2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Nov 14, 2023 · Electrical · MO · fire · 4 injuries

On Sunday, November 5, 2023, our 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid caught fire in our garage. Please refer to the attached PDF which details the incident. I have pictures and videos of the incident as well as a report from the fire department is being prepared. We have placed home and auto claims with our insurance provider, and we are also working with a disaster recovery company who is compiling a report on the damages and losses. - What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? My educated guess from what I witnessed and discussions with the firefighters is it was the car’s electric battery. - How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Refer to PDF; further would this have happened at night and as discussed with the fire department, the toxic smoke, heat, and fire/explosion would very likely have caused the situation to have a much more catastrophic outcome. - Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? I do not know specifically; however, please note PDF related to the federal safety agency Recall # 20V‑334 we had completed in September 2023. - Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Refer to PDF; after the fire was extinguished and at the directive of the fire department, the car was taken to a local salvage yard for safety/risk of reigniting. - Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Refer to PDF; no, there were no warning signs other than the smell that morning and the service charging system notification after I unplugged the vehicle. We had driven the van the previous day with no issues, and when my wife left the house around 930 that morning through the garage, she did not notice a smell or anything unusual.

Filed Nov 20, 2022 · Fuel system, Transmission · VA · fire

I was driving on the highway when the check engine light came on and it started running rough. I pulled off the highway and into a parking lot. When I slowed down, I heard a clanging that sounded like metal on metal. After parking, smoke started pouring out from under the hood and it erupted in flames. The vehicle was destroyed.

Filed Feb 28, 2022 · TX

This is in regard to the most recent recall on the 2018 Chrysler Pacific Hybrids. The entire reason that we purchased this vehicle, was so that we did not have to spend money on gas, as well as for the environment. It is unacceptable that we are expected to sit and wait with a major potential fire hazard. We live in a gated community where we cannot park the vehicle away from our home. We have a short driveway and my 67 year old Mother sleeps in the room RIGHT next to the driveway. We are not okay just accepting this as it is and think it is completely wrong that people just have to "hope it doesn't catch on fire." This is also already the second or third recall on the vehicle.

Filed Aug 11, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · CT

The car 12v battery drains completely, rendering the vehicle immobile and completely non functional. There has been an electrical burning smell once the car is jump started and driving. I fear there is some kind of short or electrical discharge somewhere that could render the vehicle inoperable or start a fire at my home or while the car is being used. This vehicle has been at the dealer for 7 weeks and they have not found the problem. I have been told that the car has been connected to a computer system that is being "looked into" remotely by Chrysler. They have replaced the battery and the charging management system at my expense. The problems started when the car had 38000 miles and began with the "radio" which controls many other functions of the car constantly rebooting and having corrupted firmware which I was told cannot be fixed, only replaced. I have since been told this unit cannot be ordered at this time.

Filed Jun 15, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 9,000 miles · TX · fire

Phev van was charging overnight while plugged into house outlet (110v) using manufacturer supplied charging cable. At around 7 am we heard an explosion and found the van burning in our driveway. Vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames. Fire truck put it out after arriving (~5-6 minutes, I think). No one was injured, in or near the car when it happened. A nest camera across the street showed that the vehicle was smoking prior to the explosion. *bf*jb *dt *dt*dt information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).*jb

Filed Dec 15, 2018 · Engine · 19,475 miles · CA

This past monday/tuesday we have the u94 recall service performed, we also had the first recall update done a couple of months ago. U94 was completed, and no issues were noted with the catalytic converter. Car was picked up tuesday, but wednesday my wife (who normally drives the vehicle) noted that it smelled a bit like burning rubber when she was driving. I drove the car today to check things out and after about 45 miles of driving when I pressed the accelerator a bit deeper to maintain highway speed during a medium grade climb I didn't notice any increase in power. At the same time I heard a loud popping sound which I initially thought was me running over something in the road (there was truck tire debris). I let off the accelerator momentarily to check the road and ensure I wasn't hitting any rubber debris. I again pressed on the accelerator, but again only electric motor power, and no extra grunt from the ice. I even flipped the hybrid info screen to the one that shows the balance of power from the electric motor and ice. I pressed the accelerator a 3rd time and saw the electric motor indicator go to 100% power, and after a second or so the ice indicator also went to 100%, but still no extra boost of power. At this time I heard another loud pop or two, and started to smell smoke. I realized there was something serious going on with the car. I pulled off to the side of the highway and once the car was no longer in motion with airflow under the hood I could see a significant amount of smoke coming from under the hood. I jumped out and popped the hood and what I saw was the entire exhaust manifold / catalytic converter area was glowing bright orange and smoke was emanating from somewhere deeper in the engine compartment. I called 911, fortunately car did not catch fire. I contacted chrysler corporate customer service, and car was towed to dealer.

Filed Dec 11, 2018 · Engine · 4,000 miles · CA · fire

Engine caught on fire while driving

Filed Oct 23, 2018 · Engine · 3,300 miles · PA

Catalytic converter overheated during operation causing a burning smell in cabin. Visual inspection of converter showed it was red hot and the color of the sun. Check engine light came in and car was not functional. This is related to the botched u73 recall and subsequent rrt.

Filed Oct 23, 2018 · Engine · 17,000 miles · CO · fire

While driving on city street vehicle lost all propulsion with warning lights on. Pushed car to safe area and noticed burning smell which was getting worse. Evacuated vehicle and noticed burning smell intensifying. Towed to dealership, where software update was performed as well as both catalytic converters replaced with associated exhaust piping due to severe heat damage. I was informed that the recent over the air update caused the fuel mix to be rich and the exhaust temperature to exceed safe limits. Entire vehicle could have burned which would have ignited the lithium batteries causing an explosion.

Filed Oct 23, 2018 · Engine · CA

Chrysler issued a u73 update as a recall in june 2018 or so and then quietly updated the same u73 software as part of their rrt 18-087 because the software update in june has been burning out catalytic converters and some cars are catching on fire. I feel that because this isn't a recall that more cars are going to catch on fire until it is. Please look at the facebook group "chrysler pacifica hybrid-fire risk: read group announcement" for multiple people reporting about the issue. Fyi I had this update done on my personal car because I frequent the forums and facebook group. I personally did not have an issue but I've seen reports of many people who have.

Filed Sep 26, 2018 · Body, Engine · 5,029 miles · CA

While on traffic 20-30 miles just after the 34miles battery charged ran out and when the car switched to engine mode the car stalled in the middle of the i80 highway. Followed on screen instruction to re start the engine and started after a minute or two and ran at a speed below 30miles per hour to a carpark. Amber engine lighted up and burning smell. I left and charged it in the carpark and managed to go home normally while using battery charge. Went to the dealership and said that its an ongoing issue and that catalytic converter is broken and could take a while as it is on back order. So I am on rental now but don't know when will the car be fixed. *dt

Filed Sep 24, 2018 · 1,050 miles · GA · fire

We purchased a new 2018 chrysler pacifica hybrid on september 3rd. Yesterday, september 23rd, we left to go on a vacation. Less than 30 minutes into our trip (with 3 miles remaining electric range) we heard a clunk and the engine light came on. As the electric range went out we lost all propulsion, and my husband was able to steer it onto an exit ramp as black smoke began billowing from beneath the hood. We and our two children and my uncle all exited the vehicle. The hood was popped and a hero unit arrived, the engine compartment was in flames. We were asked to get away from the vehicle and the fire was extinguished as another fire truck arrived. Knowing the amount of lithium ion batteries on board, a fire, especially one that started inexplicably, was terrifying. We have not had a response from our chrysler dealer, at this time. ... *bf...*bf. Updated 10/29/18*jb updated 10/31/18