Most common 2008 Chrysler Pacifica problems
Share of the 102 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chrysler Pacifica complaints by model year
Best Pacifica years: 2024, 2025, 2020. Years to avoid: 2017, 2018, 2021, 2005. Compare all years →
What 2008 Chrysler Pacifica owners say
Engine & cooling all 32 →
I bought this car from the original owner in 2009 with 38K miles on it. Since then, I have had to replace the engine mount three times! Recently , the car has been overheating while driving with smoke coming from under the hood. At first, I had some hoses replaced. The mechanic has now advised that it needs a radiator replacement. I have called around and dealerships say that it is hard to get to the radiator on this car due to its design, so the cost is $1600. At this point, I am afraid to drive the car. I have read through these complaints and Chrysler has known about the engine mount problems with this car since at least 2011, and still no recall! Several other people have also experienced the overheating issue. I am baffled because Chrysler has just brought out a new version of this car for 2016, without addressing any of the known problems with the original version of the car!
The 2008 Chrysler Pacifica simply stalls while in motion. All electrical systems, including airbags, are dead. This has happened at highway speeds, while stopped, and while accelerating. It has happened during very cold temperatures (below 0), high temperatures (above 90) and other temperatures in between. A very loud knocking noise happened a few weeks ago and has gotten worse. I've been looking around to see if anyone else has had this problem and have found out that they have. This is a very bad safety issue that Chrysler needs to take care of without any expense from the consumers. This are finances being taking from my family that need not to happen.
Electrical system all 24 →
The vehicle's charging system includes a heavy gauge wire which runs from the alternator feed post to the starter wiring harness, which then charges the vehicle, as the starter wiring harness then runs directly to the battery. None of this wiring appears to have a circuit breaker or fuse inline. This particular wire which runs between the alternator and the starter is routed through several bundles of other wires, and makes a hard bend in one location where a bundle is secured to the frame. This wire forced itself out of the bundle, and then abraded itself against the frame until it finally made contact with the copper therein and short circuited. Considering there is no breaker or fuse in this circuit, and the wire appears to be about a 6 gauge, it shorted until it melted, finally breaking the circuit. …
I am having trouble starting my 08 pacific. I get a message that says "invalid key & fob" and then car dies when trying to start my vehicle with the original key. As a temporary solution, I found a sequence online (Chrysler's forum) to get the vehicle to started and stay running but that is very annoying. I'm the original owner and I should not have to deal with this issue. After researching online, I learned that this has been a recurring issue with this vehicle for multiple year groups. Until now, I would have expected Chrysler to address this issue long ago. This is a serious safety concern for this type of family vehicle because in order to get the vehicle started, during extreme hot or cold temperatures, children are in the car while you have to all wait until the system re-associates itself with the key and this take 3-5 minutes; this is with the original key I May add. …
Body & structure
I bought this car from the original owner in 2009 with 38K miles on it. Since then, I have had to replace the engine mount three times! Recently , the car has been overheating while driving with smoke coming from under the hood. At first, I had some hoses replaced. The mechanic has now advised that it needs a radiator replacement. I have called around and dealerships say that it is hard to get to the radiator on this car due to its design, so the cost is $1600. At this point, I am afraid to drive the car. I have read through these complaints and Chrysler has known about the engine mount problems with this car since at least 2011, and still no recall! Several other people have also experienced the overheating issue. I am baffled because Chrysler has just brought out a new version of this car for 2016, without addressing any of the known problems with the original version of the car!
Motor mounts rusted out & needed to be replaced (100K miles) even though these do not require any type of maintenance according to the maintenance schedule & book. Furthermore, I have a lifetime powertrain warranty but the dealer & corporate both state this repair is not covered. Even though I had a 100K mile extended warranty and a lifetime powertrain warranty and have religiously serviced my car at Chrysler dealerships, I was stuck paying $1,000 to replace them. Dealer stated this is a serious safety issue so I had no choice. NHTSA should insist Chrysler repair or reimburse owners as this is a pervasive issue with the pacificas due to a design flaw (ac drips on motor mounts which causes them to rust out).
2008 Chrysler Pacifica engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 23 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 22 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Chrysler Pacifica a good car?
Based on 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Pacifica rates better than average: 83% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Pacifica at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Chrysler Pacifica?
The engine & cooling — 32 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system. Next are the electrical system (24) and body & structure (14).
How many recalls does the 2008 Chrysler Pacifica have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Chrysler Pacifica. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chrysler Pacifica?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2024, 2025 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2018, 2021 and 2005. See the full Chrysler Pacifica years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Chrysler Pacifica problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 78,000 miles; 19% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.