Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2023 Chrysler Pacifica owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle on a slight incline and exiting the vehicle, the vehicle started rolling backwards while the driver's side door was still open. The contact attempted to activate the parking brake; however, the parking brake failed to function. The contact attempted to press the START/STOP button to turn off the vehicle but was knocked down by the door and was ran over by the front driver's side wheel. The contact sustained several fractured ribs, punctured lungs, internal bleeding, bruises to the right shoulder, a wound to the right ankle, and carpal tunnel to both wrists, and cervical disk displacement. Medical attention was provided for the injuries. There was no warning light illuminated prior to the failure. …
The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode, shuddered, and then stalled. The message to "Stop - Pull Over Safely" was displayed on the instrument panel. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact researched and became aware of an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that there was an intermittent drive motor position sensor failure inside the transmission, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
The contact rented a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and stopped in traffic, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact shifted the transmission into park(P) and attempted to shift back into drive(D); however, the transmission failed to respond. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle responded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000. The VIN was not available.
I purchased this car new on December 31, 2024. I have owned it for less than 16 months, and in that time, we have had an issue occur at least 5 times where we get an alert on the screen that says, "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". Less than 20 seconds later, the car completely dies. On each of the 5 instances, we were lucky to be going relatively slow and were in a safe place with a shoulder to pull over on. The vehicle was able to be turned back on within a few minutes. The check engine light came on momentarily, but would shut off before we were able to get the codes read. We brought this to the attention of Herb Chambers Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT of Danvers (not where we bought the car, but the closest Chrysler dealership for maintenance) and they were unable to provide any help. …
High voltage battery pack, Power Inverter Module (PIM), and HV charging system. PIM replaced twice (p/n 68381781AD, 8/4/25 and 8/18/25) after being found melted with arcing damage at HV connections. Battery pack has active BPCM fault codes and a recorded cell voltage excursion. Vehicle available for inspection. Vehicle lost all motive power without warning at highway speed on multiple occasions, requiring the driver to pull over. This occurred on a platform subject to recall 24V-536 (HV battery fire risk). A melted inverter and arcing at HV connections were found on a vehicle still being driven daily. BPCM data shows Cell 79 recorded a voltage excursion to 1,526 mV - less than half minimum safe operating voltage - stored in permanent memory. Yes. Lawless Inc. (Woburn, MA), authorized Chrysler dealer, confirmed fault codes PA121-00 and P0A43-00 on 8/4/25 and replaced the PIM. …
On June 14, 2026, one day after purchase, while driving through the Mojave Desert on I-15 in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the check engine light illuminated and remained on through Southern California. The vehicle required a jump start after being parked in a covered multi-level parking structure for 5 days in Long Beach California after which the check engine light cleared. On June 19, 2026, six days after purchase, during the return trip the high voltage hybrid traction battery failed completely without warning in active Las Vegas highway traffic. The vehicle lost all motive power and coasted to the roadside. Three minor passengers were aboard, the youngest age 13. The occupants were stranded in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees for approximately two hours awaiting a tow truck. …
While driving at approximately 65 mph on I-35 in moderate traffic, my vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of motive power. I was positioned in the far-left passing lane at the time of the incident. A vague notification message appeared on the dashboard screen; however, there was no accompanying audible warning tone to alert me to the severity of the issue before power was lost. The failure was identified as a malfunction in the hybrid drive motor system, specifically triggering Diagnostic Trouble Code P0A43 (Drive Motor "A" Position Sensor Circuit Intermittent). This sensor circuit failure caused the high-voltage system to shut down unexpectedly. This created a severe safety hazard, as the vehicle was rendered unable to accelerate. …
While stopped at a traffic light on a downhill slope, my 2023 Chrysler Pacifica suddenly applied the brakes by itself and shifted into Park as I began to accelerate through the intersection. I did not touch the shifter. The vehicle locked up abruptly in the middle of the intersection. There were no warning lights, alerts, or messages before or after the incident. I had no idea as to what was happening. I was scared the car behind me was going to run into me.I was fortunate that she didn't This behavior is extremely dangerous and could have caused a collision. I have since learned that the 2023 Pacifica has numerous electrical system Technical Service Bulletins, and this appears to be an unintended Auto Park activation caused by an electrical or sensor fault. Vehicle details: 2023 Chrysler Pacifica, VIN [redacted]. …
We were driving on the interstate at approximately 70 mph when our car gave the warning, "Stop Soon. Vehicle will shut off." A turtle warning light also lit up. We pulled over to the side of the road and turned the car off. After a few minutes, we were able to turn the car back on and drive home, though the check engine light was then on. We took it to the dealer the next day, with the check engine light still on, and the dealer was unable to reproduce or diagnose the problem. They said there were so many warning codes that they could not determine what was the problem and that if they followed what the codes were telling them, they'd have to replace the entire wiring system of the car. They also said that one or more of the codes was related to the transmission. They drove the car extensively and couldn't reproduce the shutdown. …
On June 3, 2025, my 2023 Chrysler Pacific Hybrid gave me a warning message that it was about to shut down. This included a "red turtle" icon that I later learned is called "limp home mode." I was traveling on the interstate at highway speed at the time. I was able to pull over to the shoulder and turn the vehicle off. The risk of a car shutting down on the highway is a huge a safety risk to myself and other vehicles. Stopping on the shoulder of a highway, particularly given that it was early morning and not yet fully light out also felt very risky with other cars passing by. After turning the car back on, the limp home mode turned off, but the engine warning light was still on. I was able to re-enter traffic, which was also a safety issue having to deal with. When the dealership opened, I contacted them. …
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 2023 Chrysler Pacifica?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica, 27% of the model year's 155 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2023 Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica, though it has 14 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 2023 Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury 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.