Chrysler Pacifica key fob problems

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

Over the past couple of years the auto start-stop system has progressively gotten worse with erratic issues. I've been to the dealership, and have replaced the main and aux batteries multiple times to reset the system and fix the problem. New batteries do not fix the problem. The vehicle's electrical system has turned off the engine and stalled multiple times in the middle of intersections. The vehicle has shut down twice while attempting left turns across lanes of oncoming traffic and three times pulling from a side street onto a major road. This has started to happen everyday and is posing a safety issue for my two young children, family, and other motorists. This electrical issue is a well known problem of this model and multiple calls to the manufacturer and the dealership leaves me in the middle where neither want to provide a path for assistance as the dealership explains my issue as a manufacturer problem. In the past 3 weeks the electrical issue has impacted the vehicles ability to consistently start, sometimes the engine won't turn over and I have to jump the vehicle on an increasing basis. The start-stop system has created further electrical problems where the start-stop dash signal is on constantly, the dashboard lights up sporadically, and today the vehicle would not unlock by using the key fobs and with no physical key I am not able to access the vehicle.

Filed Jul 9, 2026 · Electrical · NM · fire

The vehicle caught fire earlier morning of 7/9/2026. It was sitting in front of house unoccupied. The alarm went off twice which pressing the key fob shut it off until the third time when the alarm would continue until it died down. I went to my door to check and noticed the car was on fire.

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Electrical · FL

Was having issues with the Van starting got an alert on the dashboard to service shifter after reading what the issue may be it states that the BUS can connector is a manufacturer default we replaced the battery in the key fob, replaced the main battery and the auxillary battery and still having the same issue, Van is hesitating when starting and now nothing on the dashboard where the speedometer is will come on.

Filed Jan 13, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

On October 31, 2020 (before our purchase of the van) the previous owner had to take the van to Chrysler for hesitation in the transmission shifting. On June 14, 2021 (only two weeks after purchase), we had to drop it off for intermittent shifting issues with what seemed like skipped gears. No engine light came on, and the van was returned stating an inability to reproduce the issue. On February 7, 2022 we brought the van to Chrysler after taking it in a few times to Carmax to resolve the the disabled "Start/ Stop" System. The light would intermittently come on indicating the system was unavailable, and shifting would be erratic. An inspection and recall work for the PCM was performed. In June of 2023, the UConnect System stopped working intermittently. The gears were still shifting roughly with the shift knob becoming increasingly more difficult to turn. An independent shop found no solution with an unknown timeframe on the delivery of a new transmission. In June of 2023 while driving, the van shut off completely while in motion. After a few minutes, it started up again and drove as if nothing was wrong. June 24, 2023, we took the van to Chrysler with the same issues. At the time there was still a back order of transmissions for the van. Upon contacting Chrysler, we found out that there was a recall effective on the new transmission and the company rush ordered the part to the shop. As well, the Uconnect system was also addressed. The issue was fixed. After a few years of reliable service, the van functioned normally with rough shifting and start/stop system failures still an issue. In January of 2024, the van would not start at first try. Often my wife was able to get it started after sitting for awhile. In other cases, changing the key fob helped. Changing the AUX battery repaired the issue temporarily. Now it won't start at all. The starter was misdiagnosed by an independent shop with Chrysler finding a failed transmission once again.

Filed Jan 1, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · CT

Car will not start with push button and/or key fob push. Problem started 10 months ago with dead stop/start battery. Both batteries were replaced and then two months later stop/start system failed at stop lights. Car would stall once break was released to go. Had car serviced, starter replaced. Next day, car stalled and would not restart in parking lot, service department could not find any problems and no error lights found so the solution was to turn stop/start system off. A few months later car would not start on first try, took several pushes and sometimes a keyfob push. Sometimes "no key fob detection" light. Car was sent to service center again and they could not find any problems. At this time car only starts on 2nd push. Problem has worsened over the last 5 months, car takes at least 5 tries to start or doesn't start at all. Additional observations: brake gets very tight and pressurized after the first attempted start, steering wheel is locked.

Filed Sep 14, 2025 · OK

Mid February 2025, while driving through a university campus 25 mph the vehicle died. All dash indicators went out, lost engine power, no warnings or indicators displayed on instrument panel. I held onto the steering wheel until stopped in the street without hitting college students or cars. Shifted to Park. Turned off and tried to start but the dash remained out and no engine start. Turned engine off again. Removed key fob. Got out of vehicle and waved traffic to go around. Got back in and started with success. Days later dash displayed hybrid charging maintenance required. Took vehicle to dealer and reported problems. I reported the issue on Chrysler web page. Dealer told me that the problem is a failed hybrid battery. Waiting for under warranty hybrid battery repairs.

Filed Jun 24, 2025 · GA

The battery went dead in the van. I opened the driver's door using the key from the key fob. However, because there was no power, I couldn't open any of the other doors or lift gate not even from the inside. There appears to be no manual override to open those doors. I couldn't get to portable charger because it was in the back. This could be a significant safety issue. If the battery is dead, the only way for passengers to exit the vehicle is through the driver's door.

Filed Nov 22, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · IN

I bought my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica limited about two years ago. It’s been the worst decision I’ve ever made. I have just about a 3% rate and with the amount of issues these things have I’m so far upside down it’s not even funny. This car with all of its known issues is depreciating faster than I can pay for it. I currently have about 129,000 miles on it. I couldn’t get rid of this thing if I tried. The Chrysler dealership I service it with said they would give me 4000.00 IF they were willing to buy it back. The engine build company my mechanic uses says they won't even build these engines at all because of how many issues they have. So no option other than to buy the exact same engine is has now through Chrysler and know it will do it again. I’m having stalling/accelerating issues (shop can’t figure it out, kids cry when it stalls in traffic.. I've been in for it about 9 times to two different place) Oil cooler housing unit replaced last year (taken it back in a few times for ongoing leak, now need a head gasket) Head gasket Batteries galore Ongoing start stop issues My AC went out the month I bought it (leak in the lines near the rear) 3000k to fix The shop says it needs lifters, cam shafts and rockers (might as well do the engine if I had the extra money after paying off the rest of the repairs) My heated and cooled seats have stopped working numerous times Dash comes on and off when it wants Back up camera stays on the screen while I drive as much as it doesnt My rear washer fluid sprays INSIDE the car onto my kids Rear power seats stopped working multiple times now Get in to head to work and it just won’t start…. Have to basically play a video game with the controls and key fob to miraculously start it up Starting to rust already We have owned 2 Durango’s, 2 dodge rams, a Chrysler Sebring and now this. Clearly we support Chrysler but after this my husband switched to a ford truck and I will be going back as soon as I can if this isn't resolved.

Filed Sep 11, 2024 · Electrical · VA

Keys were inside car with only an infant inside and the doors were locked with no other key fob anywhere nearby. There must have been an issue with the car’s safety system to unlock the car in this situation. There was no 3 beeps that would unlock the car. Car was parked in Walmart parking lot in the heat. Remote start was on, key fob was in drivers seat. The last door to close was the drivers side rear sliding door. Wife called me from a shopper’s phone since hers was also locked in the car. I frantically drove with the other key fob a few miles to where they were to unlock. It was a traumatic experience for her and our son who was stuck inside the car. Thankfully I got there in time to unlock with the other key fob and everyone is okay.

Filed Jul 20, 2024 · Steering · NY

Having trouble with steering. At times steering wheel makes noises and locks up while turning. I was told a recall was already done and that I need a new computer that will cost 5k for part and install. I just had issues with panel lights going on and off and had to replace secondary battery due to stop/start button which Ive had trouble with consistently. I think this issue with computer may be due to recall issue and I believe this issue should be fixed and paid for thru recall process. It is an ongoing issue with pacifica 2018 with start/stop and push button starts. I have taken it to 2 dealers. They said recall done. So I need new part