2018 Chrysler Pacifica Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 156 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, 18% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 15,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “start stop” (12% of reports).
- 156power train complaints
- 15,000median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 24%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Start stop: mentioned in 18 of 156 complaints (12%)
- Head gasket: mentioned in 14 of 156 complaints (9%)
- Rear ended: mentioned in 13 of 156 complaints (8%)
- Feels like: mentioned in 11 of 156 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 55 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 156 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Chrysler Pacifica power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Pacifica | 2 | 18% | — |
| 2025 Pacifica | 3 | 10% | — |
| 2024 Pacifica | 12 | 27% | — |
| 2023 Pacifica | 42 | 27% | 70,000 |
| 2022 Pacifica | 72 | 33% | 54,000 |
| 2021 Pacifica | 119 | 32% | 4,725 |
| 2020 Pacifica | 38 | 22% | 35,000 |
| 2019 Pacifica | 74 | 24% | 16,350 |
| 2018 Pacifica | 156 | 18% | 15,000 |
| 2017 Pacifica | 469 | 31% | 27,000 |
| 2016 Pacifica | 1 | 50% | 12,733 |
| 2008 Pacifica | 14 | 14% | 62,500 |
| 2007 Pacifica | 88 | 27% | 63,000 |
| 2006 Pacifica | 109 | 15% | 92,560 |
| 2005 Pacifica | 130 | 10% | 91,000 |
| 2004 Pacifica | 96 | 11% | 75,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Power train:axle assembly:axle shaft
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.
Risk: If the axle shaft disengages from the CV joint, the vehicle will have a loss of drive or allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right halfshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U80.
Power train:automatic transmission
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
Risk: If the transmission weld fails, the vehicle will stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The transmission shifts harshly, clunks when shifted into Drive or Reverse, and hesitates before suddenly lurching. Engine RPM rises before the transmission engages, and some describe the resulting jolt as feeling like being hit from behind. The steering wheel locks stiffly during gentle turns to…
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. While the contact's son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the shifter module warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted by phone and was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a shifter module…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2018 Chrysler Pacificas have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 156 owner complaints about power train for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica (18% of the 880 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 15,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?
The most frequent phrase is “start stop”, in 18 of 156 complaints, followed by “head gasket” (14).
Other 2018 Chrysler Pacifica problems
- Engine problems (376)
- Electrical System problems (288)
- Steering problems (182)
See all 2018 Chrysler Pacifica problems or power train problems across all Pacifica years.