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 2019 Chrysler Pacifica owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1. The brake booster on my 2019 Pacifica failed, resulting in a collision at a red light. 2. I replaced the brake booster myself since the car was just out of warranty 3. Three months later, Chrysler sent a letter to an address that I have not lived at for 15 yrs and never had this Pacifica registered at - the letter said that the warranty period for the brake booster has been extended for 2018-2020 Chrysler Pacificas 4. Chrysler denied my reimbursement request because I did not have the replacement brake booster installed at a Chrysler dealer 5. My colleague has a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica which also suffered a brake booster failure, but is not covered under this warranty extension. 6. I called 3 separate dealers and multiple parts stores . . . .no one had a replacement brake booster in stock. The earliest I could get a replacement was 1 week by ordering it online. …
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact noticed an unusual hissing sound. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floor. In addition, the contact stated that after the vehicle came to a complete stop, the vehicle rolled forward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed vacuum pump and a failed brake booster. The contact was informed that the vacuum pump and the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was scheduled for diagnostic testing within the next couple of days. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. …
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 35 mph, the brake pedal failed to operate as needed without warning. The contact was able to swerve past the vehicle in front of her and stop on the side of the road. The contact's wife parked the vehicle in a parking lot and the contact picked up the vehicle and drove it home. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics for estimates on a repair. One mechanic informed him that the vehicle was still under warranty and had to be repaired by a dealer. The contact then had the vehicle towed to a dealer where he was informed that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a brake booster contamination that needed replacement. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and offered no assistance. …
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while his wife was driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the pedal went to the floorboard but failed to stop the vehicle. The driver heard an abnormal sound and continued to pump on the brake pedal until the vehicle stopped. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the brake line to be bled. The vehicle was repaired but his wife continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the power brake booster to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
While traveling in the left hand lane I was hit on the right side pushing me into a median. I applied the brakes and they didn't stop the vehicle. When the van came into contact with the curb. The airbags deployed. I smelt smoke and told my 4 young children in the back seat we needed to get out now. Two of my children were in 5 pt harness car seats in the third row. We were able to run to a safe area before it went up in flames less than a few mins later. There were no witnesses and no one around. My children and I could of been seriously injured or worse. No warning lights were active. No signs of failure until I tried pressing the brakes. The vehicle was inspected by the fire department that arrived on scene when it was fully engulfed in flames at that point.
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, he kept having to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. However, the vehicle would not stop completely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with brake booster failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure; however, parts to fix the vehicle were on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,100.
1. Brakes give way and cannot stop car until halfway into intersection. Brake is metal to metal. Hear clanking sound.......... Also 2. When stepping on brake, car speeds up. I've had 2 accidents by rear ending car in front of me. This has happened 4-5 times this past year.
While @ highway speed this vehicle lost ipower steering, power braking and the engine stalled out...this latest event prompted my complaint and was the third time I have experienced this situation. In all three incidents I was simply able to coast to the side of the road and stop. Thankfully after a few attempts to restart the vehicle started and ran. It was very frightening given it lost total power on all three occasions without notice or warning it like it just turns itself off. I contacted RollX vans the folks from whom we purchased this handicap transport vehicle and they informed me of a safety recall V53 for 2017-2019 Pacificas. The recall details the exact symptoms of what I experienced. …
Multiple issues. First the ESS system has malfunctioned twice since purchase in 2019, required maintenance and aux battery replacement twice within 1 year. The major issue is the breaks/rotors/suspension. For the last year and a half I have been taking the van in for inspections... initially stated I did not need brakes/rotors at the dealership even though I was having slight squeaking and grinding, after bring it back a third time I was told oh yea you need them and its gonna cost $1,800. I then got a second opinion, they said the brakes and pads looked fine but if I wanted they would replace the pads in an attempt to make the squeaking stop. the squeaking stopped for about 10 days but the grinding and "metal rubbing" sound never has, they replaced the pads 3 more times. They stated it is not the brakes/rotors but fail to give a reason. …
The brake pedal felt spongy and did not engage without me pumping the brakes at a traffic light. I had to quickly change lanes to get the brakes to engage. Otherwise I would have crashed into the vehicle in front of me. Also sometimes when sitting at a traffic light the brake pedal pulls away at random as if it is disengaging which cause the car to roll forward. I have to again pump the brake pedal. This issue has occurred 2-3 times so far. I took the van to two different auto repair shops. One shop said it's the Brake booster. I got a second opinion at another mechanic shop and he did not find a problem with the car and could not recreate the problem. The second mechanic indicated it is most likely a Chrysler specific problem and the car should be taken back to the dealer. As the car needs to stop when the brakes are depressed as it could cause an auto accident. …
Brake complaints in other Pacifica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the brakes of the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica, 18% of the model year's 316 complaints. The component named most often is power assist › vacuum (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Chrysler Pacifica brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica, though it has 7 recalls 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 2019 Chrysler Pacifica brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 39% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 0 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.