The power steering is intermittently losing power during turns. This just started to occur within the past week so it has not yet been taken to a shop. Yes it is available for inspection. Safety was put at risk due to it being a family car with children. A quick response was necessary to prevent oversteer during correction. Apparently this is a known issue on earlier models and seems to be continuing. No warnings.
2021 Chrysler Pacifica: sudden loss of power
55 of the 381 complaints about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 55
- of this car's complaints
- 14%
- recalls
- 0
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
My 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has a recurring hybrid/electrical defect that causes the accelerator to lose all power while driving, leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate or respond to throttle input. The vehicle remains “on,” but it cannot move under its own power and must be coasted or pulled over immediately. This has happened in traffic, including with children in the vehicle. The dealer confirmed fault code P1A21‑00 and documented that the high‑voltage system can lose its loop connection, which results in a no‑propulsion condition. They also found the HVIL high‑voltage connector loose and damaged. The vehicle was in the shop for 18 days for this issue. I picked it up on June 18, 2026, and within 24 hours the same loss‑of‑propulsion failure happened again. The vehicle is now back at the dealer. The dealer performed recall 52D and updated the BPCM software, but the failure still occurred immediately after pickup. This defect has been reproduced and confirmed by the dealership multiple times and remains unresolved. This is a serious safety hazard because the vehicle loses propulsion without warning and cannot accelerate in traffic.
I was driving my Pacifica, got the warning light telling me to pull over. The van lost power 3/4 way up a hill blocking traffic and had to get towed to the dealer, where it now awaiting a transmission rebuild. This is the 4th time this same van has died like this, including twice on the highway. Previous times when I brought to the dealer, they only updated software or told me there was nothing they could do
When driving our van from Nashville to Memphis, we were 2 hours from home when we received an on screen alert stating “Stop Safely - vehicle will shut off soon”. This was in a construction area with little to no shoulders to pull the vehicle over as power loss began to occur. We contacted Chrysler for help but the nearest dealership told us the earliest they could see the vehicle was 3 weeks from Tuesday. I had 3 children in the car ages [XXX}. A web search for this shows how prevalent this issue is with several blogs and Reddit forums indicating a problem. the federal safety agency even has an open investigation into this specific issue. Apparently the only fix is a full transmission replacement, but we have no assurance from Chrysler that will happen and now our van is left 3 hours away in Memphis as we had no choice but to leave there. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) https://www.outmotorsports.com/2024/12/chrysler-pacifica-hybrid-stop-safely/
On [XXX], I was driving uphill on the interstate at around 70 mph on gas power (hybrid battery was discharged) and warning came up "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Down Soon" and lost power (Limp mode). I was able to move safely to the shoulder, but with 5 passengers (3 young kids) and a dog and a full load of camping gear it was a bit nervewracking. Could not get the car started again (stayed in limp mode) and used an OBDII scanner I had which popped up error code (P0A43 - "intermittent issue with the drive motor "A" position sensor"). The vehicle was towed to the dealer ( 4 hours from home) and after a few days they said the vehicle was fixed and I pushed for them to test drive it on the interstate. Was returned with this comment: " FOUND CODES FOR DRIVE MOTOR "A" POSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT INTERMITTENT AND HYBRID BATTERY PACK STATE OF CHARGE LOW. CHECKED TRANS PLUG AND WIRING VERIFIED OPERATING CORRECTLY. FOUND THAT RESOLVER NEEDS TO HAVE RELEARN PREFORMED. PREFORMED RELEARN ON RESOLVER AND CHARGED HYBRID BATTERY. TEST DROVE VEHICLE ON INTERSTATE AND VERIFIED THAT ISSUE DID NOT RETURN. VEHICLE OPERATING AS DESIGNED." I received a notice of an unlimited mile/year warranty on the transmission for this car, and from what I read on the internet, this is a recurrent issue with a known cause. We were able to get off the road safely in this case, but it is nerve-wracking to drive, especially with my family, in the current state. This is related to an open the federal safety agency investigation: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Driving at a high speed on the freeway a message stating “pull over safely, vehicle will shut down soon” popped up. As I am pulling over the vehicle lost power and came to a complete stop. I am hoping and praying to get home safely.
On three separate days, 2021 Pacifica lost power at 70 mph. After second incident transmission was replaced. The third loss of power occurred after the new transmission was installed. All of these incidents occurred on freeways with heavy semi-truck traffic.
Driving on freeway at 70 mph clear conditions 65degree weather. Warning light said to stop safely engine would shut down soon. Pulled over safely, waited, restarted. Drove another 10 miles, same error message, car lost power.
This is a follow up to an earlier submission (the federal safety agency Tracking Number 11591550). After the initial incident, the dealership replaced the hybrid battery on the vehicle. A month later, yesterday, while driving the vehicle on the interstate, I again received the dreaded, "Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon" warning indicator and the car lost all power about 30 seconds later. Thankfully, I was on an offramp and was able to stop safely. Had I been traveling at full speed in the carpool lane, it could have been very dangerous. The van is now at the dealership for repair, and I hope they fix it for real this time. This is an extremely dangerous situation, with vehicles dying while going full speed.
I purchased my vehicle from AutoNation Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Spring - 21027 I-45, Spring, TX 77388 on or about April 15, 2021. I began having trouble with the electric/gas drivetrain around January 30 of 2023. The vehicle lost all power, as well as throttle and proper braking response. I brought my vehicle back to Helfman Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM FIAT at 7720 Katy Fwy A, Houston, TX 77024 for repairs on February 6, 2023. The repairs performed seemed to have worked until [XXX]. The most recent event on [XXX] my Pacifica Hybrid lost all power on the highway. While attempting to pull the vehicle off of the highway it abruptly entered its parking gear at 5mph, almost causing a rear end collision from the semi tractor trailer following behind us. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Driving the vehicle on the interstate, and the vehicle suddenly lost power and had a warning that said "Stop Safely, Vehicle will shut off soon". However, we were in a construction zone and unable to stop on the interstate causing many vehicles to nearly crash into us. I understand we had previously had a recall worked that simply added this warning, but did not fix the issue. This warning is not a safe solution. It is still very dangerous for your vehicle to suddenly drop to 15mph at highway speeds. We are in the process of having the dealer confirm the issue.
While driving at full speed on an interstate, I received the message, "Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon." The van then lost power, and I was able to pull over safely (thankfully!). After about 15 minutes, the van restarted, and I made it about 10 miles until it happened again. After two more shut-downs, I was able to get the van to a dealership, where it has been sitting undiagnosed for over a week now.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Hose and tube - EGR coolant
- Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp...
- Water pump
- Water Pump & Chain Case Cover
- Engine Oil Leak
- Data collection required for all 2020-2026MY vehicles with 3.6L PSU engines during any of their first 3...
- Engine Rattle Noise
- When replacing a camshaft and parts kit (P/N 68661146xx and/or 68661147xx), it is NOT necessary to order...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
55 of 381 owner complaints about the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica (14%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
There are 0 recalls and 73 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 85Stalling 34Backup camera 24Transmission failure 19Won't shift 14Won't start 14Adaptive cruise 10Engine failure 8Fuel smell 6Key fob 6Wipers 6Collision warning 5Fuel leak 5Harsh shifting 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history