Suspension Noise problems of the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica

My 2005 Chrysler Pacifica started making noise in front passenger side in the suspension and wheel area while on the interstate. A short time later the front passenger wheel started shaking and wobbling uncontrollably at speeds of 65mph. Their was no warning! thank god I was entering town and was close to home. I got the car home and had friend who is a mechanic investigate the problem. What he found was scary!!!!! the whole sub frame and engine cradle was almost completely gone due to severe rusting in the exact area where the suspension components attach to the frame. Super bad day when I showed the pictures to 3 different local automotive shops with well over 100 yrs of experience combined and all informed me that the estimated cost to repair was 4000. 00 up to 5500. 00. Completely absurd! car is worthless and only has 100,000 miles on it. You should make Chrysler own up to every Pacifica that has this problem, not just a few that was manufactured in a few months. Their is overwhelming evidence that they didn't coat the frame properly. I will be sharing my pictures and when you see them ask yourself if you would want your family driving these cars and having to spend a very large amount of money to fix them properly. Chrysler is doing nothing because the NHTSA isn't making them. Please take my small portion of this ridiculous nightmare and consider at the least making Chrysler be partially responsible for their lack of consideration for the human life and the well being of its customers. This is a dangerous hazard that should be immediately addressed. Thank you!.

Have been hearing and feeling knocking noise in front suspension. Found rusted out engine cradle with stress cracks right at the connection to control arm on passenger side. Car is to dangerous to drive. This is a defective design by Chrysler which they should cover.

The contact owns a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle lost power steering and there was a loud clunky noise under the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road where he noticed that the suspension cradle was hanging under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician has not been able to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

While I have heard some sounds from the suspension (front) for over a year, it was only this month (may 2014) that the problem was diagnosed. The engine cradle on my vehicle is rusted and has holes in it. Per the mechanic, it is unsafe to drive until it is fixed (which he estimated as costing in excess of $1,000). After doing a little research, I contacted Chrysler only to find out that they would not cover this defect since my vehicle was manufactured in may 2004 and they only cover it for 10 yrs/150k miles for vehicles manufactured up through March 2004 (if in the "salt belt"). So while they acknowledge this specific problem, they would not apply the warranty because my manufacture date is two months beyond their cutoff date. Talking to auto mechanics and searching online seems to reveal that this is a significant problem with older Pacificas. Based on this information, I strongly believe that Chrysler should cover a defect like this since it is likely widespread (if not issue an actual recall like Toyota did on their tacomas for rusted frames a few years ago). I do have a case number with Chrysler now in which they noted my problem. I won't include that number here because this is a public record.

Took 2005 Pacifica to our mechanic to check a noise in the front suspension components and was informed that the frame cross-member was severely perforated by rust and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to flexing. This cross member supports the engine, transmission and front suspension components. On-line research shows a number of similar complaints for the 2004 and 2005 model years. Mechanic called a local Chrysler dealer and was told that a recall (#13-001-12) was issued by Chrysler but that our vehicle did not fall within the specified date range. Took photos of the damage and are awaiting repair estimates. Will contact the manufacturer however others report that the manufacturer has refused to fix this failure occurring in vehicles beyond the recall dates.

Have a clunking/popping noise in the front end when going over small bumps or holes. Have taken it to a mechanic and he couldn't visibly find the cause. Checked on the internet for anyone else with this problem and found that many people have similiar problems with mutiple issues effecting the front suspension.