Most common 2021 Chrysler Pacifica problems
Share of the 375 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 →
2021 Chrysler Pacifica recalls (7)
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software.
Equipment adaptive/mobility › Wheelchair restraints/securement › Latch/anchor
Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters was mailed January 27, 2026. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Equipment adaptive/mobility › Wheelchair restraints/securement › Latch/anchor
Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints.
Remedy: Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Air bags › Side/window › Curtain
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Pacifica and 2020-2021, 2023 Voyager vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the side curtain air bags may prevent the air bags from deploying.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024.
Electrical system › Wiring › Connectors/plugs/receptacles
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Power Inverter Module (PIM) software and, if necessary, update the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the electronic control module (ECM) software, free of charge.
Show 1 more recall
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Pacifica and 2021 Voyager vehicles. The second-row seat-to-floor mounting latch may bind and stick open, preventing the seat from properly securing to the floor.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica:
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-008 regarding complaints alleging a loss of motive power condition potentially due to a transmission malfunction in Model Years 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV).
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…
What 2021 Chrysler Pacifica owners say
Electrical system all 152 →
I stopped my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, placed the transmission knob into park, opened the driver's door, leaving it opened with the engine running, and walked to the rear of the vehicle. I opened the tail gate and removed some boxes, threw the boxes into a dumpster, which was approximately 20 feet away and forward of the vehicle. I then returned to get two additional boxes from the rear of my vehicle. I retrieved the boxes and as I walked from the rear of the vehicle, it started to back up. I dropped the boxes, jumped out of the vehicle's path and tried to get into the driver's seat to stop the vehicle, but was unsuccessful as the vehicle picked up speed and the driver's door caught me and I fell. My vehicle was stopped after hitting a parked car in our church lot. Just a scratch on my vehicle's rear bumper, but frontend damage to the compact car it hit. No one else was in my vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated that whenever hybrid battery power was low, the vehicle was supposed to shift to using fuel; however, the vehicle would stall. The contact would pull over to the side of the road and start the vehicle after several attempts. The failure was intermittent and occurred at various speeds. The service charging system and check engine warning lights would be illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure reoccurred several weeks later. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the manufacturer suggested that the transmission should be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.
Engine & cooling all 141 →
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated that whenever hybrid battery power was low, the vehicle was supposed to shift to using fuel; however, the vehicle would stall. The contact would pull over to the side of the road and start the vehicle after several attempts. The failure was intermittent and occurred at various speeds. The service charging system and check engine warning lights would be illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure reoccurred several weeks later. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the manufacturer suggested that the transmission should be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH, the vehicle started to stall. The accelerator pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated that the brake pedal was shaking while depressed. The check engine warning light and the warning "Service Charging Systems" and "Shift to Park to Start" was illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed that the drive(D) warning light was flashing on the gear shifter knob. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. Upon restarting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 14,800.
Transmission & drivetrain all 119 →
I stopped my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, placed the transmission knob into park, opened the driver's door, leaving it opened with the engine running, and walked to the rear of the vehicle. I opened the tail gate and removed some boxes, threw the boxes into a dumpster, which was approximately 20 feet away and forward of the vehicle. I then returned to get two additional boxes from the rear of my vehicle. I retrieved the boxes and as I walked from the rear of the vehicle, it started to back up. I dropped the boxes, jumped out of the vehicle's path and tried to get into the driver's seat to stop the vehicle, but was unsuccessful as the vehicle picked up speed and the driver's door caught me and I fell. My vehicle was stopped after hitting a parked car in our church lot. Just a scratch on my vehicle's rear bumper, but frontend damage to the compact car it hit. No one else was in my vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle shifted into neutral unintendedly and lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to shift into gear as the gear shifter had seized. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted and responded as needed after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while on vacation in Tennessee, and the vehicle was driven to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vehicle remained in Tennessee while the contact returned to the residence driving a rental. …
2021 Chrysler Pacifica engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl plug-in hybrid | CVT | FWD | 29 / 30 / 30 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 28 / 22 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 9-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica a good car?
Based on 375 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Pacifica rates use caution: 1.9× as many complaints as a typical year of the Pacifica at the same age. It is one of the Pacifica years we suggest avoiding. 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 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
The electrical system — 152 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year, most often about propulsion system › charging › cable/cord › accessory. Next are the engine & cooling (141) and transmission & drivetrain (119).
How many recalls does the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica have?
There are 7 recalls for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, the most recent from June 4, 2026 (traction battery). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the 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 2021 Chrysler Pacifica problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 50,000 miles; 50% 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.