same car had the same problem on the internet because the Chrysler manufacturer of this car did not coat the frame correctly when it was built. This was chryslers mistake when this car was made and it is no fault of the owners that purchased these cars to have this terrible costly and dangerous problem. This should be under a recall but it is "not" and now it will cost us $3000.00 to have it repaired to make our car safe. We are the original owners of this car and it has always been keep in a garage. There is only 4800 miles on this car and this should never have happened. …
We had our car inspected this week and were told we had a rotted body frame. We were sent to a Dodge dealer and they told us we had a rotted subframe. The cost of repair will be $1885.40 for the part and $600 for labor. It will not be ready to drive till April 6 as the dealer requires the parts money up front before they will even order the part so we have to save the money for this. So we have no car for the next 10 days at least. We have researched and understand that Chrysler knows of this problem and did a limited amount of repairs as it was their fault but apparently they are not helping the majority of car owners who have this problem. This does not seem fair to the other owners. We can barely afford to come up with this money to fix something that is this company's fault. I cannot believe they are not being forced to fix all these cars when it is a danger issue. …
I took my 05 Pacifica in for inspection. I was told will not pass because my subframe is rusted with holes and very dangerous to drive. Chrysler did acknowledge this defect and extended the warranty to 10 yrs 150000 miles. Then layer revised it to manufacture date of 6 weeks. I fell short 7 days of this so I am not covered. Evidently the same faulty material was used. I am beyond upset how Chrysler is aloud to manufacture a vehicle that is dangerous, and could have killed me or my family. Why do I have to wait for enough complaints in order for Chrysler to step up and handel. Not only is my subframe rotted, my motor mounts also are for the second time in in a few years. No one needs their subframe nor motor mounts changed more then once in a vehicle 10 yrs old unless it's a defect in material. I am now without a car, or the thousands of dollars to fix. …
My 2005 Chrysler Pacifica started making noise in front passenger side in the suspension and wheel area while on the interstate. A short time later the front passenger wheel started shaking and wobbling uncontrollably at speeds of 65mph. Their was no warning! Thank god I was entering town and was close to home. I got the car home and had friend who is a mechanic investigate the problem. What he found was scary!!!!! The whole sub frame and engine cradle was almost completely gone due to severe rusting in the exact area where the suspension components attach to the frame. Super bad day when I showed the pictures to 3 different local automotive shops with well over 100 yrs of experience combined and all informed me that the estimated cost to repair was 4000.00 up to 5500.00. Completely absurd! Car is worthless and only has 100,000 miles on it. …
I recently changed my own oil on this vehicle. When I was underneath of it I observed 1 medium sized rust hole thru the subframe and 2 smaller rust holes in the subframe. This is an issue with these vehicles after I further looked into the issue that others were having with this vehicle. I have pictures of this issue. This is known as cradle rot. The lower motor mount of the engine is bolted into this subframe. And if continues to get worse the engine can fall out of the vehicle. Not only I have 3 holes in it there is a lot of rust on this subframe that looks could be more of an issue in the years to come. I do not understand thru all the years of being under vehicles this is by far one of the worse I have ever seen. I do not feel safe now driving this car. Especially with my family in it. This car May be 10yrs old but has low miles and is in very good condition. …
I have a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica and I was experiencing problems with a clicking noise and shifting coming from underneath the front end of my car. Upon inspection by my mechanic it became clear that the "engine cradle" or subframe was completely rotted through with visible corrosion. Upon further investigation, I discovered that this "engine cradle" corrosion problem has been acknowledged by Chrysler and an extended warranty was issued to repair this part for 2004 and 2005 Pacifica's. Extended warranty letter id is: 0004617/#45543/x26...however, when I contacted Chrysler, I was informed that based on the VIN # of my car, I did not qualify for chryslers extended warranty for this issue, the letter Chrysler issued for this extended warranty clearly states that it covers 2004-2005 Chrysler Pacifica's, and even though I fall within the model year, geographical region, and the …
I have had my car from 2011 till current and replaced the front axles/tie rods at least 3 to 4 times a year. Last incident it broke while pulling out of drive way and I lost control and rolled down a hill into 4 lanes of traffic narrowly missing the gas pumps at the station across the 4 lane thank goodness no one hit me with my young child in the car. When I first had to take it to a dealer to get them changed 2 other cars in this small town I live in were there also having there's replaced. This should be a recall every person I talk to states this is a problem that is arising from a rusted cradle problem when manufacturing the car. I would like my car repaired where this will no longer happen and it is too expensive for me to fix. I have decided to look further into this issue and maybe come together with other with this issue. There should of been a recall by now. …
When I took our 2005 Pacifica in for its annual va state inspection on November 1, 2016 it did not pass. The primary cause for failure was the discovery of substantial rusting of the "sub k frame." it was rusted through on the right-hand side of the frame. I was advised that it was too dangerous to drive the car as the engine could fall and drop out of its cradle! The rusting was not visible 6 months ago when the car was last hoisted in the air for an oil change, so I can only assume that it rusted from the inside out. The mechanics stated they had never seen such rusting, and they were surprised to see it on a car that was otherwise well maintained and in such good condition for a car with almost 175,000 miles. I live in the northern neck area of va which is not an area of significant snowfall or an area where there is a heavy application of salt on the roads during the winter. …
Sub-frame broke on me. It is the exact part that was recalled for the 2004 Pacifica. However there is no recall for 2005? The sub frame broke while I was driving, with a children in car seats in the vehicle. This is a real safety concern, especially in the "salt belt" Chrysler's self admitted insufficient protective coating on the sub frame of these cars, should be enough proof, to raise eyebrows and remedy this safety issue. I cannot afford to repair all the damage this caused, and Pacifica's cannot hold a resell value, as selling this to another person, is just like handing them a ticking time bomb. Why is there no solution or help on this issue? I am not alone with these issues. I suppose it will take deaths from this faulty part before any real action is actually taken. Having a strong piece of metal to keep my motor from falling on the ground isn't to much to ask, or is it? …
Suspension complaints in other Pacifica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 187 complaints about the suspension of the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, 15% of the model year's 1,244 complaints. The component named most often is front (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chrysler Pacifica suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension recall for the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, 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 2005 Chrysler Pacifica suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 114,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to suspension 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.