Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Chrysler Pacifica owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond causing the vehicle to crash into a utility pole. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was taken at the scene. The passenger was injured that required medical attention but no further information was available. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
Traveling at 35 - 40 MPH and cars came to a stop and no matter how hard I pushed the brakes, the car would not stop. Steering wheel and under steering wheel airbags deployed, burning my shin. Upon starting the car at the body shop, the dashboard caught on fire due to the airbag modular. Fire destroyed my vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated the ABS light illuminated on the instrument panel and the brakes began to make a grinding noise. The brake failure almost caused a crash to occur. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told the catalytic converter needed to be replaced; however, the check engine light didn't illuminate until after it was replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer a second time because the brakes were grinding and was told that the transmission was failing and needed to be replaced. The ABS light continued to remain illuminated on the instrument panel; however, the dealer did not duplicate or diagnose the failures. Updated 08/03/12 the consumer stated the ABS light would come on and go off all the time. Sometimes, it stayed on for long periods of time. …
On the evening of Monday, October 11, 2010, we dropped our car off at a local Chrysler dealership. The purpose for this drop off was to determine why the ABS light was on, and would not go off. The next morning we received a call from a service technician explaining that our computer module needed to be replaced, and that they had discovered an additional problem with the main wiring harness. The technician went on to explain that the main wiring harness had completely melted, and he could not understand why 'the car did not catch on fire." after an "investigation," Chrysler's legal department determined that the issue was not a manufacturing defect, and would not provide any reason for the fire, but only offered that it extinguished itself. We contacted our insurance company, and they ruled it a fire, and repaired the wiring harness. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. While the vehicle was stopped with the brake pedal depressed, the speedometer displayed 20 MPH. Also, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and lurched forward. While braking on wet pavement, the ABS malfunctioned and caused the vehicle to slide. Also, a burning odor was present coming from the air vents and the fuel cap indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to tom ahl Chrysler (672 kings ave, lanmor, oh) to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failures could not be determined. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 155,000.
A-frame on car has rusted out which at any time could snap cause the transmission and engine to drop which will cause the right passenger wheel axle and bearing to break and snap off which is a hazard. Also emergency parking break has rusted out of nowhere and fell into the drum of back wheel and rubs causing a hazard and loud noise., Chrysler could not explain why either one of these things happened when neither are being used and the car was purchased certified new used from dealer 5yers ago. All of this was discovered while driving and I heard a snap and a rattling sound while driving and decided to take it to a shop and they found the bigger problem.
I drive a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica touring. I have had issues with the ABS light coming on and off. It does not make a difference the speed I am traveling and when I come to a stop it begins to vibrate and I rearended the people infront of me. I have also had issues with my car stalling for no apparent reason. It is hard to believe that there is not a recall on this particular unit. I have called the dealership and also Chrysler and they said no problems have ever been documented...they need to start checking this site and see that all of the problems are the same.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and the brake pedal failed to stop the vehicle. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 06V432000 (power train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.
My ABS light comes on constantly whether I'm pressing the gas or applying the brakes. When I'm driving in town and try to stop, the brakes get real spongy. They start shaking and grinding and I'm not able to stop. I've had to use the emergency brake to avoid accidents. It happens almost daily. The car has under 100,000 miles.
This is an extremely serious matter that they need to address by Chrysler and the NHTSA immediately. They need recall all of these vehicles before me or my family members or some innocent people are killed due to this defective braking issue. My initial date that this started happening was about a year ago. Although as of the end of 2011 the brake failure began to happen more frequently. I have a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica which has about 100,000 miles on the vehicle. The ABS light comes on and goes off all the time. Sometimes it stays on for long periods of time as well and does not reset even after turning the car off. I loose breaking power when this happens as it feels like the brakes are shaking, grabbing, slipping and grinding. It now takes greater distance to stop my vehicle. The feeling is very much life threatening to me and my family as if we are being dragged to our death. …
Brake complaints in other Pacifica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica, 5% of the model year's 726 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chrysler Pacifica brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica, though it has 1 recall 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 2006 Chrysler Pacifica brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 2 fires and 11 injuries to brakes 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.