2017 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid: sudden loss of power

Filed Apr 4, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · 33,000 miles · CA

Repeated, video documented occurences of vehicle stalling, losing power steering, and losing all driver-assist features, to include traction control, blind spot monitoring, power steering, forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, airbags, and other systems. The problem has repeatedly occurred when the vehicle is in motion; has occurred on a highway as well as in parking lots. The vehicle will suddenly exhibit 'haywire' behavior, which includes fuel and power gauges randomly fluctuating up and down, and all above safety system warnings intermittedly indicating they are offline. In extreme scenarios, power steering will be lost. Additionally, in once scenario, the 'haywire' behavior precluded the ability to turn the vehicle off without resorting to disconnecting hard-wire battery connections. Multiple videos have been made documenting the behavior. Previous attempts to resolve with manufacturer resorted in no corrective action due to 'failure to duplicate' the issue, despite having video showing the occurrence. Originally brought to dealer and the federal safety agency attention in 2020 (the federal safety agency complaint #11292415). Dealer has done nothing to resolve the issue and in the past week the issue has recurred, now more consistently than the incident previously reported. Within the past week, the vehicle has stalled twice, resulting in complete loss of power steering. The "haywire" behavior continues, with persistent warnings and loss of essential systems, and the "haywire" behavior increases distractions by imposing false blindspot warning indicator lights and intermittently changing brightness of the entire electronic displays at random, as well as persistent and intermittent loss of functionality of essential safety systems, including airbags and other driver safety features. Videos of the bizarre, "haywire behavior" are available upon request. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 1, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 16,240 miles · CA

While driving, vehicle completely lost power/stalled. Power steering lost, all acceleration and power assisted braking. Indicator lights for variety of systems light up. Pull over to side and restart vehicle. Vehicle exhibits "haywire" behavior, with indicators for all systems, including traction control tire pressure, battery, hybrid electric system, parking brake, etc.going off. A short video was taken of this behavior when restart was attempted after the stall. Vehicile fails to restart. After additional try, vehicle starts, and traction control and some other systems remain non functional. Vehicle is returned home, then returned to dealer, who advises that vehicle firmware is up to date, and that the issue "cannot be duplicated." vehicle was up to date on previous recalls relating to stalls. The stall was incredibly dangerous, and dealer does not seem to have any idea what source of the problem is. We have been sent away, being told to return the vehicle if problem shows up again. We do not feel that vehicle is safe to drive, and dealer has done nothing to address or diagnose the issue that caused the problem. The issue came after some other issues with vehicle sometimes indicating that airbags need service, or not recognizing that seatbelts were buckled. I believe the issue to be related to problems with computer firmware governing the vehicle.

Filed Apr 9, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 26,995 miles · IL

While driving to work in the morning on 19-feb-2019, the mil check engine lamp illuminated as well as the "red turtle" limp mode indicator and a dashboard message stating "vehicle speed may be limited." this happened while driving on local surface streets about one mile from my place of work. I had just turned off a 45 MPH main street onto a 35 MPH side street. The gas engine in my phev hybrid vehicle stopped working but could still operate at normal speed in all-electric mode. I got to work and plugged my phev van into a chargepoint evse to recharge. At lunch, I ran some errands and noticed that the gas engine still would not operate under any conditions, which is very rare during the harsh, cold weather we were having at the time in the chicago area. After returning to work, I made a service appointment at my local dealership for that evening. On my drive to the dealership after work, the all-electric motor also failed and stopped working about two miles from the dealership. This happened on a 35 MPH main street, and I was driving straight down the road at the time. I shut the vehicle off and restarted it and was able to move about 100 feet before it shut down again. I was able to repeat this process 2-3 times in order to turn my vehicle off onto a side street so that I was not impeding traffic on the main thoroughfare. I had my phev van towed to the dealership that evening. It has now been at the dealership for repair for 49 days, and they still cannot determine what caused the loss of power and forward motion.

Filed Feb 8, 2019 · Fuel system, Transmission · 17,000 miles · KY

While driving, I experienced a sudden loss of power. The vehicle put itself into a low-speed mode (aka "turtle mode") and then would no longer accelerate at all. It has been determined that an entirely new transmission is required.

Filed Jun 26, 2018 · Engine · 9,500 miles · CA

While driving 45 MPH on 4-lane divided surface street, a warning chime sounded, all the dash lights illuminated, and the engine died. Once stopped, was unable to restart the engine. All the lights remained on, as did the radio, etc. Was able to 'start' the system in order to put it in neutral and get pushed to side of road. Engine would still not turn over. Electronics remained on - would not turn off even when door was opened. Tow truck driver pulled a switch to enable him to put it in neutral and the engine started. Apparently when that happened, it cleared the codes and the chrysler garage was unable to identify the problem. After four days of trying to recreate the problem, they gave up and gave me the car back. I am extremely uncomfortable driving it now. Had one previous incident where the chime sounded and all the dash lights came on, but did not lose power, or steering. Engine light came on, but once car was stopped and then restarted, light did not come back on. Both times that happened, the electric battery was depleted and car was in hybrid mode, using the gas engine.

Filed Dec 19, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 2,000 miles · CA

The car had been operating normally while driving for about 15 minutes when we realized we missed a turn and decided to turn around using a driveway. The car was never switched out of drive. After turning around we started accelerating to cross the two lane road and then all motive power cut out, we lost power steering and could not operate the gear shifter. The vehicle stalled, dangerously blocking both lanes of traffic with three children and two adults inside. We got everyone out of the vehicle and off of the road. A few minutes later after reentering the vehicle, it started normally.

Filed Dec 19, 2017 · Brakes, Engine · 1,300 miles · CA

Car was powered on, put in reverse and we began backing down a steep driveway. Part of the way down the motive power cut out, we lost power steering and power brakes and could not operate the gear shifter. We could not get the vehicle to restart on the hill but were able to roll down to the bottom. Once at the bottom we were able to restart the vehicle normally.

Filed Jun 12, 2017 · 1,300 miles · CA

Chrysler says possible diode failure, possible sudden loss of power, possible crash (fatal), but chrysler has no replacement, says nothing can be done until third quarter 2017. That's unacceptable. I can't drive a deathmobile. My car has not shown symptoms, but that's not the point. My VIN is on recall list. Recall notice attached.

Filed May 6, 2017 · Engine, Steering · 270 miles · TX

New 2017 chrysler pacifica hybrid with 270 miles stalled on a busy intersection and won't turn on. The vehicle was in motion when it lost power and came to a complete stop. The engine sign is on and message says "press brake to prevent rollong". Turning off and turning the it back on does not make the issue go away.