2018 Chrysler Pacifica: won't start

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 Aug 31, 2026 · Electrical · CA

My 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid unexpectedly rolled after being parked in my residential garage. The van has very low mileage ~60000 miles and is still under Battery Manufacturer warranty. The vehicle had been operating normally and was parked with P displayed on the instrument cluster. It remained unused for approximately 6 days. When the garage door was opened, the vehicle unexpectedly rolled several feet. I believe the closed garage door may have prevented it from moving earlier. A family member who happened to be present stopped the vehicle before a potentially more serious incident occurred. The vehicle and garage door were damaged. Afterward, the vehicle would not start/enter READY mode. The P indicator flashed, selected gear indicators flashed, and “Service Transmission” appeared. The vehicle ultimately required towing. An independent diagnostic scan identified multiple faults, including P07B5-00 (Park Pawl Position Sensor 1 Circuit Performance), P1625-00 (Park Pawl System Failure), and P0AA4-00 (Hybrid/EV Battery Negative Contactor Circuit Stuck Closed). Stevens Creek Chrysler later verified P0AA4-00 as ACTIVE. Their initial reset/weld-check procedure failed and the DTC returned. The dealer then opened Chrysler STAR Case 102963024. Chrysler Technical Assistance provided a PIN/procedure, after which the reset succeeded and vehicle operation was restored. The vehicle was subsequently road-tested and returned to me. However, neither Chrysler nor its authorized dealership has explained why a vehicle parked with P indicated was able to roll, whether the Park-related DTCs were connected to the incident, or whether the condition could recur. I am reporting this because an unexplained rollaway of a parked vehicle presents a serious safety risk. I remain concerned whether the vehicle is safe to park and whether similar incidents may affect other Pacifica Hybrid vehicles.

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 Jul 16, 2026 · Engine · OH

Engine only stalls out when stopped on roadway while driving. Vehicle also does not start up after it has been driven and is parked. It takes 10 minutes or longer to get the vehicle to start again. Check engine light comes on every time when these two situations happen, which it happens periodically. Sometimes it's 2-3 times a day, sometimes, once every two days. Once it starts back up the engine light turns off. I've taken it to 2 reputable shops and neither of them found any issues as they could not replicate the issue, the engine light is not on, and there are no codes displayed. I now have a date for a inspection which includes a test drive with the dealership.

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Engine · WI

I purchased a used 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with the 3.6L V6 F DOHC 24V engine in October 2025. The van had 97,000 miles. Shortly after I purchased it I noticed the engine had a rough idled. It now has 107,000 miles and the rough engine has continued to get worse. What I noticed is when I first started it the engine was rough and vibrated. Once I started driving it was not as noticeable. I decided to take it to a mechanic to see what the issue was. I thought it could be electrical. Before I could get it to the mechanic it would not start. I had it towed to the dealership I bought it from and the y confirmed that it is the head gasket. They told me they would approach Chrysler to see if they would help with the repairs, they said NO. The dealer did offer to bear part of the cost of the $4,000+ cost for the repairs. I do not understand how reputable company can manufacture a product that obviously has a flaw and deny support. I understand that their warranty is limited by time and distance. But from what I have read from the MANY complaints on the particular engine from 2018 it appears the issue arrises at 90,000 to 110,000 miles.

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Engine · MD

VIN: [XXX] 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L Plus 3.6L Mileage at first failure: 52,930 On November 7, 2024 my 2018 Pacifica began losing coolant (I had to refill it multiple times) and exhibited morning engine shuddering/stuttering. I took it to Century Chrysler Jeep Ram in Mt. Airy, MD (Repair Order #XXX). They performed a 5-hour cooling-system pressure test and borescoped all 6 cylinders. Their notes state: “no coolant was found… no leaks… held pressure for entire 5 hours… could not find any leaks.” They replaced the spark plugs and performed a tune-up (total charged $1,606 after discount). Their own paperwork admits it “could be internal engine issue’s” and “will have to wait till gets worse.” They even wrote an estimate for a cylinder leak-down test but never performed it. The vehicle ran normally for only two days. The shuddering returned and rapidly progressed to complete no-start/stalling (engine would not crank). On December 17, 2024 I took it to Limitless Auto Solutions in Monrovia, MD (another Chrysler-authorized shop, Repair Order #XXX). They removed the intake manifold, all 6 spark plugs and coils to inspect for coolant intrusion. Exact diagnosis: “Rear Cylinder Head Warped – Coolant Intrusion In Cylinders 1 & 3” (Bank 1, rear head closest to firewall). They replaced the complete Bank 1 cylinder head, full gasket set, spark plugs, thermostat, coolant, oil, and related components. Total cost: $6,823.54 (paid in full; 36-month/36k-mile warranty issued). The first dealership’s failure to diagnose the known coolant-intrusion / warped-head defect (despite a 5-hour test + borescope) directly caused the engine to catastrophically worsen, creating a clear safety hazard of sudden stalling or hydrolock while driving. This matches hundreds of identical complaints on 2017–2025 Pacifica 3.6L vehicles. I request a full investigation and recall. Both repair invoices are available upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

On October 31, 2020 (before our purchase of the van) the previous owner had to take the van to Chrysler for hesitation in the transmission shifting. On June 14, 2021 (only two weeks after purchase), we had to drop it off for intermittent shifting issues with what seemed like skipped gears. No engine light came on, and the van was returned stating an inability to reproduce the issue. On February 7, 2022 we brought the van to Chrysler after taking it in a few times to Carmax to resolve the the disabled "Start/ Stop" System. The light would intermittently come on indicating the system was unavailable, and shifting would be erratic. An inspection and recall work for the PCM was performed. In June of 2023, the UConnect System stopped working intermittently. The gears were still shifting roughly with the shift knob becoming increasingly more difficult to turn. An independent shop found no solution with an unknown timeframe on the delivery of a new transmission. In June of 2023 while driving, the van shut off completely while in motion. After a few minutes, it started up again and drove as if nothing was wrong. June 24, 2023, we took the van to Chrysler with the same issues. At the time there was still a back order of transmissions for the van. Upon contacting Chrysler, we found out that there was a recall effective on the new transmission and the company rush ordered the part to the shop. As well, the Uconnect system was also addressed. The issue was fixed. After a few years of reliable service, the van functioned normally with rough shifting and start/stop system failures still an issue. In January of 2024, the van would not start at first try. Often my wife was able to get it started after sitting for awhile. In other cases, changing the key fob helped. Changing the AUX battery repaired the issue temporarily. Now it won't start at all. The starter was misdiagnosed by an independent shop with Chrysler finding a failed transmission once again.

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 Dec 11, 2025 · Engine, Steering · FL

The vehicle stalls while driving without any notice. This van has a start/stop function and it malfunctions. There are two separate batteries that control this function and both of them have been replaced. The entire steering rack and steering column have had to be replaced. The front suspension has also had to be replaced because the tires wear out very quickly. The alternator, radiator, and motor mounts have also had to be replaced. The van is available for inspection. At the moment the vehicle will not start and I have been advised that it needs a new starter. This vehicle is a safety risk and it puts others at risk as well. These problems have been diagnosed and confirmed by at least three different service centers including a Chrysler dealership. I generally do not get any warning lamps, messages, or symptoms when the van stalls.

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 Jan 9, 2025 · Engine · MI

Our 2018 Pacifica after only 77K rough miles has a blown gasket and a misfire in cylinder 3. The safety concern is that my family bought this van and are the original owner with the safety standards in mind. We have a 6 year old and a 3 year old. we have had this van since our first born was born. a possible blown engine is a safety issue and wouldn't expect this with such low miles. Vehicle was inspected by the dealer and coolant was found in cylinder 3. the only indication that we had got was the check engine light coming on and then after we made sure the gas cap was on, we ran some fuel cleaner to see if it was a fuel injector issue and the light went away. when my wife used the key fab to start the vehicle, it wouldn't start and the engine light appeared. we took it to the dealer at that point once we had autozone scan the codes. we then learned it could be a gasket or needing plugs and wires replaced. Dealer reviewed and used a camera to see that there was coolant leak. this issue continues to impact many of these vehicles and nothing is being done.

Filed Dec 30, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · WI

While driving on the freeway, the van suddenly started to ‘drag’ and alarm that the start/stop system was unavailable. I was barely able to pull off the freeway before the van completely stopped moving and would not start up again.