2018 Chrysler Pacifica: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Transmission · ND

Engine experienced premature valvetrain failure (camshaft/lifter issue) at approximately 145,000. Vehicle developed ticking noise, misfire, and loss of power. Diagnosis confirmed camshaft/lifter damage requiring major repair. This appears to be a known issue with the 3.6L Pentastar engine and is documented in Chrysler STAR case S2309000013. Failure creates potential safety concern due to loss of power while driving. Vehicle is out of warranty, and manufacturer has not provided consistent support for repair despite known pattern failures.

Filed May 7, 2025 · Engine · MI

Brought Pacifica into the dealer because of "check engine" light. Car had some shaking too upon startup. There was also some "ticking" sounds in the dashboard. Dealership told me that the head gasket of the first (and likely third) needed to be replaced. There was an engine 3 misfire per diagnostics. I was quoted at $4,600 for the repair. This appears to be a known issue, as the dealer said "we don't know if this will turn into a recall." There seems to significantly similar issues all over the Pacifica message boards.

Filed Dec 8, 2024 · Engine · NY

Vehicle engine is stalling, smells like burnt makes a lot of knocking sound and has a lot of white smoke coming out the muffler. My safety of my family and me is put at risk because this is a safety hazard that can cause an accident or a fire.

Filed Nov 15, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · FL

[XXX] [XXX] [XXX] the federal safety agency Office of Defects Investigation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Subject: Complaint Regarding Recurrent Mechanical Issues and Potential Safety Concerns with 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Office of Defects Investigation, I am writing to formally report repeated mechanical issues with my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica (VIN [XXX] ), which have raised significant concerns regarding the vehicle’s reliability and safety. In 2023, my vehicle initially experienced a persistent ticking noise in the engine, leading to extensive repairs. These included replacing the tappets, rockers, and timing chain tensioner on the right bank of the engine. Following these repairs, the vehicle exhibited low oil pressure, ultimately requiring a complete long block replacement. These issues left the vehicle out of service for nearly two months, significantly disrupting our daily lives. Despite these major repairs, my Pacifica has recently developed overheating issues, necessitating the replacement of the radiator at an estimated cost of over $2,000. The vehicle has less than 60,000 miles, and I find it deeply concerning that such critical mechanical issues are occurring at such low mileage. These repeated failures suggest a potential underlying defect in the design or manufacturing of this vehicle, which could present a safety risk. An overheating engine, for instance, poses a potential hazard both to the occupants and to other road users. As a police officer and parent of three young children, I rely on this vehicle for my family’s safety and transportation. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency investigate whether these issues are indicative of a broader defect in 2018 Chrysler Pacifica models. I believe an investigation could help identify potential safety risks to other owners and encourage Chrysler to address these problems proactively INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 13, 2024 · Electrical · 64,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that since 2019, the "Auto START/STOP feature unavailable" message was displayed on the instrument panel. Due to the failure, the vehicle intermittently failed to start, the vehicle was jerking and hesitating while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle also shut-off unintendedly while driving at various speeds. The vehicle had been towed to a dealer on several occasions and the auxiliary and the main batteries replaced; however, the failure returned approximately a year and a half later. To prevent the failure from recurring, the contact disabled the Auto START/STOP feature to prevent the vehicle from stalling. The contact stated that numerous repairs had been performed on the vehicle and that the only other solutions would be to replace the transmission, perform a software update or replace a possible unknown sensor. Additionally, the contact stated that while turning off the vehicle there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the engine. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

Filed Sep 28, 2024 · Engine, Transmission · NC

The check engine light recently came on, and there was an issue with starting and idling, so we replaced the battery and the light went off, but would randomly come back on. One day notice the vehicle as overheating, and found the coolant tank to be completely empty. Refilled the tank, and several days later the problem arose again. Checked under the van immediately after refilling, no leaks detected. Took van to the dealership and was told the head gasket was bad, and the coolant was leaking into cylinder 3. Recommended repairs noted are as follows: “HEAD GASKET IS BAD. LEAKING ON CYLINDER 3. NEEDS A NEW HEAD AND GASKET TO FIX ISSUE. WILL ALSO NEED CAMS, LIFTERS, AND ROCKERS DUE TO THE TICKING COMING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE MOTOR” I’ve seen that apparently, this is a more than common issue specifically with the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. Others have recommended a total engine replacement, as the damage caused thus far is significant enough that replacing only the head and gasket would be, as quoted, “a very expensive bandaid.” This is the only vehicle we have available for my wife and four small kids, and to see that it’s such a common and, thus far ignored problem is infuriating to say the least. Vehicle was purchased 2 years ago, and has depreciated $21,000 in that short amount of time. Repairs are estimated around $6000. Vehicle value is estimated around negative $12,000, so we’re stuck with a faulty vehicle regardless. With the overwhelming number of complaints regarding this issue, almost verbatim, there is absolutely no reason Chrysler should continue to be allowed to let this go unresolved. The fact that the vehicle depreciated so rapidly in such a short time span should be a testament in and of itself to the known and perceived quality of these vehicles, and if ever I can be rid of it, it’ll be that last Chrysler product I ever own.

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Engine · NC

I own a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with just 53k miles. Recently, after starting the vehicle, the dash board displayed a check engine light. When I took it to the dealership, they informed me the code was a P0305, which indicated a misfire in cylinder 5, caused by a blown head gasket and a coolant leak into the cylinder. AT 53,000 MILES! Their quote to repair the engine (which just sets the ticking time-bomb back to zero) is $5,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2024 · Transmission · NC

Bought my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica used on December 8, 2022, with 70,649 miles on it. I have had issues with a hard shift in my power train. It doesn't do it when transmission is cold and it doesn't do it all the time. My engine light comes on, but it doesn't show any codes for the hard knock. It has been to 2 different dealers including Chrysler on several occasions without the issue being resolved.

Filed Dec 20, 2022 · Engine · MD

Ticking noise began out of nowhere, 2 days later accelerated from a stop light felt a jolt and then lost power and check engine light flashing. Took to closest dealer to have looked at. Dealer determination new engine needed, or have cams, headers, rockers, and lifters repaired. Engine has 68,000 miles on it.

Filed Apr 13, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 6,118 miles · NY

Loose feeling in front end while driving the car and going over bumps in the road,had vehicle serviced 4 times by 2 service places,the noise still exists and I am concerned something will happen driving my car so I have rented a vehicle a few times to make sure of mine and my family's safety,this issue has been going on for 2 to 3 months now and every technician can't seem to duplicate the noise that we feel when going over bumps,it almost feels like something is bobbling around under the car,this issue also affects the steering when making a left turn and it makes some sort of rubbing or knocking noise,this has been so frustrating and I am concerned that something will happen if I don't get this car fixed,I hope someone out there can help me,[xxx] 4/13/19,thank you. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).