Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid power steering loss problems

Filed Dec 20, 2023 · NY

The vehicle warning said it would shut down and to pull over immediately (the "Loss of Motive Power" issue known to these vehicles). THe vehicle is available as it has been sitting at the dealership waiting for the transmission for FOUR MONTHS. This occurred on 8/19/23 and as of today, 12/20/23, the transmission is yet to be replaced. I was driving on a 70mph highway with my two small children in the backseat. It was terrifying to lose power steering and the inability to accelerate. I had to pull over on the busy highway and turn off the van, wait a little bit, then turn it back on. I made it about another 1-2 miles when it did it AGAIN. I did the same thing, turned it off/on again, and then made it to the next exit to wait for a tow truck. Yes, this is the known Transmission issue with the Pacifica Hybrids made through Jan 2023. This was confirmed by the Chrysler dealership I had it towed to and inspected by then, there was no police or insurance report. It has not been test-driven or reproduced, to my knowledge, as they know what the issue is and have been waiting for four months to fix it. The dash displayed the known warning with this issue immediately when it happened the two times it occurred, there was no warning beforehand or any symptoms of any issue with the vehicle. The dash displayed "Stop Safely. Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon."

Filed Sep 21, 2023 · Suspension · DE

My vehicle developed a squeaking noise and led to a lower control arm malfunction I have searched the web and found that it's a common problem with a specific van My daughter owns one and developed the same problem this could result in loss of steering

Filed Aug 3, 2023 · Electrical, Transmission · MD

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - The dealer / manufacturer is unable to determine the root cause. The car shut down while I was driving on the highway. It does not start, meaning no engine turnover to operate / drive the vehicle. The only known issue was the recall for the electrical component failure. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Yes, both myself and others on the highway were at great risk. As my car shut down, I lost control of the vehicle - no power steering or ability to use the accelerator. My vehicle slowed to 40mph in the right lane, while other vehicles including trucks were still traveling at high speeds and quickly approached my vehicle. They did not see the hazard lights until they were only 20 feet away. This was very close to a fatal accident. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - No. There is no solve to the issue. They claim, however, that they are replacing the *entire* transmission and think that this will fix the car. Yet, this seems to be an entirely separate, unrelated issue. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - Yes, I received an error message 1 day prior. See attachment photo of dashboard. I was instructed by the dealer to drive it into the dealership the very next day - the day the car shut down on the highway.

Filed Jun 7, 2023 · OH

Van stopped working on busy highway. No prior issues. No power steering, lights all flashing, van shaking, braking intermittent. Van rolling on shoulder of road, had to put on emergency brake. Family of six, one child with special needs. Over two hours to get roadside assistance. Tow truck operator had to have driver help to get on/off tow truck due to van switching in/out of gears. Dealer service department claiming no responsibility and no assistance and passing onto Chrysler. Chrysler said it was not the recall possibly the hybrid transmission shutting down and the dealer will get to it when they can. It has been almost one month. We are driving two cars everywhere, paying loan for the van still, we had a rental, but gave it back because they said they could not guarantee payment. We are really feeling at a loss. We are not sure it would be safe to take on the highway again or if it would be worth it due to the issues we have had following this incident. Please assist and/or advise if able.

Filed Jan 21, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · PA

Vehicle lost ability to accelerate on highway engine shit off, lost power steering, dashboard read “press break and push button to start” as though vehicle were turned off. Dashboard displayed default message “service hybrid electric vehicle system”. Happened 3 times in span of 3 days. 2 of which were on the highway, the 3rd was on exit ramp of highway. The inability to accelerate/loss of power steering while driving is a huge safety concern. We called dealership, service manager immediately acknowledged safety concern and picked up vehicle at our home. Vehicle is currently being evaluated at dealership.

Filed Oct 28, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · TX

I was driving on a local road and car suddenly stopped running; accelarator unresponsive; power steering not working either. I was able to pull to side. Car said shift P to start , gear change didn't do anything and blinking, check engine light came up. And “check charging system” light came on. It was very dangerous. After 3-4 minutes I was able to get my car turn off and on and then it drove normal. So I decided to take it in nearby open parking area. It would restart but not do anything even if switched into drive or reverse. Check charging system light on and no power steering again. I had to get it to get it towed the next day from that lot. First tow truck unable to tow due to steering being locked. 2nd tow truck needed help to move car due to steering. Been at dealer for 30 days. They changed charging port but it didn’t work. Now they are changing battery. I don’t want this car back and don’t want to keep making payments on it either. It’s not a safe car.

Filed Apr 15, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 11,000 miles · TX

The vehicle is an electric and gas hybrid vehicle. While driving the vehicle at highway speeds, the vehicle goes completely dead. There is no power to accelerate, no power steering, reduced braking. This happened in june of 2020 and the vehicle had to be towed to the dealership. The dealership had the vehicle for approx. 3 weeks to repair and a new electrical inverter was installed. A similar event happened on 04-13-2021, however this time once the vehicle went dead and the vehicle coasted to a stop, after trying to turn the vehicle back on it was again under power. The vehicle was able to be cautiously driven to the dealership and at the time of writing this it is being services for this issue. In both the june 2020 and current situation, there was an error code stating "service charging system". In both circumstances, this has occurred at highway speeds with significant urban traffic. My wife was driving the vehicle this last time with our child in the vehicle. When this happened she was on a one lane express lane where people travel at the highest highway speeds. She was so concerned about getting struck by another vehicle she considered having both of them depart the vehicle and cross multiple lanes of traffic to get to safety. It is extremely dangerous for the people in the vehicle and for cars around the stalled vehicle. Thankfully they did not get struck.

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 Oct 2, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 250 miles · CA

Brand new, 5 day old hybrid pacifica with 250 miles stalled out while slowing down to complete a 3 point turn on a two lane road. Prior to stall brakes were 'mushy' and not as reaponsive, however during the turn breaks failed completely, and power steering went out. Forced to slam on breaks while forcing steering wheel to complete turn. Initially thought emergency breaking engaged to stop car that was now headed towards a curb and pedestrians but more likely hit the curb causing the car to stop hard. Car remained purpendicular to oncoming traffic for approximately 2-4 minutes while I tried to restart engine. 7-8 cars began to back up on each side of car continuing to cause a increasingly dangerous situation. Had not experienced any issue until 'mushy breaks' about 1 block prior to 3 point turn and stalling. Incredibly dangerous! Purchased this car based on safety ratings and hybrid feature with hopes of driving it for a minimum of 5 years. Completely terrified to put my family back in the car as they could have been seriously injured or killed due only to car malfunction, as could have those that were in the path of unresponsive car. Under the california lemon law I am expected to put my family back into a car that is dangerous only to prove that it once again put my family in a life threatening situation. This is why people take these dangerous cars to car max or sell them privately, without full disclosure, so they don't have to put their loved ones at risk without completely losing $50,000. Dangerous car! Dangerous law!

Filed Aug 22, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 300 miles · CA

I was driving the chrysler pacifica hybrid 2018 completely shut off. No power steering, no electronics no nothing. I thought it was a fluke until I talked to someone else with the same car and it happened to them 3 times. My wife is scared to drive the car now and we have 3 small children and don't know what to do. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'