Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle there were several unknown warning lights illuminated and the contact was unable to shift the vehicle into drive(D) or reverse(R). The contact stated that the "Service Selector Switch" message was displayed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and normal electrical functions returned. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was unintendedly slowing to nearly a stop while driving approximately 65 MPH. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission control module needed to be re-flashed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission skipped gears. Additionally, the vehicle was experiencing erratic transmission shifts and unintended deceleration. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that upon attempting to shift to drive(D), the gear shifter failed to respond and remained stuck in park(P). The contact researched the failure online and found information on how to override the gear shifter failure. The contact pressed the Push to Start button twice, without depressing the brake pedal, depressed the accelerator for ten seconds, and pressed the Push to Start button to turn off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle minutes later, the vehicle responded as needed and the gear shifter became operable. …
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that upon reversing out of the driveway, the contact attempted to shift out of reverse(R), but the gear shifter remained stuck in reverse(R). The contact noticed that the gear shifter indicator light was inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle felt like it was in neutral(N) and was rolling backwards. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond upon depressing the brake pedal and continued to roll. The contact engaged the parking brake, and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated as intended; however, the failure became a recurring failure. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the failure recurred. The vehicle became inoperable, and the contact pulled to the side of the road. …
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while stopped on an incline, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and the failure recurred while reversing. The contact restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted after shifting to drive(D). The lights on the gear shifter started to flash with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not under recall or covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while at a complete stop, the vehicle shut-off as the stability control and service shifter warning lights illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed twice to the dealer after each failure. The first time the dealer replaced the shifter assembly; however, the failure returned two months later. The second time, the dealer stated that the range switch had failed, and they made additional repairs to the vehicle. The contact stated that she does not feel safe driving the vehicle and had left the vehicle since the second repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 10,376.
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a red light, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and the transmission unexpectedly shifted from drive(D) to park(P) and the vehicle shut off. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the failure occurred once a week. The contact also stated that the battery had previously been replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that no cause of failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to accelerate, the RPM's increased rapidly, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the failure persisted. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 204,000.
The following has happened twice. Once with me and once with my wife. The van is in reverse. My foot is on the brake. I am getting ready to reverse the van to get out of a parking space. Suddenly, the van lurches forward when I take my foot off the brake. The lurch is not soft of mild, it is shocking and frightening. In one case, we hit the car parked ahead of us. In both cases, had a person been in front of the car, he or she would have been surely injured.
The van was purchased in November 2019. In November 2020, the vehicle would not start. The tow truck came to our house to give us a jump and informed us the battery was dead. We went to an auto store to buy a battery because the Frisco Chrysler dealership closed on Sundays. the salesman stated that we should go to National Tire and Battery. We took the van to NTB and that's when we found out we had two batteries and they rely on each other. Because we already purchased a regular battery they were able to install it; however the van had to be towed to a Frisco Chrysler dealership to install an auxiliary battery. Frisco Chrysler installed the auxiliary battery successfully. Unfortunately, six months later we were back at Frisco Chrysler because the auxiliary light had come back on. …
The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the brakes, ESC, Lane Keep Assist, air bags, and seat belt warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the "Rear Parking Assist Not Available" message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who tightened the battery terminal; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the ORC module, the transmission control module, the body control module, the ABS module, and the wiring front end module; however, the check engine warning light illuminated while the dealer was taking the vehicle back to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced low voltage failure. …
NHTSA investigations
Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22008 to investigate allegation of loss of motive power, potentially due to transmission malfunction, in certain Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. In a January 17, 2023 letter to NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) submitted recall notice 23V-010 involving a transmission motor wiring defect in 67,118 model year (MY) 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in…
Transmission complaints in other Pacifica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2019 Chrysler Pacifica, 23% of the model year's 316 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2019 Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 56% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.