2004 Chrysler Pacifica: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Oct 13, 2017 · Suspension, Transmission · MI

Bought my 2004 pacifica from a dealership used on june 5 2017 at that time I had the oil changed at the dealership the next day. Nothing said about the cradle almost rusted off on right side. Took pacifica to get tires cause I planned a 1500 mile trip in a few days and wanted good tires. Needless to say besides $400 in tires I had to put $1800 into parts and labor for struts, tie rods, arms, brake pads, rotors and valve stems. Was shown the rusted cradle that was 3/4 rusted through and told it should get changed but the vehicle was safe to take on my trip. While driving when going 25-35mph with my foot on the gas pedal it chugs like its not getting gas and have also noticed it now when going 55 and taking my foot off the gas pedal it doing the same thing. There's been 4 or so times the fuel indicator has gone down to empty and back up again once while idling in a construction zone and almost died twice. Needless to say brought the vehicle to the dealership for an oil change october 3, they changed oil and did an inspection- my vehicle is no longer safe and need to talk to the dealer who sold me the vehicle. Right side of cradle totally rusted off. So why did they even sell the car when they knew it was unsafe or even sell me part because it was unsafe? Dealerships and tire dealerships taking advantage of older people and women! I will be going into both these places and needless to say still paying on the repair with their credit card. I cannot drive an unsafe vehicle and put a few more thousand dollars into it. I also had a new battery put in cause not even a week after purchasing it it wouldn't start and needed an interstate battery! I cannot believe chrysler is being so negligent about putting a recall on these vehicles. I've only owned chrysler, dodge and plymouth vehicles the 44years I been driving.

Filed Aug 5, 2017 · 64,000 miles · NJ

About two months ago I noticed the passenger side floor carpeting was getting wet every time it rained. I took the car to my auto mechanic and determined that the sub frame is coroded from rust and the floor is also damaged with holes in it also caused by rust - the mechanic told me the car could not be salvaged and should be taken to the junk yard since "the car is a ticking time bomb and is extremely unsafe to drive as the sub frame could brake at anytime causing death or serious bodily injury" - I decided to get a second opinion so I contacted an auto body specialist and was given an estimate for $5000 - $6000 to replace subframe and repair the floor damage - I then checked the internet to see if anyone else was having similar issues and discovered there are thousands of chryler pacificas built from 2004 to 2008 that also have sub frame and cradle rot issues that can cause the engine to drop out of the car but there has been no safety recalls - in conclusion, I dont understand how there are so many of these cars that clearly have a manufactures defect but aren't being recalled due to the serious safety issues found and why chrysler hasn't had to do anything about it - finally, please note that I am the original owner that purchased the car new in feb 2005 - the car only has 64,000 miles and is driven locally with only 5,000 miles put on it each year - the body of the car is very good condition and is also very well maintained - I have all service records including $4400 worth of work done in just the past three years alone including new tires, brakes (pads and rotors), exhaust system (cataytic convertor and muffler) tie rods, battery, oil pan, hoses, belts and more. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Filed Oct 19, 2015 · Steering, Suspension · 173,000 miles · MD

I have a 2004 pacifica touring edition...passenger side lower control, hub, sway bar rotted out. Went to pick up parts and every car I came across had the same issue in the same place. How can five different cars driven by five different people have the same problem.....two words...crappy materials. Chrysler should proceed with a recall on the lower passenger side control arm for these vehicles, they are rolling death traps.

Filed May 27, 2015 · Engine, Steering · 130,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pacifica. While driving at 40 MPH, the tires squealed and the vehicle veered to the right. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the front passenger side wheel leaned inwards. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine cradle was corroded and fractured. The technician diagnosed that the strut, strut mount, tie rod, and engine cradle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Dec 1, 2014 · Fuel system, Steering · 128,813 miles · CA · crash

There are multiple occurrence but the start of the problem was 1 week after I purchased the car. 5/6/14 I replaced the tires left front axle along with the front struts and strut mounts, check engine light on came out for emissions system small leak changed the gas cap. Fine till june then I had to replace everything over again check engine light on again same code p0455 changed purge solenoid, along with the right axle. Fine again till august by this time check engine light is back on now changed the nvld pump plus replaced everything over again struts, strut mounts, along with the rack n pinion, front lower control arms both sides, outter tie rods. Once again fine then october rolls around I take it back in because it acting weird steering wise plus the check engine light is on again same code p0455 now I change out the canister, along with everything over again but the axles they are still good. Now november rolls around and everything is at it again check engine light is on p0455 they want to replace the fuel lines now. Also the 4 motor mounts are broke again my engine is almost ready to fall out. Now they are finally telling me after $3400.00 that this is all caused by the rust and corrosion on the undercarriage. My subframe and frame have holes in it, the rust is actually making it's was inside my car now. I went to fix a flat tire and when I used the emergency jack I pumped it 1/4 of the way up and boom it went right thru the frame. My alignment keeps throwing it self off because it can't hold the front suspension in place. The strut mount housing looks like another few bumps and it will go threw. Accident: 1st wk nov '14 I was driving down the free-way luckily doing 45mph and I went to steer my car to the right and it kept going straight and scraped the k-rail. Mechanic said the the bolts he put back into the sub-frame keep falling out because of the rust.

Filed Apr 28, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 110,000 miles · PA

The well-known issue with model years 2004-2005 involving premature failure due to rust on the engine cradle has been confirmed on my own 2004 chrysler pacifica. This vehicle in 12 years old with a faulty subframe and is too dangerous to be driven. There are two extensive areas of rust, one on either side of the engine cradle that extend from in front of, to the rear of the control arms. The rusted areas are already so bad, I am able to fit fingers through the holes in the engine cradle. It is cracked and completely compromised of any structural integrity. There is no reason why this part should not be coated in a correct manner to reject corrosion in such an aggressive form. This is a problem that chrysler is aware of and yet they refuse to fix it. There is no integrity in that decision and very little respect to be had for a corporation that handles such a well-known situation in such a poor manner. This is an extremely dangerous problem and I feel very strongly that this should be replaced by chrysler.

Filed Mar 22, 2014 · Steering · 196,000 miles · SD

Was driving down highway at 55mph, with my niece in the car with me when the car started to pull to drivers side the pulled to passenger side. I slowed the vehicle down to under 40 it was still trying swerve and pull. Scared me and my niece. Has been clunking since about six months after I bought the vehicle in 2008.. Spent over a grand on new tie rods, suspensions, when I took it to different dealer for chrysler vehicles where a technician told me to stop wasting my money, they know there is clunk and dont know how to fix it. I emailed and left message for chrysler with no respinse. Looks like they know how to fix it but chrysler wont stand behind their product and fix the problem till someone dies and the families of the deceased have to sue the company, seriously! Stand behind your product, I dont think I will ever purchase a chrysler vehicle again and will inform all friends and family todo the same.

Filed Jan 14, 2014 · Body, Engine · 64,000 miles · OH

The engine cradle cross member of my vehicle has rotted to the point that the car is unsafe to drive. There is a service note for a small window of pacificas included on a warranty for the same problem, but only for the cars built within a certain date. Chrysler is aware of the problem, but will do nothing to correct it. The cradle incorporates the engine mounts, lower control arms, and steering. If it is not replaced, and breaks while driving, there will be a complete loss of control of the vehicle. I know that my vehicle is not the only one with such a serious issue.

Filed Jan 11, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 42,000 miles · PA

The engine cradle cross member of my vehicle is rotting to the point that I can no longer have the car safety inspected in pa. There is a service note for a small window of pacificas included on a warranty for the same problem, but only for the cars built within a certain date. Chrysler is aware of the problem, but will do nothing to correct it. The cradle incorporates the engine mounts, lower control arms, and steering. If it is not replaced, and brakes while driving, there will be a complete loss of control of the vehicle. I know that my vehicle is not the only one with such a serious issue.

Filed Nov 19, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 116,000 miles · MA

Control arm failure due to severe rust problem with the engine cradle.

Filed Mar 11, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 110,000 miles · MI

Driving around 40 the vehicle started to shake. I thought maybe a wheel bearing or tie rod was the issue. Upon taking it to the shop to get checked I was told that the engine cradle was rusted to the point of almost failing. I am currently having the cradle replaced. Had that occurred at a higher speed I hat to think what may have happened. I called chrysler and was told there is a replacement program for vehicles built between feb 23rd and mar31st 2004. Because my vehicle was built january 23rd 2004 it was not covered and I received no letter. Despite the fact I was driving a vehicle with the same problem in a very dangerous state. There should be a nationwide safety recall.

Filed Dec 18, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 96,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chrysler pacifica. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact noticed a rattling noise from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised the contact that the inner tie rod and sway bar links for the front suspension would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.