
2021 Chrysler PACIFICA
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2021 Chrysler PACIFICA has 649 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.0x the segment average of 323. The most common issue is electrical problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: when attempting to start the van it will periodically not engage. the gear selector will blink when you select a gear, but it will not respond to throttle. the vehicle will roll however. this becomes a greater problem as you need to remove your foot from the brake to cycle the van back to off. all o. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 1 fire report filed.
649
Total Complaints
7
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
2.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
ELECTRICAL
141 complaints- • WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VAN IT WILL PERIODICALLY NOT ENGAGE. THE GEAR SELECTOR WILL BLINK WHEN YOU SELECT A GEAR, BUT IT WILL NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL HOWEVER. THIS BECOMES A GREATER PROBLEM AS YOU NEED TO REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO CYCLE THE VAN BACK TO OFF. ALL O
- • Vehicle broke down twice related to the hybrid electrical system. First Incident: vehicle would not start after being parked and turned off; upon attempt to start, vehicle displayed a "Service Electronic Throttle Control" error message in dash. Second Incident: vehicle was in motion on highway at
- • My issue matches the issue reported in NHTSA ID Number: 11414581. My own words describing the incident: We have a new 2021 PHEV Limited (purchased May 3, 2021), which has with 977 miles (554.5 electric, 423.1 Hybrid). On May 24, 2021 my wife had driven about 2 miles to a store parking lot, turned
“WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VAN IT WILL PERIODICALLY NOT ENGAGE. THE GEAR SELECTOR WILL BLINK WHEN YOU SELECT A GEAR, BUT IT WILL NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL HOWEVER. THIS BECOMES A GREATER PROBLEM AS YOU NEED TO REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO CYCLE THE VAN BACK TO OFF. ALL O”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2021 Chrysler PACIFICA
Based on 33 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 20K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
ELECTRICAL
ENGINE
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (7)
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Pacifica and 2021 Voyager vehicles. The second-row seat-to-floor mounting latch may bind and stick open, preventing the seat from properly securing to the floor. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk: An unsecured seat increases the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Z22.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Chrysler PACIFICA
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Chrysler PACIFICA
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Chrysler New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Chrysler. If you're buying a used 2021 PACIFICA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chrysler dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 649 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐ELECTRICAL: WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VAN IT WILL PERIODICALLY NOT ENGAGE. THE GEAR SELECTOR WILL BLINK WHEN YOU SELECT A GEAR, BUT IT WILL NOT RESPOND TO THROTTLE. THE VEHICLE WILL ROLL HOWEVER. THIS BECOMES A GREATER PROBLEM AS YOU NEED TO REMOVE YOUR FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO CYCLE THE VAN BACK TO OFF. ALL O
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN GETTING READY TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THOUGH THE CAR WAS ON DRIVE, I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OR MOVE THE CAR. I HAD TO SHIFT TO PARK, RESTART THE CAR AND WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED ELEVEN DAYS LATER AGAIN, IN EVEN SCARIER CIRCU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: WHEN THE CAR WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN GETTING READY TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. THOUGH THE CAR WAS ON DRIVE, I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE OR MOVE THE CAR. I HAD TO SHIFT TO PARK, RESTART THE CAR AND WAS THEN ABLE TO DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED ELEVEN DAYS LATER AGAIN, IN EVEN SCARIER CIRCU
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐FUEL SYSTEM: While in EV mode, driving 75 mph on the freeway for at least five minutes, the vehicle suddenly loses power and the accelerator pedal becomes completely unresponsive. My vehicle was slowing down in the carpool lane and I had to carefully find my way to the shoulder to be able to turn the vehicle EV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Chrysler dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Chrysler PACIFICA — Year Comparison
How does 2021 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 649
- Recalls
- 7
- Fire reports
- 1
- Crash reports
- 13
- Injury reports
- 12
- Segment avg
- 323
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2021 Chrysler PACIFICA