2017 Chrysler Pacifica: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Brakes, Steering · IL

The vehicle is experiencing multiple serious mechanical failures affecting the brake system, powertrain, and steering/wheel components. The brake system produces a constant hissing sound and appears to have lost braking assist. When the brake pedal is depressed the vehicle continues to roll forward and requires excessive force to stop. The vehicle has rolled forward while braking at intersections, creating a significant safety hazard for both the driver and surrounding traffic. These symptoms were first reported on February 4, 2026. Shortly afterward the vehicle was inspected by a Chrysler dealership, which documented a brake vacuum leak in the braking system. Despite that inspection and documentation, the braking condition has continued to worsen and the vehicle no longer feels safe to operate. The braking performance is inconsistent and stopping distance appears to be increasing. In addition to the braking failure, the vehicle experiences powertrain issues including transmission hesitation, delayed shifting, and loss of power during acceleration and when driving uphill. The vehicle also has severe vibration and instability originating from the front driver-side wheel or steering area while driving, which affects vehicle stability and control. These combined mechanical failures involving braking, drivetrain operation, and steering/wheel stability create a serious safety risk during normal operation, particularly while braking in traffic or attempting to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle currently feels unsafe to operate due to these worsening conditions and unresolved mechanical defects.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WV

It loses power alot especially uphill. It smells like burnt oil all the time. Smokes out exhaust. Hesitates anytime you put the gas down. And then clunks around sometimes too

Filed Sep 15, 2025 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while turning to the left or the right, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly decelerate. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions while turning into a busy intersection. The contact was concerned that the failure might cause a crash. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · FL

Hard shifts when accelerating. Constantly having issues where if I press on gas the vehicle hesitates and RPM jumps and jerks my children and I very bad.The vehicle Constantly stalls out to were we can be killed one day! I would like this reported due to the scary situation i have been having on the road with accelerating the vehicle and the car starts smelling like it's going to catch fire one day! I keep smelling oil burning and no one acts like they know about the thousands of recalls about the transmission failure that is not covered for my vin. This is a waste of money to be investigating my vehicle issue. This vehicle was poorly made to kill someone. No check engine lights have ever been displayed since I bought this vehicle

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 Jun 24, 2024 · Engine · 50,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that soon after purchasing the vehicle, the check engine warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer; however, once the vehicle was in the dealer's possession, the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. Upon return of the vehicle, the vehicle jerked and hesitated upon the depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light intermittently flashing on the instrument panel. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CO

Continue issue with stop/start system failure that drains batteries to the point of total power loss, even at high rate of speed. An audible ticking sound, engine misfires resulting in bucking and surging, decreased engine performance, hesitation, loss of power. Start/stop system has been investigated by dealership multiple times. Power loss and engine misfire were reported as the result of the start/stop system failure. However it has been a reoccurring problem with continued worsening symptoms. The safety of myself, my passengers and other travelers is at risk due to the unexpected bucking, surging, hesitation and power loss that occurs during traveling. Problem has not been reproduced at service center as it has been “solved” by replacing batteries and not investing further. Vehicle has been inspected by qualified mechanics. Warning lamps have recently alerted but the problem of engine bucking, power loss, surging, hesitancy have preceded the warning lamp. It has been at least 8 months of engine concerns and 2 years of power concerns that were reported to dealership and only 1 month of the warning light indicating a problem.

Filed Jul 26, 2023 · Engine · 81,000 miles · MN

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the temperature gauge fluctuated between hot(H) and normal(N). In addition, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact discovered that the coolant level remained low. The e vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where leaks were discovered in the oil housing and the radiator. The contact's husband replaced the spark plugs; however, the failure remained. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic discovered a misfire in cylinder #3. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · VA

Around 79k miles the car began hesitating and rough idling. From the OBDII sensor: Error Code P0301: Cylinder 1 misfire detected

Filed Mar 4, 2023 · Engine · CA

P0303 error code for misfire in the engine, 3rd Cylinder. Repair was completed by the dealer. It was 13,000 miles outside of drivetrain warranty. Now, the second failure is 3 months outside the 2year, unlimited mileage service warranty from when the head gasket and seat was replaced on the #3 cylinder. I just learned there was a class action ruling related to my model car and engine due to a faulty crankshaft. I have no idea if this could result in my current engine problems as I continue to have difficulty reaching the appropriate Chrysler representative to ask. I read in another class action lawsuit (which has been filed I believe by a law group on the East Coast, and then postponed due to COVID) for specific defects inside the engine resulting in misfires, hesitation during automatic shifting, and sudden increases in speed (which I have experienced during freeway driving). One of the symptoms of this issue is a ticking sound when the engine is turned off, which my car has always done, though I was told some years ago this is normal for this car. It took 3 weeks and about half a dozen calls to the dealer service department before I got a call back to schedule a diagnostic which is another 6 weeks out.

Filed Dec 7, 2022 · Engine · 104,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 5 MPH and making a turn, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle restarted after several minutes. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled again. The vehicle hesitated while restarting. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

Filed Oct 12, 2022 · Transmission · FL

Vehicle has intermittent shifting issues. During shifting it may stall/hesitate in shifting to the next gear. During shifting it may slam/hardshift into the next gear. The hesitation in shifting causes a lengthy pause in acceleration and could cause an accident when crossing lanes of moving traffic. The hard shift could cause the vehicle's driver to be startled and react in a way leading to an accident or it can cause car to lunge forward faster than expected causing an accident. The issue is intermittent. There are no warning lamps.