Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid problems

Owners filed 79 complaints about the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid with NHTSA between May 2017 and Sep 2024. The most-cited component is electrical system (31).

Complaints
79
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Electrical system31
  2. Hybrid propulsion system19
  3. Fuel/propulsion system18
  4. Engine17
  5. Power train15
  6. Steering5
  7. Service brakes4
  8. Engine and engine cooling2
  9. Forward collision avoidance2
  10. Structure1
  11. Air bags1
  12. Back over prevention1
  13. Visibility/wiper1
  14. Other / unknown10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
201712
20186
20196
20201
20211
202244
20237
20242

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Electrical system

31 reports5 fires
“The car's lithium batteries caught fire to the point of smoldering. This happened at the end of the charge cycle. The car was parked in our garage and if the fire department did not come to help, the fire could have intensified and burned down our whole house. We are very thankful we caught it so quickly. No warnings or issues were apparent with the vehicle when it was parked and put on the charger.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11558139

Hybrid propulsion system

19 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V536000 (Hybrid Propulsion System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the battery had previously been replaced. The check engine warning light had illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 20, 2024Engine, Hybrid propulsion systemODI 11615657

Fuel/propulsion system

18 reports4 fires
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Internal charging system or vehicle battery pack malfunctioned & caught fire. Vehicle is available for inspection now, but not sure about when it is removed from our property. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - It was a big fire! Close to structures, vehicles & dry foliage – super lucky it didn't spread. Smoke was very noxious and affected our entire neighborhood. Neighbors have reported respiratory irritation since the fire. I now have a cough, burning throat and headaches. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - There's a burned out van at the end of my driveway... specific instance of this problem does not need confirmation Similar issues are reported on the internet. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Not yet. Chrysler says it'll take 2-3 days for issue to be "escalated". Insurance is sending someone. Fire department HazMat crew verified that the battery pack is now "cold" but toxic chemicals are a public…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2023Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11553283

Engine

17 reports1 fire
“I have been trying to take care of this urgent safety recall since February 2023. The local dealership (4520 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, KY 40207) keeps telling me that they don't have a "loaner" care to provide to me while my vehicle is being repaired. I am a single father with 7 year old and primary care giver to 77 year old mother with Alzheimers, I must have a replacement car while mine is being repaired especially since this is the manufacturer responsibility. Please help.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 16, 2023EngineODI 11522282

Power train

15 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the battery level was low and the warning message stating to plug in the vehicle to charge and to decelerate was illuminated. The vehicle stalled and lost motive power; however, the contact was able to pull over. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle several times. The contact stated that the vehicle started up for several minutes but then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be charged for a full day, but no failure was found. The mechanic at the dealer had experienced the vehicle unintendedly accelerating. The dealer stated that the failure would be reported to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted but stated that there was no record of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,947.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2022Power train, Hybrid propulsion systemODI 11495433

Steering

5 reports
“I have Pacifica Hybrid 2017 model minivan with a lot of problems. More than 6 times the minivan was not starting and if starting it would have all the check engine (so i needed to leave the minivan with 2 small kids and take a car service ) some of the signs that would all of a sudden start are service Hybrid Vehicle system , service electric throttle control park sense unavailable ,Automatic High Beam Disabled ,press break to prevent rolling ,Blind spot alert temporarily unavailable in the middle of the road while I am driving . I towed the car to Chrysler and they won't pay for it as it was a hybrid problem, and it was under warranty. The dealer agreed that it was a hybrid problem under warranty, and they would fix it as it was a problem from the manufacturer. In a week the dealer said it was fixed. After I was taking the van home and while i was on the road all the signs came up on the control panel. It has all sorts of warning on the panel as mentioned above. I realized the car had the same issue. It won't let me change the gears and stopped completely when I came home. Then I called the dealer and complained, and they said to bring it back however they…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2022Steering, Power train, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11450629
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.