The vehicle has an unresolved electrical/propulsion failure involving sudden shutdowns while driving and CAN C bus/lost-communication faults. Since the high-voltage battery was replaced through a recall-related repair, the vehicle has had repeated shutdown/loss-of-communication events, occurring dozens of times. In the most serious incidents, while driving at speed, the dash flickered, windshield wipers activated unexpectedly, headlights turned off, turn signals would not work, and steering locked or became difficult to control. The vehicle then completely shut off while still moving. After shutdown, the hazard lights would not work. One documented incident occurred on the interstate at about 70 mph. This puts occupants and others at risk because the vehicle can suddenly lose motive power and critical electrical/control functions at the same time, including lighting, signals, hazards, instrument display, and steering/control assistance. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by a Chrysler dealership. Dealer records documented multiple modules losing communication on the CAN C bus. The dealer replaced the shifter module as a possible contributor, but the problem continued. The dealer later corrected loose pin tension at a communication/star connector, but the vehicle continued to shut down and later scan reports still showed widespread active/stored CAN and lost-communication faults across powertrain, hybrid control, body control, braking/ABS, steering, and shifter-related systems. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been confirmed by dealer scan reports and repair records, but the root cause remains unresolved. The manufacturer has been contacted through customer care and repair/scan documentation was submitted. The exact root cause is UNKNOWN, but dealer findings indicate an unresolved major electrical/CAN communication problem possibly involving the harness, connector network, or communication system.
Chrysler Pacifica headlights problems
109 of the 7,082 owner complaints about the Chrysler Pacifica describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2005 model year.
- owner complaints
- 109
- worst model year
- 2005
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,600
- typical mileage
- 80,000
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 12Stalling 11Wipers 6Fuel gauge 5Check engine light 5Warning lights 4Fuel pump 3Door locks 3
What owners say
Similar to the Ford recall, the LED Daytime Running Light Module is defective. This LED went out in under 3 years and Chrysler won’t fix it. This is a problem that many people are experiencing, and they want $2,000 to replace the entire head lamp system.
The vehicle is unsafe to operate and presents an immediate highway safety risk. Shortly after purchase, the vehicle experienced multiple safety-related failures. Headlights were inoperable from the time of delivery, requiring use of high beams at night to see the roadway. This created visibility and traffic safety issues from day one. Within the first month of ownership, the vehicle required towing. The vehicle is a hybrid and could not be shifted into neutral, yet it was dragged with the wheels locked during towing rather than transported on a flatbed. This caused damage to multiple systems. Following the tow, all four tires developed visible bulges consistent with being dragged while immobilized, creating a significant risk of tire blowout at highway speeds. Steering and alignment became unstable, with grinding noises and loss of predictable control. The hybrid underbody shielding was also damaged, leaving components exposed. These conditions have persisted despite repeated notice to the seller and service administrator. A repair facility has confirmed the vehicle is not safe for long-distance or highway travel. The vehicle must regularly be driven at interstate speeds, and continued operation poses a serious risk of crash or injury. The vehicle remains in service only due to lack of alternatives, despite known safety defects affecting steering, lighting, and tires.
CRASH INFO - 12:50 am, 2024. 2024 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L Components failed: Airbags non-deployed; Steering Control Module; TCS System; Fwd Collision Avoidance & Lane Departure; + Not avail to inspect. Car sold at auction. Obtained Black Box & OBD info. Car owned by EAN Holdings, LLC. - Enterprise RAC. Problem not reproduced, car not drivable after crash. Did not notice any warning lamps, too busy trying to keep car on road. My wife was heading home after some late-night shopping when crash occurred on 2-lane dry & clean asphalt country road. Weather was a cool and clear moonlit night. Posted speed limit 45mph. With her headlights on she could see very well far up ahead & knew her surroundings, where the roadside became grass on the left, & a drainage ditch to the right side. She chose out of caution to drive near the center line in the roadway to give ample distance between the passenger side of the car and the soft shoulder to the right. Approx. 150 ft before she approached the turn to the left, she felt a sudden & very intense TUG from the right rear wheel. This caused the car to jerk out of control, shoving its back end to the right. It was impossible to correct the vehicle's course & what the car decided to do on its own accord. The car then proceeded to yank the steering wheel hard to the right (while she fought to keep the car turning left), and it forced her off the right shoulder of the paved road, across a 3-foot soft shoulder on the passenger side of her car. The car continued traveling off the road and over a gravel and corrugated drainpipe, landing her in a deep 5-6' irrigation ditch, and abruptly stopped on an uphill slant, making contact with a small sapling tree/weeds. The ride was so violent from all the jarring & bouncing that everything inside the car was flying around like in a front-loading washing machine. She had to exit via the back pass side door. Airbags did not deploy & car required towing. By the Grace of God, she did not die!
There are clearly many design flaws on my 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. One issue I am having with this car is the Daytime Running Lights. These are expensive LED lights that should function for the life of the vehicle. Unfortunately, I believe there is a problem with the control module on the LED lights, and part of the driver's side light does not function. This is a clear safety issue, and seems to be very common problem people are having with the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. I notified Chrysler about the issue, and because the car was just over 36 months old, they would not repair the issue. They told me I would have to pay for a complete replacement of the headlight which would cost over $1000. Just today, I noticed Ford posted a recall for the same issue they are having with their Daytime Running Lights. I believe it is only fair for Chrylser to provide a voluntary recall on this same issue because of the clear safety hazard it can creates. What is the purpose of Daytime Running Lights if they don't function properly. This is a minivan I rely on to safely transport my family, and I do not want to risk a hazardous collision because Chrysler refuses to repair a faulty part in their vehicle.
This week was the SECOND time our van lost both low beam headlights at the same time while driving at night. Both times the dealership wanted over $500 to replace them. Our drive train will catch while driving. We took our van in for this problem and were told by the dealership that "its just the way the transmission is made" When we bought the vehicle it was two years old and had rust spots on the hood. We had it repaired. Now, two years later the same rust bubbles are starting to appear on the hood.
My 2021 Pacifica Hybrid with 19.2K miles threw a "Service Charging System" and Check Engine Light error while I was driving at 65mph on the highway on Christmas Eve in 8 degree weather. The minivan stopped accelerating and the transmission began flashing between P and D. We were forced to stop the vehicle on the highway shoulder, leaving us (2 parents, 2 kids 7 & 11) stranded on the highway. The vehicle then shut off and we were unable to turn on heating or accessories other than headlights and hazards. We were rescued by state troopers given that no tow trucks were available on Christmas Eve. The local dealer claims that the issue was related to the battery, but that doesn't make sense given the car was driving at highway speeds at the time and the alternator should keep the battery charged. I have seen a lot of owners with Service Charging System errors on this forum and believe Chrysler should have some knowledge as to a permanent solution. Without better understanding the root cause of the issue, it's hard for us to feel safe with a battery replacement, since that seems to be address symptom given that a car running highway speeds would keep the batteries charged through the belt and alternator system. My wife is fairly terrified of driving this car at highway speeds without some assurances it won't shut down and I get the sense that the dealer wants to wash its hands of this situation. I have a Chrysler warranty number for this repair, but have not received assistance yet. Would really appreciate some help!
The LED strip/portion of my driver-side headlight has stopped functioning. It is all inside a closed headlight unit. When starting the vehicle, the LED strip will pulse about 11 times quickly, then remain off. This has been an unsafe defect, because if I am in a lane that is for "Left Turn OR Keep Straight", a vehicle in the intersection across from me could look briefly, see my left LED strip out*, and assume I am turning left -- while in actuality I am keeping straight. This could lead to a head-on collision. *There are many newer vehicles where the LED strip temporarily turns off when that side's turn signal is flashing. Additionally, this can cause a small percentage of uneven brightness. I have not found a way to turn off the working LED Strip on the passenger side without turning ALL the headlights off. It is always on (and always uneven) whenever the vehicle is running. The cost of the repair was quoted by the dealership I bought the van at - an unavoidable $180 diagnostic fee, plus $1,300+ to replace the whole unit, with no other options given. Furthermore, the expensive, "comprehensive wrap" extended vehicle plan the Chrysler dealership sold me refuses to cover the defect. Lastly, the service technician at both Chrysler Dealerships' advise was to "just live with it". This is completely unjust and should be covered by Chrysler, as LEDs should certainly have thousands of working hours left past 5 years, let alone the short 3 years the factory warranty covers. There were no messages or warning signs before this defect was noticed, and there is no information on the defect provided by the manufacturer anywhere I have looked online or on the MOPAR website.
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle in her garage, the gear shifter indicator light was not illuminated while shifting from the drive (D) to park (P) and the vehicle was not able to turn off after pushing the START/STOP button. Additionally, the rear liftgate door was not able to open as needed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's neighbor disconnected the fuel lines and was able to turn off the vehicle; however, the instrument panel light and headlights were not able to be turned off. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
we smelled gas on the passenger side and noticed there wasn't a ton of power being given to the engine. Once we got to our destination the gas smell was stronger. We arrived back at our house and the gas smell was really bad at this point and noticed there was gas coming over the headlights. We popped the hood and there was gas everywhere. We got very lucky and the van did not catch on fire. The fuel supply tube (68210442AA) was shooting gas out from a hole in it and it would land a good 20-ft outside the vehicle. This could have killed myself and my family. We went to find the part and come to find out chrysler "redesigned" the part but there is no recall on this part yet.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with halogen headlamps may experience an intermittent and eventual total loss of headlamp function.
- Risk
- The head lights may not operate properly which could result in intermittent or no headlight function. This could impair a driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect, and replace if necessary, the wiring harness and low beam bulb on both headlamp assemblies free of charge. The recall began on march 28, 2005. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 05V066000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chrysler Pacifica headlights
Which Chrysler Pacifica years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2005 (46 complaints), 2004 (22 complaints) and 2006 (16 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix headlights failing or too dim on the Chrysler Pacifica?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,600 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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