What 1,471 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica

The steering "sticks" and it is hesitant to pull back to center. It feels like the power steering just stops working for a couple seconds. This problem happens frequently...to the point that I am hesitant to drive the van. I get alerts for the electronic stabilization service, but when they pull the codes there are no issues to fix. I have had the vacuum pump and battery replaced (which I was told might correct the problem) but neither fixed the issue. After an internet search, I have found that this seems to be a problem with many 2017 and 2018 Pacifica models. There was one complaint that said to include NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: PE25009 in any complaints made to the NHTSA.

NHTSA ODI 11747560

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving and turning the steering wheel to the right, the steering wheel locked up and failed to return to center. The contact grabbed the steering wheel aggressively and turned it to return to center. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

NHTSA ODI 11747354

The backup camera does not work 9 out of 10 times. Sometimes the screen is a blank blue, purple, or black screen. Sometimes its a frozen picture and Sometimes it flickers like a broken tv. Has been happening for a couple month now. Have not had it looked at yet because of costs involved with going to a dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11746664

Electric power steering sticking while navigating an curve or turn in the road. Whether at slow speeds or fast speeds seems like my steering sticks everytime now. I've had my front end replaced previously for maintenance at 100000 when this originally started. And it seemed to help some but the batteries seem to fail atleast twice a year the aux battery and the main battery and then the steering goes off and over corrects "kicks back on" when you have to pry it out of getting "stuck"

NHTSA ODI 11745897

The vehicle randomly but regularly experiences a grabbing in the steering when turning and requires a pulling on the steering wheel that then seems to overcorrect momentarily. This vehicle could be available for inspection upon request. I've taken it to my regular mechanic and he reproduced the problem and believes it is due to the steering rack or the electronic controls therein. No warning lamps or messages have ever displayed. I'm afraid that the overcorrection and/or lack of steering control could put the driver of our van and/or others nearby at risk.

NHTSA ODI 11745824

Steering felt slightly stiff/stuck while driving on wide turns and straight on interstate. Going slower and making more frequent turns in town, steering felt normal but going fast there was a power steering concern. Not enough to make me jerk but I am worried that it will decline and force a hard jerk and possible swerving while going higher speeds. This is under investigation currently NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: PE25009. PLEASE PLEASE RECALL!! This was terrifying I have young children

NHTSA ODI 11745405

When making steering corrections while driving over 55 miles an hour, the steering sticks and suddenly over corrects. This is especially troublesome when driving on winding two lane country roads. It feels like the vehicle might go into the oncoming traffic or off into the ditch.

NHTSA ODI 11745211

Vehicle: 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited Gas (VIN: [XXX]) Component: Steering / Electrical Power Steering (EPS) Gear Rack Incident Description: I am filing this report in relation to active NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE25009 regarding the intermittent loss of electric power steering assist. While driving on curved roads, the steering system exhibits a distinct "sticky" or binding sensation during gradual, sustained turns. This mechanical resistance is highly localized and most noticeable when holding the steering wheel slightly off-center, specifically near the 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock positions. When attempting to exit a curve, the steering wheel fails to smoothly return to center on its own. It requires a deliberate, manual "nudge" or extra physical driver effort to break past the sticky threshold. Once this resistance is overcome, the Electric Power Steering (EPS) assist suddenly reactivates, creating a brief oversteer condition that requires immediate correction to keep the vehicle tracking safely in its lane. The behavior feels heavily tied to an internal electronic fault within the steering gear module rather than standard lane-keep assistance intervention, as the binding sensation persists even with safety features deactivated. This creates an unpredictable driving dynamic, particularly at highway speeds where subtle, precise inputs are required. Additionally, this vehicle has an extensive history of rapid battery failure, requiring multiple complete replacements of both the main and auxiliary batteries within consecutive 12-month periods. I suspect a systemic voltage drop or a compromised electrical ground circuit (potentially related to Chrysler Recall V53 / NHTSA 19V-348) may be concurrently affecting or accelerating the failure of the highly voltage-sensitive EPS rack assembly. The temporary binding of the steering infrastructure represents a clear, progressive safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11744912

My 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid entered limp mode and was taken to Central Florida Chrysler Dodge on XXX. The service advisor, [XXX], identified three recalls, which needed to be completed, after claiming they had completed them, the issue persisted. I authorized a coolant flush without being informed it involved the battery cooling system. Further diagnostics revealed a failed hybrid battery. However, Chrysler denied the battery replacement claim, citing contamination from “incorrect” coolant. I dispute this reasoning, as I was not properly informed about the coolant issue and believe there is no proof that it caused the battery failure. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a warranty or recall claim cannot be denied without clear evidence linking the fluid to the failure. I have opened a case with Chrysler (Case #XXX) and am requesting that the battery replacement be honored under the recall, especially since recall guidelines indicate that unresolved issues after software updates may require component replacement. After a days of back and forth, not the dealership claims the PIM is not the original part of the vehicle and for that reason it would be covered under warranty. However the law is clear and Chrysler is obligated to replace it since this part is also part of the recall they claimed was completed. Now the dealer wants US$ 5K to replace the PIM. I need NHTSA to intervene please. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11744433

our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid High Voltage (Hybrid) Battery pack experienced a failure. Check Engine Code P0A7F-00 active. The vehicle now refuses to charge the Hybrid Battery in any way other than using the on-board gas generator. The failed component is available for inspection and was reported to the local dealership. Originally the dealership advised the Battery Pack would be covered under TSB: 08-299-25. 3 weeks later they informed us Chrysler refused to replace the battery pack under the recall warranty. Recall warranty advised "Hybrid/EV Battery Pack "B" Deterioration was one of the check engine codes covered by the recall warranty. P0A7F-00 check engine code description is Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Deterioration. Check Engine light has been illuminated since the issue first appeared.

NHTSA ODI 11744617

Since 2019 there has been an intermittent issue with the steering. No warning or safety lights are on that would signify an issue. The steering wheel sticks when going through gentle curves on the road. Specifically when the steering wheel is in the 11:00 or 1:00 position. You can feel the steering stick and pull the vehicle slightly. By swiftly jerking the steering wheel in the opposite direction it seems to fix the issue. This happens at low and high speeds (back roads or highways). It is quite alarming and scary. We've taken it to multiple mechanics but they have been unsuccessful in figuring out the issue. They have been able to reproduce the issue but are unclear of what causes it.

NHTSA ODI 11744201

Steering wheel sticks at lower speeds between 11-1 o’clock position (approximately) and requires extra force to turn the wheel. I came across number PE25009 which seems to clearly line up with what I am experiencing, so decided to report.

NHTSA ODI 11744029

I have a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica minivan and I am experiencing intermittent steering wheel sticking issue. While driving at highway speeds, the electric power steering exhibits a distinct 'sticking' or 'catching' sensation when trying to make minor lane corrections. Extra physical effort is required to 'break' the wheel free from the center position, which causes the vehicle to over-correct and jerk into the lane. This creates an immediate risk of losing control or drifting out of the lane. The steering wheel catches and requires excessive manual force to unstick, leading to unsafe over-correction and lane drifting. This is a severe, recurring safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11743811

The steering wheel in my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is sticking or catching, especially during turns or when trying to return the steering wheel back to the centered position. Unknown cause. The steering system nearly consistently exhibits a sticking sensation during gradual turns, particularly when the steering wheel is positioned near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position, and very noticeably at highway/freeway speeds. A very dangerous situation. During these events, there is increased steering effort required to return the steering wheel back to center. After or during the correction of the steering wheel back to the center position after these events, there seems to be some type of a sudden reactivation of the power steering assistance. It feels extremely dangerous to continue to operate this vehicle with this current condition.

NHTSA ODI 11742055

While driving my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica, the vehicle experienced a sudden, severe malfunction of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. The dashboard illuminated a "Service Power Steering" warning light, which was accompanied by an immediate, complete loss of power steering assist. The steering wheel became extremely stiff and heavy. It required immense physical force to steer. This failure occurred suddenly without warning, creating an immediate and severe crash hazard by making the vehicle uncontrollable. The vehicle also suddenly restored power assist while I was using the extra force which made driving very dangerous. I use my minivan to drive my kids to school every day and this hazard could have resulted in tragic loss of life especially with an infant and three toddlers in my car. I just noticed that the safety probe PE25009 has been opened last year with no recalls yet. Please help us resolve this ASAP as this is a critical, life-threatening, safety issue.

NHTSA ODI 11741820

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to complete a recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number 24V536000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The contact was advised that the parts were not available and on back order with no estimated time of arrival. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

NHTSA ODI 11741827

2017 Pacifica, 58,000 miles. Engine light comes on, error code is "00305 Engine misfire on cylinder 5". Replaced sensor and ignition coil and spark plugs, but error keeps coming back. The mechanic found that the head gasket is leaking anti-freeze into the cylinder. Looking online this is a common problem with Pacifica 3.6L engines, many people have had the same problem, there is a defect with the engine I checked for a recall, but there is nothing open for my VIN.

NHTSA ODI 11741625

The vehicle has an unresolved electrical/propulsion failure involving sudden shutdowns while driving and CAN C bus/lost-communication faults. Since the high-voltage battery was replaced through a recall-related repair, the vehicle has had repeated shutdown/loss-of-communication events, occurring dozens of times. In the most serious incidents, while driving at speed, the dash flickered, windshield wipers activated unexpectedly, headlights turned off, turn signals would not work, and steering locked or became difficult to control. The vehicle then completely shut off while still moving. After shutdown, the hazard lights would not work. One documented incident occurred on the interstate at about 70 mph. This puts occupants and others at risk because the vehicle can suddenly lose motive power and critical electrical/control functions at the same time, including lighting, signals, hazards, instrument display, and steering/control assistance. The vehicle has been inspected multiple times by a Chrysler dealership. Dealer records documented multiple modules losing communication on the CAN C bus. The dealer replaced the shifter module as a possible contributor, but the problem continued. The dealer later corrected loose pin tension at a communication/star connector, but the vehicle continued to shut down and later scan reports still showed widespread active/stored CAN and lost-communication faults across powertrain, hybrid control, body control, braking/ABS, steering, and shifter-related systems. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been confirmed by dealer scan reports and repair records, but the root cause remains unresolved. The manufacturer has been contacted through customer care and repair/scan documentation was submitted. The exact root cause is UNKNOWN, but dealer findings indicate an unresolved major electrical/CAN communication problem possibly involving the harness, connector network, or communication system.

NHTSA ODI 11741658

My 2017 Chrysler Pacifica steering wheel started locking in place at approximately 10 a 2 o'clock the other day as we were on a couple hundred-mile trip over the Memorial Day weekend. We looked up the symptoms, it said there was a recall for the Power Steering Assist v53/NHTSA 19V-348. I drove the car slowly the entire way home and set up an appointment at CDJR of Morgantown for the next day May25th at 8am. After arriving at the dealership, I was informed that this particular recall was closed, although its description fit exactly what my car had been doing the previous day. I informed them that my main battery IBS had been broken for nearly a year and wondered if that could have been the problem also. They took the car at 8am and at 9 am the man at the desk that had been helping me came to the waiting room and informed me that URSE dodge (where I bought the vehicle in 2017) showed record of performing the recall check " That's a lie" I replied! None the less, at 10 am they reported to me that the auxiliary battery had 0 CCA and needed replaced and that the IBS would also need replaced, all of which would run me nearly 1000 dollars. I asked when they could get the IBS and the parts department said 5 days, I asked the gentleman that had originally been helping me if they checked the ground wire from the original recall and he said yes, and it was fine. I changed the auxiliary battery and the IBS myself at Advance Auto yesterday and after I had the main battery hot lead off it also cleared all the codes that the dealership said was on the vehicle (electrical codes). I drove the vehicle yesterday and I can't say for sure that it did it, although I believe it stuck lightly a couple of times. The IBS and the auxiliary battery are my fault, I should have addressed them sooner. The bigger issue here is that URSE dodge in Fairmont never called me, I never received a recall notice.

NHTSA ODI 11740302

I pulled into the Dollar General and before I could get to my parking spot the vehicle made a beep sound and stalled and wouldn't move . There were no warning lights that came on. It wouldn't accelerate and I was nervous for the traffic that would be pulling in behind me. I put the vehicle in park and turned off the vehicle to see if it would start again. After restarting the vehicle I was able to drive to parking spot. This is the first time this has happened and we were trying to check for safety recalls in this vehicle but are nervous of any further occurrences that would cause engine failure for us and the cars around us.

NHTSA ODI 11739862

The contact owned a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle independently shifted gear into Neutral. Several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the failure could not be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ODI 11738700

I have owned the car for years, and have always taken good care of vehicle with scheduled oil changes, tune ups, etc. and now I am being told I need a new head gasket because there is a leak. Being a 2017 with just over 100,000 miles and regular care this should not be happening. It caused issues with a fuse and now a new starter needs to be put in too. An awful smell was coming from the vehicle making me sick and my child while having to drive. What appeared to be heavy smoke started coming out. A light came on staying engine was hot so had to pull over on the side of the road and be towed. I had the mechanic who towed the chrysler pacifica tell me I had a head gasket leak and needed a new one but he does not repair them. I searched over 10 other repair shops and they would not touch due to the ongoing issues with the Pacifica's. I finally found a mechanic who stated the same as the prior mechanic that my head gasket needed to be replaced, and it was a big job that would be awhile before he could even get to. I am asking for assistance with this repair as this seems to be an ongoing issue with them.

NHTSA ODI 11738441

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized with no warning. warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an unrelated failure, and during the inspection, the mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a failed rack and pinion steering assembly that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11738099

While driving at highway speeds, steering wheel sticks at 11 and 1 o'clock position requiring extra input from the driver to return to zero or 12 o'clock position. This causes a jerky motion when the wheel finally unsticks or an oversteer condition which is unsafe when driving in busy windy roads with opposing traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11736962

Steering wheel binds up wile making right truns around the 1 o'clock position.

NHTSA ODI 11736851