2018 Chrysler Pacifica: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Aug 22, 2026 · Steering · NJ

When driving at higher speeds, around 50 mph +, the steering wheel gets stuck into position. You have to over correct it out of the stuck position to stay in the lane. When in a turn, it get stuck around 1 or 11 o'clock and you have to pull hard to the left or right to get it out of the stuck position, which makes you drift into the wrong lane in the stuck position, then swerve towards the wrong lane to fix it. It seems to be getting worse over time. When driving at low speeds, 5mp +, when in a turn, the whole steering wheel column shudders when going back to the straight position. It happens when turning into driveways and parking lots, and can be very startling. The vehicle has been taken to Chrysler service centers multiple times but they always say they can't recreate the problems.

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 Nov 2, 2025 · Steering · CA

At slow speeds while turning, the steering column shudders and vibrates. At higher speeds the steering seems to get tight and needs to be forced back in to the correct direction. This has been occurring for approximately 6 months. My car is out of warranty. It could become a dangerous situation.

Filed May 18, 2024 · Engine · NV

Licensed independent service center diagnosed that I have coolant leaking into cylinder 5 and that the head gasket is compromised and needs to be replaced. My vehicle only has 84k miles. No warning lights illuminated until I started to experience a shudder when starting the vehicle, shaky start and then the check engine light came on with a cylinder 5 misfire code. I noticed coolant was low and topped off. The vehicle has never indicated it was too hot, but I need to refill reservoir each time the vehicle is driven. I no longer feel safe driving my vehicle as a hot engine could cause failure while driving, leave us stranded in a vehicle with small children, or worse cause engine fire, accident, injury or death. I would never expect to have head gasket failure at such low mileage. I should be able to trust that an auto manufacturer can build a car that will last more than 84,000 miles without engine failure. Many people online are experiencing this same issue with large repair bills or engine replacements needed. I sincerely hope that a recall will be issued for this repair as it presents a safety issue.

Filed May 3, 2024 · Engine · CA

-service engine light went on 2 weeks ago, intermittently. - escalated when engine began locking/ shuddering while driving and engine light began flashing. - had vehicle towed to the nearby dealership - dealer diagnosed it as a blown head gasket due to manufacturing defects. Dealer offered up that ‘they see this issue all the time’ with the 3.6L Pentastar engine. - dealer quoted $6000 for the repair but forewarned that the other head gaskets would likely fail as well because of the manufacturer defect. Quoted $9500 to replace both - dealer suggested replacing both head gaskets but also refused to confirm integrity of the engine block and all additional cylinders with micrometer measurements and pressure readings. - there is a known and frighteningly frequent breakdown of this engine in the Chrysler Pacifica. - complete engine failure should not be common place for a vehicle with less than 100,000 miles.

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Engine · 47,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was shuddering and there was a lot of exhaust and a burning odor. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was coolant in the compartment where the spark plug was located, and that the head gasket was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · OH

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.

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Steering · PA

When making slow but sharp turns (ex: turning into a parking spot) the vehicle shudders.