2022 Chrysler Pacifica Reliability Report

Sudden engine shutdown at highway speed is the main complaint. Owners see the "Stop Safely" message, the gas pedal stops responding, and a check engine light can stay on for a day or more. Reported failure mileages include 19,063 and 28,000. Dealers often find no fault or suspect the transmission, and several owners say the shutdowns continued after a dealer software update. Single reports mention a misfire code, an oil filter stripping on the oil cooler housing and leaking, and an engine that began knocking after both batteries were replaced.

Second-row headrests that won't lock upright after using Stow 'n Go are the main complaint. Owners blame small plastic parts inside the headrest that break. Third-row headrests also flop forward. In a second pattern, the latch release cable fails and the second-row seat back and seat slide freely, slamming backward on acceleration. Owners see both as a neck-injury risk in a crash. One owner was quoted more than $1100 to repair a headrest. Some parents say child seats will not sit flush against the vehicle seats.

The main pattern is lost acceleration at highway speed, along with a "Stop Safely" warning or a prompt to shift to park and restart. Owners describe crossing several lanes with no power and having the fault repeat. Dealers often cannot reproduce it. Some owners say the shutdowns continued after dealer software updates, and one van waited weeks for back-ordered transmission parts. A false hood-open fault also cut power on the highway. One report describes the van accelerating on its own while braking for a stop sign.

Two crashes involve loss of control, and both caused injuries. In one, the van turned sharply right after a loud snap and rolled over. The other describes the driver-assist system taking over braking and steering. Other owners report a knocking or popping noise from the front driver side that dealers traced to the steering rack. One rack was replaced at 7,062 miles and the noise came back later. Power steering also fails outright, sometimes at startup after the van has sat for days. Some reports here repeat the highway shutdown problem.

These brake failures are few but severe. Owners describe a rock-hard or seized pedal at highway speed with ABS, brake, and collision warning lights on. Dealers replaced the brake booster, master cylinder, or ABS module, and the failure came back. One report describes phantom braking followed by flames from the brake calipers. Another describes a skipping feel at 45,000 miles that remained after brakes and rotors were replaced 2x. A third owner says the front brake assist only sounds a warning and does not add braking.

Most of these reports describe repair delays, not air bag failures. Owners say they got a recall notice, but dealers told them repair parts were not available. One dealer said it gets only one kit per week and keeps a waiting list. None of these owners report a failure. A separate complaint describes a red "Service Airbag System" warning with the airbag light on, on a van the owner says does not show up for the recall.

Power liftgate latch failures are the recurring problem. Owners hear the latch motor run, but the gate does not latch, especially in cold weather. In some cases it drifts open while driving. Another owner keeps finding the liftgate wide open after locking the van and arming the alarm, and the dealer found no cause. The one crash filed here, with 4 injured, actually describes the van stalling at 65 mph and being struck from behind.