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 2005 Chrysler Pacifica owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated upon attempting to reverse out of the garage into the driveway, the gear shifter remained seized in park(P). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the gear shifter assembly needed to be replaced. However, the parts to repair the vehicle were not available. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the parts had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that upon start the vehicle, the gear shifter failed to operate as needed without warning. The contact called and informed several dealers of the failure and was informed that there was a defect with the power train. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
2005 Chrysler Pacifica was purchased from a friend's grandfather who kept the car garaged the car is literally like new inside and out the under carriage looks like new no rust I was impressed but had a rattling in the front end I figured it was a strut took it in to have struts and all front end parts replaced to my surprise I get a call from the shop engine cradle and it bushings rusted out tried buying a replacement unavailable after doing some digging it's a common problem among the Pacifica I'm afraid to drive it was told when it completely fails it's going to be catastrophic incident. …
My vehicle began stalling while being driven on the street and highways, when turning and while stopped for light changes. Had to have battery "jumped" or charged several times. Battery had to be replaced twice because of discharged from alternator. Had alternator replaced. Battery continued to drained. Vehicle ran for one day and completely shut down while in motion. After jump starting the battery, vehicle ran for a couple of minutes. Was told by service mechanics, battery or alternator problems even after having those parts replaced. Finally had the vehicle towed to dealership that specialized in chryslers and was shock when he stated it was the PCM (powertrain control module) which I believed and researched was part a recall for 2005 pacificas in 2006. Told by the dealership that the fuel pump was fixed which is not the problem of this vehicle. …
I drove out from car wash I was going about 35mph then I turned right on to the freeway soon as I reached 50mph my vehicle made a weird noise and shut off as im on the freeway. There were no warning lights on whatsoever although I got a "gas cap" message. The steering wheel locked I had to pull off the free way(no accident, thankfully) the breaks were hard to push down I had no choice but to let it roll through traffic I got to a safe place I put it in park waited about 30 minutes to try starting it, it would not start. Smoke came out from back passenger rear tire. Let my car sit over night tried to start it the next morning, again it would not start. I had it towed it into shop they could not find the problem I had left my vehicle in the shop for a week other mechanics discovered the problem. Later they told me I need a whole new engine. I only got to drive it 2x before it stalled. …
When I was driving on the freeway (driving 45 mi/hr), it stopped moving accelerating (seems like the car is actually slowing down) even when I was stepping on the gas pedal. And then the car stalled.......it was a good thing I was on the very right side of the lane. The fuel pump module and/or the powertrain control module (PCM) software May allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will need to reprogram/replace the PCM/TCM and/or replace the fuel pump module to correct this concern. In most cases, aside from stalling and engine revving up and down on its own, there's a lot of hard jerking when driving the vehicle. It seems like the engine has a mind of its own since when I accelerate, the car will not move or delay in moving forward and if I let go of the gas, the car moves forward. It's a safety concern.
Front sub-frame has rusted through rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. This is the exact same failure as many other reports you have received on this vintage, make and model vehicle. FCA has refused to offer any assistance toward the repair and my local mechanic reported that new replacement sub-frames are not even available - leaving consumers with the choice of recycling the vehicle at a salvage yard, repairing it with what is obviously flawed OEM components, or keep it as lawn decoration. I have taken the vehicle off the road and am thankful the problem was discovered prior to my wife or son experiencing a catastrophic failure while driving. It is only a matter of time before someone looses a life because of this defect. Be proactive and force FCA to repair these failures - regardless of mileage - or this organization is part of the problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. While attempting to accelerate the vehicle, it stalled without warning. The vehicle was unable to restart and was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and diagnosed that there was no fuel. The contact noticed that the fuel gauge displayed that the vehicle was filled with fuel. The contact mentioned that the vehicle stalled numerous times without warning. The vehicle was towed to an unknown shop where the failure was undetermined; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that NHTSA campaign number: 06V432000 (power train) was repaired before she became the owner. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 184,000.
Tl* the contact owns 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle started to jerk and loss motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact activated the hazard light and veered to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle was restarted and driven for several minutes before the failure recurred. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge failed to register the correct level of fuel. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 06V432000 (power train) as a possible solution to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 182,435.
I went to get the 2005 chrystler Pacifica inspected and was told by the mechanic that the bottom was rusted so badly that the engine would fall out, and further that the year make and model was under recall for the same problem, the bottom rusting out horribly. I called chrystler with the VIN # and was told this 1 wasn't part of the recall even though it was the same year and make of the recall. I owe 4,400$ on the car and now am told the repairs would exceed 5,000$. I financed it for 6,455$ at the start. I'm disabled and greatly in need of help, I don't know what to do I have made a slew of calls to no avail at this point and continue to make payments as I don't want to ruin my credit, please help me, I don't know what to do.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump module and the power train control module (PCM) software May allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the power train control module. The fuel pump module will also be replaced on vehicles built from August 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004. The recall began on November 21, 2006.
Transmission complaints in other Pacifica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 130 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, 10% of the model year's 1,244 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-432 (control module (tcm/pcm/tecm), Nov 9, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.