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.
Chrysler Pacifica stalling problems
1,026 of the 7,082 owner complaints about the Chrysler Pacifica describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2017 model year.
- owner complaints
- 1,026
- worst model year
- 2017
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,000
- typical mileage
- 42,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 120Loss of power 82Fuel pump 75Jerking 69Fuel gauge 59Won't start 53Start-stop 41Power steering loss 31
Trouble codes mentioned
P0A43 3P0305 3P1861 2U1467 1U1465 1U11E3 1U0103 1U0001 1P258B 1P2066 1
What owners say
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.
File an Immediate the federal safety agency Safety Complaint (Do This Tonight) The vehicle intermittently stalls completely while decelerating or braking at low speeds when the engine is warm. The dashboard flashes an ACC/FCW warning as the engine dies. This requires a full shift into Park to restart in active traffic, creating an imminent crash hazard. The vehicle has only 26,000 miles. Chrysler Case #98023933 is refusing to authorize diagnostic flight data logging or precautionary repairs because the dealer cannot immediately replicate it." •
The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rear-view camera displayed a black or distorted image. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally shut off while driving at various speeds. The "Check Engine" and "Shift to Park" messages were displayed with an audible chime. Due to the failure, the contact was forced to pull over and restart the vehicle to resume normal driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where a code for an unknown sensor was retrieved. The contact reset the computer; however, the failure returned several days later. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.
We purchased 2022 hybrid Chrysler Pacifica from Mountain View CDJR in June 2026 and around July 4th the car went into critical red turtle limp mode on the highway slowing from 65 to under 15 mph with all our children in the car. Thankfully my husband was driving and able to get us to the local CDJR who helped inspect the vehicle and discovered contaminated coolant issue and showed us the different colors that shouldn’t be there from a car purchased from a CDJR dealership. The issue was brought to Mountain View who initially attempted to charge us over $3,000 for an issue stemming from their own negligence. After agreeing to pay around $600 for new radiator and more back and forth I believed the car would be returned to us well serviced. There was a recall they were supposed to handle and also they had the vehicle during a prescheduled oil change and then failed to perform the oil change. After then vehicle had been returned to us the hybrid capabilities have failed, we cannot charge the vehicle, and gas mileage has continued decline. When brought to service manager, he asked me “well is it still going into limp mode?” As if the car not stalling in the highway was successfully servicing the vehicle. Car went into limp mode several times before Mountain View’s service, car has since continued to decline in gas mileage and does not charge at all, and though it has not gone into red turtle or limp mode I feel there are still underlying safety issues as coolant flush was never performed. Mountain View has lied and been very combative.
On XXX, my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica suffered a catastrophic malfunction on [XXX], only 3.4 miles after I picked it up from Mall of Georgia Chrysler. The dealership had kept it for over two weeks to diagnose an intermittent “Service Shifter” warning and communication fault codes. While driving in traffic, the gear indicator unexpectedly cycled among Drive, Neutral, and Park. The vehicle stalled, moved unpredictably, displayed flashing warnings, and sounded chimes. I could no longer reliably control its propulsion or determine whether it would remain in gear. This nearly caused a multi-vehicle collision before the vehicle became disabled and had to be towed. This was not merely a “Service Shifter” warning. The safety event involved an unexpected Neutral condition, loss of reliable propulsion and gear control, stalling, and a simultaneous electrical malfunction. Christian Brothers Automotive had replaced both batteries and the service shifter module. The warning continued, with stored codes U0103, U1465, U1467, and U11E3. Mall of Georgia Chrysler identified the same codes but again replaced the main battery and service shifter module. The vehicle malfunctioned after those repairs, was returned for further diagnosis, and then suffered this roadway failure immediately after its next release. Despite repeated repair attempts, no root cause has been documented. The dealership proposed replacing another transmission-related module and electrical component but could not guarantee the repair. I am concerned that parts are being replaced through trial and error while the safety defect remains unresolved. Chrysler TSB 21-027-17 Rev. A addresses transmission shift and drivability concerns in certain 2017 Pacificas, including code U0103. I ask the federal safety agency to investigate this as a loss-of-propulsion, unintended-Neutral, transmission-control, and electrical-communication safety defect—not simply a dashboard warning. The vehicle remains unsafe to operate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.
Vehicle has suffered from electrical issues since 2023 with effects to front windows causing window to reverse down when trying to roll up, radio malfunctions that is a known Chrysler issue that removes the ability to control rear entertainment center from front screen leaving the feature unusable with small children in the rear for long periods of time, rear cross traffic warning detection malfunctioning and not making audible alarms or warning with vehicles and pedestrians behind vehicle, loud noises when braking that according to Chrysler TA is potentially the ABS system wanting to engage but didn't, electrical shorts causing intermittent surging of interior lights - slower functioning of sliding doors - shorted out multiple window washer pump systems leading to replacement - lane departure system malfunctioning causing vehicle to drastically steer vehicle towards a curbed center island in which I as the driver had to manipulate the wheel to avoid crashing - passenger slider door at time malfunctions causing the door to repeatedly open and close on it's own and also open on its own while vehicle was underway in reverse - blind spot monitoring system malfunctioning at times to not warn of vehicles in blind spot - vehicle stalled twice with check engine light on but no recorded data in computer of the events ever occurring. All of these issues have been inspected under both factory warranty and extended Mopar warranty with service department stating they could not replicate the error and no further investigation or diagnosing was completed. After "repair attempts" were made the malfunctions reoccurred with another service appointment being needed and more electrical errors happening over time. Per service department there were no DTC or check engine lights for our malfunctions, however years later they finally admitted there had been DTC logs but were ignored and not diagnosed. We feel the safety of our family and public are at great safety risk from the failures.
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.
While driving at highway speeds, my 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid suddenly lost all propulsion power. A turtle icon appeared on the dashboard cluster, and the vehicle stalled, creating a severe safety hazard on an active highway. Chrysler Care previously stated my VIN is not included in the 03A recall (the federal safety agency Campaign 23V010000) for internal transmission short-circuits. However, my vehicle has experienced the exact software limp-mode shutdown and mechanical failure described in that campaign. The manufacturer must expand this recall to cover later 2023 production batches before a fatal accident occurs. My husband and 4 children were stranded in the left lane with no time to move over on a major Chicago highway. The car was towed to a Chrysler mechanical service team. They are claiming that the code is not active and they need it to be active in order to diagnose anything. While driving in the left lane warning that read, " stop safely. Vehicle will shut off soon" a red turtle and a large red triangle with a "!" In the middle. The car was unable to drive leaving them stranded and very scared.
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver, and the vehicle stalled. The message "Power Train" was displayed on the instrument panel. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the auxiliary battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Chrysler Pacifica stalling
Which Chrysler Pacifica years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2017 (249 complaints), 2005 (220 complaints) and 2018 (133 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix engine stalls while driving on the Chrysler Pacifica?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 30 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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