2017 Chrysler Pacifica: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

The vehicle has an unresolved electrical/propulsion failure involving sudden shutdowns while driving and CAN C bus/lost-communication faults. Since the high-voltage battery was replaced through a recall-related repair, the vehicle has had repeated shutdown/loss-of-communication events, occurring dozens of times. In the most serious incidents, while driving at speed, the dash flickered, windshield wipers activated unexpectedly, headlights turned off, turn signals would not work, and steering locked or became difficult to control. The vehicle then completely shut off while still moving. After shutdown, the hazard lights would not work. One documented incident occurred on the interstate at about 70 mph. This puts occupants and others at risk because the vehicle can suddenly lose motive power and critical electrical/control functions at the same time, including lighting, signals, hazards, instrument display, and steering/control assistance. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by a Chrysler dealership. Dealer records documented multiple modules losing communication on the CAN C bus. The dealer replaced the shifter module as a possible contributor, but the problem continued. The dealer later corrected loose pin tension at a communication/star connector, but the vehicle continued to shut down and later scan reports still showed widespread active/stored CAN and lost-communication faults across powertrain, hybrid control, body control, braking/ABS, steering, and shifter-related systems. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been confirmed by dealer scan reports and repair records, but the root cause remains unresolved. The manufacturer has been contacted through customer care and repair/scan documentation was submitted. The exact root cause is UNKNOWN, but dealer findings indicate an unresolved major electrical/CAN communication problem possibly involving the harness, connector network, or communication system.

Filed Aug 4, 2023 · Body, Lights · OH

This week was the SECOND time our van lost both low beam headlights at the same time while driving at night. Both times the dealership wanted over $500 to replace them. Our drive train will catch while driving. We took our van in for this problem and were told by the dealership that "its just the way the transmission is made" When we bought the vehicle it was two years old and had rust spots on the hood. We had it repaired. Now, two years later the same rust bubbles are starting to appear on the hood.

Filed Oct 19, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · KS

The LED strip/portion of my driver-side headlight has stopped functioning. It is all inside a closed headlight unit. When starting the vehicle, the LED strip will pulse about 11 times quickly, then remain off. This has been an unsafe defect, because if I am in a lane that is for "Left Turn OR Keep Straight", a vehicle in the intersection across from me could look briefly, see my left LED strip out*, and assume I am turning left -- while in actuality I am keeping straight. This could lead to a head-on collision. *There are many newer vehicles where the LED strip temporarily turns off when that side's turn signal is flashing. Additionally, this can cause a small percentage of uneven brightness. I have not found a way to turn off the working LED Strip on the passenger side without turning ALL the headlights off. It is always on (and always uneven) whenever the vehicle is running. The cost of the repair was quoted by the dealership I bought the van at - an unavoidable $180 diagnostic fee, plus $1,300+ to replace the whole unit, with no other options given. Furthermore, the expensive, "comprehensive wrap" extended vehicle plan the Chrysler dealership sold me refuses to cover the defect. Lastly, the service technician at both Chrysler Dealerships' advise was to "just live with it". This is completely unjust and should be covered by Chrysler, as LEDs should certainly have thousands of working hours left past 5 years, let alone the short 3 years the factory warranty covers. There were no messages or warning signs before this defect was noticed, and there is no information on the defect provided by the manufacturer anywhere I have looked online or on the MOPAR website.

Filed Jun 20, 2021 · Fuel system · NC

we smelled gas on the passenger side and noticed there wasn't a ton of power being given to the engine. Once we got to our destination the gas smell was stronger. We arrived back at our house and the gas smell was really bad at this point and noticed there was gas coming over the headlights. We popped the hood and there was gas everywhere. We got very lucky and the van did not catch on fire. The fuel supply tube (68210442AA) was shooting gas out from a hole in it and it would land a good 20-ft outside the vehicle. This could have killed myself and my family. We went to find the part and come to find out chrysler "redesigned" the part but there is no recall on this part yet.

Filed Aug 16, 2019 · Lights · 21,500 miles · PA

In the first 500 miles of driving my new pacifica on at least 5 occasions I have used the turn signal and while pushing the arm to signal I also manage to push it forward. I have done this during the day and then when night comes I turn on the headlights to find that they start with high beams. As I never use high beams this comes as a surprise and I don't even think to look to see if it happens until someone flashes their lights at me. Having the high beams on unexpectedly is not safe. It should be much harder to accidentally (or on purpose) turn on the high beams. Or there should be a way to disable the [xxx] things so they never go on. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 20, 2019 · Electrical · 35,165 miles · FL

I was in a parking lot and I turned the van on with the lights on auto and the interior lights flashed on then went dark...no speedometer, no gas guage, no navigation, radio, or phone connection. I turned the car on and off twice but it didn't fix it. Then I turned the headlights off and the dash came back. I turned the headlights on and off twice more and nothing changed. We just bought this car and I am concerned it's a lemon.

Filed Dec 26, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 37,800 miles · TN

Vehicle started having issues starting, the vehicle would not start once the start button was pushed. Once it did start and put into reverse or drive the vehicle would not move. I would have to turn the vehicle off, and on again several times before it would start. The vehicle would shut off and then turn back on while on the interstate whenever speed was reduced. The headlights would spontaneously shut off at night while driving, and could not be turned back on. The inside dash lights would also turn off making for a very unsafe situation. The air control also did not work properly. It would be very hot at 68 degrees, and would not blow a steady flow of air. It will speed up then slow down. *bf...

Filed Dec 3, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 11,000 miles · TN

Power steering failing completely. Started intermittently and was first advised that a 'low battery' caused a power spike in the power steering unit and they charged the battery. Then it happened more frequent and they diagnosed it to the power steering unit itself which took a week to replace. Then two days later the power steering went out while entering a 90 degree curve at 35 MPH. Afterwards I could sit idling, watching the voltage wander between 11 volts and 15 volts, and have power steering, but as soon as I turned on the headlights or foglights or put it in gear, the voltage would stabilize at 14.6-14.8 volts and the power steering would turn off. It's been a week and they just contacted chrysler. I'm at 15 days in the shop between failed secondary battery, and a major safety issue with the power steering and no end in site. When the power steering fails, there is practically no way to turn the vehicle unless you have significant strength in the arms. A normal sized woman would only have one recourse and that is to stop abruptly. This will lead to an accident. When the power steering went out on me at 35 MPH, I had no ability to abruptly stop as I had a car immediately behind me. That would have resulted in being rear ended. If I hadn't been able to steer it by sheer brute force, we would have crashed into the trees along the road. When the vehicle was towed to the dealership the power steering would fail while sitting still, much less driving like it did when it first started. I have video of the power steering going in and out while sitting in the drive way.

Filed Jun 21, 2018 · Lights · 18,995 miles · FL

Auto headlight dimmers stopped working

Filed Jul 31, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

I was driving on a highway (with my kids in the backseats) and suddenly (for no reason) the vehicle lost all electricity (including, power steering, engine, headlights, dashboard lighting). The dashboard only said "put car into park and restart." thankfully, I was able to pull over partially onto the side and restart the car after it was in park. (this happened a second time a few minutes later but in that case the electricity came back on itself after a few moments.) this was a scary and dangerous experience.....updated 11/03/17 *bf updated 11/09/2017

Filed Jun 26, 2017 · 505 miles · UT

1- cruise control cancel is in the wrong place change it with the resume? 2- headlight control should be on the other side as it can be changed by my knee? 3- the alarm system doesn't recognize motorcycles and as such you start to stop watching your back? 4- brake pedal is to small and I find myself missing it? 5- the side mirrors do not go in and out automatically.