2018 Chrysler Pacifica brakes problems

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Brakes · IN

I am experiencing a serious brake safety issue involving the brake booster on my Chrysler Pacifica. When braking, the pedal becomes extremely hard, pushes back against my foot, and requires excessive force to stop the vehicle. In some instances, when I am at a complete stop, the brake pedal pushes upward and the vehicle begins to move forward on its own. This issue causes a loss of braking assist and significantly increases stopping distance, creating an unsafe driving condition and risk of collision. The problem occurs intermittently but has worsened over time. Chrysler/Stellantis has acknowledged this brake booster defect by issuing a warranty extension; however, they have not issued a safety recall. I was denied repair coverage solely because my vehicle is now outside the extended warranty period, despite the fact that the defect is known and directly affects braking performance and vehicle control. This is not normal wear and tear. It is a failure of the brake assist system that compromises safe operation of the vehicle, whether driving at speed or stopped in traffic. The condition presents a clear safety risk to occupants and others on the road. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency can investigate whether this defect warrants a formal safety recall.

Filed Jan 1, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · CT

Car will not start with push button and/or key fob push. Problem started 10 months ago with dead stop/start battery. Both batteries were replaced and then two months later stop/start system failed at stop lights. Car would stall once break was released to go. Had car serviced, starter replaced. Next day, car stalled and would not restart in parking lot, service department could not find any problems and no error lights found so the solution was to turn stop/start system off. A few months later car would not start on first try, took several pushes and sometimes a keyfob push. Sometimes "no key fob detection" light. Car was sent to service center again and they could not find any problems. At this time car only starts on 2nd push. Problem has worsened over the last 5 months, car takes at least 5 tries to start or doesn't start at all. Additional observations: brake gets very tight and pressurized after the first attempted start, steering wheel is locked.

Filed Nov 20, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · AR

Well driving down the interstate my van slammed on brakes stated safety mode engine will.shut off soon. Now it will not start. It could have caused us to get in a serious wreck.

Filed Oct 28, 2025 · Brakes · WA

I have been experiencing a brake surge when I come to a stop, it has been a few weeks now (or maybe months). It feels like the regenerative braking is disengaging and the friction brakes are not engaging immediately. I am concerned this is a brake handoff issue and a major safety problem.

Filed Oct 25, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MI

At a stoplight the FCW ( forward, collision), warning dash light went on and engaged the brakes, thankfully, no movement was taking place.I had to put the car in park and then drive to be able to resume.This indicates that it could have occurred at high speeds, potentially causing a collision

Filed Oct 14, 2024 · Brakes, Steering · FL

While I was driving the right control arm seperated from the car. I was fortunate that I wasn't on the highway, also that I did not cause a collision with another car/person. With no warning the car felt as if it dropped on to the ground. Soon after I received an error message saying to service the brakes which i assume was also damaged when the control arm fell... I had to have the car towed to a repair shop and received a list of repairs. The car is avaliable for inspection. I had no clue how something like that could even happen. Ive been trying to find answers when i saw a recall on another car by the same maker that perfectly summed up what happened to me. Chrysler's number for this recall is V15.

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Brakes · CA

The van continues to accelerate when I'm braking. This has happened 4 times after an hour or two of driving the freeway. As we were exiting the car continued to Rev up as we applied the brakes. Thank God the light was green. Another time I tried to park and as I was braking the car was accelerating. I had to quickly put it in park position. The van is in the shop, Hunter Dodge, now and they ran a diagnostic test and failed to find a problem.

Filed Nov 20, 2023 · Brakes · NY · fire

Wiring for Air-Pump/Power Brake Booster caught fire, see attached image

Filed Oct 10, 2023 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The shifter module fails or malfunctions and it put the vehicle in park. All the electronic controls in the vehicle malfunctions even when the vehicle is driving like the ABS, displays, throttle, ADAS and all other controls How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle suddenly starts throwing the warnings while you are driving - sometimes in the freeways, it also jerks, throttle and other controls and displays goes blank, you are not sure even if the emergency flasher is activated Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? It started almost 2 years ago in Dec 2021 when the check engine light first came, dealer tried to fix by replacing the 12 volt battery but the problems started slowly and in August 2022 disabled the vehicle completely. The vehicle had been with the dealer most of the time since then and its still not fixed as of today

Filed Apr 29, 2023 · Brakes · MI

I have recognized at least 6 times within the first ten minutes after propulsion on, when I apply the brakes on dry pavement, with even brake pedal pressure, the brakes do not grab properly and the car continues to glide forward for a few moments, Then I put the car in park (often at a traffic light) to try to clear or reset the problem.