Is the Chrysler Pacifica more reliable than the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?

No. The Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon has a clear edge. Owners filed 103 complaints on the Ford, or 2 per 10,000 sold, against 2387 on the Pacifica, or 27 per 10,000. The Pacifica also has crash-linked complaints in four problem areas, while the Ford has one.

Which has more recalls, the Pacifica or the Transit-Connect-Wagon?

The Pacifica has more. Federal recall records show 67 recalls across 9 model years for the Pacifica, and 27 across 6 model years for the Ford. The Pacifica also covers more years, so some of the gap reflects a longer run on the road.

What is the most common problem on the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?

Transmission failure. Owners describe harsh shifts, jerking when slowing, and a van that will not move in drive or reverse. Several reports blame the torque converter clutch. Most failures land between about 80,000 and 95,000 miles, and dealers usually call for a full replacement.

Are Chrysler Pacifica fires a real concern?

Fire is the most serious electrical pattern in owner complaints. Of 246 electrical filings, 12 involve fire. Reports include vans burning in garages, some while a plug-in hybrid charged, and engine-bay fires that start with a burning smell. Dealers often cannot find a cause.

Which model years should I avoid?

Avoid 2019 and 2020 on the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon, and 2018 and 2021 on the Pacifica. These are the weakest years for each. Pacifica years 2025 and 2026 rank strongest, but they are recent and have had little time to collect complaints.

Last updated: 2026-10-10

Chrysler Pacifica vs Ford Transit Connect Wagon: Reliability Compared

Chrysler Pacifica

Good

More Reliable

Ford Transit Connect Wagon

Good

Among used vans, the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon holds a clear reliability edge over the Chrysler Pacifica, with far fewer complaints per vehicle sold. The Pacifica's filings include fires, stalls, and steering loss, with crashes linked to several of its problem areas.

How Do the Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Transit Connect Wagon Generations Compare?

All Ford model years in this comparison, 2018 to 2023, belong to the second generation, which covers US model years 2014 to 2023. A facelift arrived for 2019. That matters because 2019 and 2020 rank as the weakest years, while 2022 and 2023, the late years of the run, rank strongest. A shopper looking at this van is buying from the end of that generation, so the later years are the sensible place to start. Early 2018 vans are the ones fleet owners flagged for sudden power steering loss.

Verdict

The Ford Transit Connect Wagon is more reliable than the Chrysler Pacifica, scoring 70/100 vs 65/100.

Fewer complaints, fewer recalls, and fewer crash-linked problem areas give the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon a clear edge. Owners filed 2 complaints per 10,000 sold, against 27 for the Chrysler Pacifica. The Pacifica's filings include fires, stalls, and steering that cuts out, with crashes tied to each. The Ford's biggest pattern is transmission failure, which is costly but mostly shows up between 80,000 and 95,000 miles. Each van holds a good standing, yet serious trouble is reported far less often on the Ford.

Key Differences

1Ford Transit Connect Wagon has 40 fewer total recalls
2Ford Transit Connect Wagon has 25.0 fewer complaints per 10k sold
3Ford Transit Connect Wagon scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

1Chrysler Pacifica

—

3Ford Transit Connect Wagon

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateSafety Rating

Chrysler Pacifica vs Ford Transit Connect Wagon: Which Is More Reliable?

Chrysler Pacifica vs Ford Transit Connect Wagon at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Chrysler Pacifica	Ford Transit Connect Wagon
Reliability Score	65/100	70/100
Years Tracked	9	6
Total Recalls	67	27
Complaints per 10k Sold	27	2
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2023 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	0	6

What Are the Common Problems With the Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Transit Connect Wagon?

Fire and unintended movement set the Pacifica apart. Owners report vans burning in garages, stalling while driving, surging in reverse or drive, and brake pedals that go hard while the van creeps. Power train, electrical, steering, and brakes all carry crash-linked filings. The 3.6L V6 also has head gasket failures. The Ford's complaints center on transmission failure, with harsh shifts and torque converter clutch blame. Its brake caliper and ABS module fault, sudden power steering loss, and windshield leaks are real but rare. Only one Ford crash-linked report appears, in the power train.

Chrysler Pacifica vs Ford Transit Connect Wagon common problem areas comparison
Component	Chrysler Pacifica	Ford Transit Connect Wagon
POWER TRAIN	6.5Average	0.7Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	6.4Average	0.1Very Low
ENGINE	3.5Average	—None
STEERING	2.5Low	0.1Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	2Low	0.2Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.9Very Low	0.4Very Low
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.5Very Low	—None
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.5Very Low	—None
SEATS	0.4Very Low	—None
BACK OVER PREVENTION	0.3Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	0.3Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	—None
SUSPENSION	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

How Does Chrysler Pacifica vs Ford Transit Connect Wagon Reliability Compare by Year?

Chrysler Pacifica vs Ford Transit Connect Wagon year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Chrysler Pacifica	Ford Transit Connect Wagon	Edge
2023	65/1008R / 148C	78/1000R / 0C	Ford Transit Connect Wagon
2022	62/1006R / 284C	72/1001R / 4C	Ford Transit Connect Wagon
2021	57/1006R / 355C	69/1004R / 5C	Ford Transit Connect Wagon
2020	64/1005R / 201C	67/1008R / 27C	Ford Transit Connect Wagon
2019	60/1009R / 352C	65/1008R / 46C	Ford Transit Connect Wagon
2018	51/10018R / 980C	68/1006R / 21C	Ford Transit Connect Wagon

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Chrysler Pacifica scored 65/100 and the 2023 Ford Transit Connect Wagon scored 78/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.

Who Should Buy the Chrysler Pacifica vs the Ford Transit Connect Wagon?

Pick the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon if you want the lower chance of a serious failure. Owner complaints are scarce, and recalls are fewer than on the Pacifica. Target 2022 and 2023, the strongest years, and avoid 2019 and 2020, the weakest. Check the transmission closely on any van near 80,000 miles, since failures cluster just after warranty. Ask whether the 2018 steering rack was ever replaced, because fleet owners reported sudden assist loss on 2018 vans. Pick the Chrysler Pacifica only if you need its larger minivan layout and can accept more risk. Look for a full service history and open recall work before you buy. Avoid 2018 and 2021, the weakest years. The newest years, 2025 and 2026, rank strongest, but they have had little time to collect complaints, so that standing is not proof. Test the steering and brakes on a long drive, and walk away from any van with coolant loss or a ticking engine.

Chrysler Pacifica vs Ford Transit Connect Wagon: Common Questions

Is the Chrysler Pacifica more reliable than the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?: No. The Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon has a clear edge. Owners filed 103 complaints on the Ford, or 2 per 10,000 sold, against 2387 on the Pacifica, or 27 per 10,000. The Pacifica also has crash-linked complaints in four problem areas, while the Ford has one.
Which has more recalls, the Pacifica or the Transit-Connect-Wagon?: The Pacifica has more. Federal recall records show 67 recalls across 9 model years for the Pacifica, and 27 across 6 model years for the Ford. The Pacifica also covers more years, so some of the gap reflects a longer run on the road.
What is the most common problem on the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon?: Transmission failure. Owners describe harsh shifts, jerking when slowing, and a van that will not move in drive or reverse. Several reports blame the torque converter clutch. Most failures land between about 80,000 and 95,000 miles, and dealers usually call for a full replacement.
Are Chrysler Pacifica fires a real concern?: Fire is the most serious electrical pattern in owner complaints. Of 246 electrical filings, 12 involve fire. Reports include vans burning in garages, some while a plug-in hybrid charged, and engine-bay fires that start with a burning smell. Dealers often cannot find a cause.
Which model years should I avoid?: Avoid 2019 and 2020 on the Ford Transit-Connect-Wagon, and 2018 and 2021 on the Pacifica. These are the weakest years for each. Pacifica years 2025 and 2026 rank strongest, but they are recent and have had little time to collect complaints.

More Chrysler Pacifica comparisons

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More Ford Transit Connect Wagon comparisons

Ford Transit Connect Wagon vs Dodge Grand Caravan reliability Ford Transit Connect Wagon vs Chrysler Voyager reliability Ford Transit Connect Wagon vs Kia Carnival reliability Ford Transit Connect Wagon vs Mercedes-Benz Metris Passenger Van reliability Ford Transit Connect Wagon reliability by year Ford Transit Connect Wagon years to avoid

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How we score the Chrysler Pacifica and Ford Transit Connect Wagon

Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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