2019 Chrysler Pacifica: jerking or lurching

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Transmission · MN

The transmission has a very abrupt slamming or violent jerk around 45 mph. This has been since we bought the vehicle. Even with consistent routine maintenance this slamming has gotten worse. I believe this to be a manufacturer defect in the transmission that will cause premature failure. We have reported this to every dealer service center and private mechanic shop we have visited and were told that either they couldn't work on it or that it would require thousands of dollars to tear apart and inspect and even then we would more than likely need to foot the bill even if it was a defect and then try to get reimbursement from Chrysler/Stellantis. This transmission defect along with the coolant leaking into the engine issue that was submitted a year or more ago that has gone unanswered is making me lose faith in the manufacturer and the government agency set to protect consumers and investigate these issues.

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Steering · MI

The steering "sticks" on either right or left hand curves (more left than right) under normal driving circumstances on paved roads. This causes a "jerk" when returning the wheel to center, after or as the vehicle is coming out of the curve. Definitely concerning. Noticed shortly after we purchased the van with 100,000 miles on the odometer.

Filed Jun 21, 2026 · Steering, Transmission · AR

Powertrain: harsh, jerky shifting, violent, lurching gear changes, pause before engaging and high revving and lack of acceleration, mostly noticed at 50-60mph Steering PE25009 - catching or sticking when making minor or gradual turns in either direction when the steering wheel is positioned near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock positions. It requires extra force to break free and jerks the steering

Filed May 30, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · SC

2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The vehicle has ongoing steering, electrical, and power steering/EPS failures. The steering wheel intermittently jerks/pulls while driving, the vehicle has experienced random loss of steering assist, and the electrical system cuts out or malfunctions during normal use. The steering wheel lights and backup camera guidelines also disappear during driving sessions and only return after fully restarting the vehicle. The exact root cause is UNKNOWN, but the affected systems appear to include the EPS/power steering system, steering/suspension components, battery/electrical system, and possibly related control modules. My safety and others’ safety were put at risk because the vehicle has lost steering assist and had electrical failure while being driven, including a prior failure in an intersection. When the steering assist drops or the wheel jerks, the vehicle becomes difficult to control. This is especially dangerous because I transport my family in this vehicle. The issue has been reported repeatedly since purchase. The vehicle was inspected/repaired through Carvana/SilverRock’s repair process at Brockman Automotive, including rack and pinion/steering-related work. After that repair, the vehicle continued to drift and handle improperly. A later independent inspection at Davidson Automotive identified a loose/not properly secured tie rod, alignment problems, and a failed auxiliary battery. The shop could not complete deeper diagnostics until those prerequisite issues were corrected. The vehicle has also suffered abnormal front tire wear after the steering/alignment problems. Warning/symptoms before or during failures include steering wheel jerking/pulling, clunking/clanking/grinding/groaning noises, vehicle drift, service start/stop warning, electrical malfunctions, intermittent steering wheel control/light issues, loss of backup camera guidelines, and loss of steering assist. The vehicle/component is available for inspection upon request.

Filed May 3, 2026 · Steering · MI

While driving the steering will lock up and force a jerk when trying to get the steering wheel to move. At times there is a shudder while turning at slow speeds. Originally it was only present while turning as you are on an on ramp. It now appears also while driving straight.

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 Sep 9, 2025 · Transmission · FL

The transmission is starting to jerk and make hard abrupt transitions from gears

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · AL

when driving into a left curve the chrysler pacifica minivan at roughly 10:00 on the steering wheel, the steering wheel locks and is very hard to get out of the locked state. in order to clear the locked state I have to jerk the wheel hard back to the right to get it free. I feel that it will eventually either stay locked in that position and cause a head on collision or if overcorrected will cause the vehicle to swerve to the right and cause a crash. I feel this is a very unsafe situation and have talked to many people with this problem and they have also said the same thing. Also i have read several forums on the internet about others across the country having the same issue. secondly the backup camera has started to not work recently. it started around the same time that the locked steering situation occurred. also some of the buttons on the steering wheel are not functioning properly. volume up when pressed causes the volume to go down and vice versa. i believe that there is an electrical issue in this vehicle and it is affecting the steering along with other items. please initiate the recall for the steering because i do not feel safe with this happening and especially if it is raining. thank you

Filed Aug 14, 2025 · Transmission · FL

The transmission is very unresponsive and dealerships don’t find anything wrong other than resetting the computer every 2 days. The transmission clunks and jerks the car going into 2nd and or 3rd gear. Many times I press the pedal in highway/city driving and the transmission takes 2.5 to 3 seconds to respond. This is not the electric model. Online tons of people talk about this it’s a safety hazard to have an unresponsive clunky transmission. Reputable companies are naming this the worst car. Cars.com wrote an article over this very problem. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 1, 2025 · Engine · OH

The transmission shifts/jerks hard and hesitates/struggles to accelerate at times. It has even shutdown numerous times while I was at a traffic light.

Filed Apr 17, 2024 · Transmission · IL

The van started with very jerky shifting around 70,000 miles. The car would, at times, lurch hard forward when shifting. Eventually, a Chrysler dealer looked at the transmission and determined it needed replaced. The replacement transmission started with the same problems after about 20,000 miles. Van currently has only 115,000 miles.

Filed Sep 5, 2023 · Acceleration · TX

The vehicle has stalled as trying to continue after a stop at a light or stop sign. It will not travel except at 10 miles per hour or less while trying to cross the intersection. Other drivers are impatient and start honking. This has also happened while going down a busy street . It jerks when you start to go after stopping. Happened in July 2023 -- 2X August 2023 -- 2X September 2023 -- 2X