2018 Chrysler Pacifica: complete transmission failure

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Transmission · GA

The van fail GA state emissions with code p2797. I have to the end of July to get the tag. I went to the state for a repair waiver control # s1174706. I told them this code is under a tsb it fell on deaf ears. I. Took the van back to the dealership for a third time a different dealership they say they did the procedure for the tsb code p2797 butt didn't fix the code to pass GA emission. Tsb are good for the automotive industry but if the tsb and engineers procedures didn't fix the p2797 code than the tsb need to be moved to a recall program. The dealership was good at explaining that the van needs a new transmission that cost the customer 13,000.00 to replace and 3000 for new struts. The van was bought Sept 2025 and the payoff is 13,000.00. The problem is have is will not pass GA state emissions, a code thats not related with emissions cover under a tsb that should have fix it at the dealership.

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Transmission · PA

This is related to the 23V‑010 / XE1 recall and extended warranty for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited. The manufacturer is refusing the recall remedy because the catastrophic nature of the failure (transmission rupture) makes it impossible for the dealer to pull diagnostic codes. This creates an impossible standard for the consumer and effectively nullifies a federal safety recall. On XXX, I brought my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited to D’Ambrosio Service in Downingtown, PA.  I reported that the car was making a sound during acceleration. On April 16, I was advised that the noise was the rubbing of the heat shield which was reportedly adjusted and tested that the noise was gone.  On April 19 I sent a message to D’Ambrosio that the noise remained however I never received a response.  I believe that the noise was misdiagnosed and was actually warning signs of an imminent transmission failure.  On XXX, while driving, my wife and I heard a pop, saw smoke pouring out the back and immediately pulled over to discover a large amount of fluid spilling out of the bottom of the vehicle.  The vehicle was towed to D’Ambrosio service in [XXX] where it has remained unaddressed until June 10. On XXX I received a phone call from D’Ambrosio that the vehicle transmission had a hole in it (quote from service advisor "internal failure of the transmission, which has caused components to puncture the casing") and would need to be replaced at my cost.  When I inquired about the XE1 warranty extension, I was told that the lack of diagnostic codes didn’t justify the warranty.  I then asked that the issue be escalated 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 Nov 21, 2025 · Transmission · CA

This letter concerns repeated and life-threatening failures involving the transmission system in my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (CA License Plate: 8CEF638, VIN: 2C4RC1N79JR172609), covered under your lifetime transmission warranty for this model. Following two confirmed incidents resulting in unexpected engine shutdowns and critical transmission faults, I am formally demanding a full replacement of the faulty transmission assembly as required under California lemon laws and the issued lifetime warranty extension. Summary of Incidents & Reference to the federal safety agency Action the federal safety agency Action Number: RQ24004 pertains specifically to transmission wiring defects, resulting in short circuits and loss of motive power. The recall remedy under Campaign Number 23V‑010 has proven inadequate for many 2017–2023 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles. the federal safety agency’s current recall query documents continued transmission failures after owner reports and software updates. Case Number: XXX was opened with Chrysler in response to my experiences, and reflects ongoing safety risks with this transmission. Incident 1 Date/Location: Sunday, September 1, 2025, 5:00 PM — Southbound I-5 near Downey, CA. Description: Sudden vehicle shutoff at highway speeds. Immediate hazard required emergency calls and intervention. Exhibit 1: Call log to Chrysler Downey at 5:07 PM included. Incident 2 Date/Location: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 2:20 PM — Northbound I-5, Via De Lavalle exit off-ramp. Description: Dashboard warning ("Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon") and loss of motive power. Towing, police, and emergency assistance required. Exhibit 2: Image of dashboard warning. Exhibit 3: Phone log of AAA towing, Delmar Police, and Sheriff calls, confirming duration and response. Warranty Information As a California owner of a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, your published material and user communications confirm a lifetime warranty for the transmission on this specific model, following NHSTA RQ24004

Filed Nov 8, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · ME

This van is a 2018 modified with a handicap accessible rear ramp. We purchased this van in 2021 and since it has spent 6 months the first time at the shop then it was at our facility totally not running for another 6 months we paid 400 dollars to tow it to a dealership they replaced the transmission it ran for 2 months and now doesn’t start it’s in limp mode and when it does start and run when your driving it loses all power suddenly. We have only put 3800 miles on this van in the time we’ve had it and we owe over 25,000 still on it. Nobody can figure out what’s wrong with it but we are very small residential care facility and we are unable to transport residents because we have a broken van that we still pay for do we can’t purchase another one.

Filed Jun 13, 2025 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · ME

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into gear very hard. In addition, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · MI

My transmission went out at 108,000 miles. 6 out of 9 gears went bad. Had it replaced and it went out again 2 weeks later. The transmission dropped while I was driving but luckily I was pulling into a parking spot. Had to have another transmission installed. This scared me because my kid was in the car and was on the expressway a couple of minutes before it dropped. Also, the oil filter housing was cracked and I know this is a common problem because it is made of plastic.

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions, after the vehicle was stopped, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed with an abnormal clunking sound while the transmission shifted from 1st to 2nd gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that on one occasion while stopped at a red light, the transmission failed to shift into 2nd gear from the 1st gear. The vehicle was pushed over to the side of the road for approximately 20 minutes. The contact then pressed the PUSH to START button twice, held the accelerator pedal for 10 seconds, turned the vehicle off for two minutes, and then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Parts store where a handheld diagnostic tool retrieved DTC: P0732. The contact stated that the code was cleared. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

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 Jul 5, 2024 · Transmission · GA

I am experiencing premature transmission failure. It is available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and my 3 small children have been put at risk because of the likely potential of transmission failure during our frequent trips on the interstate, that could lead to a deadly accident. This problem as been confirmed by an independent licensed automotive mechanic. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by any other entity, but is available for inspection. The symptoms of the problem started around March of this year, as a sweet burning smell, that lead to a smell of burning rubber. The Chrysler dealership I brought it to would not check the transmission fluid itself due to the "forever system" design of the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, that does not allow for easy access to the transmission fluid, rather is designed to tell you if it is full or not. So the issue was missed during inspection, and was labeled as being in good condition. After I noticed the vehicle beginning to skip between 1st and 2nd gear recently (end of June), I brought it for inspection to an independent mechanic who was able to inspect the fluid which was extremely burned, as well has hook the vehicle up to their reader machine and access that it was in fact in the process of transmission failure. The transmission has not yet completely failed, because I have stopped driving the vehicle for fear of the safety of my children.

Filed Nov 23, 2021 · Engine · CA

Transmission replaced november I believe of 2020. Ever since then I have brought it back to the dealership with coolant concerns (low coolant levels, bubbling noises). Have had 3 aux batteries installed in a year. Now auto start stop light have been on and check engine light giving misfire codes. Was finally informed after forcing them to take another look after my pacific kept shaking and then stalling while moving, that there is a coolant leak on/in a head gasket causing coolant to leak everywhere, in turn causing the misfire. Have gotten the run around from the dealership, now they finally listened to me and my concern after they replaced the transmission. Now asking for $4100 just to remove the engine, not even to fix the issue.

Filed Apr 3, 2020 · Engine · 10,000 miles · OH

We have a 2018 pacifica with 10000 miles and on 4-1-2020 the check engine light came on as soon as it was started. We put the van in reverse to back out and it wouldn't go into gear. Ended up putting it back into park and tried reverse again and it jerked into gear moving the van. Took it to progressive dodge chrysler in ohio and found it they need to replace the transmission vavle body and also something with the emissons. How does something like this go bad so fast...