Problems · by component
2018 Chrysler Pacifica service brakes problems
31 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica cite service brakes, 3% of all 895 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
31
3% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the service brakes
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“I am experiencing a serious brake safety issue involving the brake booster on my Chrysler Pacifica. When braking, the pedal becomes extremely hard, pushes back against my foot, and requires excessive force to stop the vehicle. In some instances, when I am at a complete stop, the brake pedal pushes upward and the vehicle begins to move forward on its own. This issue causes a loss of braking assist and significantly increases stopping distance, creating an unsafe driving condition and risk of collision. The problem occurs intermittently but has worsened over time. Chrysler/Stellantis has acknowledged this brake booster defect by issuing a warranty extension; however, they have not issued a safety recall. I was denied repair coverage solely because my vehicle is now outside the extended warranty period, despite the fact that the defect is known and directly affects braking performance and vehicle control. This is not normal wear and tear. It is a failure of the brake assist system that compromises safe operation of the vehicle, whether driving at speed or stopped in traffic. The condition presents a clear safety risk to occupants and others on the road. I am…”
“Car will not start with push button and/or key fob push. Problem started 10 months ago with dead stop/start battery. Both batteries were replaced and then two months later stop/start system failed at stop lights. Car would stall once break was released to go. Had car serviced, starter replaced. Next day, car stalled and would not restart in parking lot, service department could not find any problems and no error lights found so the solution was to turn stop/start system off. A few months later car would not start on first try, took several pushes and sometimes a keyfob push. Sometimes "no key fob detection" light. Car was sent to service center again and they could not find any problems. At this time car only starts on 2nd push. Problem has worsened over the last 5 months, car takes at least 5 tries to start or doesn't start at all. Additional observations: brake gets very tight and pressurized after the first attempted start, steering wheel is locked.”
“Well driving down the interstate my van slammed on brakes stated safety mode engine will.shut off soon. Now it will not start. It could have caused us to get in a serious wreck.”
“I have been experiencing a brake surge when I come to a stop, it has been a few weeks now (or maybe months). It feels like the regenerative braking is disengaging and the friction brakes are not engaging immediately. I am concerned this is a brake handoff issue and a major safety problem.”
“At a stoplight the FCW ( forward, collision), warning dash light went on and engaged the brakes, thankfully, no movement was taking place.I had to put the car in park and then drive to be able to resume.This indicates that it could have occurred at high speeds, potentially causing a collision”
“While I was driving the right control arm seperated from the car. I was fortunate that I wasn't on the highway, also that I did not cause a collision with another car/person. With no warning the car felt as if it dropped on to the ground. Soon after I received an error message saying to service the brakes which i assume was also damaged when the control arm fell... I had to have the car towed to a repair shop and received a list of repairs. The car is avaliable for inspection. I had no clue how something like that could even happen. Ive been trying to find answers when i saw a recall on another car by the same maker that perfectly summed up what happened to me. Chrysler's number for this recall is V15.”
Showing 6 of 31 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.