62000 miles on the vehicle. Bought used from Chrysler dealership with 55K miles. Check engine light came on after starting in morning, rough idling. Brought it to dealership and was diagnosed as cylinder-4 misfire. Dealership replaced spark plug and coil, switched fuel injectors. Drove away from dealership, week later engine light came on again. Went to the dealership, they performed a block test, confirmed 4th cylinder head needed to be replaced. This is an extremely common problem in 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacificas. This is a travesty and needs to be rectified.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica engine complaints
Page 8 of 14: complaints 191 to 220 of 384, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Driving through a parking lot when the van said shift to park and completely shut off while moving. Lost power steering and acceleration. Car then would not restart. Husband came and we hooked to his battery and somehow it cranked and we got it home.
Our engine has stalled while driving the vehicle at least four times since July 1. The engine begins to shudder, and the car will not accelerate, and then the engine completely dies. After it happened today, it was not possible to restart the engine or put it in gear. My and my family's safety was put at risk because the vehicle was inoperable. Three times this happened on major interstates with traffic moving at high speeds. I had to move my children and their car seats into another vehicle while traffic passed. We have had the vehicle in for service at least three times, at least twice at Chrysler dealers. The problem has not been reproduced (yet) but this latest time it completely disabled the vehicle so expect they will see more of the problem now. After the engine cuts out, we get an electrical warning light that flashes briefly, plus a check engine light, and a message that instructs to move the gear shift to P to start the vehicle and another that warns that the Start/Stop system needs service. We have had these all serviced, the fuel pump and battery replaced, and have been told the problem is resolved and yet it keeps happening.
Vehicle is 5 years old and at 90,000 miles. Head gasket blew causing several thousand dollars in damage. This seemed very early to have to do this to the engine. I wanted to report in case this is a persistent issue with this particular model of car. If it is a consistent issue I would like to see. A recall issued.
My 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has a blown head gasket. It has been to a Chrysler dealership and an independent auto repair shop. Both places told me that this is a known defect and commonly occurring problem with this engine. I have conducted my own research and it definitely appears to be a known defect and common problem. I was told that the head gasket could be replaced but more problems would follow and paying the large repair bill wouldn't guarantee the van would be problem free. The best option I've been presented with is to replace the engine completely. It is very disappointing to need to replace an engine in a vehicle that is only 5 years old and just barely over 100k miles.
P0303 code. Ended up being a blown head gasket and required entire engine replacement from damage caused. Refused warranty as it was brought into dealership in Aug 5 2023 but warranty ended July 25 2023. All maintenance had been performed
Van just unexpected shutdown no warming light nothing ! This is a handicap van rear entrance !!! On Tuesday August 8 2023, Daughter and handicapped granddaughter riding in van it just stopped she had to coast in the middle turn lanes until help arrived Did get daughter out in wheelchair push across 3 lanes traffic to safe very hot that day... On the federal safety agency says as of January 17,2023 compaints on 2018 Chrysler Pacifica With inspected engine shutdown..
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The message "Shift to Park" was displayed. The contact stated that she shifted to park(P) and turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. A local mechanic met the contact at the scene and assisted in restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer several times; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure started to occur after the head gasket was replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the dealer had not performed a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Cylinder 3 misfire, combustion gases in coolant, coolant consumption but no leak, probable failed head gasket
A blown head gasket (and possibly warped head) were causing a cylinder 3 misfire. The vehicle has only 70,000 miles and has had regular maintenance performed. It appears the motor design is faulty, likely causing a build up of heat in the engine compartment or internal to the motor resulting in blown head gaskets. This is apparently a common problem and Chrysler should develop a solution to handle the issue.
Cylinder head inside the engine has a Crack with antifreeze leaking into the engine. I had been driving the car prior to being able to make an appointment at the dealership. Luckily there was not a crash due to this.
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, smoke came from underneath the hood; however, the contact turned off the vehicle. The contact waited for the smoke to settle before restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to drive the vehicle for a short distance, and then the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed due to extensive melted engine parts. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The engine is failing due to poor design and parts. Coolant has leaked into the motor causing a misfire and likely a ruined engine. With this damage, the engine can stop at anytime risking all occupants especially if driving at higher speeds. This is a minivan intended to safely transport families. It has not been to the shop yet. There was first a fuel pressure sensor check engine code and then after that was fixed we scanned the stats few weeks later and now there is a misfire. This is all a far too common issue for Chrysler Pacifica with the 3.6 L Pentastar motor.
Currently have 62,254 miles on my car and the head gasket is now faulty requiring a repair that’s almost $4,000. Check engine light came on prompting it to be looked at and head gasket was root cause. Appears to be a very common issue with Pacifica’s but no service bulletins or recalls associated with this issue yet.
My car won't start it says that the engine or accessory is on when it isn't. I had this same problem last year during covid so I replaced both the batteries last year. Now it's doing it again. This time how ever the light is flickering on the drivers side. The doors when I first got it and sometimes says still that there not enough power to operate sliding doors.
- The car still has open recall Z11 ( RU PHEV hybrid traction battery fire). - The car had open recall XE1 RU PHEV transmission open. - The car became stranded refusing to put the transmission into gear. - Had to tow the car to the dealership. The dealer stated the traction battery fuse was blown. The dealer could not pinpoint the root cause of the issue, nor did chrysler have parts readily available to fix. The car still shows there's an open short. - The dealer could not complete diagnosis because of the Z11 recall. They stated that the traction battery can not complete self check procedure. - Chrysler is unresponsive in following up on the issue.
In November 2022, roughly 2 weeks before Thanksgiving our 2018 pacifica showed an engine code on the way home, it read to be a misfire. We were already enroute and near home so we cotinued driving. The low coolant light came on briefly as we were pulling into the driveway and the engine became hot. When I looked under hood I could hear a gurgling noise and noted th coolant resovoir to be empty. The next morning I added coolant and used a Gasket leak detection kit to confirm a blown head gasket. Vehicle was dropped off on a Monday and was in the shop for nearly a month waiting on parts. We were very fortunate to be so close to home. Failure occured under warranty but upon research found that the issue was fairly common among vehicles with this engine, some failures as low as 40k on the engine.
Got a check engine light for misfire cylinder 4. Take it to a dealer and told its blown a head gasket at 76k miles. They act like this has never happened. Start reading all the forums and it’s a widely known issue that the manufacturer won’t correct. Could have an accident or catastrophic failure caused by their negligence.
I purchased this vehicle Certified Used from a Chrysler dealership 2/2020 and it did well until about 1 month ago. The motor was running "rough'' and sometimes losing power. Diagnostic code P0303 came up and I am told by our mechanic that the 3rd cylinder is ''blown''. Most likely due to dropped valve guide and / or warped head. When I began to look up reasons for this problem online, MANY problems just like this for the 3.6L V6 Pentastar motor. I was told not to drive it any more than I absolutely have to as it could / will lose power without warning. I don't know if this has been confirmed by dealer or ISC but it is on many forums and subject to class action lawsuit. There has been no other inspection besides my local mechanic. Engine light did come on when problem first began about 1 month ago.
Rough idle when starting cold. Cylinder 3 misfire. Loss of coolant. Jolt when accelerating .
Engine noise and rattling as well as coolant levels dropping dramatically. Mechanic advised head gasket repair and upon further inspection a NEW ENGINE on a 2018 vehicle. With more research, I see this has affected other Pacifica owners.
Pacifica 2018 Model. The engine light started coming on. The car started shaking strongly at start but gets normal after some minutes. Took it to dealership. Dealership said same problem you are discussing. Coolant was gone. Head gasket gone. The cylinder 5 misfiring. The engine needs to be replaced. This problem is affecting just too many owners. Request Chrysler to acknowledge that it is a problem.
Head Gasket Failure
Check engine light came on . Came back with a misfire in the 5th cyslinder. confirmed by the dealer and the head gasket replaced. issue remains
Warped cylinder head (right side) causing cylinder misfires and loss of power; loss of coolant. Engine could have hydrolocked while driving. Check engine/P0303 code shown 17May2023 Dealer inspected 18May2023 and found warped cylinder head. Engine: 3.6L V6 24V VVT Engine with ESS; engine origin Mexico. 2018 vehicle with 69,000 miles odometer.
Van has been clunking/slipping through transmission when accelerating. Stop/Start function error relayed and had a rough idle noticeable when started cold. Car would shut down on occasion when coming to a stop. Battery was recently replaced, assuming due to start/stop battery(also been replaced) draining main battery. Technician indicated Misfire on cylinder, coil swapped, spark plugs replaced and 100,000 mileage maintenance completed per recommendation due to scope of work. Van returned then upon first start, extremely rough idle and exhaust smelled the worst I've ever smelled, choking even. Van taken under warranty at least 2 times for transmission and abrupt shutdowns due to safety concerns with vehicle. Never replicated at dealership.
Car began to idle roughly and the check engine light came on. A scan returned the code that indicates a misfire in cylinder 3 of the engine. Our local service station was unable to fix the problem, but stated it could be a leaking head gasket. We took the car to a dealership, where they diagnosed a crack in the engine block, with coolant leaking into the engine cylinder. The dealer service department is saying the engine needs to be replaced, at the cost of around $16,000. The car is at around 85,000 miles, far too early to have engine problems of this magnitude. This issue has been widely reported among other owners of 2017-2022 Pacificas...all similar cases. A misfire in an engine cylinder (usually 3 or 5) which ends up being diagnosed as a cracked engine block requiring a replacement.
Noticed that I have been low on antifreeze/coolant over the last few thousand miles. Reading other complaints, it seems as though the engine block becomes warped around 60,000 miles causing the engine to burn coolant. Chrysler will end up replacing the headgasket for around $3-4,000 which ends up lasting around 10,000 miles before the same issue occurs. Just surprised that a car with 60,000 miles would fail. There really should be at least a TSB on this.
Pacifica with 68000 miles giving a P0303 cylinder 3 misfire. After taking to two separate mechanics, they both confirmed its a blown head gasket leaking antifreeze into cylinder 3. Going to cost $4000 to repair.
Pacifica 2018 Model. The engine light started coming on. The car started shaking strongly at start but gets normal after some minutes. Took it to dealership. Dealership said same problem you are discussing. Coolant was gone. Head gasket gone. The cylinder 5 misfiring. The engine needs to be replaced. This problem is affecting just too many owners. Request Chrysler to acknowledge that it is a problem. My car has only done 73000 kms and I have taken very very good care of it with regular maintenance and got it fixed only from flagship dealerships. Seems warranty just expired month ago. I am the second owner who purchased it at 21K km. The dealership told me that they may not fix it under goodwill as I am second owner. I am left with no options.
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