2021 Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems

Filed Oct 24, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · MI

The vehicle experiences a complete loss of motive power due to the high voltage battery pack reaching a temperature of 131 degrees F. The defect first surfaced on March 7th, 2022. The vehicle shut down on multiple occasions while driving, and the original owner had the vehicle bought back by FCA US. The vehicle was sold to me in 2023, and it has shut down on numerous occasions for me as well, some of which were while driving. In total, between both owners, there have been 11 failed repair attempts, involving replacement of the high voltage battery pack, the chiller, the inter-loop heat exchanger, the battery cooling pump, and multiple replacements of the high temp 3-way cabin valve. I eventually traced the apparent cause to the high temp 3-way cabin valve routing engine coolant through the inter-loop heat exchanger at all times, causing the high voltage battery pack to overheat. If the vehicle is left sitting with the engine idling, the vehicle will shut down after less than two from cold. I installed a hose to bypass the heat exchanger in order to address the problem. The repair successfully kept the battery coolant temperature from rising, however, the vehicle still overheats and shuts down. I believe that this model of suffers from multiple design defects in the cooling system making it far more likely than other vehicles to experience a complete loss of motive power.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · NJ

I brought my vehicle to the dealer for safety recall 52D more than three weeks ago. They will not return the vehicle to me because they say the battery can explode. They have not offered enough money to cover the base model rental car. (I have since rented a slightly better car at my own expense. The allowance would not have covered the cheapest car, though.) No parts have been ordered. The dealer is not returning phone calls to Chrysler customer care. The dealer claims Chrysler technicians won't return their calls. No timeline for repair has been made. I do not believe they intend to return or repair my vehicle.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

This 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has a severe and recurring history of catastrophic high-voltage hybrid powertrain and transmission failures that cause a sudden loss of motive power while driving, presenting an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle has already required two full automatic transmission (eFlite EVT) replacements under factory warranty due to internal failures. It has experienced multiple high-voltage component repairs, including software modules for the power inverter. The vehicle is currently experiencing a recurring failure and is displaying active diagnostic trouble code P0A78 (Drive Motor "A" Inverter Performance), indicating a critical fault in the high-voltage hybrid propulsion system. Prior to the current failure, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle experienced propulsion system degradation. This failure mode risks a sudden shutdown of the hybrid drive system at highway speeds, creating a severe risk of rear-end collisions or being stranded in active traffic. The recurring nature of these transmission and inverter failures indicates a systemic safety defect in the hybrid propulsion system. The issue and the active P0A78 code have been pulled, reproduced, and confirmed by an authorized dealership (Diehl Automotive of Robinson), where the vehicle is currently held and available for inspection. The manufacturer has been notified via an open corporate case (#97399722).

Filed Jun 14, 2026 · Transmission · CA

While driving on interstate 15 and going 65-70mph the vehicle dashboard flashed “Charging Error, vehicle will shut down”. Before my wife could make it through traffic to the shoulder the vehicle lost all motive power including power steering. She was able to just coast the vehicle and get into the shoulder. Vehicle would not restart. The transmission had been previously replaced during recall to correct this issue. Chrysler had the vehicle for 5 weeks.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the message "Service Gear Shifter" was displayed, and the gear shifter lights were not illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the ESS system malfunctioned, and the 12-volt battery had failed, which the contact related to the gear shifter failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Transmission · WI · crash

This vehicle quit driving and you can move it. Confirmed bad transmission. I bought it this way from the insurance company because it bounced off a concrete barrier. I suspect this happened when the transmission failed. Unsure of a police report due to it happening to the previous owner.

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · GA

I encountered two incidents of the same type. One was on Friday, March 27, 2026, the same day I picked up the vehicle from a local Chrysler dealership, where software updates and issues related to recalls were supposedly completed. The vehicle was at 38% battery level at the time of pick up from the dealership parking lot. After driving it for about 14 miles, the battery level depleted to <1% and that's when the "Stop Safety. Vehicle will shut off soon" displayed on the dashboard. I slowly drove for less than a minute and parked the vehicle and turned it off. Then restarted and drove for less than two minutes, but again the same warning ("Stop Safety. Vehicle will shut off soon") displayed; I turned it off again. After taking a few minutes break, I restarted it and it was showing 1% battery; it gave me a little distance to travel until unfortunately the same warning displays. Fortunately, this time I was close to a place where I can charge the battery. The battery got charged to 100%, partly on the night of March 27th and the remaining in the morning on March 28th. The second incident was on March 29, 2026, on Sunday afternoon. As soon as the battery level reached <1%, the exact the same warning ("Stop Safety. Vehicle will shut off soon") was displayed. I slowly drove the vehicle to the side of the road and called my insurance company; I reported the issue and requested them to tow the vehicle to a nearby Chrysler dealership. As of now, the vehicle is at the dealership parking waiting for diagnosis. Based on my initial conversation with the customer service person, they don't know if this is considered part of any recall or not. Not only was I stranded on the road because of the above incidents, not having the vehicle at the moment is straining me a lot - trying to handle personal and work schedules.

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 Feb 6, 2026 · Transmission · CT

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

Filed Dec 18, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · OH

Reversing onto roadway and shifted from reverse to drive via rotary dial and vehicle went into park and would not move causing me to block the roadway. In addition and even more concerning was that the vehicle could not be turned off and any and all actions to do so just left the car "on" and the hybrid system running. Eventually we pulled the battery cable on the main 12v in the trunk and the reset allowed us to move the vehicle again. I sat across a busy section for twenty minutes with no way to move, turn off, or overide the system with three kids with me in a busy traffic area. The vehicle has not reproduced the issue as of yet. The dash had multiple warnings for park system and service various items needed. this occurred 12/17/2025 with 70,000 miles.