What 1,475 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Awd

Steering issue. The steering wheel sticks in place,, specifically during right turns. The problem seems more prevalent when the wheel is consistently turned past the 1-o’clock position (for example, when entering a highway via a right hand cloverleaf). I’ve seen other NHTSA reports on this condition. Most participants have received unsatisfactory service/fixes. NHTSA, please address this dangerous problem with the manufacturer.

NHTSA ODI 11674991

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction. Additionally, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated, and the engine seized. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle started. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and the failure reoccurred. The contact's husband started the vehicle, and the vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The contact stated that while attempting to leave the independent mechanic, the vehicle failed to start. The dealer where the vehicle was purchased, was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to have the vehicle towed to the dealer and was provided a diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

NHTSA ODI 11664597

Power steering module malfunctioned when taking kids to school. Auto repair shop confirmed.

NHTSA ODI 11657340

clock spring in the steering column broke.

NHTSA ODI 11653753

Front right stabilizer broke while driving down street and caused loss of control of vehicle. Vehicle spun to right and crashed into parked vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11648284

We experienced a failure of the entire steering rack assembly and tie rod ends and also the control module for the steering system. The repair cost was just under $5,000.00. I question why the entire rack and pinion steering system needed to be replaced. I ask what component failed on on the steering rack and what specifically fail on the steering control assembly. No logical answer was provided. I told the dealer I brought the Van in for a diagnosis of concerning steering corrections taking place even with the steering adaptive function turned off. I explained replacing everything involving the steering of the car should correct the issue but it did not feel like a diagnoses and more like a shotgun approach that I would be forced to pay for. I explained by wife drive this vehicle and she had a trip planned to travel across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and I believed the erratic behavior of the steering was to dangerous to change driving. I rented a replacement van to ensure her safety. The problem was recreated by the Dealership and the estimate to replace everything involving the steering system was provided as the fix. I have the steering assembly at my home but no one has opened or inspected what components failed. This failure appeared around 81,000 miles on our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited. I have owned 5 Chrysler products and have never had a rack steering assembly fail even with most of our vehicles exceeding 200,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11638752

The vehicle is available for inspection. At an intersection the vehicle abruptly turned off, while the engine was running and in drive. Children were in the vehicle and I was very scared and in shock when it happened. My car just randomly turned off, while I was sitting in the middle of an intersection and the vehicle was in drive (obviously). I was able to turn it back on, but it was very dangerous and could have killed us if a car had come through the [XXX] intersection while we were stuck there. Safety of other drivers on the road at risk, my life and children’s lives were at risk. Could have caused death had our van been stuck in the middle of this busy intersection a few feet more forward. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11622844

Our 2017 Pacifica has been in for diagnostic review/repair several times. While traveling between speeds of 50-70 miles per hour after a period of anywhere between 35-90 minutes when making easy right corners the steering sticks in place between 11 & 1 positions. Has been noticed on shorter distances in hotter weather than and on longer trips farther into the drive. We recently had the electronic power steering computer replaced which did not fix the problem. Currently the dealership is advising that the rack and pinion need replacing but the warranty company will not pay as they are not able to replicate the error in the presence of the warranty company inspector. Since replacing the electronic power steering was unsuccessful in correcting the problem, the warranty company is requiring the dealership to provide proof of part failure before they pay. My son turned [XXX] on [XXX] and got his drivers license. At this time we do not have $4,000 to replace the rack and pinion and the warranty company won't cover it due to dealership errors. It is my understanding there are hundreds of reported cases of this same exact issue without any recalls. We refuse to allow our [XXX] son to drive a literal death trap with known and reported steering issues to the government and manufacturer but that may not be an option for everyone. May god or whomever forgive the souls of those who wait for the death of a child or other before taking action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11604998

Sticking steering in turns, shimmy/rattle in steering wheel when making hard slow speed turns. The steering wheel felt like it had slack in it when moving it back and forth while stationary with engine running. After driving on the highway the steering kept sticking to the right when rounding small curves. I had to physically pull the wheel back to straighten. This almost caused an accident a few times. There are some SERIOUS DEFECTS and safety issues with this make and model of car. Others have reported this problem on the Chrysler cares forum and found a defective steering rack and gear. I belive this is a broad problme with certain makes and models of the pacifica and extremly dangerous for a family car. I do not feel safe even driving this car on a highway anymore.

NHTSA ODI 11595514

The steering of the vehicle has started intermittently grabbing when turning curves or changing lanes. Dealer kept it for 3 days and said they could not duplicate the issue. I experienced the issue several times on my way home and it is getting worse. I had new tires put on the vehicle and a wheel alignment done and still experiencing the issue. I have checked the internet and see that many others are having the same issue with the 2017 Chrysler Pacific but no one seems to have an answer. The vehicle was purchased new from a dealer program car and had about 3500 miles on it. The steering issue has just started recently, and the vehicle is out of factory warranty, but I do have Endurance extended warranty. The grabbing of the steering is getting worse and I am afraid it will lock up and cause an accident. Vehicle only has 60,065 miles on it and no accidents.

NHTSA ODI 11594478

Steering "sticks" intermittently going around curves. It releases itself with a jerky action. I have been to the dealer for service. They could not simulate the problem of find any error codes. I am not alone with this issue. It poses a serious safety issue. It started it 2022 and has become progressively worse.

NHTSA ODI 11593349

When driving at highway speeds while in a curve the steering will stick which causes u to possibly over correct and could cause an accident... and after doing some research this seems to be a very common complaint with these particular vehicles of the same year model and newer with no resolution ...

NHTSA ODI 11591964

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that on the second attempt to start the vehicle, the brake pedal was stuck on the floorboard and failed to return to its normal position. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be jumpstarted. An independent mechanic was contacted and advised the contact to depress the brake pedal harder to start the vehicle. The contact stated that a friend assisted in depressing the brake pedal harder, and the vehicle started; however, the windshield wipers engaged independently, Additionally, the steering wheel made an abnormal sound and became difficult to turn. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle on another occasion, the rotary gear shift dial lights failed to illuminate, and the message "Service Shifter" was displayed. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or a dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V348000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,270.

NHTSA ODI 11588392

Vehicle steering gear is binding internally (confirmed by local service department). The safety concern with this is when steering at highway speeds the steering wheel locks and requires excessive force to move, which has not yet but almost caused an accident. There are no signs of outside force influencing this issue (ex. front end damage front collision or wheel mis-alignment). I have read online in an owners forum of several other cases where this is happening and that they recommend filling out a report with NHTSA as to make you aware of this in case of it being a larger issue. Vehicle has not been repaired yet as the part required is around $2,800 plus labor on top of that. I'm not filling this out to complain, but rather to make you aware of a potential safety issue of this particular model vehicle. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ODI 11588321

My car has been stalling while I drive and also it said power steering unavailable. Both happened while I was driving which almost caused an accident. Sometimes it stalls while I’m at the stop light and press on the gas to go. It says to shift to park and turn ignition on. It’s been happening for over a year for the stalling and for the power steering unavailable only 2x.

NHTSA ODI 11578575

The vehicle was diagnosed with a short in the electrical steering cable. It started off with just a minor glitch when steering which caused the car to simply caused the car to shift into neutral but was quickly resolved by shifting the gear into park and then into drive. This resulted in a really major glitching in system while steering to where the car was shifted into neutral in the middle of driving and will not turn off the van or allow you to shift the vehicle into park. It also caused the windshield wipers to stay on without the ability to turn them off as well. This is an extremely dangerous issue for a commonly used family vehicle especially one travels the highway everyday. I’m just grateful we’re in our neighborhood going at a low speed with little to no cars traveling. On the highway this could have caused serious vehicular damage due to accidents and injury or fatalities for the person who has to push the car out of the road and the family riding in the car from impact. This Negligence of the manufacturer will cost my family $4521, which is just simply unfair. Im requesting thorough investigation on this matter with the a recall on all vehicles who can possibly have this issue as well.

NHTSA ODI 11567094

The vehicle first malfunctioned 09/2022. All the signals on the dashboard came on including the wipers. Then the vehicle wouldn’t accelerate and stopped while driving in the middle of the road. I got it towed to a Chrysler dealership and they had it for 4 four months and couldn’t maintain power within the van. After 4 fours I received the van back and it was driving good. Recently, while out of town on 12/16/2023 the van began to run hot for the first time and I parked it. The next day it wouldn’t start and I got it towed to a nearby shop on 12/18/23 and I was told it was my starter. I replaced the starter and the shop said it was something with my engine due to white smoke coming out the exhaust pipes. I got it towed again to a nearby Chrysler dealership on 12/19/23 and they confirmed after doing the diagnostic, the service shop said I needed a new engine because the coolant leaked into the cylinder heads blowing the gaskets. I asked what caused this issue and they stated overheating. The vehicle has never shown signs of overheating such as smoking or the gauges going up until that night which was a brief 5 minutes because I parked the van. I have researched and seen multiple cases like mine in both circumstances with this same kind of vehicle and not1 recall has been placed. I maintenance the vehicle as required and believe this is a manufacturing issue.

NHTSA ODI 11565675

while driving down the highway the steering wheel locked up while making a slight turn on the highway.

NHTSA ODI 11554791

1. When making turns to the right, the steering wheel sticks and requires a strong tug to the left to free it. Has happened on at least five separate occasions. Also sometimes just sticks slightly. 2. Caused car to swerve into next lane. Fortunately there was no other vehicle there at the time. 3. Have taken to dealer 3 times, but they are unable to replicate issue. 4. Has not been inspected. 5. No warning lights or symptoms.

NHTSA ODI 11550341

When driving, car completely shuts down. Usually happens when we are slowing down or stopping, but has also happened when accelerating. No lights come on and never happens when we take it to a mechanic. Happened 10x today alone but 5x over last seven days. We thought it was an issue with the auxiliary battery, but continues to happen. 130k on 2017 Pacifica

NHTSA ODI 11547523

The steering wheel is sticking when making turns at multiple speeds. We have had this issue for as long as we have owned the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11545696

STEERING ISSUE. Steering wheel sticks, does not return to center position without pulling on the steering wheel. When taken to dealership several times, the following response occurs. "Can Not Duplicate issue, Therefore Problem Does Not Exist!" Someone is going to be injured or killed, if this REAL PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED!! This is not an isolated incident, hundred + + complaints, Exist. . . . .

NHTSA ODI 11545253

Battery light comes on, power steering goes out, start/stop function switches in and out of accessory mode, then total power drain and vehicle will not turn over or maintain a charge. vehicle is available for inspection. safety was compromised by lack of control of steering and vehicle shutdown in a roadway. issue has not been reproduced by independent services or dealer or other representatives. battery light appeared, etcs light came on, voltage meter drained very quickly until total loss of power.

NHTSA ODI 11541671

The rear subframe holding the rear axles suddenly broke in half while driving 30 miles an hour down a residential street. Luckily, I was able to control the vehicle to get it to a shop where it was replaced. The vehicle had never been in a wreck.

NHTSA ODI 11539992

When driving the for a while the steering is getting bound up it sticks slightly and you have to pull harder to correct it doesn't want to let me steer it back to straight, it sticks unexpectedly while your trying to steer back to straight

NHTSA ODI 11538630