2019 Chrysler Pacifica: won't start

Filed Sep 5, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WV

On 7/16/26 vehicle would not start; high-pitched noise heard near engine during no-start diagnosis. Towed to Goldy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Huntington WV. Per dealer invoice #27136: blown 500-amp main battery fuse found; after jumping past fuse, white smoke from exhaust and no coolant in system, diagnosed as blown head gasket. Repair: both-side head gasket replacement plus fuse assembly. Vehicle in shop 7+ weeks, returned 9/4/26 with new unresolved issue: strong smell of burned electronics and antifreeze in cabin. All failed components available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: head gasket failure/coolant intrusion caused engine hydrolock, a sudden uncommanded loss of engine power that can occur without warning, including while driving in traffic. Burned-electronics smell raises electrical/fire risk; antifreeze odor raises cabin fume exposure and window-fogging visibility concerns. Confirmed by dealer: Yes. Goldy diagnosed and documented the fuse failure, coolant loss, and head gasket failure in writing, and performed the repair. Manufacturer/police/insurance inspection: Not by police or insurance. Spoke by phone with a Chrysler HQ rep 5 times (8/13-9/1/26) who was informed; no confirmed independent physical inspection by manufacturer beyond dealer's own diagnosis. Warning signs: P0304 misfire on cylinder 3 appeared first, progressing to complete no-start with high-pitched noise, prompting the tow-in and hydrolock diagnosis.

Filed Nov 13, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

The vehicle jerked, stopped and would not start again. After a while it started, people were honking to move. This happened about 3 years ago. The vehicle jerks often and afraid it will leave us on the street. About 2 years ago, the auxiliary battery ran down the main battery. The car would not start. Had to buy both batteries. The lights come on, engine, traction and auxiliary battery light. This happens often on a weekly basis.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · AR

Component failute: first the cruse control would stop working while driving. then the engine would rive way up while trying to accelerate and not gain much speed, gas mpg dropped. when breaking to stop i had to push the break pedal harder. when the cruse had stopped and i shut the engine off, it was hard to start, and would bump and shake as if it was hitting on 2 cylinders, cruse still would not work. after i made it home, the next time i started it, it was ok, then the last time i parked it the brake will not depress and it will not start. battery has 12 volts, jumped it anyway break still want depress. took battery cables off shorted them together , did not help. break pedal still will not depress.

Filed Aug 14, 2025 · Electrical · VA

06AUG25: At a stop light vehicle lost all power. Accessories worked. Vehicle stated to press on break and press start to turn on car. Did not start. Towed to dealership. Dealership stated was software update needed. Car did start. With no additional errors presented at diagnostic. 12AUG25: On highway during rush hour vehicle lost all power with no warning no time to pull off to the side of the highway. Towed to dealership. Vehicle had Battery and Auxiliary Battery replaced (Under warranty). Vehicle still would not start. Starter was replaced. Safety issue: Vehicle will lose power w/no warning/lights puts vehicle, passengers at risk from getting rear-ended and having to push the vehicle to the side of the road. ------------------------------------------------ Related incidents: 12DEC24: Vehicle lost all power on highway during rush-hour traffic. Towed to dealership. Auxiliary Battery was replaced (under warranty). 08AUG24: Vehicle lost all power. Auxiliary battery replaced at dealer ship(under warranty) 12DEC22: Vehicle would not start. Battery and Auxiliary battery replaced.

Filed Jun 15, 2025 · Engine · MI

Vehicle Incident Summary – 2019 Chrysler Pacifica [XXX] is the orginal owner Initial Incident – [XXX] At 50,779 miles, my 2022 Chrysler Pacifica lost all power while driving on Mound Road in Sterling Heights, MI. Officer Nathan Sears from the Sterling Heights Police Department assisted, and the vehicle had to be towed. The diagnosis at the time was complete battery failure—both batteries were replaced. Current Ongoing Issue – [XXX] At 86,000 miles, the vehicle once again became completely inoperable. It was towed to Jim Riehl’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Warren, MI. I was initially told the issue was the starter, and I paid $1,200 for the repair. However, the vehicle still does not start. I have now been told the issue may be a blown head gasket or engine failure. The dealership is requesting an additional $2,000–$3,000 just to disassemble the vehicle to determine the exact cause. If it is indeed an engine failure, I’ve been informed that repairs could cost up to $12,000. Concerns: I paid for a starter replacement and the car remains undrivable. There was no resolution or refund offered despite a misdiagnosis. Now I am being asked to pay thousands more just to identify the problem. If this is engine failure, it occurred at only 86,000 miles. I have since found many other Pacifica owners reporting similar failures—battery, engine, and complete loss of power—raising concerns of a potential manufacturing defect. Why I’m Reporting This: This vehicle has experienced major, potentially dangerous failures twice—first a complete power loss while driving, and now possible engine failure without warning. If this had happened at higher speeds or on the highway, it could have been catastrophic. I am requesting this issue be investigated for possible safety defects and design flaws. VIN: [XXX] 3.6 liter VG engine Location: Sterling Heights/Warren, MI Dealership: Jim Riehl’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 5, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · TX

Our pacifica has repeatedly stalled on freeways. The engine will just stop running and will not start for 15 minutes to several hours. If it does start, it often will sputter and stall again if you try to put it in ear or press the accelerator. After some time, the problem will resolve itself and the vehicle will drive normally. This problem is infrequent which is what makes it so vexing. Each incident was more than 6 months apart so you never know when it will just stall out. Because our van was converted to a rear entry wheelchair van by Braunability we've had the conversion components/connections thoroughly inspected by the conversion company dealer. I can see online that this is a known issue with multiple vehicles equipped with the Pentastar V6 engine with stop-start and that there have been recalls but many people on the forum, the recall work didn't resolve the issue. We've had the vehicle to Chrysler dealers several times (four or five) to address the issue without permanent resolution. We've replaced the primary and secondary batteries several times. We've recently installed an aftermarket stop-start eliminator recently in the hope that it will resolve the problem. Additionally, because our Pacifica was converted for our disabled child, we will probably need to sell the vehicle at a significant loss because we can't risk having the vehicle stall on the interstate highway or freeway as we have no way to remove him from it safely. This issue seems so widespread that Chrysler/Stellantis should have continued responsibility to resolve it permanently.

Filed Feb 8, 2025 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Lost of coolant with no warning lamps. Engine went into hydrolock and now will not start. Miss fire code appearing before locking up. Dash light power come on and off when the car is off and park. The car has 77k miles and would choke when the car was running and changing gears. Has not been inspect by anyone yet because the car is dead on the drive way.

Filed Nov 5, 2024 · Electrical · MD

While driving, vehicle will display "stop safely vehicle will stop soon" and illuminate the battery and auto stop/start icons. This had happened previously and I was advised to have the auxillary battery replaced. After, the issue did not occur for a month or so but happened again. Had been intermittent but the car never shut off as I have read has happened to others. The additional issue I have is several times when I turned the vehicle off after the warning appeared, the vehicle would not start. I have an appointment with the dealership tomorrow to see what they can uncover. I have seen the recalls about this primarily about the EV models (which mine is not) but still want this noted. I have read it has varied from a wiring connector and needing a new transmission. There are currently no active recalls for my specific vehicle. Very scary stuff with a vehicle full of kids at times.

Filed Jul 20, 2023 · Electrical · NC

On Wednesday, 7/19, I was stopped at a red light on a busy road in Gastonia, NC (South New Hope Road and Titman Road). When the light turned green, and I put my foot on the gas, the car stalled and shut off. Upon pressing the ignition button, it would not start again. For several weeks, the car would stall at a red light, but would always turn back on by pressing the ignition button. There were NO warning messages whatsoever. I had to cross a busy road to get to the sidewalk to get out of danger. The car was in the left turn lane, stopped with hazards on. My husband had to come, turn our other car around so he could attempt to charge the battery. When he charged the battery, the car started. I had to, again, cross the busy road to get back to my van and go home. We changed the car's two batteries, and it has not happened again so far. Upon reading several Chrysler Pacifica forums, apparently when the battery gets low (it was at 30% when this happened), the auto start shuts off and does not work since there is not enough power left in the battery.

Filed Jan 2, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · TX

The vehicle would not start. Would not remote start. Literally didn't do anything when trying to start it. Did this before and I had it to the dealer. They replaced the extra battery. Now it's doing the same thing again.

Filed Oct 21, 2021 · Electrical, Transmission · GA

The van was purchased in November 2019. In November 2020, the vehicle would not start. The tow truck came to our house to give us a jump and informed us the battery was dead. We went to an auto store to buy a battery because the Frisco Chrysler dealership closed on Sundays. the salesman stated that we should go to National Tire and Battery. We took the van to NTB and that's when we found out we had two batteries and they rely on each other. Because we already purchased a regular battery they were able to install it; however the van had to be towed to a Frisco Chrysler dealership to install an auxiliary battery. Frisco Chrysler installed the auxiliary battery successfully. Unfortunately, six months later we were back at Frisco Chrysler because the auxiliary light had come back on. I took the van to the dealership and they replaced the auxiliary battery stating that the battery will only last between six months to 2 years. In June 2021, the auxiliary light came back on and Frisco Chrysler changed the auxiliary battery again. I returned the following day because the auxiliary light came back on. The mechanic stated the wire connecting the auxiliary battery had come a loose and stated he fixed it. In October 2021, the auxiliary light came back on. By this time we moved to Georgia; therefore we took the van to Gwinnett Chrysler. Gwinnett Chrysler stated there was a wiring issue and stated it would cost $1,000 to fix. The struggle is the van isn't three years old, but has multiple problems.

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Electrical · 7,920 miles · NY

2019 chrysler pacifica hybrid minivan failed to start in cold weather (below 24f) 5 times to date. Dealership replaced the 12v battery saying the issue has been fixed. But again in a cold day when weather was 19f, the minivan did not start and showed many errors on screen. The minivan is at the dealership for the second time. Looks like this is a common problem across multiple customers, pacifica forums has folks complaining about the same issue.