2005 Chrysler Pacifica: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Dec 10, 2017 · Engine, Steering · MI

My vehicle started making a clunk noise from the engine area and stopped shifting out of second gear. I took vehicle in to a repair shop for transmission service and was told by the repair shop that the vehicle is unsafe to drive because the engine cradle has corrosion and has rusted to the point that the engine is about to fall out the vehicle which most likely caused the transmission to fail. This was discovered while my vehicle was being lifted on the hoist. The repair shop said they are afraid to keep the vehicle on the hoist because someone could get injured while underneath it.

Filed Nov 4, 2016 · Body, Engine · 70,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chrysler pacifica. While operating the vehicle, the transmission experienced very hard shifting. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer who discovered that the engine cradle was rusted and corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2016 · Body · 128,000 miles · IN

During a mechanical evaluation for a clunking noise and possible wheel bearing problem in the front end, the vehicle was raised on a lift for inspection. The engine sub-frame was found to be badly rusted with holes completely through the metal. The clunking noise was suspected to be the rotting sub-frame flexing while steering and acceleration/deceleration. The mechanic declined to make any repairs and I was advised to park the vehicle until the sub-frame could be replaced. I was also advised to call chrysler since a recall was issued on a portion of these vehicles. My VIN number was not included in the recall, even though it had been manufactured at about the same time, was purchased in western pa and operated in the "salt belt". We've enjoyed owning this car and my wife wanted to retire the car to our home in florida. She had just driven the car from indiana to florida on the interstate two months prior to discovering this sub-frame problem...the thought of that makes me cringe. Through no negligence on my part, I now have a vehicle that is unsafe to operate and the cost of repair will likely exceed the value of the vehicle..

Filed Jun 3, 2016 · Body · 92,000 miles · NE

I bought a 2005 chrysler pacifica in may of 2016. When I took it to a garage due to a clunking sound in the front end it was discovered that the engine cradle was rusted through on both sides. Many areas under the car are very badly rusted like a car three times as old.

Filed Mar 1, 2016 · Body, Engine · MN

Purchased 2005 chrysler pacifica limited 4 years ago. Currently 109,000 miles.. Had been hearing a clunky noise for a short time took it in to get checked😔 mechanic came back with ghastly news. Tie rods,bushings, water pump,rear axle shaft oilseal and worst of all cradle was rusting through. Over $7000.00 to fix all. I thought I would faint. No way could I do all the repairs. Upon reading all complaints chrysler should fix the rustimg problem. Shame on them for letting these cars on the road knowing this could happen to families purchasing their vehicles and possibly having a fatal accidemt occuring when the engine falls out.

Filed Aug 22, 2015 · Engine · 160,000 miles · IN

Loud clunking noise when shifting into reverse from park or taking off from a stop. Once it is in 2nd or 3rd gear you don't feel or hear noise. I figured my motor mounts were bad again (replaced about 4 years ago) and when I checked they looked bad so I took it to a local repair shop. They confirmed they were shot but also said my engine cradle was rusted out and that was why the motor mounts probably went bad so fast. We have had 3 bad winters in indiana and they use a lot of salt. So, I searched the internet and found plenty of similar complaints but chrysler isn't doing enough to repair or compensate owners for the cost. There is a class action suit filed in ohio that I will try to get on board with in hopes of recovering some costs. I'm afraid to transport my daughter and friends in my vehicle, which is the primary vehicle for our family.

Filed Apr 30, 2015 · Body, Suspension · 152,172 miles · OH

In ''14, it was noticed that the subframe was rusted. I did not inspect it any further because I trusted that it was a normal amount of rust. However, on 4/27/15, the car began to have issues. Upon acceleration from a stop or slow-roll, there is a vibration that can be felt throughout the floorboards & the gas pedal. When the car shifts from 1st to 2nd gear & the RPM's drop, the car makes a "thud" or "clunk" sound from the engine area of the car. This "thud" can be felt in the cabin of the car. The vibrations & the noise has grown worse over the course of 3 days. I had the car inspected during an oil change at a chrysler dealership on 4/30/15, & I was advised that, due to the amount of rust to the subframe & engine cradle, the car's structural integrity has been breached. The mechanic took a picture & had the service manager bring it to me in the waiting room & advise me that if I hit a large enough bump, the subframe may break apart & the engine may drop out of the car. I contacted chrysler & they offer no remedy. Upon research of the issue, I have found that this is a common problem among ''04 & ''05 chrysler pacificas & that the manufacturer had issued a recall on the car for this problem in ''10, but rescinded the recall & created a tsb it, yet upheld the recall for pacificas that were manufactured between 2/23/04 & 3/31/04. Due to the initial recall, tsb, & the partial recall from the chrysler pacificas manufactured in '04, chrysler has admitted fault in not properly coating the subframe materials to prevent rust from occurring. Chrysler is not willing to take corrective action for their dangerous & faulty craftsmanship of their cars. This is negligence & a dangerous practice-for the lives of the drivers, passengers, & others on the roads, as well as within the realms of business ethics. This widespread situation needs to be addressed & remedied immediately.

Filed Mar 10, 2015 · Body, Engine · 140,000 miles · MI

We bought our 2005 chrysler pacifica from a private seller ... Two days later we brougth it into the shop to get a mysterious clunk checked out and found the engine cradle was almost rotted away. After owning the vehicle for not even 48 hours it is now unsafe to drive, I called into chrysler customer service because I saw a recall that at one point covered this model and I was told, " I aplogize but there is nothing we can do". My question is ... If at one point this vehicle was not safe to opperate because of the engine cradle rust problem, what changed to exclude this model? I have plenty of pictures that show I should not be driving this vehicle with my children in it.

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Suspension · 99,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chrysler pacifica. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering and there was a loud clunky noise under the vehicle. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road where he noticed that the suspension cradle was hanging under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician has not been able to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

Filed May 24, 2014 · Body · 115,571 miles · MN

The 2004-05 chrysler pacifica subframes are defective, they rust and corrode to the point of being unsafe to drive. This has been an issue that been reported to the federal safety agency before. A twenty year old car's subframe should not rust and corrode to the point that the engine could fall out, much less a nine year old car like mine and many others who have reported this. Found out chrysler first offered an extended warranty of 10yrs 150,000 for people who live in high salt usage states, such as minnesota where I live. My car qualified so I called chrysler and the guy said take it to the dealership and they will take care of it under warranty. Took it to mckays family dodge in st. Cloud and glen ertl lifted it up, took pictures for chrysler to see, and then told me my car wasn't under warranty. In the process of lifting my car up mckays somehow broke my motor mount which I was told later by my regular mechanic and it now made a clunking sound when I accelerate and feels very unsafe to drive. Glen told us to "prove it" that he had broke it, very good business practices. Called chrysler back and they told us it was a new employee who told me it covered under warranty but it actually wasn't even though I was holding a letter from chrysler saying all 2004-05 pacifica's under the criteria I mentioned above were qualified for the repair under warranty. This is a dangerous problem that many others have reported and it needs to be addressed. Thank you for any help you can offer.

Filed May 20, 2014 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · OR

I was driving and getting ready to turn at a light and as soon as I started to turn my car turned off. Also when I brake somewhat fast it makes a big clunking sound. Also ever since I've had the car it seems to shift pretty hard. I am mostly concerned with is turning off on me while I am driving though.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Body · 156,000 miles · OH

I am a single mom of 2 boys 8 & 4. I drove 3 hours away with my sister who is married with a 1 yr old boy and home totaling more than 6 hours. The next day I was driving out of the church parking lot with my boys in the car when I hear a huge clunk. I thought I had just blew a tire, which was infuriating because I'd just spent $400 on replacing tires 2 days prior, but when I got out the tires were fine. I drove 1 mile home and told my brother in law and dad about the problem. They both crawled under and saw the sub frame all rusted out and cracked. I took it to a neighborhood mechanic who quotes around 2k to fix. I had another come look at the car and quoted around the same. Both said it was not to be driven at all. The noise was quite likely the engine rocking around, and could have literally fallen out. I called chrysler and was told that I was out of the window to get any help. The wear and tear was normal for my cars age and mileage. I would not get any help. I just want it noted that I have read articles with many complaints. Does someone have to die first? A 6 hour drive and 3 children very easily could have been without their moms if my engine had fallen out when I was going down the highway at 75mph. Shame on chrysler and shame on anyone who knows about this problem and does nothing!