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

WE PURCHASED A 2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE ONBOARD COMPUTER DISPLAYED A TRANSMISSION CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION CODE AND THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CONTACT FUELING THE VEHICLE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TURNING LEFT AT AN INTERSECTION AT 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AGAIN AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. AFTER 5-6 SECONDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED AS THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AGAIN, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE issues. Passenger side rear door opening and closing repeatly. Steering stiff and steering cloud locking and jerking the car to the right . Fail to accelerate. Lurking forward,.

NHTSA ODI 11478527

Vehicle stalls out in motion at intersection. Loss of all electrical power. Vehicle comes back on after restarting in a intersection.

NHTSA ODI 11477502

The car shudders when accelerating. The car jerks when making sharp turns in parking lots at low speeds. The car steering sticks when turning on windy roads I have to manually turn the wheel back to compensate and it is very jerky and dangerous.

NHTSA ODI 11477287

My 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring Minivan has a steering issue. Within the last month, when driving at a variety of speeds, the steering wheel “sticks” in turns. It has occurred on regular side roads, secondary roads, and on the highway. It generally happens when turning the car slightly. Examples include: (1.) during a slight turn in the road in a yield situation, (2.) during a slight turn when there is a bend in the road, (3.) when making a slight turn while on the on-ramp on the highway, (4.) occasionally when switching lanes on the highway. During these situations, the steering wheel sticks and does not return to center, instead, it has to be forced out of the momentary stuck position causing unnatural/unpredictable realignment of the car (swerve). There are no associated lights or warnings. This problem first lead us to stop driving the car out of fear of getting into an accident (safety for ourselves and others). Then, upon research for similar problems on the internet, we see that there has been a recall for 2017-2019 Chrysler Pacificas for steering issues, but our VIN is not included. Fearing an accident, we brought it to our vehicle repair shop where we were told they believe it is : STEERING ANGLE SENSOR - Remove & Replace - Gas (SCCM) - [Includes: Adjustment.] Starting point for Code C2205-96 Steering angle fault. On the directions of "Report A Safety Problem" of this website, the NHTSA writes, "What is a safety-related defect?.....An example of a safety-related defect is a steering component that breaks, causing a driver to lose control." I would say this falls under that category. Once I pay for my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica to be fixed (an estimate of $755.62 for parts and labor), I will upload a photo of the repair invoice.

NHTSA ODI 11473775

I purchased this pre-owned vehicle back in Feb 2022. A few weeks ago, I noticed the steering of my vehicle requiring more effort to turn back straight once I was driving with the curve of the road. One day when I was turning my vehicle off. A warning message came up, to "Service Shifter". However, it came up once and never returned. I had it checked at Auto zone. They did not show any errors or issues. When I went to check the power steering fluid, I realized that it does not have fluid. But, instead some electric power steering system (not a fan). When I am the steering wheel sticks, when following the curve of the road, instead of the wheel returning to the center on its own. The steering sticks and I have to use extra effort to have the steering wheel return straight when needed. This is very concerning due to the safety associated with crossing other lanes unintentionally. This is putting myself at risks and other drivers on the road at risk, if my steering system is not functioning properly. I believe this is a major safety defect and should have a recall to be fixed. This steering issue happens regularly now when I am driving around curves.

NHTSA ODI 11473143

Car stalled while driving with warning to service electrical module. Upon restarting, no power steering. If this occurred on a busy road, it would likely lead to an accident because the stall was sudden, and without being able to steer properly. After letting car rest for a while, it struggles to start, but power steering works now.

NHTSA ODI 11472480

When turning around longer corners on the highway, the steering wheel jerks and I have to yank it free. The steering column was replaced and it did not help. Now they want to try replacing the struts. The van also jerks, stalls, catches a gear and bangs at different times. Most of the time this occurs from a full stop turning into a lane. When it stalls, it puts myself and children in danger if another car doesn't slow.

NHTSA ODI 11472649

My “New to me” 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L has a steering issue. When driving at a variety of speeds, and with gentle steering inputs, the steering wheel “sticks” in turns. I first noticed it on curves on the interstate, after I would input a slight right turn to follow the bend in the road, the steering wheel would not return to center on it’s own, as is normal. Instead it took a noticeable effort to pull the steering wheel out of the stuck position. Causing quite erratic steering inputs on the interstate. (For example, the steering sticks to the right, and I drift to the far right side of the lane, and then once I apply enough force to overcome the “jam” the steering releases, and I swerve back to the left of my lane). It happens very regularly, although not all the time. With time, I have gotten accustomed to it, and usually don’t leave my lane anymore. But I just hope it never happens at a critical time, or gets worse! It seems to only happen on gentle turns to the right. There are no associated lights or warnings. I am quite knowledgeable about cars; I have seen some people in online forums suggest that it might be an alignment, or the wrong tires, or ruts in the road. I am certain it is not that. The car is malfunctioning, I am certain of that. I would suspect it is an issue with the electric power steering system. But I wouldn’t rule out the rest of the steering system, or even some suspension issue. I have not had it to a dealer, or a shop yet. As the car is still pretty new to me. Still researching the problem through online forums.

NHTSA ODI 11472105

6-8-22 Driving roughly 15 MPH through town square and screen said "shift to P" could not steer and vehicle shut off. No other warning lights or messages were displayed. Has not had any precious similar issues. I put it in park,turn the vehicle off and restarted it. Started fine.

NHTSA ODI 11468344

The steering wheel sticks when you’re straightening back out from going around a curve. It doesn’t happen all the time but when it does it will continue for several days or weeks and then stop. It has been a continuous thing for months.

NHTSA ODI 11445197

Steering sticks when going around light curves, wheel must be forced back out of stuck position. I've been following this thread and it seems to be an ongoing, unresolved problem with this car. This started a while after we bought the car (certified pre-owned). It has not yet caused an accident. No warning lights. https://www.pacificaforums.com/threads/2017-steering-problems.48061/page-3 We did have a battery completely die and have to be replaced, I don't remember if the problem started before that or not.

NHTSA ODI 11441944

The steering wheel continues to get stuck/stick when turning curves. Happens whether I go right or left and at different speeds. This has been happening for over a year now.

NHTSA ODI 11437337

1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The power steering wheel and YES 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? I have to drive with alert the whole time because I will not know when the steering wheel will stop working and if it stop working while taking corner or I have to turn the wheel very fast I wont be able to do so.which might cause an accident to me or hit other people. 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? we took it to one place but they wont be able to identify it because it happens randomly. and we drop it at the dealership to check it but it has been 2 days since I dropped off but they did not do the inspection yet. 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No 5.Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The power steering wheel warning light will come up randomly while driving slow, fast or start and stay at the same place but it will not show up right away when you first start. It first appear around a month ago.

NHTSA ODI 11434144

1) Steering - when driving, the steering wheel almost feels “stuck” when turning and going at least 40mph. It feels like it has to be “jerked” back to straighten it out causing concern for over correction. Took to Chrysler dealership and was told they could find nothing wrong but did an update on my power steering. Seems to be happening more often. 2. Power train - while taking off from a stopped position or driving slowly (ie: parking lot) the vehicle shifts so hard it feels like you’ve been rear ended. Again Chrysler dealership could find nothing wrong but this also happens frequently.

NHTSA ODI 11428740

While driving vehicle with cruise control set to 55 vehicle stallings, losing power steering, and loses all driver-assist features, to include traction control, blind spot monitoring, power steering, forward collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, airbags, and other systems. Send back to dealership three times to two different dealerships and for same

NHTSA ODI 11425022

1st time on highway kept pulling to right on my oil change told dealer. He said he couldnt find anything and no warning light came on. 7/2020 I believed it was a safety issue to have no control and car was pulling and locking Havent traveled to far with pandemic. Went away for awhile upstate and driving home it worse so bad just driving and changing lanes it locked up and was hard to get it back in my control to turn to right it just shaked shimmed. i was really scared not to be able to drive my car smoothly. no inspection just the dealer the first time no warning or light came on

NHTSA ODI 11421458

Power steering failure while driving. I have to pull over which is very hard, turn off/on car until power steering engages. I have owned the vehicle for 14 months and it has happened about 8 times over that period. Other Chrysler Pacifica's have power steering recalls, but my model does not.

NHTSA ODI 11420122

when making a gradual turn it sometimes feels as if the power steering is stuck in the direction of the turn.

NHTSA ODI 11417995

THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO LOCK, AND HAVE TO ALMOST JERK MOVE IT. ALSO IT BECOMES VERY STIFF. CALLED THE DEALER ABOUT ANYONE REPORTING THIS ISSUE OR ANY RECALLS, THEY SAY NO.

NHTSA ODI 11413954

LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHEN DRIVING

NHTSA ODI 11408499

THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT, A NOTICE WOULD COME UP STATING " POWER STEERING UNAVAILABLE", THEN THE POWER STEERING WOULD WORK FOR ABOUT 60 SECONDS AND GO OUT AGAIN AND THEN REPEAT THE PROBLEM. THIS JUST STARTING HAPPENING ON 4/10/21. WE HAD JUST GOTTEN INTO THE VAN AND STARTED DRIVING, WE WENT ABOUT 1/2 MILE, IT HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 4 TIMES. WE TURNED AROUND AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK HOME AND IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES

NHTSA ODI 11407507

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VEER TO THE RIGHT MAKING THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ISSUES WITH THE START/STOP SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THE START/STOP SYSTEM MALFUNCTION WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTHFORK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (17725 SOUTH FWY, MANVEL, TX 77578) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE AUXILIARY BATTERY CABLE NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V348000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.

NHTSA ODI 11404850

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO RETURN TO THE CENTER. THE CONTACT MANUALLY CENTERED THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DAVE DENNIS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (4232 COLONEL GLENN HWY, DAYTON, OH 45431) HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI 11400195

LOSS OF POWER STEERING INTERMEDIATELY

NHTSA ODI 11397455

THE STEERING WHEEL OFTEN "STICKS" OR "CATCHES" WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS ON BOTH CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, GENERALLY AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE WHICH AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING. EVEN AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED TO ADDRESS THE RECALL, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE RACK AND PINION, WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THERE SHOULD NOT BE PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION ON A 4-YEAR-OLD VEHICLE. I AM WONDERING IF THE PROBLEM THAT NECESSITATED THE RECALL ALSO COMPROMISED OR DAMAGED THE RACK AND PINION.

NHTSA ODI 11396589