NHTSA (USA)High Risk
This page covers 23 recalls, 1450 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.
22–32 mpg combined
7.4–10.7 L/100km
Minivan - 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica spread across several systems, with the powertrain and engine drawing the most reports, followed by a notable cluster around steering. On the powertrain side, owners describe transmission hesitation, shuddering, rough shifting, and in some cases complete failure. Engine complaints cover a range of issues including coolant leaks, head gasket failures, and oil consumption, sometimes appearing at relatively modest mileage even with documented maintenance. The steering complaints are the most consistent in describing a specific symptom: the steering wheel binding or failing to return to center after turns, particularly at moderate highway speeds. Owners describe the wheel locking into position around the 11 or 1 o'clock range, requiring deliberate extra input to straighten out. Some report a rack and pinion diagnosis, while others describe the problem as intermittent stiffness during slight directional changes at 30 to 50 mph.
1,450
Total Complaints
46
Crash-Related
9
Fire-Related
22
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica has 23 recalls, the most serious being multiple fire risks on plug-in hybrid models, where a fault inside the high-voltage battery assembly or an overheating connection near the 12-volt battery isolator can ignite a fire even while the vehicle is parked and off.
Several other hybrid drivetrain issues can cut engine power without warning: a wiring connector inside the transmission can short circuit, and the power inverter module can fail, both leaving the vehicle without drive power. On hybrid models, the engine can also mis-synchronize during auto start and overheat the catalytic converter. A software defect on 3.6-liter engines can cause unexpected stalls, and a separate cruise control software fault can prevent the system from deactivating, holding or increasing speed against the driver's input.
Certain wheelchair-accessible conversions have crossed rear brake lines that disable the anti-lock braking system, and rear axle pinion brackets that can crack and cause a wheel to wobble. A loose battery ground on stop/start-equipped vehicles can cause intermittent loss of power steering or a stall. The manual park release plug can be removed without a tool, allowing the vehicle to roll away. Two seatbelt recalls cover a second-row center buckle that can unlatch an adjacent outboard belt in a crash, and an overhead stow clip that can fracture and prevent use of the center seat belt in the second or third row. Wheelchair restraint securement is also affected on certain converted vehicles.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
The wheelchair restraint retractors may fail to lock, leaving wheelchairs unsecured in the vehicle.
What the fix does
Rollx will inspect and replace the retractors at no cost. Contact Rollx customer service at 1-800-956-6668.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A high-voltage battery assembly component may develop a short circuit on certain PHEV models. Previous recall repairs may not have fully resolved this issue, requiring a second repair.
What the fix does
Dealer will update the battery pack control module software and inspect the battery assembly, replacing it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring connector inside the transmission may short circuit, causing the engine to shut down and suddenly cut power to the wheels.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the power inverter module and instrument panel cluster software as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring connector inside the transmission may short circuit, causing the engine to shut down unexpectedly while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Power Inverter Module software and, if needed, update the instrument panel cluster and engine control module software.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A problem in the high-voltage battery assembly can cause a fire, even when the vehicle is parked and the engine is off.
What the fix does
The dealer will update the battery pack control module software and inspect or replace the battery pack assembly if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 12-volt battery isolator connection behind the driver's seat can develop high resistance and overheat.
What the fix does
Dealer will install a gasket on the isolator post, inspect the connection joint, and replace the isolator post and cables if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A loose battery ground connection can cause intermittent loss of power steering assist and engine power in vehicles with engine stop/start systems.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and clean the battery ground connection to restore proper electrical contact.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A loose battery ground connection can cause intermittent loss of power steering assist and engine stalling.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect battery ground surfaces, clean contacts as needed, and properly reassemble the ground connection.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
During automatic engine start, the engine may fail to sync properly, causing the catalytic converter to overheat. This could lead to engine fire or loss of power.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software to prevent mis-synchronization and inspect and replace the catalytic converter if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The manual park release cover can be removed by hand without tools, allowing accidental activation that could cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the manual park release cover with a new one that requires a tool to remove.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Manual Park Release plug can be removed by hand without tools, which bypasses the theft protection system.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the Manual Park Release plug at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wiring short circuit can prevent cruise control from disengaging. When engaged, you may not be able to turn it off by braking or using manual controls, causing the vehicle to maintain speed or accelerate unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine or powertrain control module software at no cost to fix the cruise control disengagement issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The crankshaft position sensor may lose synchronization in certain 3.6L engines, causing the engine to stall and loss of power while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software to restore proper sensor synchronization.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine control software can lose synchronization with the crankshaft position sensor, which may cause the engine to stall while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control software at no cost to restore proper synchronization and prevent stalling.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
On some 8-passenger vehicles, the middle second-row seat belt buckle can cause the left outer seat belt to come unlatched while driving, increasing injury risk in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a shorter middle seat belt buckle to fix the issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In certain seating conditions, the second-row center seat belt buckle can cause the left outboard seat belt to unlatch unintentionally.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a shorter second-row seat belt buckle at no cost to correct the issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The left and right rear axle pinion mounting brackets may crack prematurely, potentially affecting vehicle handling and stability if failure occurs while driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both rear axle pinion brackets with redesigned, more robust brackets.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear pinion brackets on both sides may crack, causing the axle to misalign and the wheel to wobble.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both pinion brackets at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power inverter module's diodes may fail without warning, causing sudden loss of engine power while driving, which increases crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected power inverter module components.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear wheel brake lines may be installed backwards during the wheelchair lift conversion. This can cause the anti-lock braking system to work incorrectly, raising the risk of a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the brake lines and reroute them to the correct position if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear brake lines may have been crossed during wheelchair accessibility modifications, which could compromise braking performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will correct the rear brake line attachments at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The center overhead seat belt stow clip in the third-row and second-row center seats may crack, making the seat belt unusable.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the center overhead seat belt stow bezel at no cost to restore seat belt function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The clip that holds the middle seat belt in the overhead position may crack, trapping the belt latch and preventing the middle seat belts in rows two and three from being used.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the overhead seat belt covers in rows two and three with improved versions.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
