2018 Chrysler Pacifica: start-stop system problems

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Transmission · 170,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle was shaking uncontrollably. Additionally, the Auto START/STOP feature intermittently failed to restart the engine while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test indicated that the passenger’s side CV axle camshaft was defective. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V493000 (POWER TRAIN) and 18V492000 (POWER TRAIN); and associated the failure with the recalls. The dealer was notified of the failure and later informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recalls. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · PA

I originally took my car to Reedman toll in 2021 due to frequent issues with the batteries needing to be replaced and the car not starting. At the time I was told it was related to a recall, and they fixed it. However, over the last year I have continued to have various problems with the car. The batteries were replaced numerous times. The check engine light and stop start unavailable light going on randomly. The car also started having electrical issues like the radio would just turn off on its own, or the automatic car doors would not open. The car also started feeling jumpy and shaky upon starting, and when the car is off there is a thumping noise. This thumping noise is still heard when the car has been off and parked for hours. The car will be off and I will get in it and hear the thumping before the car starts. Over the summer the problems became more frequent, and on August 31st it would not start, and I had to have it towed to Reedman. Reedman said my started was bad and also the fuse box shorted. They had my car for 10 days, and during this time I paid $500 out of pocket for a rental. I paid $2000 to Reedman for these repairs. I got the car back, and immediately (same day) experienced the exact same problems, and then my car would not start again. When I did get it started I kept getting warnings that the engine might overheat. I got it back to Reedman and they then said it was a bad alternator and some wires were bad as well. They had my car for 2 months. I picked it up 9/30/26 and within less than 6 hours the check engine light and start stop unavailable light came on. The car started feeling jumpy again upon starting, and the thumping noise returned. This car was purchased brand new in 2018 and only has about 51,000 miles on it. I do not understand why this is all happening to a car that has such low mileage. My 2014 Nissan has never had a single problem.

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · FL

The transmission shifts harshly, clunks when shifted into Drive or Reverse, and hesitates before suddenly lurching. Engine RPM rises before the transmission engages, and some describe the resulting jolt as feeling like being hit from behind. The steering wheel locks stiffly during gentle turns to the right, then suddenly releases causing a jolt back to the left at times, all other times it requires a hard pull of the wheel manually to get the steering to release, which also causes a hard jerking to the opposite direction. Battery and stop/start system: Repeated Auxiliary battery replacements which power the stop/start system and warning lights. On 5 occasions the Aux battery has been replaced and within a week the system fails with no diagnostic readings identifying the cause. This leads to harder drains on the main battery. The main battery (purchased from Autozone, has been replaced on warranty because it never makes it past the 2-year mark) occasional starting difficulties, and inconsistent stop/start operation. Dash Screen: The screen freezes or turns blank while operating the vehicle. Complete loss of cabin temperature control. At other times the display will freeze on the Chrysler brand logo and is completely unresponsive to any haptic touch. The software just freezes. Even after complete shutdowns and time outs the display does not reset immediately. It's a coin flip if it's going to work. These problems have been ongoing since I purchased the vehicle in 2019. Dealerships have recognized them and consistently say that until Chrysler is forced to fix this the Dealerships can't do anything about it without charging me repairs/replacement.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Electrical · PA

My vehicle has developed an intermittent and potentially serious safety-related failure. When the Engine Stop/Start system automatically shuts the engine off at a red light or stop sign, the vehicle sometimes fails to restart. At the same time, the electronic gear selector becomes locked, preventing me from selecting Neutral or moving the vehicle out of the roadway. The vehicle is therefore effectively immobilized in traffic. The only recovery method I have found is to disconnect both the main and auxiliary batteries for approximately 10 minutes, reconnect them, and then restart the vehicle. The check-engine light also comes on when the failure occurs. Both the main and auxiliary batteries have already been replaced on August 3rd, 2026, so this is not simply a matter of replacing an old battery. I brought the vehicle to the dealer on August 14, 2026 for inspection. Because I had previously been forced to disconnect the batteries to recover the vehicle, no diagnostic trouble codes were available when the dealer performed its inspection. I understand why this makes diagnosis more difficult, but the absence of codes after the system has been reset does not eliminate the underlying intermittent failure. I am particularly concerned because Chrysler has issued service information addressing closely related problems on the 2018 Pacifica, including S2008000075, concerning no-start, Stop/Start inoperative and Service Shifter conditions, and PCM bulletin 18-001-19, which addresses 2018 Pacifica conditions involving engine restart performance, battery state-of-charge performance, improper powerdown, ECU performance, and TCM/shifter communication faults. My vehicle also previously received the Y65 Engine Stop/Start campaign in 2021. Now in persistent no-start condition remaining in the failed state and can't be reset. The instrument panel powers up, the check-engine light remains illuminated, the vehicle produces a click when the Start button is pressed.

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 Sep 15, 2025 · Engine · TX

I have written about repeated issues with Auto Start/Stop on this vehicle. Prior dealers have not been able to isolate the problem. Some of the problems seem to mimic a much earlier issue that went to court but did not happen during the timeframe of the class action suit. The prior submission to the federal safety agency was with this tracking number: 11681967 . I am now submitting repair information that aligns with my complaint of the Auto/Start stop on this vehicle. I am submitting this because it helps to support my earlier submission. Thank you

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WI

Check engine light came on the day after the automatic start/stop light came on. Engine code read cylinder 4 misfire. We switched all the spark plugs and changed the cylinder 4. A couple days later check engine light came back on brought the vechile into Bergstrum. They put in a name brand cylinder 4 plug and spark plug, 2 weeks later the light came back on, same exact issue. They are now claiming it’s an engine issue potentially. Sounds like this is a BIG problem for 2018 Chrysler pacificas.

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Engine · TX

Auto start/stop alarm displays in dash. Have taken it to two different dealerships and they say they can find no problem. They car hesitates when stepping on the gas. There have been incidences when the car stalls all together. We have now noticed that the issue is more prominent when the weather temperature is hot like over 90 degrees but especially if the temperature is over 100 degrees. Also just recently within past few weeks the car will stall but keeps going though you cannot accelerate, however, you do not lose steering ability. You have to pull off the road and shut the car down and restart it and then all components work properly. Again this is happening when weather temperatures run high. This has been an issue last year as well. I called Chrysler and got a Star Case # 91330213 but then we stopped having the problem. Most likely because it got cooler but we are having issues again this year now. What is interesting is that the dealerships say they cannot find any code being set off because at times the auto start/stop alarm will reset and then they say they do not see an issue. Yet we know there has been an issue & continues to be an issue.

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IL

While slowing to a stop at a traffic light, the engine stalled unexpectedly. The start/stop system did not restart the engine when I released the brake pedal. Accessories (radio, lights, etc.) remained powered, but I could not shift the vehicle into neutral. After approximately 20 minutes, I was able to restart the engine; however, the transmission remained unresponsive and the engine could not be shut off using the ignition button. I was unable to shift to neutral or turn the steering wheel. Message on dash indicated shifter module required service, and indicated that the vehicle was not in park when attempting to turn off vehicle. The vehicle was only turned off by disconnecting the 12-volt battery. The vehicle was towed to a Chrysler dealership and diagnostics completed, showing error codes with the shift module. They were unable to recreate the problem and advised replacing the shift module. When inquiring about recall V53, the dealership service department indicated that this recall had been repaired on the vehicle in 2020. These symptoms match those described in Chrysler Recall V53 (the federal safety agency Campaign 19V‑348) for 2017–2019 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with start/stop systems, which involves a loose battery ground connection. My VIN is not currently listed in the recall as it was reportedly corrected in 2020, but the issue created a hazardous situation by stalling in traffic, disabling shifting, and preventing engine shutdown. This could have resulted in a crash if traffic conditions were different. Please investigate whether additional 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles not currently included in Recall V53 should be covered or if this is a recurring safety issue with the engine start-stop (ESS) on 2017-2019 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles.

Filed Jun 19, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · KY

Vehicle engine shuts off while driving down the road. Will start up after a few minutes. Traction control light and auto start stop light will come on. Random right wheel noise will come and go. Have had multiple mechanic shops check vehicle with no findings. Vehicle loses all power when shuts down.

Filed Jun 18, 2025 · Engine · AL

Check engine light and auto start/stop function stopped while vehicle began to run rough and slow approximately one week ago on my way home from work. BARELY accelerated to 25 on my way home. Nearly got hit as it did happen in traffic. Took it to Auto Outlet Service Yard for diagnostic purposes. Mechanic stated blown head gasket and needs new motor estimate 4500 dollars only had vehicle 6 months get oil change regularly, drive to and from work and school only.

Filed Apr 1, 2025 · Engine · IA

At startup there has been a noticeable misfire, and a rough start condition. Check engine light came on shortly after buying it (used) with a P0305 code and low coolant was observed - Cylinder 5 misfire. Sparks plugs were replaced and coil was swapped and there was an immediate difference in it running better and less of a noticeable misfire. few weeks later check engine light comes back on and noticed there was a drop again in coolant levels. Topped off coolant and re-checked everything and P0305 code returned. Code has been intermittent but just got it into a shop for further investigation and found a new head was needed where this is a common problem in shops and Chrysler is now recommending to have the head replaced as part of this fix due to problems on their end. Shop it's at won't take the risk of a head replacement, and we'll likely have to go through the dealer. There was previously a class action lawsuit that closed in 2022 to cover this issue. This needs to be a recall or further action needs to be taken before this leaves someone stranded in a dangerous situation - likely when the auto start stop can't restart a vehicle at an intersection due to rough start.