2023 Chrysler Pacifica: check engine light

Filed Aug 2, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · MA

The vehicle has experienced three separate incidents involving a sudden, unexpected loss of motive power at speed accompanied by a warning message ("Please pull off the road safely, vehicle will shut off soon") and a turtle icon ("Red Turtle of Death") on the instrument cluster. Two of these incidents occurred on major highways at speeds exceeding 60 mph. Incident History: February 2026 (Heavy Melting Snow, Boston, MA): Vehicle experienced complete loss of propulsion while driving on a city street. Dealership (McGovern Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram) held the vehicle for nearly a month under Diagnostic Trouble Code P167B ("Controlled System Shutdown"). Replaced occupant restraint module, which did not resolve the issue. Vehicle eventually resumed operating on its own. Recent Incident (Heavy Rain spray, Highway >60 MPH): Sudden loss of motive power on high-speed road. Instrument panel displayed turtle icon and forced an emergency pull-off. After cycling ignition, drive capability returned. OBD-II scanner returned code P0000 (generic placeholder concealing proprietary Chrysler hybrid/BPCM/PIM isolation fault codes). Two Days Later (Dry Conditions, Highway >60 MPH): Third sudden loss of motive power at 60+ mph, forcing an immediate pull-off into traffic shoulder. Check engine light remained on with code P0000. Safety Risk & Technical Context: Unexpected loss of motive power at highway speeds creates a critical safety hazard for vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. These symptoms closely align with high-voltage isolation faults and internal short-circuiting documented in the federal safety agency Recall 23V‑010 / PE22-008 (eFlite transmission internal connector wiring harness short). The vehicle presents a recurring hazard where moisture or intermittent electrical shorts trigger a high-voltage system shutoff, leaving the driver with limited or no propulsion without warning.

Filed Jul 10, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Returning from [XXX] to [XXX] area Wed. XXX, traveling at ~75 mph on [XXX], I experienced a loss of power on a mild incline and an associated “Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon” instrument cluster message. I had to move hazardously in traffic while coasting to a stop on the right shoulder. This occurred with ~24,810 total miles on the vehicle since I purchased it new. I turned off the vehicle, waited a few minutes and then restarted it. I continued the drive with the vehicle acting normally until it happened again at 24,897 odometer miles, same message with same behavior. Traveling ~75 mph, I again had to move hazardously in traffic to coast to the right shoulder. Except now I notice the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated. I again turned the vehicle off, waited a few minutes and then restarted it. I was able to drive normally to the Chrysler dealership (Autonation in Katy Tx) where I spoke to a Service representative. He recorded my VIN and took some notes as I explained what happened, but would not plug in a code reader as I requested. Instead he said I would need to leave the vehicle there for at least 24 hours or bring it back later. Since I was still ~55 miles from home, had my wife and cargo still in the vehicle and wanted to know what malfunction code(s) were present, we elected to drive the vehicle home. On the way home, I stopped at both an Advance Auto and an Autozone where both read the only code present as P0A43, see attachment. I also noted that the Emission Ready status was showing "NO". I then drove the vehicle less than a mile to our home where it has remained in my driveway. Mileage is now 24972 on the odometer. I plugged in and charged the vehicle to 100% high voltage battery state. Two days later on XXX, I started the vehicle and the MIL is no longer illuminated, still at 24972 odometer. The dealer promised me that the code would remain and could be read later, but it did not and nobody erased it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · UT

On June 14, 2026, one day after purchase, while driving through the Mojave Desert on I-15 in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the check engine light illuminated and remained on through Southern California. The vehicle required a jump start after being parked in a covered multi-level parking structure for 5 days in Long Beach California after which the check engine light cleared. On June 19, 2026, six days after purchase, during the return trip the high voltage hybrid traction battery failed completely without warning in active Las Vegas highway traffic. The vehicle lost all motive power and coasted to the roadside. Three minor passengers were aboard, the youngest age 13. The occupants were stranded in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees for approximately two hours awaiting a tow truck. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Chrysler dealership where the high voltage traction battery was confirmed failed and replaced under warranty. A valley pan oil leak was also discovered and hybrid software update were also performed. An outstanding curtain airbag safety recall had never been remedied prior to the breakdown. The towing company reported they had been towing multiple Pacifica hybrids with similar failures during the same Las Vegas heat wave, suggesting a systemic issue with the high voltage battery thermal management system in extreme heat. The vehicle had been purchased six days prior with fewer than 1,000 miles of ownership at time of failure.

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · FL · crash

Vehicle Year/Make/Model: 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In HybridVIN Number: [XXX] Current Mileage: 51,607 miles Incident Summary: While attempting to bring the vehicle to a complete stop in front of a Subway restaurant in Old Town, the vehicle failed to decelerate upon braking. Instead, it lunged forward unexpectedly without driver input and collided with the building structure. The check engine light did not illuminate until after the collision occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 28, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · VA

Vehicle randomly shuts off in EV or ICE mode usually when driving on highway at 60-70 mph; warning comes of “vehicle will shut off soon” check engine light and limp mode; eventually power goes off and steering also stiffens ; this happed multiple times, but the check engine like didn’t stay on long enough for the dealership to be able to read it! So I was give the vehicle back then the same thing happed over again! Very unsafe to drive, not feeling comfortable to drive!

Filed Apr 22, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · MA

I purchased this car new on December 31, 2024. I have owned it for less than 16 months, and in that time, we have had an issue occur at least 5 times where we get an alert on the screen that says, "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". Less than 20 seconds later, the car completely dies. On each of the 5 instances, we were lucky to be going relatively slow and were in a safe place with a shoulder to pull over on. The vehicle was able to be turned back on within a few minutes. The check engine light came on momentarily, but would shut off before we were able to get the codes read. We brought this to the attention of Herb Chambers Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT of Danvers (not where we bought the car, but the closest Chrysler dealership for maintenance) and they were unable to provide any help. They said they have never seen this, and since they couldn't get any codes, they didn't know what was going on. My research informs me that this is a known issue, so I'm disappointed that they didn't know about this. I am also terrified to drive my young children in this car, in fear that this will happen again when we aren't able to safety stop. I will provide details for the most recent time that this occurred, but I haven't previously reported the other occurrences.

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · 51,416 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, several other unknown warning lights were intermittently illuminated. The contact stated that the hybrid system was inoperable and failed to function properly, and the charging system failed to fully charge the vehicle. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V302000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with several electrical failures. The side curtain air bags failed to operate as needed, and the contact was informed that the side curtain air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,416.

Filed Feb 23, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Several times (6) received a "pull over safely" message while on interstate at 60-75 mph. In addition check engine light comes on. Have taken to dealership for service and after 7 weeks they still have not be able to fix. Vehicle is completely inoperable at this point and am getting no support from Chrysler.

Filed Jan 5, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · MN

While driving at approximately 65 mph on I-35 in moderate traffic, the vehicle experienced a sudden and complete loss of motive power. I was positioned in the far-left passing lane at the time of the incident. A notification message appeared on the dashboard screen (likely the "Stop Safely" or "Service Hybrid System" warning); however, there was no accompanying audible warning tone to alert me to the severity of the issue before power was lost. The failure rendered the vehicle unable to accelerate, creating a severe safety hazard. I was forced to navigate from the far-left lane across multiple lanes of traffic to reach the exit while the vehicle was effectively crippled, moving at speeds under 10 mph amidst highway-speed traffic. I was eventually able to exit the freeway at this reduced speed. This was the second time this issue had occurred. The previous check engine light had cleared on its own and I assumed the vehicle was safe to drive.

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Airbags · OR

This van has had a transmission failure that lead to it stopping while driving 60mph down a freeway, several check engine light issues that were erroneous or needed software updates and now has an open recall for side airbags that may fail and allow a child to go thru a window during g a crash. This is a hazard we do not want to risk with our children

Filed Sep 19, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

On August 2, while traveling about 75 MPH, the check engine light came on along with the warning "Stop Safely – Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". The vehicle started immediately losing power. We were driving in the fast lane in traffic so pulling over was difficult and dangerous. After we were to the side of the road, we turned the van off. After 10 minutes or so, we continued on and pulled over at a rest stop. We have an OBD2 and checked the codes. At first, there were no codes even though the check engine light was on. After checking a few times, there were 2 codes. They were P1C65 PD and P0A43. I took the van into the dealership on August 4. They saw one of the codes saved. On August 7 the dealership preformed a software update. They were not able to reproduce the issue. Today, September 19, while driving, the check engine light came on with the warning "Stop Safely – Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". The vehicle again started immediately losing power. This time it happened when traveling about 45 MPH.

Filed Sep 11, 2025 · GA

I recently purchased a 2023 chrysler pacifica hybrid that did not have a recall listed for the loss of power incident. Within 24 hours of buying the car it died on me while driving. I was driving on a two lane busy road when without warning the vehicle beeped loudly and suddenly I lost all ability to use propulsion. The car illuminated that I should brake and it will shut off soon but soon was immediate and I had zero time to safely exit the road. After dying a little turtle symbol showed up on the dash and the check engine light became illuminated. Once I was able to get the vehicle restarted the check engine light remained illuminated and ai arranged for the car to be seen at the dealer right away. I took it to the dealer within a few minutes of this event and they did the update that was supposed to fix something. Within 3 days it repeated the same event. It is now sitting at the dealership to be looked at again. I had no time to stop safely, had I been on the highway the ability to remove myself safely from the road would have been zero percent chance. How long before the government steps in and holds Chrysler accountable for their poor quality and repairs that fix nothing? I lost power completely. I lost the ability to maintain speed in order to safely remove myself from the road. My family could have been killed. These are family vehicles, out yourself in the shoes of someone with children, would you feel safe putting your kids in a car that could die on you at any moment without any real warning signs?