2021 Chrysler Pacifica: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Driver assistance · WV

Nothing exciting happened. It was a really bad rain/storm and I was driving as normal and I guess the front crash detection glitched out. I tried all the simple fixes tried to get it code tested and nothing pops up. So my front breaking doesn’t work meaning I can’t even use cruise control either. Also this maybe the a two for one. But the car was recalled for the backup camera and I went to get the recall done TWICE and it still didn’t fix the issue and Chrysler refuses to fix the issue.

Filed Mar 29, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI

This is an intermittent issue that has been happening for a while now and the car was sent to the dealership twice but the issue still persists. The engine would shuts down or partially loses torque all of a sudden and the steering becomes very stiff. At the same time you would see all kinds of alarms, error messages, and check lights on the dashboard. I would then have to pull over to the side of the road, turn off the car, then try to start it back up. Usually after several attempts (one time that took nearly 30 minutes), the car works properly again with no error messages but sometimes I'd still have some persistent check lights on the dashboard. Error messages and check lights that I see include the following: -Service Electronic Stability Control -Autopark Engaged -Shifter Autocorrect Active -Park Brake Temporarily Unavailable -AWD System Temporarily Unavailable -Automatic Emergency Braking off check light -Forward Collision Warning off check light -Check Engine light The dealership has been unable to properly diagnose and fix this issue so far. On the first visit, they replaced the main battery, auxiliary battery, some wire harnesses that I was told had some corrosion, and the adaptive cruise control module. On the second visit, they replaced the CAN Bus star connector. The same issue still persists after replacing all above components.

Filed Mar 27, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Incident: While driving at highway speeds (65–75 mph), the vehicle issues imminent-shutdown warnings, the reduced-power (‘turtle’) light and check engine light illuminate, and the vehicle loses motive power. The driver must pull over to the freeway shoulder immediately and restart the vehicle. The condition is intermittent, occurs after cold starts, and sometimes with cruise control engaged. Safety Risk: Sudden loss of motive power at 65–75 mph without warning creates extreme crash risk. This is the exact risk stated in the recall notice. The software-only remedy appears insufficient. FCA’s own Warranty Extension Campaign XE1 — covering transmission replacement at unlimited years/unlimited mileage — suggests FCA is aware the software fix may not be adequate. Requested Action: Please investigate whether the recall remedy is adequate or whether physical transmission replacement is required. This vehicle has been documented experiencing the recalled defect seven times after the recall repair was completed.

Filed Sep 5, 2025 · Driver assistance · TX

When adaptive cruise control is enabled and I’m at cruising speed, new vehicles entering the lane in front of my vehicle are not being acknowledged leading to my vehicle getting too close and collision becoming likely. This leads to me having to takeover control frequently to prevent accidents. This happens often, not always, but it is becoming more and more frequent. This happens at all speeds from 30 mph to 70mph

Filed Jun 27, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CO

1. This vehicle was recalled for a software update due to the rear camera failing to operate at times. The software was updated by the dealer. However, this did not completely fix the problem. While the camera fails less frequently, it still does not energize at times. I took the vehicle back to the dealer. I was then informed that there is water intrusion into the rear lift gate, which causes the electrical to short out. I was told that I would have to replace the wiring harness which energizes the camera as well as the rear vehicle lights. I have not noticed any problem with the lighting as of yet. However, I have been told that this is a problem with the Pacifica in general, as well as the Durango. I was told that replacing the harness would not guarantee that the problem would be solved as there would still be water intrusion, which could cause the problem again, even with replacing the harness. This is obviously a safety issue, as the camera fails to operate at times, and there is a potential of losing lighting on the back of the vehicle. This is also a known defect by Chrysler. 2. When using the Adaptive Cruise Control on streets and highways with multiple lanes traveling the same direction, the vehicle will brake suddenly and hard when the vehicle in front of me changes lanes. This occurs after the vehicle in front of me has completely changed lanes and is not impeding my forward progress whatsoever. My vehicle speeds up to the set speed and then violently brakes as if it is about to crash into the vehicle ahead of me, even thought the lane is completely clear. The vehicle has been inspected for this scenario. I was told that it didn't perform as described above when the technician drove it. This is a safety issue as the vehicle suddenly and violently brakes at highway speeds, with traffic behind me.

Filed Jun 11, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NY

The forward collision alarm was triggered when there was no collision. Additionally the ABS system and cruise control went offline. This occurred numerous times during winter while at a full stop as well as when driving between 45-55mph. Once triggered the collision alarm remained on for hours to days at a time. During that time cruise control was not able to be used and ABS was offline. Additionally the assisted parking was not available. ABS and stability control is important for safe driving and braking in icy/slippery situations putting both my own, my passengers, and other drivers at risk. The vehicle was inspected 4 times by the Bath NY Chrysler dealership. A sensor was replaced the first time but this did not correct the issue. The 2nd time another component was replaced, but the technician stated the issue was still present and I would need to bring it back in for further testing. The 3rd and 4th time the dealership was not able to recreate the issue and did not perform any repairs. The issue has recurred, but the dealership was not able to get the car in at that time. This vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance etc. There was no prior warning to the issue. When it occurs the warning lamps that come on are: BRAKE, Front Collision, Front Collision OFF, ABS, Seatbelt, and the Traction Control. I have a photo of the dash from one of these incidents.

Filed Mar 28, 2024 · Body, Driver assistance · FL

Ghost braking. While driving on the road using the adaptive cruise control, the van initiated its braking system as if someone was in front of me. This happened with nothing in front of me for miles in sunny cool weather and while at night passing a car with fog. I assumed the fog case had some bearing as the car I was passing their tail lights appeared to illuminate the fog to a degree you would think was a car in front of me. Glove box needed to be replaced. Kept opening and slamming on my bride's chins. The trunk is soaking up water from an unknown source after heavy rains and car washes. We noticed the issue when we vacuumed the rear trunk space and took out the mat. We dried it at the local car wash and didn't think much of it until we went through a car wash again. And there was the leakage but unknown from where.

Filed Sep 15, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · IA

There have been several incidents that have to do with the electrical components site, such as the adaptive cruise control not working the lanes assist going off, stating that my hands are on the wheel. When my hands are on the wheel, there have been problems when I go to put it in drive. It'll switch back to park and throw on my parking brake. It has also the auto breaking lights have. Come on, my checken and light has come on. It taking in to the dealership and they found corrosion on some of the wires, replaced them. They also replaced the adaptive adaptive control module. It was supposed to magically fix all my electrical problems. Yet I'm still having electrical problems also my navigation on. A scream down by the cluster cluster. Stays on and doesn't go anywhere. I also have video and pictures and things like that of the situations that have gone on with my Van 4 months and nothing has been fixed. I've been told by the dealer and buy a representative from Chrysler. That's my Van is fine. There's nothing wrong with that. But clearly there isn't an electrical issue and. And I pretty God. Nothing happens to me or my family or someone else because of it. Also, the radio, when you shut your car off and open the doors to exit your vehicle, the radio is still left playing and should not also the auto break in just comes on. For no reason. It happened on the interstwhen we were merging in the traffic. And there's no reason it should be doing some of the things that it's doing.

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · OH · crash

I was on the highway traveling at 60mph, with the adaptive cruise control on. The semi in front of me began to brake, I tapped off the cruise control and began braking. The semi came to a complete stop and I pushed my brake pedal to the floor to stop my vehicle. It did not stop. My Pinnacle has emergency braking and forward collision warning. My driver's instrument panel did not give a forward collision warning indication in a timely manner and my emergency braking did not stop my vehicle. At the time of the accident vehicle had less than 10,000 miles, dry weather conditions, and vehicle was used for leisure - in town driving. A month previously, I took my Pinnacle into the dealership because I didn't feel my brakes were working properly. They felt mushy, little resistance, and were making a noise. An inspection was performed by the dealership but were unable to detect a noise or visual issue. My safety was put at risk when a system I depended upon, that was advertised as, "Full speed forward collision warning with active braking assists you by providing both visual and audible warnings as well as applying emergency braking to help bring the vehicle to a full stop, if needed" (chrysler.com/pacifica/safey-security.html) failed. The brakes didn't engage properly to stop us before hitting the vehicle in front of us. The forward collision warning indication didn't happen in a timely manner, it was delayed causing us to lose precious seconds. If this had been a passenger vehicle in front of us we could have injured the occupants and we ourselves could have been gravely injured had we been traveling at a higher rate of speed. The problem has not been confirmed by a dealership, but was taken there prior to the incident less than a month before. I reported the problem to Chrysler the day of the accident. The vehicle is pending inspection by insurance and I have asked that the Electronic Data Recorder be removed and the information on it to be evaluated.

Filed Jul 27, 2022 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IL

While driving on highway at approx. 75 mph using adaptive cruise control, the red power cord shaped warning indication appeared on the instrument panel. At the time the warning appeared, the vehicle was in battery powered mode. At the same time the warning showed, the electric motor stopped providing power. The vehicle did not transition to hybrid mode (gas powered), and depressing the accelerator did nothing. The vehicle began to slow from highway speeds, while other cars were in the vicinity. While all this was happening, the "D" on the gear selector was flashing. There was also a message saying to put the vehicle in park to restart, however, i did not want to attempt that at highway speeds. Other systems seemed to operate as normal, brakes worked, the electrical system seemed to be functional other than the described fault. I pulled over to the shoulder and stopped the vehicle completely. I turned the vehicle off, then on again, and was able to put the vehicle in drive without any faults occuring. Normal operation resumed after that.