Problems · NHTSA complaints
2017 Chrysler Pacifica problems
Owners filed 1,546 complaints about the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica with NHTSA between May 2016 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is engine (526).
Complaints
1,546
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
46
Reported by owners
Fires
11
Reported by owners
Injuries
37
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine526
- Power train474
- Electrical system397
- Steering289
- Vehicle speed control90
- Service brakes83
- Fuel/propulsion system70
- Structure63
- Electronic stability control (esc)27
- Suspension25
- Forward collision avoidance16
- Engine and engine cooling14
- Exterior lighting13
- Back over prevention12
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 Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
14
144
225
262
110
79
120
176
127
148
141
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 144 |
| 2018 | 225 |
| 2019 | 262 |
| 2020 | 110 |
| 2021 | 79 |
| 2022 | 120 |
| 2023 | 176 |
| 2024 | 127 |
| 2025 | 148 |
| 2026 | 141 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
526 reports7 crashes5 fires
“I experienced the red turtle light on a trip to [XXX] two weeks ago. It was intermittent, it would come on and go off within about 5 seconds total. I realized the fire hazard risk recall had not been completed. Upon returning home I took my vehicle to the dealer. At that point I did not have a cel illuminated just the red turtle light intermittently. They had returned the van to my possession saying it was fixed. I drove the vehicle for about an hour and once again got the red turtle light and no Cel. I immediately texted the service manager at the dealership with a video of what it was doing. No Cel light only intermittent red turtle. Now fast forward to today. The dealership says the van needs a HV battery heater to the tune of over $2,000. It now has the red turtle and and the cel illuminated. This battery heater has been an extremely common issue for the pacificas and the jeeps with the hybrid drivetrain (essentially the same). There needs to be some sort of recall for this issue as the problem is common among pacifica and jeep owners with the hybrid drivetrain. P0E15 code is active currently. I have attached pictures showing the red turtle and no cel.…”
Power train
474 reports5 crashes2 fires1 related recall
“safety complaint regarding a severe CAN bus communication failure in the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica (gas model, base trim, no Engine Stop-Start) resulting in a sudden loss of transmission control while driving. The defect manifests as an intermittent loss of communication between the Electronic Shifter Module (ESM) and the Transmission Control Module (TCM). Without warning, the rotary shifter (PRNDL) indicator lights go dark and a "Service Shifter" message appears. This triggers a cascade of safety system failures, disabling Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Blind Spot Alerts. Most critically, the loss of network data causes the vehicle to enter "limp mode," locking the transmission in its current gear and refusing to upshift or downshift, creating a severe crash hazard in active traffic. The root cause is a physical hardware defect in the CAN-C Star Connector junction block (Part No. 68321746AA) located behind the passenger-side glovebox. The pin receptacles inside this distribution block degrade and lose tension, allowing data wires to vibrate loose. Striking the passenger-side dashboard physically reseats the pins, instantly restoring…”
Electrical system
397 reports2 crashes4 fires6 related recalls
“The vehicle has suffered multiple severe safety hazards involving the power sliding doors and the primary dashboard infotainment screen. 1. POWER SLIDING DOORS (BODY DEFECT): Both the left (driver) and right (passenger) power sliding doors have experienced a critical structural hardware failure of the center roller hinge assemblies. The passenger-side center roller wheels completely shattered during operation, causing the entire heavy sliding door to catastrophically detach and fall completely off the vehicle frame. The driver's side door center roller is now showing identical cracking plastic, binding, and imminent failure. This presents an extreme risk of severe crush injuries or trapping passengers. 2. UCONNECT TOUCH SCREEN (ELECTRICAL & VISIBILITY DEFECT): The factory 8.4-inch Uconnect infotainment touch screen has suffered an internal hardware failure that causes the screen to flash and strobe violently and continuously, even during system reboots. This flashing creates an intense driver distraction and cabin blinding hazard during night driving, severely compromising road visibility. Furthermore, the failure completely disables the backup safety camera…”
Steering
289 reports7 crashes
“My electric steering has been making noises for a long time. The dealership failed to find the noise the first three visits. On the fourth visit it was verified but they told me that Chryler's flex care warranty denied it. I hear it is a very common problem and Chrysler does not want to address it.”
Vehicle speed control
90 reports15 crashes
“The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving 52 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated even though the RPM was abnormally elevated. The failure mileage was approximately 129,650.”
Service brakes
83 reports12 crashes
“Made a right hand turn onto residential street and van immediately parked itself mid turn which would have resulted in accident had someone been behind me. Vehicle was able to restart and reach destination but now P1B14 code is thrown. This is unacceptable for a car to shift into park while in motion. Code is related to known earlier issue with van that was supposedly repaired. 2 weeks ago while inching into a parking spot the van seemed to have lost power for a split second but resumed as I finished parking. I feel very unsafe in vehicle.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.