Problems · by component
2020 Chrysler Pacifica engine problems
54 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica cite engine, 31% of all 175 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
54
31% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
What owners say about the engine
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Over the past couple of years the auto start-stop system has progressively gotten worse with erratic issues. I've been to the dealership, and have replaced the main and aux batteries multiple times to reset the system and fix the problem. New batteries do not fix the problem. The vehicle's electrical system has turned off the engine and stalled multiple times in the middle of intersections. The vehicle has shut down twice while attempting left turns across lanes of oncoming traffic and three times pulling from a side street onto a major road. This has started to happen everyday and is posing a safety issue for my two young children, family, and other motorists. This electrical issue is a well known problem of this model and multiple calls to the manufacturer and the dealership leaves me in the middle where neither want to provide a path for assistance as the dealership explains my issue as a manufacturer problem. In the past 3 weeks the electrical issue has impacted the vehicles ability to consistently start, sometimes the engine won't turn over and I have to jump the vehicle on an increasing basis. The start-stop system has created further electrical problems…”
“File an Immediate NHTSA Safety Complaint (Do This Tonight) The vehicle intermittently stalls completely while decelerating or braking at low speeds when the engine is warm. The dashboard flashes an ACC/FCW warning as the engine dies. This requires a full shift into Park to restart in active traffic, creating an imminent crash hazard. The vehicle has only 26,000 miles. Chrysler Case #98023933 is refusing to authorize diagnostic flight data logging or precautionary repairs because the dealer cannot immediately replicate it." •”
“I experienced a sudden loss of power and steering while driving my vehicle. The screen advised me to pull over because the engine would shut off soon, but I already had lost steering and power. I turned the car off and was able to restart it and drive it 1 mile home, and the check engine light was on. I had it towed to the dealer. After 2 weeks of testing, the dealer reported, “When your vehicle was initially checked in, the following trouble codes were present: 5 BPCM FAULT CODES P1A21-00, P1D43-00, P1C01-00, P1A2A-00, and P1A29-00. We have completed Recall Y40.” The repair tech said they expected the engine to lose power again at some point and I would need to have it towed in again to be repaired then. The repairs made so far are only software updates, no hardware has been repaired because the dealer said the errors didn’t recur after they reset the system. I have elevated the issue with the dealer and am awaiting a response. I am concerned based on the error codes and technician information that my vehicle is still at risk of catching fire at any time or experiencing another catastrophic loss of power if the faulty hardware is not replaced.”
“Head gasket is cracked causing cylinder 5 to misfire and burned up coolant in the engine causing the engine to overheat while driving and put safety of driver and passengers in danger while vehicle was traveling at high speeds.”
“I am writing to formally express my dissatisfaction with the handling of repairs on my Chrysler Pacifica and the significant financial and personal impact this situation has caused my family. The issue began when the engine suddenly stopped, leaving us stranded. The vehicle was first taken to an insurance-recommended shop that could not diagnose the issue, then transferred to Wischsnewsky Dodge in Baytown, TX. There, we were told the problem was the starter and fuse box. Based on their professional assessment, we approved costly repairs, which required financing. However, just one day after picking up the vehicle, it failed to start again. This not only showed a lack of proper diagnosis, but also placed my wife and children in an unsafe situation. We were also forced to cancel a prepaid family trip due to lack of transportation. The dealership retrieved the vehicle and promised a loaner, but none has been provided after more than two weeks. We have since incurred additional expenses for rentals and rideshare services. We are now being told the issue may be a head gasket failure—something that could have been identified earlier with a basic test and is…”
“I have a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. There was a recall last year and I brought it in to the dealership. At that time, I wasn't even sure what the recall was for. This year, about a month ago, I was driving (I take XXX to work everyday) and the display had a notice that said "Stop safely, the engine will turn off". I pulled over and turned the car off and turned it back on. The check engine light came back on but it drove fine. The check engine light eventually went off but the same thing happened again a few days later. I brought it into my mechanic who couldn't read the diagnostics. I brought it back into the dealership and they said I just needed a software upgrade so they did that. Unfortunately, the engine died again on the road. I shut the car off and turned it back on. I brought it back to the dealership and said the issue wasn't fixed. They haven't taken the issue seriously so I started searching and found this issue. It sounds like Chrysler is aware of the issue but I'm nervous even a new transmission won't fix the issue. In the meantime, I've had to rent a car as the dealership doesn't do loaners. This is a pretty big safety issue as now my car has shut…”
Showing 6 of 54 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.