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2021 Chrysler Pacifica: key fob or push-button start problems

6 of the 381 complaints about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica describe key fob or push-button start problems.

owner complaints
6
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 190 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Key fob or push-button start problems by model year

  • 2023
    2
  • 2022
    2
  • 2021
    6
  • 2020
    2
  • 2019
    2
  • 2018
    12
  • 2017
    11
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    1

What owners say

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Body, Electrical · MN · 1 injury

Description: My 3 year old daughter was getting out of the rear of the vehicle on the drivers side. The door is automatic and closes via button in the passenger compartment or the remote keyfob. She pushed the button to close the door and the door closed on her wrist and hand, the door did not automatically reverse and the door latched with her hand still inside. She was injured and needed to go to the hospital. This issue has also happened to several other people as well. There is a Facebook page dedicated to complaints on this Van. The door has closed on adults and children both. There were no warning lights, the vehicle has had a recall done on the auto open sensors under the doors. This issue occurred on April 11th 2023. The manufacturer was contacted and they have opened a case. The case number is 85938082

Filed Feb 20, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CO

Traveling at 60mph up a large hill/mtn in passing lane and car went into limp mode or lost power from engine. Was unable to push gas for power and had to maneuver through 60mph traffic to shoulder by the time I was able to make it to the shoulder I was not able to get all the way off of road because of no more momentum. I was unable to turn off vehicle for quite some time until I used key fob and remote state option on key fob which then allowed me to turn off vehicle. Losing all power at 60 mph while passing was terrifying and could have caused serious bodily harm.

Filed May 2, 2022 · Body, Electrical · TX

When I first purchased my 2021 Pacifica Hybrid Pinnacle in January 2021, randomly when pressing the lift gate button in the top left of the trunk it would beep multiple times and the lift gate would not move. The key fob, front button, and rear button would not engage the lift gate motor. You had to manually shut the lift gate and it would latch. Then in November 2021 I had the Y50 2021 RU Power Lift gate recall done on my vehicle and since then three times while driving the lift gate has popped up on its own. When you pull over all buttons are unresponsive and when you manually close the lift gate the locking mechanism does not engage. It just pulls right back open by hand or while driving. To resolve you must try over and over shutting the door, pressing the buttons, turning the vehicle on and off multiple times, letting it sleep and turn it back on and eventually the locking mechanism will engage. Have brought it multiple times to the dealer and every time they cannot recreate. Poses a dangerous safety issue while driving for the lift gate to open as you don't realize its not latched.

Filed Nov 26, 2021 · Body · 2,970 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated that the hatchback door would not close and lock securely. The contact stated that he attempted to close the hatchback door by using the key fob, by depressing the hatchback control panel inside the vehicle and the button on the hatchback door but it failed to close and latch securely. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that he manually pushed the hatchback with the assistance of his wife, but the door would not lock. The contact stated that they were able to close the hatchback door using duct tape. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing however, the dealer advised the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The contact notified Goeckner Bros Inc (600 E Fayette Ave, Effingham, IL 62401) who sold him the vehicle and the dealer advised the contact to take the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2,970.

Filed Oct 15, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · PA

I was in the garage near the car when it started spontaneously. I had the key fob in my pants pocket. It turned off when I sat inside and pushed the ignition off button. Did not notice any warnings/lights at the time. There were no safety consequences. My Concerns: What else could happen spontaneously? Could it shift into gear? Carbon monoxide in the closed garage? Has not recurred. The only recent auto malfunction was the Information display (UConnect) had locked up a couple of weeks prior after a routine software download to the car. No problem with vehicle operation with that episode. Checked by the dealer and felt to be OK. No recurrence. I attempted to notify MOPAR. Their web page email didn’t work for a several tries. I was unable to get past their customer service robot who got stuck on “other” when I couldn’t pick one of their menu options. I wanted the federal safety agency to be aware in case of other similar reports.

Filed Jul 22, 2021 · MI · 1 injury

We have had intermittent issues with the rear hatch not closing when any buttons or key fob pushed since purchase. On 7/2/21 aprox 6:30 pm I was walking around rear of the vehicle the rear liftgate was fully open. A passenger pressed rear hatch button to close not realizing at that moment I was walking under I am 61.7" tall the liftgate came down full force on my head it did not beep and retract. It continued pressing down something sharp pierced my scalp and I was knocked to the ground, bleeding from the wound with severe neck and head pain and pain in 3rd right finger I had landed with hand underneath. I was driven to the local ER diagnosed with a closed head injury and laceration, CT scans were done of head and neck, and x-ray of right hand, 2 staples were inserted to close the wound. We were able to reproduce and videotape the liftgate failing to stop. A report was filed with Chrysler Customer Care ID no 7992588. On July 14 at 1 pm an engineer met us at dealership from Bosch and witnessed the lift gate force sensor not engaging twice. He refused to video tape this or to allow us to take a videotape, or to submit the video we had previously taken. He took photographs only. We asked him twice and he stated that he had witnessed the problem and it would be in his report. He downloaded into his laptop from the car computer and told us there was a software update needed for the rear liftgate. On 7/20/21 we received an email from Stellantis Special Investigations fcagroup.com stating that "After review of the inspection report and photos no apparent defect was found with the liftgate operation at the inspection. Therefore we respectfully decline any assistance associated with this matter". We had dealership do the software update on 7/21/21. On 7/22 I contacted customer care to receive a written version of the email as it will not print legibly and this was refused. I requested a copy of the engineering inspection report and this was also refused.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Electrical system: propulsion system: traction batteryReported June 4, 2026 · 17,277 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.
Risk
A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 23, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 52D. The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on June 11, 2026.

Recall number 26V362000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: connectors/plugs/receptaclesReported January 17, 2023 · 67,117 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.
Risk
An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Power Inverter Module (PIM) software and, if necessary, update the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the electronic control module (ECM) software, free of charge. FCA US will notify dealers and begin notifying owners on or about: 03/21/2023 for 2021 model year vehicles, 05/02/2023 for 2019-2020 model year vehicles, and 06/15/2023 for 2017-2018 model year vehicles. FCA began notifying owners on February 23, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1‑800‑853‑1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03A.

Recall number 23V010000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica key fob

Is key fob or push-button start problems a common problem on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?

6 of 381 owner complaints about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica (2%) mention key fob or push-button start problems. The model year with the most reports is 2018.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?

There are 2 recalls and 190 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica

Check engine light 85Loss of power 55Stalling 34Backup camera 24Transmission failure 19Won't shift 14Won't start 14Adaptive cruise 10Engine failure 8Fuel smell 6Wipers 6Collision warning 5Fuel leak 5Harsh shifting 5

All model years of the Chrysler Pacifica

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