Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 18% | — |
| 2025 | 3 | 10% | — |
| 2024 | 13 | 28% | — |
| 2023 | 42 | 27% | 70,000 miles |
| 2022 | 73 | 34% | 54,000 miles |
| 2021 | 119 | 32% | 9,000 miles |
| 2020 | 38 | 22% | 40,000 miles |
| 2019 | 74 | 23% | 20,000 miles |
| 2018 | 157 | 18% | 15,000 miles |
| 2017 | 472 | 31% | 27,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 14% | 70,000 miles |
| 2007 | 101 | 27% | 66,000 miles |
| 2006 | 109 | 15% | 93,000 miles |
| 2005 | 130 | 10% | 92,000 miles |
| 2004 | 96 | 11% | 75,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
When i put van in park ,shut off,it moves a little even on flat surface.When i back up in grass or out of a sloped driveway the van acts like something is preventing it from going backwards.The van,when going from the right lane to the left will act like it pulls to the right,hard to explain.Also when going down a road with slight bumps it makes a noise like something is loose,a rattle like.
[redacted]- bought new 2025 Chrysler Pacifica w/ 29 mi at Troncalli Chrysler Dodge Jeep (TCDJ). [redacted]- 1st time -I was driving the car when it made a "clunk" sound when turning left. All the lights on the dashboard came on and the ABS system turned off.The car safety features disabled and it did not recognize we were in the seats (seat belt lights came on).I was able to drive into a parking lot.Turned the car off and then restarted it after a few min and the lights on the dash were gone. Decided to cont driving, figured it was a computer error.Went 2 mi and had to turn left again. All dash lights came on including engine, ABS.Pulled over and lights turned off after car was turned off/on again. …
I would like to bring up a serious safety issue with this vehicle (2024 Chrysler Pacifica Select PHEV) WITH 6997 miles on the odometer. As I was driving, at approximately 11:15AM, I received a message on the dashboard that read, "Stop Safely!! Vehicle will shut off in < 2 minutes". For my own safety as well as other drivers on the road, I tried maneuvering the vehicle to the side of the road, however the vehicle shut off within 15-30 seconds. The vehicle did not move at all. The serious safety concern I have is "What if the vehicle had stopped running on the major highways full of traffic"? Please note, this is also a well-known issue starting from the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica models. Additionally, a similar incident occurred to another similar make model in Sept. 2024 with VIN # [redacted] . …
While driving, the vehicle suffered a sudden, severe, and un-commanded complete loss of propulsion and motive power on a live roadway, posing an immediate crash hazard. * Sequential Fault Chain: 1. An audible, physical "pop" was heard emanating from beneath the engine bay/high-voltage system compartment. 2. Immediate loss of acceleration and propulsion. 3. Simultaneous illumination of the Check Engine Light, a "Service Charging System" warning message, and a "Turtle" (absolute critical limp-mode) dashboard icon. 4. Electrical failure cascading to the interior control panel and displays, which flickered and went entirely dark while the vehicle was still rolling. 5. Abrupt, un-commanded physical engagement of the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) as the vehicle slowed down, locking the rear wheels on a live road. 6. …
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 owns a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The failure had occurred with two minor children seated in the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that the turtle icon was displayed, and the adaptive cruise control was deactivated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle was scheduled for diagnostic testing. Additionally, there was an unknown recall with a similar failure to be repaired at the scheduled appointment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud sound coming from the engine with the message "Service Hybrid System" displayed. The sound was noticeable while accelerating and decelerating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but no DTC was retrieved; however, the contact was informed that the transmission control module needed to be reprogrammed. The TCM was reprogrammed; however, the issue persisted with a high-pitched whining sound. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 48,000.
Related recalls (5)
Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right halfshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Vantage Mobility International, LLC (VMI) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vehicles modified by VMI. The rear pinion bracket on both sides of the vehicle may crack, causing the axle not to be centered and the wheel to wobble.
Remedy: VMI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pinion brackets, free of charge. The recall began on August 14, 2017. Owners may contact VMI customer service at 1-800-488-9082.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pump module and the power train control module (PCM) software May allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the power train control module. The fuel pump module will also be replaced on vehicles built from August 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004. The recall began on November 21, 2006.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with a ngc-1 powertrain control module, the software protocole used to test the vehicle exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system May lead to engine stalling under certain operating conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module software. Owner notification began on March 15, 2004. Owners should contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chrysler Pacifica years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2017 (472), 2018 (157), 2005 (130), 2021 (119) and 2006 (109) model years. Transmission complaints make up 31% of all complaints for the 2017.
Is there a recall for Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 18V-493 (axle shaft, Jul 26, 2018); 18V-492 (automatic transmission, Jul 26, 2018); 17V-482 (differential unit, Jul 28, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (82 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (37).
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.