Chrysler Pacifica transmission failure problems

Filed Nov 4, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · AZ

Vehicle has had ongoing electrical and transmission issues. Was purchased in 2024 w/6k miles, under warranty. Now on 10th service at 47K miles, including two shifter replacements, a full transmission replacement, and three battery (main and aux) replacements. On the most recent service, team could not diagnose the cause of the battery drain, but noted "battery so overcharged it was on the verge of exploding". It is important to note that this battery was installed as of March of 2026. The vehicle clearly has a parasitic draw or a failing alternator/voltage regulator that is frying the shifter electronics. If this vehicle suffers a thermal event or complete powertrain failure on the highway after I was sent away with an unresolved shifting issue, the paper trail shows a clear failure to repair a pre-existing safety hazard reported under warranty."

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Transmission · IN

When driving vehicle it would severely buck and not accelerate. Have almost had cars rear end me as a result. There are no warning lights regarding this. Car is at an auto repair shop and they are saying it has no transmission fault codes but it needs a new transmission. I have barely been able to drive this car since about a month after I purchased in november 2025. When purchasing the car it ran completely fine and had no issues until december of 2025 which was a coolant leak. I discontinued driving the vehicle until may of 2026 when I was able to pay a mechanic to replace water pump and radiator. with in a week of replacing the water pump and radiator the vehicle began severely jerking and bucking particularly when accelerating from a full stop. then while driving down the road it intermittently starts bucking. I attempted to contact a local dealer however they do not have any sufficient financing programs to cover the cost of repairs and diagnosis charge. I spend 8000 on a vehicle that has barely ran and showed no symptoms or warning lights of a catastrophic failure.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Transmission · IL

Vehicle: 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Approximately 25,300 miles On Saturday 9/12/26 while driving at highway speeds the following message displayed "Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon". When the message displayed the check engine light illuminated as well as the limp mode light. In limp mode the vehicle reduced speed rapidly and would not accelerate above 20 MPH. This happened at highway speeds on a multilane highway. We were able to get to the shoulder, but it was very dangerous changing lanes in limp mode. Turning the vehicle on and off several times cleared errors except the check engine light. We were able to get off the highway and get home without the message or limp mode triggering again. The check engine light stayed illuminated for 24 hours and went off when I refueled the vehicle the next day. For the next week I drove at local speeds with no issues. On Saturday 9/19/26 the vehicle would not start. This is a plugin hybrid and was fully charged. The electric motor would not start, and the check engine light illuminated again. I turned the vehicle off/on 3 times to get it to start. I did my errand and returned home. When I returned home, I turned the vehicle off then on again and the check engine light cleared. On Tuesday 9/21/26 I dropped the vehicle off for service, getting there without issue. The dealership stated the transmission will need to be rebuilt. Problem code is P0A43-00. This is the SECOND transmission failure since ownership. I've had the vehicle serviced only at the dealer where purchased. The dealership confirmed the FIRST incident with the same problem code was diagnosed on 1/30/24. The transmission was replaced at this time. The van had 12,134 miles. The 2024 incident also was triggered at highway speeds. If my memory is correct, I believe I reported the first incident to the nthsb at the time.

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · IL

Vehicle suffered sudden loss of motive power due to Diagnostic Trouble Code P0A43 (Drive Motor A Position Sensor Circuit Intermittent). The failure is caused by thermal and chemical degradation of the internal transmission wiring harness, resulting in an internal electrical short submerged in transmission fluid. The vehicle is able to be powered on again and driving can be continued however certain speeds trigger the issue. The check engine light appears and remains for a short period. The vehicle was purchased through CarMax of Naperville, IL [XXX]. The vehicle began to experience the defined issue the last week of May 2026. The vehicle was brought to CarMax [XXX]. CarMax transferred the repair of the vehicle to Castle Chrysler of Naperville/Stellantis IL, and they conducted the initial repair. Stellantis attempted to mask this hardware failure via software recalibrations under the federal safety agency Recall 03A (23V‑010) rather than replacing physical parts. The vehicle was returned and appeared to be repaired. [XXX] the same issue occurred while on a cross country road trip. The vehicle was able to be driven but under specific speed conditions as not to activate the transmission failure. [XXX] the vehicle was brought to an independent technician at Stephens Automotive in Palatine, IL and they were able to verify the issue and documented it. The vehicle was then brought to Castle Chrysler on [XXX], and the vehicle has been there since. Stellantis later acknowledged the true physical failure via Warranty Extension XE1 and TSB 21-014-26, requiring Electric Rebuild Kit #68729719AB. The vehicle has been continuously grounded at Castle Chrysler since [XXX] (>30 cumulative days) because Part #68729719AB is on indefinite backorder. Stellantis's failure to supply hardware repairs leaves the vehicle inoperable and creates a severe safety hazard on public roads. Stellantis Case #[XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Acceleration, Fuel system · MD

On Saturday July 25th, while driving at 70 mph on the highway, my van lost the ability to accelerate or maintain velocity. There was no warning or indication that this was going to happen. There was a beep and the screen flashed to a screen that said to pull over immediately and safely. Surprised and scared, I had to cut across 3 lanes of traffic while losing velocity cutting off a tractor trailer because my velocity dropped quickly. After restarting, the vehicle ran normally. I drove in the slow lane for a mile an it happened again. I was able to get the vehicle off the highway and drive slowly and safely on backroads to get the van to a Ourisman Chrysler in Clarksville, MD. The check engine light was on when I arrived at the dealer. Immediately upon arrival I was told by a service representative that it will most likely need a new transmission. On Tuesday he told me a tech verified it needs a new transmission. He told me the vehicle was classified as VOR (Vehicle Off Road) meaning it was unsafe or unable to be driven on the road and that parts were ordered and expedited. I did not hear back from the dealership until Friday at which point they surprisingly told me my vehicle was ready to pick up. In an email I was told: "what was found was a stored fault code P0A43-00 Drive motor "A" position sensor circuit intermittent. There is a TSB 21-037-26 for that fault code and vehicle going into limp mode and the repair is a rebuild kit for the transmission. " Despite this they also said in an email: "cleared codes and perform test drive. Code never came back and it states in the procedure you must verify the problem meaning it happened or is happening via active fault code which it is not." They refuse to fix the problem, despite acknowledging it happened. I was told to take the vehicle back and drive it as normal until it happens again, which I refused due to safety concerns. The vehicle currently has a bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Filed Jul 28, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

This 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has a severe and recurring history of catastrophic high-voltage hybrid powertrain and transmission failures that cause a sudden loss of motive power while driving, presenting an immediate safety hazard. The vehicle has already required two full automatic transmission (eFlite EVT) replacements under factory warranty due to internal failures. It has experienced multiple high-voltage component repairs, including software modules for the power inverter. The vehicle is currently experiencing a recurring failure and is displaying active diagnostic trouble code P0A78 (Drive Motor "A" Inverter Performance), indicating a critical fault in the high-voltage hybrid propulsion system. Prior to the current failure, the check engine light illuminated, and the vehicle experienced propulsion system degradation. This failure mode risks a sudden shutdown of the hybrid drive system at highway speeds, creating a severe risk of rear-end collisions or being stranded in active traffic. The recurring nature of these transmission and inverter failures indicates a systemic safety defect in the hybrid propulsion system. The issue and the active P0A78 code have been pulled, reproduced, and confirmed by an authorized dealership (Diehl Automotive of Robinson), where the vehicle is currently held and available for inspection. The manufacturer has been notified via an open corporate case (#97399722).

Filed Jul 12, 2026 · Transmission · GA

The van fail GA state emissions with code p2797. I have to the end of July to get the tag. I went to the state for a repair waiver control # s1174706. I told them this code is under a tsb it fell on deaf ears. I. Took the van back to the dealership for a third time a different dealership they say they did the procedure for the tsb code p2797 butt didn't fix the code to pass GA emission. Tsb are good for the automotive industry but if the tsb and engineers procedures didn't fix the p2797 code than the tsb need to be moved to a recall program. The dealership was good at explaining that the van needs a new transmission that cost the customer 13,000.00 to replace and 3000 for new struts. The van was bought Sept 2025 and the payoff is 13,000.00. The problem is have is will not pass GA state emissions, a code thats not related with emissions cover under a tsb that should have fix it at the dealership.

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Transmission · PA

This is related to the 23V‑010 / XE1 recall and extended warranty for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited. The manufacturer is refusing the recall remedy because the catastrophic nature of the failure (transmission rupture) makes it impossible for the dealer to pull diagnostic codes. This creates an impossible standard for the consumer and effectively nullifies a federal safety recall. On XXX, I brought my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Limited to D’Ambrosio Service in Downingtown, PA.  I reported that the car was making a sound during acceleration. On April 16, I was advised that the noise was the rubbing of the heat shield which was reportedly adjusted and tested that the noise was gone.  On April 19 I sent a message to D’Ambrosio that the noise remained however I never received a response.  I believe that the noise was misdiagnosed and was actually warning signs of an imminent transmission failure.  On XXX, while driving, my wife and I heard a pop, saw smoke pouring out the back and immediately pulled over to discover a large amount of fluid spilling out of the bottom of the vehicle.  The vehicle was towed to D’Ambrosio service in [XXX] where it has remained unaddressed until June 10. On XXX I received a phone call from D’Ambrosio that the vehicle transmission had a hole in it (quote from service advisor "internal failure of the transmission, which has caused components to puncture the casing") and would need to be replaced at my cost.  When I inquired about the XE1 warranty extension, I was told that the lack of diagnostic codes didn’t justify the warranty.  I then asked that the issue be escalated INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 8, 2026 · Transmission · CO

This vehicle has experienced three separate powertrain failures stemming from the same transmission defect (DTC P0A43 — Drive Motor Position Sensor, eFlite transmission). Incident 1 — April 19, 2026: Complete sudden loss of motive power on the highway with family aboard. Vehicle towed to Castle Rock Chrysler CDJR. Failed Repair — May 8, 2026: Chrysler corporate mandated a software flash rather than a hardware repair. Vehicle failed identically within 10 miles of pickup in live highway traffic. Towed back same day. Incident 3 — June 6, 2026: A replacement transmission was installed. Within one week of pickup, a progressive transmission whine developed followed by visible smoke from the engine compartment while driving. Vehicle was immediately pulled over and towed to avoid a third highway failure. Chrysler's own STAR engineering team (TSB 21-014-26) has documented this as a known defect requiring transmission rebuild or replacement. Chrysler blocked a full transmission replacement for over 5 weeks citing backorder, then located one within hours when a repurchase review was requested. This defect causes sudden loss of motive power at highway speeds with no warning, creating an immediate safety hazard. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate this defect pattern on 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vehicles and evaluate whether a safety recall is warranted.

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Fuel system · CA

While driving the vehicle, the accelerator will become inactive and result in the vehicle slowing to a stop. I will shut off the ignition and let vehicle rest for 10-20 mins before restarting. This does not resolve the issue and I end up towing the vehicle into the manufacturer’s service department. This often results in 100s of dollars in “diagnostic” fees. The service dept claims it’s bad battery, changes and issue arises again. Next they say it needed a software update, and a few days later it fails again. Next they said it was PCM module and replaced it, and finally they replaced the transmission. The 4th visit, change of transmission, lasted a little over a year and then the issue arose once again! After paying $259 in diagnostic fees, they said I used a bad “charger”