Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid won't shift problems

Filed Mar 25, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Vehicle lost power with no prior warning at highway speeds. Vehicle then displayed "Stop Safely Vehicle will shut off soon" message. In order to attempt a reset, driver must turn off, leave vehicle with FOB and secure vehicle. Then return to vehcile and start up in an attempt to reboot. Check engine light remained, but functioned nromally for a day. Vehicle did the same on another freeway at 70 mph, and continued with the same events above several times, some producing immediate repeat message, or other times getting a half mile down the road. Depending on availability of a shoulder or center divide, this is extremly dangerous to fail unexpectedly on the highway. In California there are freeways with over 6 lanes, try getting across 6 lanes of traffic with no power, in limp mode. Vehicle is now at dealer awaiting diagnosis and repair. I continued with the vehicle when the tow truck service via Chrysler corporate stated 60 -90 min response. My saftey was more of a concern if I had to wait that long.

Filed Dec 23, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Driving on the freeway going roughly 70 MPH, on electrical power, and several instances (XXX, XXX, XXX, XXX, XXX) the dashboard displayed 'Stop Safely, Vehicle will Shut Off Soon' with a red turtle icon, also known as Limp Mode. In all instances we were able to safely maneuver over to the shoulder, turn off the engine for 1-2 minutes, and turn the vehicle back on. In most instances, the Check Engine light remained for a period of time (sometimes just a few hours, others a day). I have taken the vehicle in to 2 separate Chrysler dealerships. The first at CDJR of Los Angeles, who sent a STAR team and was unable to diagnose/replicate the issue, so they claim the issue had been solved. The second at CDJR of LAX where they replaced the Power Inverter Module (and also tightened a loose nut, which was another safety concern). Since both of those visits, the issue has persisted, including the loose nut which made a clunk sound every time when accelerating. This is a serious safety concern. I have spoken with Stelantis, and they refuse to take responsibility to resolve the issue. They only provide the robotic response that 'since the dealer cannot replicate the issue, they cannot do anything.' Complete [XXX]. The dealer has acknowledge error code P0843 in my vehicle, but currently it is not 'active', whatever that means. This is a serious problem that needs to be fixed! This is a good vehicle when it works. I love the PHEV that after 2 years, I only have 16k miles, and most of my miles, as my daily driver, are on electric power. But the issue with this error are severe. Chrysler was aware that there were cars stopping without prior notification, so their solution was updating the software so the system would have these notifications to alert the driver. What baloney! That does fix the issue! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 16, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · VA

While driving on the interstate, we heard a warning chime and a warning about the engine shutting off was displayed, along with the check engine light and a turtle icon, and the vehicle lost engine power. It was just coasting, which made it difficult to get to the shoulder in multiple lanes of heavy traffic. We called emergency roadside assistance who told us it was in limp mode and called for a tow truck. According to the dealership, a sensor in the transmission has malfunctioned and the entire transmission will need to be replaced. This appears to be the same issue for which these vehicles were recalled, so whatever repair Chrysler has done is clearly not effective. Our vehicle was purchased new, after the recall service had been done.

Filed Oct 20, 2024 · Transmission · CA

Van shut down on the freeway last night. 3 warnings came up on dash. Stop Safely, Vehicle shutting down soon engine warning light red turtle, "limp mode" light van is a 2022 pacifica hybrid limited with less than 25000 miles

Filed Sep 8, 2024 · TX

Pacifica hybrid turned on but would not shift out of park or turn off. The radio was playing, air was blowing (though not cold), power doors were not functioning. The car was towed to a Chrysler service center while still running. They turned the car off and when they looked at it several days later there were no errors codes and the car was turning on/off and able to shift out of park and drive. They returned the car to me without any explanation for why this happened. The car was purchased 13 months ago and this is the second time this has happened. The car did the same thing in January 2024. The car ran for hours without being able to shift out of park or turn off. The car died by the time it was towed to the Chrysler service center. The service center recommended replacing the auxiliary battery at that time, which we did (Jan 2024). They said there were no mechanical error codes showing.

Filed Aug 18, 2024 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

Vehicle was purchased new on [XXX]. 360 surround cameras and Connect box malfunctioned and vehicle was brought in for service on July 10, 2024. I was told by the service advisor that the camera was a poor connection and simply plugged back in but they were unable to reproduce the UConnect issue and that it was currently working. On [XXX] I started the vehicle in my driveway and it immediately entered "limp mode" with a large red turtle appearing on the dash and the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle would not drive greater than 5mph and posed a safety risk on the road so was towed to the dealer. The hybrid battery coolant hose was replaced and I picked up the vehicle on [XXX]. The diagnostic code relayed to me was P0C44-00. On [XXX], I started the vehicle in a family member's driveway and it again entered limp mode with the red turtle and check engine light displayed. The vehicle was again not able to be driven and was towed to the dealer. Chrysler engineers are now involved in the repair. I do not know if the previous camera and UConnect Box issues are related to the red turtle limp mode. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 8, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · TN

While driving, the vehicle spontaneously goes into limp mode and warns the driver to pull over immediately because it is about to shut down. This has happened at least 10 times in my ownership of this vehicle since 10/04/2023 and the first time on 10/09/2024 and most recently occurred 07/06/2024. The first time it occurred on a narrow mountain road at night but I was safely able to drive slowly for about a mile before finding a parking lot to pull over. Several times were significantly more dangerous and occurred while traveling 70mph on a busy interstate and forcing us to navigate across several lanes of traffic into the emergency lane in a vehicle that is no longer able to keep up with traffic due to significant power loss when limp mode. Once pulled over, the vehicle must be turned off for several seconds before restarting and driven again. Occupants are at significant risk of being involved in a collision during the entire process from unexpected power loss, navigating traffic with said power loss, parking and restarting the vehicle on the side of a busy road, and attempting to safely merge back into traffic which is often traveling 70+mph. This entire issue is due to a faulty wiring harness in the transmission of 2017-2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid that can short circuit and requires immediate shutdown of the vehicle when it occurs. Thus far the only remedy from Chrysler is a software update which installs a driver warning to pull over and restart the vehicle before it shuts down instead of immediately shutting off. This is marginally better than complete power loss but still poses significant increased safety risk for passengers and surrounding vehicles and a remedy that stops the failure from occurring in the first place needs to be implemented immediately. This has been known to effect 70,000 vehicles from 2017-2023 year models and the fact that a remedy to the actual problem has not yet been made is appalling and dangerous.

Filed Jul 4, 2024 · Electrical · OH

Dash displayed "no bus" at the range level along with every error message possible. All of a sudden it goes haywire. Can't tell what speed you're going, you can put gas to floor and no acceleration, power steering comes and goes, wipers turn on and off, let go of the brake and it accelerates on its own, you name it. Van will not shift in and out of gear and will not turn off even when holding down start button. We've taken it in three times second and third time was towed in, and now it's happening again. They can't find anything wrong with it (other than 60+ error codes). They reset the codes and then drive it and say it didn't happen to them so they have no answers. Third time taking it in they were able to reproduce the problem but don't have a definitive fix. Turning it on and off doesn't help, it happens each time at random points after turning back on (either immediately or a mile or two later). No idea the rhyme or reason as to when it happens that we can tell. I'm very glad it hasn't happened on the freeway! Because it's really unsafe. Last drive before the tow the hazards didn't even work.

Filed Mar 16, 2024 · Transmission · GA

When traveling at interstate speeds, the van suddenly went into limp mode going from 75 mph to less than 30 mph in seconds. It then told me I needed to get off the road and power down the vehicle or it would be done for me. I had to put in the flashers and take the van across 6 lanes of traffic. I had a letter from Chrysler from last summer stating was a possibility, but they just said to come in if it happened. There was no preventative measure offered. My van had to be towed to the dealer.

Filed Dec 18, 2023 · Engine · OR

Check engine light came on first in 12/2021 because of a failed coolant heater. Dealer repaired under warranty in 8/2022. Loud/rough idle started 2/23 dealer could not determine what was causing the sound. Started noticing empty coolant bottle once a month. 11/23 check engine light came back on indicating coolant heater failed again. Still noticing vehicle losing coolant. Vehicle begins rough idle again and misfiring code in #3 cylinder. Dealer requires diagnostics to determine reason for coolant heater failure since they replaced in 8/22. soonest appointment avail for diagnostic is [XXX] Misfire continues. On [XXX] goes in “limp mode” take it immediately to the dealer, service advisor clears codes sends me on my way. Take vehicle to scheduled diagnostic on [XXX] and they determine the cause of the rough idle is the valve cover seal leaked oil into spark plug tubes and coils were soaked in oil. Warranty has expired and the dealer cost is $2700. I take to my local mechanic on [XXX] and he replaced all recommendations for $1800. He recommends that coolant is being lost due to head casket issues, cracked block. I have read dozens of the same experiences with these vehicles on Pacifica forums and believe that there is a huge safety issue as they are advertised for families and can carry 6+ passengers and the cost for repairs is in the $6000-$15000 range and are occurring when the vehicle warranty has expired. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bend, Oregon INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)