2018 Chrysler Pacifica: multiple warning lights

Filed Aug 9, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · PA

• July 19 (PM): While driving, the vehicle displayed: ◦ Service Hybrid Electric System (red wrench) ◦ Check Engine Light • July 20 (AM): All warning lights had cleared. • July 20 (PM): While driving, the following warnings appeared simultaneously: ◦ Service Hybrid Electric System (red wrench) ◦ Check Engine Light ◦ Service Electronic Stability Control ◦ Parking Brake Temporarily Unavailable ◦ FCW Unavailable – Service Required ◦ LaneSense Unavailable – Service Required I needed to find an alternate parking spot since the parking brake was not working. • July 21: All warnings cleared except the Check Engine Light, which has remained illuminated continuously since then. • July 25: Upon starting the vehicle, the following warnings returned: ◦ FCW Unavailable – Service Required ◦ Service Hybrid Electric Vehicle System ◦ Parking Brake Temporarily Unavailable ◦ Service Electronic Stability Control ◦ Service Shifter ◦ Check Engine Light Again needed to find an alternate parking spot with parking brake not working. Once again, these warnings disappeared after the next restart, with only the Check Engine Light remaining. Took car to dealership for service. Expected issues had to do with recall work that was completed earlier in the month. They said it was not and that the it was due to loss of can c bus communcation because the star connector failed.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · SC

While I was driving the car started beeping and all dashboard lights started flickering. Transmission started stuttering and engine rpm fluctuating wildly. Fortunately I was in my neighborhood and was only going about 15 mph and was able to pull to a stop. The issue is with a faulty star bus connection near the glove box. After watching a you tube on the same issue, I learned to hit the area near the glove box to reset the star bus connection. This has happened before but usually on startup. Dealer not able to repair after $1600 charge. This is the first time it happened while in motion. Again. Seems to be a common enough issue that there are several you tube videos with thousands of views.

Filed Oct 5, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · GA

While driving, the Pacifica lost all engine power in the middle of an intersection while traveling at 34 mph. All the dash lights blinked and sounded alerts. The car then showed U1267 and U0416 diagnostic codes.

Filed Sep 7, 2025 · Electrical · KS

My van completely shut off, and all lights on the gear shifter stopped working. Yes, it is available for inspection until the gear shifter is replaced, as recommended by the dealership. The van lost power just as I lifted my foot off the brake to proceed into an intersection. This sudden shutdown created a traffic backup behind me and could have put me and others in danger had I entered the intersection. The issue has only occurred once for my husband while driving but has not been officially reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center. Yes. I took the van to the dealer, who suggested replacing the battery and the shifter. I replaced the battery and ordered the shifter, but the second failure occurred after the new battery was installed. In addition, I’ve noticed a continuous clicking sound coming from the van after it is turned off, which does not stop for approximately 5 minutes. There were no warning lights or messages before the failure. After the van shut down, the “start assist” light came on, and it did not turn off until about four days after the battery replacement.

Filed Jul 8, 2025 · Driver assistance · FL

Van was working fine one day and the next, before I even started it, when I pressed the brake pedal to start the van, there was a buzzing noise from the braking system and pedal went almost to the floor. Once I started the vehicle, the noise stopped and the pedal travel returned to normal. However at the same time, the warning light / message for several of the systems came up (ABS, traction control, collision detection, parking sensors, etc) along with several messages (ParkSense Unavailable, FCW Unavailable Service Required, Service Antilock Brake System, Service Electronic Stability System). Using an OBDII code reader displayed several "communication errors" (start with the letter "U"). I researched it on the Internet and it would appear that this is caused by a common failure of the "star connector" ("bus module" to connect various components in the van). I ordered a replacement part (which I haven't received yet) but not completely surprisingly, about 1 week after the issue occurred, today my vehicle was running properly with no more errors. I'm hoping the federal safety agency forces FCA to fix this issue under a recall. I've read of several other owners suffering the same issue and IMO, this is a security risk as ABS and traction contol (along with other systems) are disabled when this happens. In included pictures of the dash when it happened (note all the warning lights) and of the dash when if fixed itself (no warning light although MIL is still on (I haven't cleared it))

Filed Oct 15, 2024 · Transmission · IN

I left work one day and I stopped at Walmart once I was done there, I got into my car to leave when I attempted to start my car all of the dash board lights illuminated although my car turned over it would not engage into gear. I did notice that all the dashboard lights illuminated simultaneously, which was quite alarming. This happened not once, but twice both times when I went to start the car however the second time I immediately drove it to the dealer for service. This left me concerned about what might be causing the issue. Only for the dealer to tell me it is my transmission and it would cost me $10,000.00 to fix it as a blue collar worker I have absolutely know idea what I am going to do. I then began to research the car only to find out that this year, make & model has a recall on the transmission describing the exact symptoms I am having. Please help!!!!!! my lively hood depends on me being able to get to work!

Filed Sep 10, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Purchased vehicle used and have put on miles. But since day 1 issues have been arising. First the Auto stop/start function stopped, 2 years later still unable to find the fix. More recent the gear shift just doesn’t work/turn on randomly or turns off while driving which is a safety concern. Now for the past 2 months the gear shift will not work or while driving the vehicle just loses acceleration and braking and slows to a stall and I can’t do anything until the gear shift turns back. I had 3 children on [XXX] when this started putting all our lives in danger. We were stuck for 2 hours the vehicle ran but was not drivable. Every mechanic says something different and it is a luck of the draw if the vehicle will work when you try it. Batteries all tested good. No obvious other issues other than loss of power steering for a short time. All warning lights flashing on and off randomly but it coincides with the loss of driving capabilities. I just want to be done with this vehicle it’s dangerous and now I’m stuck with it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 9, 2021 · Electrical · AZ

Vehicle would not start and would not move out of "run" position so I could not turn it off. Multiple warning lights and messages appeared including service transmission, service shifter, vehicle not in park, also shifter lights would not come on. Could not jump start it. Eventually had to disconnect the battery and then reconnect to get it started. This is not the first time this has happened, though the first time it was stuck in the run position where I couldn't even turn it off. Shifter has already been replaced once after the first time this has happened. Auxiliary battery has also been replaced prior to this latest incident. Dealership has no idea what is wrong. I did see a prior recall that had supposedly been done regarding battery grounding, but this makes me question the work. Safety issue because I could not get the car out of the run position and it was in my garage. Also, when I did get it running, it would not go into reverse. I had to drive forward a little in my garage and then put it in reverse which worked.

Filed Oct 6, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · MI

While driving the van suddenly stops and the engine cuts out-this has been accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights going on and off. The steering wheel also locks up when this happens. The van shows that it is still in run mode but will not move until it is turned off completely and then restarted. This has occurred while in traffic driving at normal speeds as well as when turning. In these instances I had my kids in the vehicle with me. Following one incident the vehicle would not restart for about 2-3 minutes. When attempting to start the dashboard lights and interior lights would flash on and off and then stop. I have taken it to an independent repair shop that was unable to correct any issues due to proprietary Chrysler programming. My local Chrysler dealership told me that they could not replicate the issue. I have also had issues with the side and rear power doors opening part way and then closing and vice versa. This incidents have occurred while the vehicle was running but not in motion. The local dealership did diagnose an electrical issues with the rear folding seats that was caused from a programming bug that they indicate was fixed. All of these issues have occurred multiple times and every time I am told that it could not be replicated so there was nothing to be done. Currently the van is not operational as it will not start, when attempting to start ALL the lights (internal and external) flash on and off, the vehicle indicates that it is in run mode but the engine is not on. I did have the battery tested, it’s fine. Multiple online searches revel that I am not the only consumer with this issue.

Filed Sep 24, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Vehicle stops in the middle off traffic. Engine will start but car will not move. Numerous warning lights appear such as:vehicle not in park (it is in park), rear brake assist unavailable, shift to P then desired gear, service electronic stability control, park brake temporarily unavailable. The vehicle accelerator pedal can be floured and the RPM is only 1500. After tow trick delivers me home, the vehicle will miraculously drive unimpeded for days and weeks until the very same thing happens. Repair facilities have said they can find nothing wrong/cannot duplicate.

Filed Jan 19, 2020 · Body, Engine · 17,780 miles · IL

Came to full stop at a light on a 2 lane highway. There was no one in front of me and one care behind. Almost immediately after stopping for the light, the engine stopped, the transmission indicator light flashed the light under "d" and the gauge cluster flashed multiple lights. I can only remember seeing fwc or fcw flashing but there were other lights. Auto start/stop was not disabled so I was initially not surprised by the engine stopping at a light. To restart, I had to place transmission back in "p", hold the brake and push the ignition. I then, despite having our seat belts on, had to disengage the parking brake by pushing the button. This usually happens automatically when the vehicle is placed in "d". Once we returned home, the driver's side power sliding door would not operate. We had to open it manually to get my son out. The passenger's side worked like it should. Both these things have happened to my wife (the primary driver) several times and reported to the dealership. They have been unable to replicate the problem or fix it.