Body problems of the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica - part 1

The under carriage that holds engine in place is completely rusted through. I bought brand new tires from belle tire on September 9, 2020. By November 1 2020 I was observing extreme wear on the brand new tires. Went to my mechanic and was told the car is unsafe to drive due to the cradle rust rot, and the engine is about ready to fall out and would cause catastrophic emergency I and my family could die. Trying to find replacement and am being told it is such a problem that there is no parts available to fix this problem.

Vehicle was taken to service. Shop would not work on vehicle stating the deterioration of the subframe was to extensive and they would not work on it. Upon closer inspection showed the frame in a great state of decay, with some places only being held together with thin strips of metal. These vehicles were recalled in the past for defective frames however not all were recalled and this is one vehicle that was not. The motor in these vehicles will fall out and could cause an accident which could result in serious injury or loss of life. These frames are defective in workmanship from the factory and should be handled by the factory across all 2004-2008 Chrysler Pacifica's affected by defective equipment knowingly installed by the factory that will lead to an accident and cause serious injury or death. Thousands of these vehicles are on the road today with occupants unknowingly driving these vehicles which are "ticking time bombs".

Upon taking a the vehicle to a mechanic, I was informed the subframe which supports the engine is rusting to the point it will not hold the engine causing catastrophic failure. I have become aware Chrysler is aware of the future failure and will not fix it.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated the front passenger side frame rail was rotten. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 141,000. Dp.

Subframe/engine cradle failed due to rust. Subframe is available for inspection upon request. My safety or the safety of others is put at risk due to the failed (rusted, corroded, rotted) subframe/engine cradle. Vehicle’s engine is at risk of falling through the vehicle’s frame at any moment whether the vehicle is parked or being driven. This problem has been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle and the subframe component has been inspected by a master ase certified mechanic. No symptoms of the problem prior to the failure that owner has ever been made aware of.

Took a short drive. Turned off the vehicle. After a couple minutes smoke and flames were coming out of the hood. Grabbed a fire extinguisher opened the hood and put out the fire on the passenger side. The air filter housing was melted. Embers were still spreading along the insulation attached to the hood. Manually removed the spreading embers with some tools. Not sure the cause. Also why is the insulation made of a material that is not fireproof?.

Takata recall stationary, rusted crossmember.

Tl the contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While the vehicle was at tire discounters (7771 five mile road, cincinnati, ohio 45230, (513) 618-1613) for a routine oil change, the engine cradle subframe was found to be severely corroded. The engine cradle subframe was not replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

I bought this vehicle used and then found out that the engine cradle has a rust hole in it which may make it unsafe to drive. I also learned that it is a common problem with this make and model and that Chrysler has no intention of addressing this problem. Chrysler obviously made this part sub-standard and should provide a replacement for the substandard part. It is definitely a safety hazard.

Car started on fire under engine and burned completely down to steal frame. Was driving to akron ohio from cedar springs mi. Half way through our five hour trip I filled up my gas tank in luna pier OH to continue on. Checked all fluids n temp was fine as well got back on hwy went less then 3 miles and smelled something burning and two poof's of smoke cane from under dash on drivers side and I immediately pulled over to side of hwy, my bf got out n looked under car and there was a small fire, the fire spread very swiftly and was unable to save any personal property we had taken for our weekend getaway. 911 was called n firemen were dispatched as well as paramedics for my bf that had been burned during the incident trying to put the fire out. . We onky had plpd insurance and did not get reimbursed for personal property at all. Not only did we lose the entire vehicle but we lost several personal items we had taken with ys, the Pacifica was packed full.

Cradle rot. Apply brakes & engine shifts forward.

Engine cradle rusted out-had to be replaced. Chrysler failed to properly coat the engine cradles which allowed rust to damage the cradles and create a serious safety defect.

There was a klunk in front end-took to mechanic-the subframe on the vehicle is rusted and is a safety hazard.

Engine cradle rusting through: I took my wife's 2004 Chrysler Pacifica with 185,000 miles on it to our local mechanic for a small transmission leak. Once he got the car up on the lift he noticed the engine cradle was rusting through. He told me he thought there was a recall on it. I went on the internet and seen that there were hundreds of folks with the same issue. I contacted Chrysler case number: 3571359 and they told me I had to have a authorized Chrysler service dealer inspect the vehicle and they would see what they could do. I took our vehicle to the local Chrysler service dealer and had it inspected. They said that the cradle was perforated and rusted through and that it was past it's warranty by years and mileage. I sent that information to Chrysler and they emailed me back and said that they reviewed the information that the dealership reported but it was nothing they could do. The car is past the years and mileage of it's warranty. I sent them an e-mail saying how disappointed I am about there decision to do nothing about an issue they knew they had. My wife loves her Pacifica, we have owned it over 12 years. She bought it as a demo. It still runs great, it still looks great and even with the 185,000 miles on it the only thing that is wrong with it is the engine cradle rusting through. I feel that this issue could have been resolved years ago if Chrysler had sent us a recall or something to tell us that the cradle metal was inferior and should have been replaced / repaired sooner before our warranty ran out. Not to mention that it should have been a safety concern if the cradle would have rusted through and the engine fell out. I think this is a costly repair that we should have never had to do. I think Chrysler should help us with the resolution of getting our car repaired since they knew there was a problem and didn't tell us.

During a state inspection in Nov, 2017, I found out that the engine cradle frame, on the passenger side, is rusted. I called Chrysler today, on 800-992-1997, to find out if there is a recall. Sadly I was informed that there was none. The strange thing is that no other part of the circle shows any rusted part.

Rotted subframe. Advised by the mechanic at a routine oil change that he would not drive the car.

I have Chrysler Pacifica 2004. Have taken good care of vehicle, no accidents. Vehicle began shaking violently when driving down road. I have brand new tires . Had them rebalanced couple of times . Still vibrating violently. My mechanic could not find any problems except that engine cradle for engine is badly rotted out with rust. I looked on line for problem and see that Chrysler had not properly coated the engine cradle and has led to frequent problems and dangerous driving conditions, due that the engine could fall out of vehicle. This is of no fault to owner. I didnt feel safe driving a vehicle that the motor could fall out of. This is a safety issue that Chrysler should be responsible for. A consumer should not have to worry that there seat belt or air bag might fail and they definitely shoudnt have to worry about there engine falling out of there car while driving down the road, which could lead to a wreck or fire. Thank you for your time and consideration.

The front sub frame engine cradle is rotted/rusted- over a period of time, the bolts are not holding securely on my 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. It is loose the engine and the transmission rely on this cradle to stabulize the parts for use of driving a safe vehicle.

Had to have motor mounts replaced in January 2015. Just found out engine cradle is rusted thru and has to be replaced. Unsafe to drive. April 2017.

I purchased a used vehicle from a local auto dealership on January 30, 2017. After driving the vehicle everyday for about a week I began noticed the car would shake and pull to the left even while driving at very slow speeds. On February 23, 2017 I took the newly purchased Chrysler Pacifica in for an oil change. I received a call from the mechanic about 15 mins after I dropped the vehicle off and he informed me that my front engine cradle was severely rusted and if I continued to drive it the engine could fall out at any minute. I rushed back to the location that my vehicle was being serviced and I was shocked at how bad the engine cradle actually was. There was at least an inch gap indicating it was beginning to separate from the body of the car. I took pictures of the damage and emailed them to the dealer that sold me the vehicle. I also did a quick internet search for front engine cradle damage in 2004 Chrysler Pacifica's and came across numerous consumer complaints having the same issues with 2004 Pacifica's. I also found Chrysler previously issued an extended warranty to resolve defective engine cradles for owners residing in salt belt states and vehicles with under 150k miles. Confident that my vehicle qualified for the extended warranty I contacted Chrysler directly. I was informed by the Chrysler representative that the Pacifica I currently own does not qualify to receive repairs under the extended warranty because it was built in January of 2004 and warranty only covers front engine cradle damage to vehicles that were built after February 23, 2004 and before March 31, 2004.

I found out my Pacifica engine craddle is rusted all the way through. Chrysler told me my car was under the extended warrenty but it expired in 2014. I did not know about the rust until now.

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. While undergoing a routine inspection, the certified mechanic diagnosed that the engine cradle and subframe were rotted. The mechanic diagnosed that the cradle and subframe needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 155,797.

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. The stated that while stationary, the sub-frame of the vehicle deteriorated with rust and had a huge hole in it. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Rotted out sub frame seems to be very common and expensive fix due to being poorly built. Can't get other necessary repairs until sub frame is replaced because if it is moved it will completely crack in half!.

Sub frame under engine rotting, won't pass state inspection.

Engine cradle rusted out. Unsafe to drive. Mechanic quoted $4200. 00 to fix. Possibility of engine and transmission falling out of car.

The engine cradle has rusted to a point that it is dangerous to drive this vehicle. It's a good running car with only 105000 miles with nothing else wrong.

Took Pacifica into the service shop for a routine check of the air conditioning not working. Upon putting the car onto the car rack, the mechanic discovered that the sub frame under the car and under the engine, was seriously rusted and has a large crack. He advised that the car can either be fixed by welding another frame for $1500 or to get rid of the car as it is unsafe to drive. We have 2 kids and with all the driving around town we do, this car should be fixed by Chrysler given the recent history of issues that were brought up a couple of years ago.

In April 2016 I had the brakes replaced on my car, while at the repair shop they noticed the engine cradle was rusted. I was told that the motor could fall out but the repair should be covered by Chrysler. I called the dealer and was told it was not covered, I continued to look online and found a number to call for recalls. I called on July 1st and was told it was built 3 days out of warranty but he would see what he could do and would call me back. On July 6th after I made numerous phone calls I was told they are unwilling to help me. I asked to speak to a supervisor but was told they couldn't transfer calls but one will call be back. I still have not received a phone call nor do I expect any help from them. I do question how they can put a time limit on a warranty when they failed to undercoat my car properly even if it was 3 days out of their time frame. I also don't understand why I wasn't notified of the problem even if they will no fix it as it can cause an accident! if you are able to help me in anyway I would appreciate it, I truly do not know what to do at this point because I am unable to pay for the repair! thank you, phyllis mowen phyllis. Mowen@yahoo. Com.

We took our very well maintained 2004 Chrysler Pacifica into the mechanic to replace the shocks (thinking that might be the cluncking noise we heard) and he called us and told us the car's engine frame was completely rotted out and the car was horribly unsafe to drive and didn't want us to even drive it home. He told us the frame replacement would be in the range of $4,000 to $5,000. Our car was in otherwise perfect condition and perfectly maintained (I have the records to prove it). My husband called Chrysler to complain about the situation and was basically told to take a hike by a customer service rep there named "leah" and wouldn't put us in contact with any superiors, etc. No notice from Chrysler about this horrible/deadly issues whatsoever. I've been driving our child around in this car with all of his friends, on the highways all around chicagoland. This is a vehicle that is purchased by families with children. How in the world can Chrysler think it's ok to not warn people they are driving around a time bomb that could kill their entire family and possible everyone driving around them. We had to run out and immediately buy a new vehicle without being able to sell the Pacifica. This is a total nightmare for our family. I can only be grateful something much worse didn't happen and our mechanic probably saved our lives. This car needs to be recalled immediately!!!!.

Front frame separated from chassis. We had the sub frame replaced on June 18th 2014 at 151178 miles now on may 17th 2016 at 168326 miles the subframe has separated from the body of the car. I am very lucky this happened at a low rate of speed 25 mph on my street and not on the highway. I had the car towed to the dealer how sold us the car and who has done all the work on it from new. I was advised the repair from 2014 is our of warranty. I had the car repaired by a 3rd party after the dealer told us the repair could not be done. When the car was being repaired I was advised by the shop the dealer repair was missing key parts. After looking at the repair invoice one of the five parts need for the repair was not listed on the invoice lower rebound plate.

I had the sub frame replaced due to rust. Last week the sub frame fell off the car, the isolators busshings failed and pulled thru and the frame dropped. The frame was replaced 17,000 miles ago. I pulled the invoice and looked at the list of parts replaced then, I looked at the parts schematic on the Chrysler web-site. It appears when the repair was done the isolator. Cradle, crossmember. Lower rebound plate, was not replaced. After looking under the car I do not find this part. The frame failed when my wife was driving the car, she was driving on a residential road at about 25 mph.

The Pacifica became nearly impossible to steer. The engine cradle has failed due to premature corrosion or material failure. Due to this failure, the bolts and bushings holding the rear of the engine cradle have fallen thru and the rear of the engine cradle is inches from the ground causing the engine to no longer be supported. This makes the car impossible to steer because the driveline angle is changed. Engine resting on the rack and pinion damages this device also. Vehicle is not drive able. Cost estimate from local Chrysler dealer is over 4000$.

The contact owns a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. When the vehicle was taken to a local dealer for an alignment, the technician noted that the frame was rotted out and recommended it be replaced. There was no warning indicator. The contact made the manufacturer aware of the failure and was advised to contact NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 82,000.

Engine cradle severely rusted and perforated, causing front wheel alignment problems. A replacement cradle is needed as engine may drop. .