Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Chrysler Pacifica owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated that the center console and the dashboard made a loud buzzing sound before the functions became inoperable. The contact stated that the display screen displayed service warnings and software updates erroneously before disappearing. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure persisted with the center console flickering before becoming inoperable. The failure recurred intermittently but more persistently. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who flashed the software and replaced the hybrid water pump; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle and shifting to park(P), the contact attempted to turn off the vehicle however, the engine remained running. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent however, on one occasion, the engine remained running for almost 2-hours after pressing the START/STOP button. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the wiring harness behind the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated while her husband was inside the vehicle, he noticed the instrument panel was not functioning properly. The contact stated that the HVAC, radio, backup camera, and Bluetooth failed to function as needed. The contact also stated the backup camera would function intermittently. The contact stated that the airbag warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the radio control unit to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts being on backorder. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,519.
The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH the vehicle suddenly shut off. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed a software update under the NHTSA recall campaign 23V010000(Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System) but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
I was backing out of the driveway. I had all the safety features on, and I was checking my surroundings. Typically, the blind spot and front sensors would alert me to dangers. However, on this and many other occasions the warnings didn't alert me to danger on my passenger side that I couldn't see. this resulted in damage to the front quarter panel of my van as well as damage to the bumper. The body shop said it would cost at least $5000 to repair the damage. I can't afford that; in turn I am driving around with the damage.
The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid will lose all power while driving. I have had it back to the Dealer for this Problem. I got a Recall for this in April. I took it in to the Dealer to do. They told me that Chrysler does not have a fix for this yet. Within 400 miles after that it done it again while my wife was driving and caused a crash.
Vehicle broke down twice related to the hybrid electrical system. First Incident: vehicle would not start after being parked and turned off; upon attempt to start, vehicle displayed a "Service Electronic Throttle Control" error message in dash. Second Incident: vehicle was in motion on highway at ~65 mph, and suddenly displayed "Service Hybrid Electric System" error message in dash. Vehicle proceeded to enter into turtle mode and began deceleration which is dangerous while on highway. Took vehicle in both times to different dealers. Both dealers reported seeing error codes related to the hybrid system. Repair related to the First Incident: First Dealer flashed the BPCM module. Car ran fine until Second Incident Repair related to the Second Incident: still ongoing. 2nd Dealer reported that the 62-way wiring harness needed to be replaced. …
We have now had two incidences where the vehicle is being driven both on the highway and in the city. The vehicle malfunctions without any indication or warning. While driving the vehicle beeps and the check engine light comes on, you lose all control or ability to accelerate. You still have steering. The screen on the dash in front of the driver flashes and continues to flash and says there is an issue, while saying to move the drive to park. The drive options (park, drive, reverse, etc) flashes on and off but will not move anyways. You are essentially forced to cruise to a stop hopefully in a safe place or emergently braking. The only way to get the vehicle to reset is once completely stopped. To push the ignition off button. Which does not fully turn it off. You then have to open the driver door hopefully safely. And allow the vehicle to completely shut off. …
Related recalls
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.
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.
NHTSA investigations
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).
Electrical complaints in other Pacifica years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 152 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, 41% of the model year's 375 complaints. The component named most often is propulsion system › charging › cable/cord › accessory (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Chrysler Pacifica electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-362 (traction battery, Jun 4, 2026); NHTSA recall 23V-010 (connectors/plugs/receptacles, Jan 17, 2023). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Chrysler Pacifica electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 24,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to electrical system 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.