2017 Chrysler Pacifica: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Body, Electrical · PA · fire

The contact owned a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at the residence and unoccupied for over 24 hours, the contact's son smelled smoke, looked out the bedroom window, and observed flames coming from the tailgate and the rear of the vehicle. The contact's son notified 911, and the fire department responded and extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to Next Gear Auto Sales (Easton, PA). The vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not insured. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 20, 2025 · Fuel system · IL

Due to faulty plastic fuel neck hose . When pumping gas the gas tank piece broke off .which now I have hard time putting gas in , I can never get it filled up with gas because it keeps stopping as if it’s full , which in this case it’s not . And I have to hold the piece to get fuel in . This can be dangerous it could cause over fill gas to flow over or even on one’s skin or instance catch on fire . This part needs to be stronger as in metal not plastic fuel neck. Also without warning no lamp lights showed up .

Filed Jun 27, 2024 · Engine · PA

I was driving the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica on [XXX] when the engine warning light came on and indicated that the engine was running hot. When I got home we checked and added engine coolant since it was low. Two days later the van was running hot again. I pulled over the engine coolant was empty. We refilled the engine coolant. Two days later the engine light came on and I took the van to our mechanic and he completed a partial tune up on the van and refilled the engine coolant. A few days later it began hesitating, jerking, and bouncing and the check engine light came back on. The temperature was reading okay. At home and when we opened the hood there was a very hot smell. When we opened the coolant and it began to bubble up then sucked all the liquid back into the van...somewhere. We left the engine cool completely overnight but the smell of burning coolant was seeping into our house all evening. In the morning we added more coolant because the tank was empty again. A few days it started all over again., loosing engine coolant, jerking, hesitating and bouncing. (I only drive the van 12 miles a day to work then 12 miles back.) This time I took it to our mechanic and he ran a diagnostic test and it found a cylinder misfired. He checked the coolant level and it was empty again. At this time he also checked the oil to be sure the coolant was not going into the oil tank but the oil was clear. He also double checked for recalls on the van and also on the spark plugs he had just replaced and but found nothing. He reset the engine light and we added 1/2 can of BG-44k fuel cleaner, part 208. The van ran smoothly for about five days. Then it began all over again. We then took it to a Chrysler dealership and was told the head gaskets were leaking coolant into the cylinder and the van needed a completely new engine! at a cost of $13,750! This seems to have been an ongoing issue with this model of van and Chrysler is doing nothing to fix it! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552

Filed May 1, 2024 · Engine · IL

Engine light came on while driving. Had a 303 code for misfire In cylinder 5. Also smelled coolant but didn't see a leak. Brought I. to dealer where they inspected it and said it was a cracked head gasket. Which seems to be a common issue with this vehicle. The repair was done and I'll be bringing it back in tomorrow 2 days after repair for white smoke coming from engine. Also noticed coolant level was lower than when I got it back from shop.

Filed Jan 26, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · CO

After smelling a burning smell when driving, an independent service center diagnosed that the engine oil cooler had failed causing the engine oil and antifreeze coolant levels to drop low enough that continued driving could seize the engine. The sparkplugs were damaged and a head gasket could be required as well. If not for the burning smell, the van could have stopped suddenly in busy traffic on the highway with my kids inside. The vehicle can be inspected anytime. I have not yet contacted the manufacturer. No warning lights went on. The only indication was a burning smell that I first thought was the new rear brakes I had installed.

Filed Jan 16, 2024 · Engine, Steering · TX

The vehicle first malfunctioned 09/2022. All the signals on the dashboard came on including the wipers. Then the vehicle wouldn’t accelerate and stopped while driving in the middle of the road. I got it towed to a Chrysler dealership and they had it for 4 four months and couldn’t maintain power within the van. After 4 fours I received the van back and it was driving good. Recently, while out of town on 12/16/2023 the van began to run hot for the first time and I parked it. The next day it wouldn’t start and I got it towed to a nearby shop on 12/18/23 and I was told it was my starter. I replaced the starter and the shop said it was something with my engine due to white smoke coming out the exhaust pipes. I got it towed again to a nearby Chrysler dealership on 12/19/23 and they confirmed after doing the diagnostic, the service shop said I needed a new engine because the coolant leaked into the cylinder heads blowing the gaskets. I asked what caused this issue and they stated overheating. The vehicle has never shown signs of overheating such as smoking or the gauges going up until that night which was a brief 5 minutes because I parked the van. I have researched and seen multiple cases like mine in both circumstances with this same kind of vehicle and not1 recall has been placed. I maintenance the vehicle as required and believe this is a manufacturing issue.

Filed Nov 17, 2023 · MN

Our driver side sliding door can only be opened with the fob and overhead button located in the front of the vehicle. If the driver becomes unconscious or the vehicle is on fire the back passengers have no way to get out of the van. It cannot be manually opened from the outside or the inside. It is a very serious safety issue!!

Filed Sep 20, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

Computer Code P258B - Electric Vacuum Pump - After fixing code P000B with an oil change, the P258B code caused the check engine light to come back on and after further investigation found that the wire that comes from the pump looks like it has started melting. The external wiring casing is no longer covering the wires and the piece plugged into the pump looks like its splitting. I finally found the part through the Mopar site but is referred to as an Air Pump: Product ID: 68274999AD. Luckily the car has not stalled or caught on fire. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance reps, or others. I plan on ordering the part to install myself as personal funds don't allow me the luxury of taking to the dealer to have this done. I will keep the part if the manufacturer wants it to inspect.

Filed Jan 27, 2023 · OK · fire

December 24, 2022. Started the vehicle to warm up (25 degrees outside), approximately 3 minutes later it caught fire. Vehicle has been in the dealers shop for multiple electrical issues, 9 recalls since it was bought new. All repairs have been at chrysler dealerships. Got it back from dealer on 2nd of December after they had it for 7 weeks repairing electrical short and latest recall.

Filed Oct 25, 2022 · Engine · CA

The problem began with an engine light and gave a P0303 code. We made an appointment with the dealer but the starter went out before it could be solved. After repair the service manager noticed a hint of white smoke from the tail pipe. After we received it, we took a short trip on the freeway and had the temperature shoot up and a horrible burning smell came in the cabin. We pulled over and got to a gas station. The coolant reservoir was empty so we filled it. On the way home the engine light came on and the next day we took it to a local shop. They confirmed it was the head gasket leaking coolant into cylinder 5. A code reader pointed to cylinder 3 with only a misfire but in reality you are losing coolant at a high rate. The mechanic will notify our warranty company with their findings. At city speeds the temperature stayed normal, as soon as we entered the freeway it reached the max temperature and smoked the cabin. There was no warning light to signal low coolant. Vehicle was purchased used from a local dealer.

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · NY · fire

We stopped at a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike (Mile Post, 92.9 NJ Tpke, Woodbridge, NJ 07095). After about 10 minutes we returned to the car and noticed a little bit of white smoke coming from the hood (approximate location 12-volt battery). Due to the color of the smoke thought was the radiator. I popped the hood from the car to inspect and at moment about to lift the hood, small flames came from between the hood and windshield. We then backed away from the car and called 911. Within minutes the car was consumed by large flames and the fire department had to extinguish the flame. NJ State Police said the cause would not be investigated due to arson not being suspected. Luckily no cars were parked close to us so no cars were damaged. There were no warning lights or messages in the car prior. The car is a regular engine, but there is a warning for this issue on the hybrid version, so not sure if maybe also affect non-hybrid engines as well.

Filed Jun 24, 2022 · Engine · PA

At 57,000 miles my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica was having a rough cold start. Engine light comes on and take it to mechanic, Cylinder 4 misfire. Spark plugs, manifold gaskets, and ignition coil replaced. Receive car back, still starting rough and check engine light appears again. Call Chrysler dealership for an appointment. They are backed up in a week. At that point the van was not driven, and dies. vehicle gets towed to the dealership- bad starter and possibly another cylinder misfire. Starter replaced, car rough starts and coolant starts leaking into cylinder black smoke coming from exhaust. Cylinder 3 misfired and now being told that either the head gasket needs to be replace or the cylinder head because it may be cracked or warped.