Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I went on some errands before going out if town. I noticed I might need a wheel alignment soon and I parked the car in my garage to go out of town. When I returned to go have it checked out, I noticed my front driver side tire was flat and a closer inspection, it had a tear. Then I noticed my other front tire was flat as well. I had two people tell me my subframe was badly rusted. I found out this was a known problem with Chrysler Pacifica but no recalls. This could have been a horrible accident for my daughter and I. We had been on the highway! By the grace of GOD we made it home, but the car is not driveable. Then came COVID and here I am, still without a car. Chrysler said they don't do recalls. This should not happen. Unfortunately, I don't know how long this was going on, no one mentioned anything at oil changes or when I got 3 new tires, etc. …
My 2006 Chrysler Pacifica seems to have some very common and related issues to an existing recall. My vehicle experiences all kind of issues related to a faulty fuel pump/tank design and possibly software issues also. My vehicle can be very hard to start. My vehicle can shut off without warning. (no other known issues) my vehicle tends to think the gas cap is bad. Displaying gascap in the odometer area. We experience power loss, stalls, poor fuel economy, fuel capor smell on occasion that could ignite, if for any reason the fuel system is slightly overfilled by even ten cents worth of fuel it can poor fuel onto the ground. This happens on top of the tank. Not at the filler hose. Check engin light code points to evaporative system. My vehicle was manufactured in August 2005. I believe the fuel pump module is bad as well as possibly software. …
I had taken my car in a week ago for an issue with the car making like a popping sound when I turn hard. Well after mechanic drove it and then put it on a rack to take a look underneath and do their inspection they told us we cannot drive vehicle as it is unsafe. The cradle was completely rusted and I could stick my hand in it. At any point in time it could have completely fell off and wrecked my vehicle. It could have been catastrophic. This is dangerous and Chrysler is aware of the issue but refuses to do anything about it. Now we are going to be stuck with the repair bill. I called Chrysler and spoke with an agent named brittney whose only response was I am sorry there is nothing we can do. Even after explaining any type of accident with my children in the car could have been catastrophic. They do not care. Something needs to be done to cover all vehicles. …
When taking my 2006 Chrysler Pacifica to be serviced for broken motor mount. My vehicle was brought in the shop, not even 30 minutes passed and I was contacted immediately by the mechanic, that in the process of replacing my motor mount he noticed that my cradle was rotted out and very unsafe to drive because this was a very important component on my vehicle, (steering, engine, transmission and ect.) are being held up by the cradle, and the mechanic stated that the engine can fall out at anytime! I am in fear for my family and I, to know that we travel at high speeds on the free way. We live in a city where there are many pot holes and craters in the streets we drive on, and to know that we can be in danger is insane. He quoted me around $3,000 to repair and I cannot afford to cover this issue. There has to be something done by the Chrysler corp. …
Bought car 2018 feb . No mention of whole under carriage rusted out - 2004-2008 Chrysler forgot to spray for rust. When we go we bought it later in evening - was assured that car had been checked out and sound. We have done some repairs on other things - thermostat , radiator , tires ABS sensor issue but there was no mention of underside being rusted from front to back - two years and the engine is going to fall out and can no longer drive the car. This car was submerged in water somewhere before we received. This is the shorter version of this situation. Alignment is now way off , pulls to one side out of nowhere. Wearing on tires- just took it into heartland tire by house and told do not drive and that fixing it would be over 3500 or more.
The cross member that supports the drive train is rusted at the joints where it meets the frame of the vehicle. This affects both steering and shifting, as the motor will actually shift on initial pull off; and because the steering is anchored on the same member, looseness in the steering wheel can also be felt. I noticed the rusting about a year ago when I went to do my first oil change as the car owner. On 9/12/2017 I was riding home and heard a metallic clank, as if something had fallen off of the vehicle. Upon arriving at home, I looked under the vehicle. You can see that the cross member is rusting and twisting under the load of the engine. I am leary about driving the vehicle, but it is my only mode of transportation.
While drive turning left though a traffic light on pilot knob and 160th in farmington my car stalled wheel lock up paddle felt like it had gotten stuck for a second and there in the middle of the intersection my car had completely stalled out with my children in the vehicle to wear I had two trucks pull over that had two stranger men that came over to push me out of the intersection out of danger when pulled off to the side of the road turn the car over and it did turn back on but because of the incident that I just happened I was not taking any chances of having it stalled going through a traffic intersection with my children in the car again so I had it towed home
Car began to make loud, abrupt knocking noise from right side, passenger front of vehicle. We took it to three separate repair shops for evaluation and at all three repairs shops were told that our engine cradle was so badly rotted and rusted that the car was not drivable. It was a huge safety concern as the engine and transmission can both drop out of the vehicle at any moment without warning. This has been a known issue to Chrysler and they are not assisting current owners with repair.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica. While undergoing routine maintenance, the independent mechanic discovered that the entire subframe was rusted and needed replacing. Also, the technician diagnosed that the tie rod was defective. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. The VIN was not available.
Battery light came on, steering started to lock up, then battery light when off. This happened when driving my children to school on highway speed limit was 35 MPH, I got to school,turned into parking lot,school entrance, battery light came on lost steering completely. Thank goodness no cars or children were in the parking lot. I did not hit anything.thankfully.
Steering complaints in other Pacifica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 36 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica, 5% of the model year's 726 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Chrysler Pacifica steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to steering 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.