Research · Minivan - 2WD

2021 Chrysler PacificaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 381 owner complaints for the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica. Most complaints involve electrical system (156) and engine (144). The EPA rates it 20–22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–22mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Jun 2026
Owner complaints
381
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: traction battery

Park outsideFree remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.

Electrical systemReported Jun 4, 2026NHTSA 26V362000

Equipment adaptive

Free remedy

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported Dec 18, 2025NHTSA 25V876000

Equipment adaptive

Free remedy

Vantage Mobility, LLC (VM) is recalling certain 2021-2026 Honda Odyssey, 2021-2025 Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported Dec 18, 2025NHTSA 25V877000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

381 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2021 – Nov 2026
  1. Electrical system156
  2. Engine144
  3. Power train120
  4. Fuel/propulsion system81
  5. Back over prevention28
  6. Vehicle speed control23
  7. Steering17
  8. Forward collision avoidance16
  9. Seats13

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

By model year

Complaints for each Pacifica model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004896
20051,244
2006726
2007380
2008102
20171,546
2018895
2019363
2020175
2021381
2022221
2023156
202449
202531
202611
20271
Crashes reported
12
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

156 reports3 crashes1 fire
“We drive an 2021 Pasifica hybrid crysler van. We got a recall card for the hybrid battery. We took it into the dealership they installed the software, said it passed, then a month later engine light came on. We took it back to the dealership they scanned it and done a soak test and everything else to go with it and the code was POBBE and battery has failed. They opened a star case because Stellantis / Chrysler said our milage was to high at 159000 for the recall to cover it. Star case manger called us to let us know that it falls under the warranty and they ordered a battery should arrive Dec 15 2026 at the earliest. Called the dealership to verify. They said yes its ordered. 2 days later Stellantis called us and said they canceled the order and it will not be covered under the warranty recall because of our van is over the milage for the recall. She told us to take it to another dealership to see what they say. That would be the 3rd time we done that and this is what they keep telling us. Our van is at the dealership off road because its a fire hazard and can not be driven and they will not honor the recall 52d, Id-25-13 for unlimited miles. Were stuck with no…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 5, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11776096

Engine

144 reports2 crashes
“We took our van in for the 52d recall of the battery being defective and can catch on fire!! for our 2021 crysler pasifica hybrid van for them to update the software for the hybrid battery and to monitor it. Not even a month later we had to take it back to the dealership mechanic because the check engine light came on. They said the hybrid battery is bad and its under the recall 52d. We reached out to Stellantis and went back and forth because they didnt want to honor it. In the mean time we have been out of a primary vehicle. Stellantis has finally agreed to order a new hybrid battery and cover our vehicle under the recall 52 and have the dealership mechanic install it 100% free. That was Monday. We have tried to reach out to our star case person Mariah, which she had a lady named Monica call us and we were not able to speak to her, she left a voice mail saying only on the message the part has been ordered? We reached out to the dealership mechanic and he has been more than helpful by letting us know the battery was ordered which he had to look it up when we called because Stellantis didnt not reach out to Auto Nation about our van being approved for the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 4, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11775682

Power train

120 reports3 crashes
“The vehicle experiences a complete loss of motive power due to the high voltage battery pack reaching a temperature of 131 degrees F. The defect first surfaced on March 7th, 2022. The vehicle shut down on multiple occasions while driving, and the original owner had the vehicle bought back by FCA US. The vehicle was sold to me in 2023, and it has shut down on numerous occasions for me as well, some of which were while driving. In total, between both owners, there have been 11 failed repair attempts, involving replacement of the high voltage battery pack, the chiller, the inter-loop heat exchanger, the battery cooling pump, and multiple replacements of the high temp 3-way cabin valve. I eventually traced the apparent cause to the high temp 3-way cabin valve routing engine coolant through the inter-loop heat exchanger at all times, causing the high voltage battery pack to overheat. If the vehicle is left sitting with the engine idling, the vehicle will shut down after less than two from cold. I installed a hose to bypass the heat exchanger in order to address the problem. The repair successfully kept the battery coolant temperature from rising, however, the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11773367
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD, Minivan - 4WD
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 9-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Pacifica
Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$2,850401
Pacifica AWD
Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
172520$3,100450
  • Pacifica
    Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Pacifica AWD
    Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
—/ 5
Not rated
Chrysler Pacifica VAN AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
Not rated
Rollover risk
0.0%
Overall
5 / 5
Chrysler Pacifica VAN FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 15456Vehicle 15455
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Pacifica questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Chrysler Pacifica problems?

Owners filed 381 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (156), engine (144), power train (120). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica at 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026