2020 Chrysler PACIFICA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2020 Chrysler PACIFICA has 255 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is electrical problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: complete failure of electrical system. when it happened the display screen said the vehicle will shut down soon. suddenly everything started turning on and off, the transmission disengaged. the motor started racing with all electrical components turning on and off and suddenly everything shut off.. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 5 crash reports 5 injuries

255

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ELECTRICAL

59 complaints

23%

• Complete failure of electrical system. When it happened the display screen said the vehicle will shut down soon. Suddenly everything started turning on and off, the transmission disengaged. The motor started racing with all electrical components turning on and off and suddenly everything shut off.
• Driving from PA to GA when after 775+ miles, and twenty five minutes from our destination we received an message indicating to pull over safety as the vehicle was coming to a stop. Three kids in car seats stuck on the highway waiting for a tow is not comforting. The car dealership plugged the vehic
• While driving at freeway speed a check engine light came on follows by “service electrical system “ then limp mode which limits the vehicle to 40mph. Very dangerous on the freeway. Luckily we made it off the freeway but the vehicle locked itself in park gear and began to make loud grinding noises w

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports

“Complete failure of electrical system. When it happened the display screen said the vehicle will shut down soon. Suddenly everything started turning on and off, the transmission disengaged. The motor started racing with all electrical components turning on and off and suddenly everything shut off.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

54 complaints

21%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN CONTROL ACCELERATION FOR 20 SECOND, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOSING THE ABILITY TO HOLD THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE RAV UP TO 7000 RPM AND THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE CO
• WENT FOR 1ST EVER OIL CHANGE, TECHNICIANS NOTICED COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY (SHOULD NEVER BE) AND THERE WAS LEAKED COOLANT ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BOTTOM OF CARS PROTECTION PADS (BAD ISSUE). TOLD ME (GET IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY), WHICH I DID, TAKING IT TO PHILLIPS CHRYSLER OF OCALA. IN ORDER
• ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF ON ITS OWN 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE 4 MONTHS AGO. FIRST OCCASION I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. SECOND TIME I WAS STARTING UP FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THIRD TIME I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 M

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN CONTROL ACCELERATION FOR 20 SECOND, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOSING THE ABILITY TO HOLD THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE RAV UP TO 7000 RPM AND THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE CO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

38 complaints

15%

• WENT FOR 1ST EVER OIL CHANGE, TECHNICIANS NOTICED COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY (SHOULD NEVER BE) AND THERE WAS LEAKED COOLANT ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BOTTOM OF CARS PROTECTION PADS (BAD ISSUE). TOLD ME (GET IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY), WHICH I DID, TAKING IT TO PHILLIPS CHRYSLER OF OCALA. IN ORDER
• Driving from PA to GA when after 775+ miles, and twenty five minutes from our destination we received an message indicating to pull over safety as the vehicle was coming to a stop. Three kids in car seats stuck on the highway waiting for a tow is not comforting. The car dealership plugged the vehic
• My car has been going thru the refresh for gas and oil for the last few days. the motor has been running to empty out the "old" gas. so today, i took it thru a car wash on a conveyor belt system, with cars behind me. at the end of this i went to put it in gear so i hit the brake from the neutral

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WENT FOR 1ST EVER OIL CHANGE, TECHNICIANS NOTICED COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY (SHOULD NEVER BE) AND THERE WAS LEAKED COOLANT ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BOTTOM OF CARS PROTECTION PADS (BAD ISSUE). TOLD ME (GET IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY), WHICH I DID, TAKING IT TO PHILLIPS CHRYSLER OF OCALA. IN ORDER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

30 complaints

12%

• VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP 3/9/21 FOR NOCKING ON L/F. DEALER DIAGNOSED STRUT AS PROBLEM. PART IS ON B/O. CHRYSLER MFG. HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE TO SECURE PART AND ATTACHING PARTS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. CURRENTLY THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BUT PROMISE DATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAIL
• Ice buildup in the fender well to the tire which effects turning and steering. It happened all last winter and twice this year.
• Driving the car and the engine shut off on me. Brakes didn’t work. Steering didn’t work. Just coasted on a busy highway to safety. I’m lucky I’m not dead. No warning it would happen.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP 3/9/21 FOR NOCKING ON L/F. DEALER DIAGNOSED STRUT AS PROBLEM. PART IS ON B/O. CHRYSLER MFG. HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE TO SECURE PART AND ATTACHING PARTS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. CURRENTLY THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BUT PROMISE DATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAIL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

17 complaints

• WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED THE ENGINE REVVED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ENTER THE INTERSECTION BEFORE I COULD STOP IT. THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE A FEW SECONDS LATER. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC AT THIS TIME. THE SECOND TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED I WAS STO
• Driving on a highway (55mph), ‘service charging station’ message popped up and I was unable to accelerate. I was able to pull over to the side of the road. Message said to put the car in park. Unable to go back to drive. Heat/radio remained working. Turned car off and on, car appeared to run but the
• While driving at freeway speed a check engine light came on follows by “service electrical system “ then limp mode which limits the vehicle to 40mph. Very dangerous on the freeway. Luckily we made it off the freeway but the vehicle locked itself in park gear and began to make loud grinding noises w

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND ALMOST COMPLETELY STOPPED THE ENGINE REVVED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ENTER THE INTERSECTION BEFORE I COULD STOP IT. THE ENGINE RETURNED TO IDLE A FEW SECONDS LATER. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO OTHER TRAFFIC AT THIS TIME. THE SECOND TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED I WAS STO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 255 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: Complete failure of electrical system. When it happened the display screen said the vehicle will shut down soon. Suddenly everything started turning on and off, the transmission disengaged. The motor started racing with all electrical components turning on and off and suddenly everything shut off.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN CONTROL ACCELERATION FOR 20 SECOND, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOSING THE ABILITY TO HOLD THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE RAV UP TO 7000 RPM AND THERE WAS A TICKING NOISE CO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: WENT FOR 1ST EVER OIL CHANGE, TECHNICIANS NOTICED COOLANT RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY (SHOULD NEVER BE) AND THERE WAS LEAKED COOLANT ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND BOTTOM OF CARS PROTECTION PADS (BAD ISSUE). TOLD ME (GET IT TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY), WHICH I DID, TAKING IT TO PHILLIPS CHRYSLER OF OCALA. IN ORDER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP 3/9/21 FOR NOCKING ON L/F. DEALER DIAGNOSED STRUT AS PROBLEM. PART IS ON B/O. CHRYSLER MFG. HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE TO SECURE PART AND ATTACHING PARTS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. CURRENTLY THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING BUT PROMISE DATES THAT PARTS WILL BE AVAIL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)