2017 Chrysler Pacifica: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Steering · VA

The steering at times will “stick” and a bit of force has to be used to get it to release. Also, when turning slightly at low speeds (steering wheel in the 11 or 1 position at less than 20mph) the steering will “shudder” or “vibrate.” This affects the entire steering system. The entire vehicle vibrates and it feels as though you may lose control of the vehicle. This issue has been continuous since approximately 2022. In an attempt to fix the issue, we have replaced the shocks, coil springs, front axels, front hub assemblies, sway bar links, and tie rod ends. None of this fixes the issue. This seems to be similar to the complaints contained in the federal safety agency Campaign Number PE25009.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Transmission · IN

The transmission in our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica has had issues with slipping, or not engaging as well as violent, hard gear shifts for at least the last 40K miles. We have taken it to the dealership several times, but the dealership said they drove the van and could not replicate the issues. It is important to note that the issues are intermittent and there is no obvious reason why it happens sometimes and not others. There have been countless instances where the van starts rolling forward from a stop and effectively slips into a neutral position before hard shifting back into gear and moving forward. Sometimes when pressing the accelerator at a dead stop the engine revs up before the transmission engages and starts to move forward. Both of these issues create serious risk of being in the middle of an intersection when this happens as the slipping is most often when attempting to accelerate from a dead stop. The hard shifts are very abrupt and startling when they occur. There does not seem to be a certain speed or gear that is more or less likely to trigger the violent shifts but they are occurring more and more often as time goes by. There have been a handful of instances where the transmission shifted gears and initiated a shudder that went away upon the next upshift in gears.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Steering · NY

Mine has a looseness feeling yet on inspection everything like tie rod ends are good. Definitely at the 11 o clock position I can get a shudder or shimmy even at low speeds. Despite it feeling loose it’s tracking excellent on the highway like everything is tight. I also get a rattle like the tie rods are loose at speeds below 30. There is no looseness anywhere on inspection. If the wheel is shaken on a drive on lift you can feel the noise in the rack mostly on the left side. Happens every day.

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Electrical · MI

grille shudder broke

Filed Feb 20, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 128,700 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft position sensor needed to be replaced, and the engine control software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V049000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); and linked the failure to the recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,700.

Filed Nov 5, 2024 · Engine · IA

Our vehicle started to shudder when we started. We took it to the dealership, who initially was unable to identify an issue. They then, a day later, identified that the head gaskets needed replaced. This required a significant repair. Reviewing online, there appear to be hundreds, if not thousands, of similar issues when this type of vehicle reaches approximately 70,000 miles. Our vehicle is a little beyond 70,000 miles. We have also had some other issues, including about 1.5 years ago where the vehicle would randomly turn off while driving. We did take this in for a repair.

Filed Mar 11, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 95,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered and experienced low idling. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed. The dealer determined that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V740000 (Hybrid Propulsion System, Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed Oct 31, 2022 · Transmission · WI

Transmission jerks or shudders when pressing accelerator. Has almost caused several accidents.

Filed Aug 3, 2022 · Steering, Wheels · NY

The car shudders when accelerating. The car jerks when making sharp turns in parking lots at low speeds. The car steering sticks when turning on windy roads I have to manually turn the wheel back to compensate and it is very jerky and dangerous.

Filed Aug 2, 2022 · Engine · 86,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started shuddering. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic twice where it was diagnosed that cylinder #4 was misfiring. The independent mechanic replaced the spark plugs, ignition coils, and fuel injectors. However, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the engine needed to be disassembled to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Filed Oct 16, 2019 · Transmission · 39,000 miles · CA

When shifting from 1st to 2nd gear there is a large shudder and the car lunges forward and slams into gear very roughly. This nearly caused me to crash into another vehicle while driving.

Filed Oct 15, 2018 · Engine · 24,000 miles · GA

I had my 2017 pacifica fixed as part of the recall for the engine stalling issue a few months ago (18v049000). It stalled at an intersection, actually almost twice. The first time, it shuddered and *almost* stalled at an intersection when I accelerated on a green light, but then at the last second it picked up and started moving. A few intersections later, this time on a slight slope, the light turns green, I step on the accelerator, it shudders and stalls. I get the "move shifter to park" and have to restart the car. After restarting it's been working fine since. Obviously they haven't fixed the engine stalling issue.