Automatic Emergency Braking problems of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

Four problems related to automatic emergency braking have been reported for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica based on all problems reported for the 2021 Pacifica.

1 Automatic Emergency Braking problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2025

1. This vehicle was recalled for a software update due to the rear camera failing to operate at times. The software was updated by the dealer. However, this did not completely fix the problem. While the camera fails less frequently, it still does not energize at times. I took the vehicle back to the dealer. I was then informed that there is water intrusion into the rear lift gate, which causes the electrical to short out. I was told that I would have to replace the wiring harness which energizes the camera as well as the rear vehicle lights. I have not noticed any problem with the lighting as of yet. However, I have been told that this is a problem with the Pacifica in general, as well as the durango. I was told that replacing the harness would not guarantee that the problem would be solved as there would still be water intrusion, which could cause the problem again, even with replacing the harness. This is obviously a safety issue, as the camera fails to operate at times, and there is a potential of losing lighting on the back of the vehicle. This is also a known defect by Chrysler. 2. When using the adaptive cruise control on streets and highways with multiple lanes traveling the same direction, the vehicle will brake suddenly and hard when the vehicle in front of me changes lanes. This occurs after the vehicle in front of me has completely changed lanes and is not impeding my forward progress whatsoever. My vehicle speeds up to the set speed and then violently brakes as if it is about to crash into the vehicle ahead of me, even thought the lane is completely clear. The vehicle has been inspected for this scenario. I was told that it didn't perform as described above when the technician drove it. This is a safety issue as the vehicle suddenly and violently brakes at highway speeds, with traffic behind me.

2 Automatic Emergency Braking problem

Failure Date: 01/08/2025

My Pacifica completely shut down. All the warning lights came on such as crash detected, abs light, and the windshield wipers came on. The vehicle was towed to the dealership that I bought the vehicle from. They completed a hard reset of the vehicle, and I took it home. Two days later it did the same thing all the lights came on, but it allowed me to drive it to the dealership. Still waiting to see what they think the problem is this time.

3 Automatic Emergency Braking problem

Failure Date: 10/31/2022

My 2021 Pacifica phev has 16,200 miles on it at time of incident on 10/31/2022. I had just pulled off the highway to get gas when the issue began. I received a “service electrical system” on the dash and a check engine light and I had to turn off and back on to get it to restart. The check engine light stayed on and upon continuing my drive home another warning light came on telling me that the emergency braking was no longer operating. The warning light stayed on for a few miles and then went off. I took snapshots I will include. I also noticed that the vehicle was recording erroneous data such as suddenly having an electrical charge of a large percent when I had zero electrical charge. I got the vehicle to the dealership for repair. On 11/1. No loaner or rental reimbursement was available from Chrysler so I was without a vehicle during repair. I received the vehicle back on 11/3/22 and I was informed that the vehicle had error codes poe 15-50 hybrid/ev battery pack coolant heater a control and p1649-00 (? not sure I wrote the number correctly) hcp int… code. The paper also showed poe 15-00 hvac blocker power but he only mentioned the first 2. The service technician indicated that the vehicle had a z76 recall (I was not aware of a recall) and that they had done a software update to fix it and the vehicle should note be fixed. Upon reading other online complaints I see multiple reports of the same thing happening repeatedly to other 2021 phev Pacifica’s with low mileage while driving at high speeds including within 10 miles of having the same repair done. I am now scared to drive this vehicle on the highway after reading of multiple other 2021 phevs no longer operating on multiple vehicles while at highway speeds, despite multiple attempts at repair. I am afraid for my safety and for anyone else in my vehicle and I I want Chrysler to pay off my note immediately and take back possession of the vehicle. I no longer feel safe driving it.

4 Automatic Emergency Braking problem

Failure Date: 09/09/2022

I was on the highway traveling at 60mph, with the adaptive cruise control on. The semi in front of me began to brake, I tapped off the cruise control and began braking. The semi came to a complete stop and I pushed my brake pedal to the floor to stop my vehicle. It did not stop. My pinnacle has emergency braking and forward collision warning. My driver's instrument panel did not give a forward collision warning indication in a timely manner and my emergency braking did not stop my vehicle. At the time of the accident vehicle had less than 10,000 miles, dry weather conditions, and vehicle was used for leisure - in town driving. A month previously, I took my pinnacle into the dealership because I didn't feel my brakes were working properly. They felt mushy, little resistance, and were making a noise. An inspection was performed by the dealership but were unable to detect a noise or visual issue. My safety was put at risk when a system I depended upon, that was advertised as, "full speed forward collision warning with active braking assists you by providing both visual and audible warnings as well as applying emergency braking to help bring the vehicle to a full stop, if needed" (Chrysler. Com/pacifica/safey-security. Html) failed. The brakes didn't engage properly to stop us before hitting the vehicle in front of us. The forward collision warning indication didn't happen in a timely manner, it was delayed causing us to lose precious seconds. If this had been a passenger vehicle in front of us we could have injured the occupants and we ourselves could have been gravely injured had we been traveling at a higher rate of speed. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealership, but was taken there prior to the incident less than a month before. I reported the problem to Chrysler the day of the accident. The vehicle is pending inspection by insurance and I have asked that the electronic data recorder be removed and the information on it to be evaluated.


Other Forward Collision Avoidance related problems of the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

Warnings problems
6
Automatic Emergency Braking problems
4
Adaptive Cruise Control problems
4


Pacifica Service Bulletins
Pacifica Safety Recalls
Pacifica Defect Investigations