Table 1 shows one common power train related problems of the 2024 Chrysler Pacifica.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Power Train problems |
The charging system light came on. My wife went to charge at public charging station due to being close to one. After plugging in the van, it said charging failed. She unplugged the charged went to back up and the van died. Had to have it towed to dealer. Dealer states even though the van is in the warranty period, the idcm which is up under the van is scuffed and therefore isn’t warrantied. They said there is a big dent in the muffler also so we must have ran over something and caused the damage even though we live in a city with paved streets, a subdivision with paved streets, and have a concrete driveway at our home. They said they have sent me emails with the pictures which I have yet to recieve. I went to the dealer and asked them to jack up my van so I can see the damage personally and they don’t have a lift available at the time, so I told them I would be back in town at a certain time from work and to call me so I could see it and they have yet to show me the scuffed idcm module or the dented muffler. We haven’t run over anything to cause this kind of damage to a module like this because all the hybrid batteries are under the van. If the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid is so cheaply made for a $62,000 vehicle that something can “scuff” a module housing and shut a vehicle down, this is potentially very dangerous if someone were driving on the highway if it were to shutdown and someone (including myself or any of my family) were driving and lose all propulsion and steering (because it’s electric steering) or worse braking! it could be catastrophic with people dying. This needs to be investigated to see how fragile this component is and if they need to “toughen” it up or re-locate it. Versus trying to get by and get around paying warranty claims or hoping nothing happens until the units break down after the warranty period not knowing of the safety hazard they have created for their vehicle owners and the driving public.
Vehicle loses power and goes into limp mode. This has happened three times same fault code. The last two times we were going 80 on the expressway. Very dangerous luckily we haven't caused a accident. The manufacturer hasn't fixed the problem. Even though we keep taking it to the dealer. They clear the code and try to recreate the problem with no success. Tell us there is nothing they can do. There are recalls snd repairs for previous years of this vehicle with the same issue. They haven't solved the problem in the 2024s. The car was bought new in November 2024 and has 18,000 miles. It is unreliable and unsafe. See attached photos showing he dash and warning.
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 # [xxx] . It seemed like, when I received the message, the vehicle's computer system interlocks fuel supply and chokes up the brakes to the wheels so the vehicle is completed locked up in one position and it does not do rolling stop to safely pull over to the side of the road. This is very dangerous because if a semi-truck with 80,000 lbs. Load is coming behind you, you will not be able to move your vehicle to the side. This can potentially kill all the occupants in the vehicle. This vehicle has been towed to the dealer to troubleshoot/resolve the issue. Thank you so much in advance for looking into this issue urgently. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
9-speed transmission:zf9 hp-9, considered an "improved" transmission as compared to the previous 6-speed versions, prior to 2017. According to more than one fca class action lawsuit, fiat Chrysler knew the transmission had problems that could make fca vehicles unsafe to drive. Problems: lurching away from a stop, either when shifting into drive or reverse, then often accelerating into traffic, or into a crowded parking lot, or in an after-school setting, with children around. Rough shifting into reverse or drive from park. Delayed shifting into reverse or drive, from park. Intermittent "sounds" such as clunking or low-level grinding when attempting to shift from one gear to another. Refusal to downshift once a speed of 35-45 mph is reached, creating "gear-hunting", during which time the vehicle begins to accelerate, then decelerate, then accelerate again, often forcing abrupt, potentially-dangerous braking. Refusal to downshift allows the vehicle to continue unabated in gears 2-3, then 3-4. Intermittent refusal to upshift or downshift when engaging gears 6-9. At speeds between 50-70 mph, the vehicle will independently begin to slowly downshift, for no apparent reason, requiring a soft braking action, first, then sometimes followed by pulling over, coming to a complete stop, waiting then resuming. Then getting back to speed. On one occasion, the transmission "slipped" into neutral at approximately 70 mph, causing the driver to pull off onto a major interstate's shoulder, shutting the engine off, then allowing the transmission to "cool" for several minutes, before starting the vehicle and continuing. This can be very dangerous if the transmission completely fails at 2 am in the morning in a somewhat "dicey" area, anywhere, on any highway. All of the above complaints and transmission dysfunction/defects are sudden/acute and intermittent creating a sense of unnecessary anxiety and frustration when driving. As aresult, the owner has begun not allowing other drivers.
Vehicle shut off 2 times driving down the road prior to 6000 miles being on what was a vehicle we purchased new from Chrysler. Dealer diagnosed as a faulty transmission that was replaced under warranty.
The vehicle was purchased on 1/8/2025. On 1/13/2025, the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer because the transmission wouldn't shift to park. Dealer performed a software update to correct the issue. On 1/21/2025, the vehicle had to be towed to a dealer because the transmission wouldn't shift to park. Dealer replaced the gear selector. On 1/27/2025, the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer because it wouldn't shift to park. Dealer stated the battery failed. On 3/13/2025, the vehicle was taken to a dealer because the rear hatch opened on its own while driving and wouldn't close. Transmissions that won't shift to park present a serious roll away hazard that could injure or kill a person.
We picked up a new 2024 Pacifica hybrid pinaccle with 85 mile on it on the evening of [xxx]. During rush hour on [xxx] in atlanta on [xxx], the vehicle alerted "stop safely vehicle will shut off in < 2 minutes". This caused the driver (my wife) to panic as this is atlanta rush hour. Thankfully she made it to the shoulder from the far left lane before the vehicle shut down - thanks to some friendly drivers who acknowledged her sudden use of hazard flashers and loss of speed. She was able to restart the vehicle after a delay and get it off the interstate. This could have caused a major accident. During her 3. 5 mile drive after she was able to get off of [xxx] in downtown atlanta, the vehicle alerted and shut down another 3 times. When she finally got it home, it had 160 miles (total) on it. The dealer service department would not pick it up and advised we had to call Chrysler roadside assistance to come get it as we did not feel it was safe to drive to the the dealership. We were forced to pay $82. 50 to have this towed as it exceeded the 4 mile radius Chrysler roadside assistance is authorized to tow a vehicle. Our dealer is the closest one to our house. . . The vehicle is displaying a code of p0a78. The vehicle is set to be towed to the dealer tomorrow for evaluation. I have photos documenting the warning message and error codes if needed. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).
I had a warning telling me to stop safely and that the vehicle will stop soon as well as the start\stop and battery lights.
Got “stop safely vehicle will shut off soon” message twice. Vehicle shut off both times.
We purchased a new 2024 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid (the “vehicle”) on [xxx]. At the time of purchase, the vehicle had 15 miles on it. On [xxx], while driving on [xxx] with my wife and three children in the vehicle, the vehicle engine shut off. The first notice I had of a problem was the vehicle engine shutting off while, at the same time, the dashboard indicated that the vehicle would shut off in two minutes. The vehicle did not allow me any time to get safely off of the highway; it just shut off, I. E. , the warning did not actually give me two minutes’ warning. In light of the vehicle engine shutting off unexpectedly, and because of the volume of traffic, I had to coast to a stop on the left shoulder. I was then stranded in the vehicle in the left shoulder of [xxx] on a busy weekend morning, with other cars speeding by, with my entire family in the car. For approximately 15 to 25 minutes, my family and I sat in the shoulder of [xxx]. Eventually, after having tried numerous times to restart the vehicle, it restarted. We drove the vehicle to the nearest Chrysler service department. An employee identified a code, p0a78, which he indicated might be an issue, but he could not be sure without further diagnostics. He indicated that the error code did not create a concern that driving the vehicle would damage its engine. We got back in the vehicle and resumed our trip. About half an hour later, the vehicle engine again shut off. Again, the dashboard did not give advance warning before shutting off, such that I had to again coast the vehicle to a stop in the shoulder. After about 5 or 10 minutes, I was able to get the vehicle started again, and I was able to drive it back to the service department. The service department let me know it believed that the vehicle’s transmission needed to be replaced. Chrysler has since approved a buy-back of the vehicle. This seems very similar to NHTSA campaign number 23v010000, though the vehicle is a 2024 model. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5.
I was driving the vehicle and exiting the highway when the transmission disengaged and I lost all engine power to the vehicle. Luckily I was able to pull over safely out of the way of traffic but was very lucky it didnt happen 5 minutes earlier as I was in a work zone on the highway with no pull off or it could have been a major issue and potential caused an accident. I took it to the dealer and they said the transmission error went into a stored state and there was nothing they could do but I should keep an eye on it. 2 days later it did it again and I almost got rear ended trying to get over to the shoulder safely. I took it to the dealer and told them I didnt want the car back until it was fixed because its a huge safety concern and I didnt feel safe with me or my family in the vehicle. They have put over 1000 miles on it since and havent been able to recreate the issue and crysler wont let them warranty the transmission. This was a known issue on models prior to 2024 and the dealer has a high confidence its the transmission that needs to be replaced but they aren't allowed to replace it until they can replicate it with their computer attached.
I purchased a 2024 Pacifica hybrid new off the lot (~1200 miles on it at time of purchase). Two weeks into ownership I was exiting the highway and I heard a clunk and lost all engine power on the vehicle and a warning screen came up telling me to pull over. I was able to pull over in a "safe" location where cars were able to see me and pull around me. I could not move anywhere else as the car has no power when I hit the accelerator pedal. I sat in the car for a few minutes and after a google search it told me to try turning it back on to regain power to limp it home and that worked (check engine light still on). I took it to the nearest dealer and they told me that the code went into a stored state and they couldn't do anything and for me to just keep driving it and keep an eye on it. Two days later I had it happen again and I just barely made it to the shoulder but almost got rear ended. I took it into the dealer and told them they have to fix it as I don't feel safe in this car nor do I feel safe having my wife drive my children in it. They said this was a common issue with the transmission that was supposedly fixed in the 2024 but from what they are seeing it looked to be the same issues as prior years which requires a new transmission. They told me Chrysler wouldn't warranty it until they could replicate the issue with their computer attached. They have put 1000 miles on the car but haven't been able to replicate it. I have called Chrysler multiple times and they have a case file open but aren't taking action until the dealer can recreate this issue. This is a huge safety risk and could cause a major accident if it happened in a construction zone or somewhere where we couldn't pull off safely! this needs to be addressed and force Chrysler to fix these issues because I know I'm not the only one with this issue (according to many online forums).
While traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle cut the engine and displayed a message that the vehicle would shut-down in 2 min. The message was inaccurate, as the vehicle immediately cut the engine. The first time it happened, the vehicle coasted to a stop in the middle of hov lane. The second time it happened, I was in the right lane and the vehicle was able to coast to the shoulder.
While driving the vehicle home after purchasing it, the check engine light came on with an error message saying to pull over safely, the van would shut off in 2 minutes. The dealership had the van for 16 days and replaced the transmission. The first time driving it after receiving it back, the check engine light came on. The dealership claimed the code was not cleared from the previous repair due to being the same code. The same day we received it back again, the same error message appeared; however, it immediately shut off in the middle of the street and jerked forward into a curb. The dealership has had the car for 4 days this time, as of now has not looked at the car yet and will not provide a loaner car.
While driving on highway a vehicle alert “stop safely…vehicle will shut off soon” displayed. A few seconds later, vehicle shutdown, slowed and came to a stop in heavy traffic. Vehicle could not be pushed out of the driving lane and was locked in the “park” position. After about twenty minutes and multiple attempts to restart vehicle, it started with the amber engine light displaying. After driving about one mile the “stop safely … vehicle will shut off soon” again displayed and again vehicle almost immediately shut off and came to a stop. Again after several minutes and multiple tries, I was able to restart with the amber engine alert displayed. Was able to drive about three miles and make it home. Next day vehicle started and I was able to dive vehicle to dealership where it is currently being evaluated. Only a few months old and 3400 miles.
We were driving on a 2 lane stretch of highway under construction. There were concrete barriers at the edge of the left and right lanes. There were no shoulder pull off areas or highway exits. We had been driving at highway speeds for 30 minutes. For about the next 10 minutes, there was heavy traffic congestion. Traffic was periodically stopped in both lanes and generally moving at less than 30 mph. We were in the left lane when we got an audible chime followed by a dash board message, “stop safely - vehicle will shut off soon”. I was hoping the warning would give me enough time to get off the highway. I used my turn signal to change lanes but the traffic in the right lane would not let me in. I pushed on the gas and there was no engine response and the check engine light was on. I put my hazard lights on and rolled to a stop. The vehicle was blocking the entire left lane and there was no where else to go. We needed a tow. Roadside assistance instructed us to call 911. The vehicle is being repaired under warranty. The engine and transmission are available for inspection upon request to the rental car owner. My family and the other highway drivers safety was put at risk. It is my understanding that over 60,000 hev Pacifica vehicles were recalled between 2017-2023 for this issue. The corrective action was not to mechanically engineer the problem out of the vehicle but to install a software update to provide the dash board audible and verbal warnings. The 2024 models come with the software mod and so there is no current recall for this years model. I would argue the recall fix is inadequate. There are many roadways where it is not possible with the warning time provided to “drive to a safe location” and safety continues to be compromised. Verbally filed with NHTSA, id11598224 due to not having a VIN for the web site entry. My intent is not to duplicate the report, but to provide a more accurate 1st hand account with this submission.
About 3 months into our ownership of the new vehicle, and only 2k km on it, while driving the vehicle, we received a notification on the instrument screen to 'pull over because engine will be shutting down'. After waiting several minutes, we started the vehicle again, drove further along the road, and again it happened. This happened four times until we finally made it to the dealership. Dealership kept the vehicle for 1. 5 months, changing various components and still getting the same issue. We wrote to headoffice, and next day we were told the vehicle was good to go. Two weeks later the same issue happened. It is not at the dealership again and we are being told it is a transmission issue. I believe this is the same defect as the previous Pacifica models which have a recall on them (we had a previous Pacifica).
I was driving at highway speed westbound in the middle lane of the long island expressway in queens, new york when I felt an unusual motion and heard an unusual noise. The dashboard warning said that the engine had shut down and that I should move to the nearest safe place. All acceleration was lost and the vehicle was only rolling. This was a dangerous situation but I did manage to change lanes to the right. The vehicle then rolled to a stop in the right lane of the highway (with no shoulder). I could not restart it. I had to wait for some period of time before a tow truck could come to move me off the highway.
•what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? the engine shut off and I lost the ability to accelerate. The issue only resolved when I turned off the vehicle and opened my car door while on the highway and had oncoming cars driving next to me at 55+ mph. After shutting the car door and turning the vehicle back on, I was able to continue to drive home. The check engine light remains on while the vehicle is powered on, now. This vehicle is available for inspection upon request. •how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? the engine lost power as my wife, two children, mother, and I were going down a ramp attached to the highway. We lost momentum and ability to accelerate and I had to stop on the side of the highway as cars had to drive around us as we were forced to stop half on the right highway shoulder and half in the right-most lane. •has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? not that I am aware of. •has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? not as of 06may2924, I reached out to the bachman jeffersonville indiana dealer that I purchased this vehicle from to collect the vehicle’s issue code(s). •were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? “stop safety vehicle will shut off soon” appeared when the vehicle first had the issue occur. Now the check engine light remains on when the vehicle is powered on.