Chrysler Pacifica misfire problems

Filed Oct 27, 2026 · Transmission · MI

The engine powertrain system failed, specifically a catastrophic failure of the cylinder head gaskets alongside a stretched engine timing chain. The replaced components were discarded by the repair facility following the completion of the service and are not available for inspection. The failure caused a sudden, severe engine malfunction accompanied by a rough idle and immediate loss of smooth powertrain operation. Sudden engine failures of this nature create a severe hazard when operating on backroads or public highways, as they can cause unexpected stalling, a complete loss of motive power, or sudden deceleration in active traffic, significantly increasing the risk of a collision. The diagnosis of the blown head gasket and stretched timing chain was formally confirmed and documented by an independent service center (Rusty's Auto Service, Repair Order #118288). The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. It was inspected and repaired strictly by the independent service center. The vehicle experienced a sudden, momentary rough idle and rapid coolant loss without any prior overheating indications or warning lights. These symptoms appeared immediately prior to bringing the vehicle in for a professional diagnostic inspection.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Engine · IA

At 105,000 miles the check engine light came on, at which point the vehicle experienced rough starts and a rough idle. Vehicle also began emitting white/gray smoke from the exhaust upon starting. Upon diagnosis it was determined that coolant was leaking into #4 cylinder requiring head gasket replacement. Total repair came to $4,287.07. This is a known issue commonly being experienced by other Pacifica owners. This major mechanical issue is a safety issue and could easily have stranded my family on the road. We were fortunate to have been home and located near a known and trusted mechanic when the issue presented.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Engine · AZ

One year ago (114k miles) I started having some rough idle, stumbling, etc. Then a cylinder 5 misfire code appeared. I swapped around coils and injectors, replaced the PCV valve, replaced lower intake manifold, coolant flush. Still no improvement. So I then replaced all the coils, plugs, and bench cleaned and tested all of the fuel injectors and reinstalled them with new o-rings. Misfire code kept returning. On Veteran's Day last year on our way back from a parade it would barely go over 35 mph with the CEL flashing. I limped it straight to the dealership. For context, I have never run the vehicle hot and have kept up on regular maintenance intervals. I gave them a detailed list of everything I did to the vehicle. They had it in the shop and did a compression test. Compression was good on the cylinder head for 1, 3, and 5. However, a leak down test was performed and showed a significant leak in cylinder 5, prompting the need to replace that cylinder head. Luckily, we still had our extended warranty and this $10k job was completely covered. Fast forward to a month ago (126k miles) I was getting a noise from the accessory drive area. After looking closer, I had to replace the serpentine belt. In order to do that I had to remove the lower radiator hoses and drain the coolant. Got everything back together and started it up. The noise I previously heard was louder and more like a chatter. Then a cylinder 4 misfire code appeared. I tore it down, looked at the plugs and coils. All checked out. Did a compression test and compression in all 3 cylinders was good at #2: 155 psi, #4: 151 psi, #6: 153 psi. Ibwent ahead and replaced fuel injector for that cylinder. Vehicle has been running for a few weeks and is still registering misfires for cylinder 4. Everything is pointing towards a cylinder head replacement, which will cost upwards of $10k, just as the previous cylinder head replacement did. This is a far too common problem on these engines.

Filed Sep 5, 2026 · Engine · PA

The head gasket failed at 89,000 miles. The engine gave P0305 Cylinder 5 misfire codes and would run rough causing difficult to drive in standard traffic flow. There are borescope pictures of coolant in cylinder 5. We stopped using the vehicle until the repair can be completed. This appear to be a WIDESPREAD problem for 2017-2019 Chrysler Pacifica which are numerous on the road and could be hazardous if these vehicles failed on regular roads and highways. See [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 5, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · WV

On 7/16/26 vehicle would not start; high-pitched noise heard near engine during no-start diagnosis. Towed to Goldy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Huntington WV. Per dealer invoice #27136: blown 500-amp main battery fuse found; after jumping past fuse, white smoke from exhaust and no coolant in system, diagnosed as blown head gasket. Repair: both-side head gasket replacement plus fuse assembly. Vehicle in shop 7+ weeks, returned 9/4/26 with new unresolved issue: strong smell of burned electronics and antifreeze in cabin. All failed components available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: head gasket failure/coolant intrusion caused engine hydrolock, a sudden uncommanded loss of engine power that can occur without warning, including while driving in traffic. Burned-electronics smell raises electrical/fire risk; antifreeze odor raises cabin fume exposure and window-fogging visibility concerns. Confirmed by dealer: Yes. Goldy diagnosed and documented the fuse failure, coolant loss, and head gasket failure in writing, and performed the repair. Manufacturer/police/insurance inspection: Not by police or insurance. Spoke by phone with a Chrysler HQ rep 5 times (8/13-9/1/26) who was informed; no confirmed independent physical inspection by manufacturer beyond dealer's own diagnosis. Warning signs: P0304 misfire on cylinder 3 appeared first, progressing to complete no-start with high-pitched noise, prompting the tow-in and hydrolock diagnosis.

Filed Aug 23, 2026 · Engine · NC

This report is for a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with 90,100 miles. The check engine light came on in July 2026. It was a cylinder 5 misfire. The spark plugs and ignition coil were replaced. The check engine light came on again about 2 weeks later (cylinder 5 misfire again), was dismissed and reset by the shop, and came on again about 2 weeks later. This time, the shop diagnosed cylinder 5 misfire due to "cylinder 5 is leaking coolant into the cylinders." They quoted $12,000 for engine replacement. Went for 2nd opinion at a Chrysler dealership. They confirmed cylinder 5 misfire due to coolant leaking into cylinder 5. Cylinder 5 had low compression. Tech recommended replacing cylinder head for $6200. My research shows that this issue is common for the Pacificas, so I reached out to both Chrysler and the dealer for goodwill assistance with the repair. It was declined due to the van being older than 2019. I cannot continue to drive it with this issue, due to the safety risk of engine failure while operating.

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MA

My 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L Plus is experiencing coolant leaking into a cylinder, diagnosed by. This has rendered the vehicle undrivable. The Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine used in this vehicle has a well-documented pattern of coolant intrusion into cylinders due to head gasket failure across the 2017–2019 Chrysler Pacifica model years, based on extensive owner complaints already on file with the federal safety agency and reported by consumer advocacy organizations. Despite this known pattern, no recall currently exists covering this specific defect for 2019 model year vehicles. This is a safety concern because coolant intrusion into a cylinder can cause sudden misfires, rough running, loss of power, and potential stalling while driving — creating a hazard in traffic, particularly at highway speeds or during turns/merges. I contacted Chrysler Case Management regarding this issue. The manufacturer has attempted to attribute responsibility to the dealership rather than acknowledging this as a manufacturer defect in the engine design/manufacturing, despite the well-documented pattern across multiple model years of the same engine. I have also not been provided a rental vehicle despite my vehicle being undrivable.

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Engine · MN

Failed head gasket that put vehicle in compromised working condition on the roadway - check engine light flash, poor and inconsistent engine running. First indications were 5-10 seconds of rough idle after startup when sitting overnight, then p0303 check engine code for cylinder three misfire as well as loss of coolant. Independent shop confirmed issue and replaced head gasket. Problem appears to have re-occurred after 2 years and 20000 miles with similar indications. Same shop advised likely engine block or cylinder head defect or damage and would not do any tear down or repair short of engine replacement.

Filed Aug 8, 2026 · Engine · VA

While driving, the vehicle began to sputter and the check engine light illuminated. A scan at a franchised dealership showed a stored code for a cylinder 4 misfire. Further diagnosis found coolant intrusion into cylinder 4, indicating internal failure of the left cylinder head and/or head gasket, allowing coolant into the combustion chamber. Upon removing the left valve cover and camshafts, the technician found a broken head gasket and a warped left cylinder head. The dealership replaced the left cylinder head, head gasket, cylinder head cover gasket, and oxygen sensor, refilled coolant, and replaced the PCV valve as a maintenance item. After repair, the vehicle was test driven and no further misfire was detected. This failure occurred at approximately 72,000 miles, low mileage for a major internal engine component, shortly after the factory powertrain warranty expired, leaving the owner responsible for the full repair cost. A misfire caused by coolant entering a cylinder can cause sudden, unexpected loss of engine power and rough running while driving, a safety concern in traffic, on highways, or when merging and passing, since reduced power can make it hard to maintain speed or accelerate out of a hazardous situation. Continued driving with undiagnosed coolant intrusion can also cause secondary engine damage, including hydrolock. The failed cylinder head and gasket were not retained by the owner; the dealership performed the repair as part of the invoiced order. The manufacturer has not independently inspected the vehicle beyond the dealership's diagnosis, photographs, and repair documentation, available on request. This appears to be a recurring issue on this engine platform, as similar cylinder head/gasket coolant intrusion failures, with matching misfire codes, have been reported by other owners of similar model-year minivans with the same engine, typically presenting in the 60,000-85,000 mile range, shortly after the factory powertrain warranty expires.

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Engine · WI

I purchased a used 2018 Chrysler Pacifica with the 3.6L V6 F DOHC 24V engine in October 2025. The van had 97,000 miles. Shortly after I purchased it I noticed the engine had a rough idled. It now has 107,000 miles and the rough engine has continued to get worse. What I noticed is when I first started it the engine was rough and vibrated. Once I started driving it was not as noticeable. I decided to take it to a mechanic to see what the issue was. I thought it could be electrical. Before I could get it to the mechanic it would not start. I had it towed to the dealership I bought it from and the y confirmed that it is the head gasket. They told me they would approach Chrysler to see if they would help with the repairs, they said NO. The dealer did offer to bear part of the cost of the $4,000+ cost for the repairs. I do not understand how reputable company can manufacture a product that obviously has a flaw and deny support. I understand that their warranty is limited by time and distance. But from what I have read from the MANY complaints on the particular engine from 2018 it appears the issue arrises at 90,000 to 110,000 miles.