2018 Chrysler Pacifica Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Manual transmission › Shift pattern indicator
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  3462%
• 25k–50k
  1222%
• 50k–75k
  35%
• 75k–100k
  12%
• 100k–150k
  47%
• 150k+
  12%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Chrysler Pacifica owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owned a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while in reverse(R) and reversing into a parking spot, it was difficult to accelerate over a patch of ice. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle accelerated quickly and failed to stop while depressing the brake pedal and the vehicle drove through a fence and crashed into a brick building and stopped. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the U-Connect phone feature disconnected independently. The failure had never occurred before. The contact stated that the U-Connect failure might have been linked to the unintended acceleration failure. No injuries were sustained. A Police report was not filed. The fence and a side of the brick building were damaged during the crash. …

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the shifter module warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a shifter module failure. The contact was informed that the shifter module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. In addition, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction and several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact stated that the following day, the vehicle was started; however, the gear shifter failed to shift as needed. …

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle started jerking. The contact stated that the air bags warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, but the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle to a second local dealer, Miami Lakes Chrysler (16600 NW 57th Ave, Miami Lakes, FL 33014: [phone]) where it was diagnosed with needing the radiator to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to Miami Lakes Chrysler and made them aware of the failure. The dealer serviced the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V010000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). …

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions, after the vehicle was stopped, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed with an abnormal clunking sound while the transmission shifted from 1st to 2nd gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on one occasion while stopped at a red light, the transmission failed to shift into 2nd gear from the 1st gear. The vehicle was pushed over to the side of the road for approximately 20 minutes. The contact then pressed the PUSH to START button twice, held the accelerator pedal for 10 seconds, turned the vehicle off for two minutes, and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts store where a handheld diagnostic tool retrieved DTC: P0732. The contact stated that the code was cleared. …

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle hesitated to respond and then surged forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer three times where an unknown computer software was updated; however, the failure reoccurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while his wife was coming to a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's wife noticed that the gear shifter had moved from drive(D) position into park(P) inadvertently. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. …

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle made an abnormal beeping sound. The message "Stop Safely - Vehicle will shut off soon" was displayed, and the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart, and the contact continued driving. The contact stated that the failure had previously occurred while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed. The contact's husband was able to pull to the side of the road, and the vehicle was able to restart after an extended period. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed as a low voltage failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Action Number: PE22008 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the main battery and the auxiliary battery had been replaced on multiple occasions. The dealer had not yet determined the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the frequent battery failures caused the vehicle to stall while driving at various speeds with the battery and check engine warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was diagnosed with a cylinder #3 misfire. Also, the contact mentioned that the vehicle would jerk forward upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed low speeds, the electric power steering stopped functioning properly after the contact heard an abnormal crunching sound coming from the front end of the vehicle. The contact also stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly jerked and jolted during acceleration as if the transmission was slamming into gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for regular maintenance service, and the contact was informed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle failures were not diagnosed during regular maintenance service. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle in her garage, the gear shifter indicator light was not illuminated while shifting from the drive (D) to park (P) and the vehicle was not able to turn off after pushing the START/STOP button. Additionally, the rear liftgate door was not able to open as needed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's neighbor disconnected the fuel lines and was able to turn off the vehicle; however, the instrument panel light and headlights were not able to be turned off. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into gear very hard. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other Pacifica years