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

Vehicle lost power, steering, and breaks on the george washington bridge in NYC causing it to roll into the back of another vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11721632

Description of Incident: On February 15, 2026, my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid experienced three distinct and severe safety system failures involving the electrical system, power seats, and the power sliding door. Power Sliding Door Sensor Failure: While my minor son was entering the vehicle, the power sliding door closed on his leg. The pinch sensor failed to detect the obstruction and did not reverse. This resulted in physical bruising and marks on the limb (photographic evidence maintained). Unintended Passenger Seat Motion: While the vehicle was stationary, the front passenger power seat moved forward to its maximum limit without user input. I was seated in the chair at the time and was pinned against the dashboard before I could intervene. Electrical Shock: My minor daughter received a perceptible electric shock upon touching the exterior door-handle button to open the sliding door. Components Involved: Electrical System Seats (Power) Sliding Door (Power) Injuries: Yes (Soft tissue bruising/marks to minor’s leg). Risk to Safety: Had the driver's seat moved forward without input while the vehicle was in motion, this absolutely could result in loss of control of the vehicle and an accident. Had the sliding side door continued to close on my son's leg, it could have caused severe injury. Had the electrical shock been worse, it could have resulted in burn or injury. The vehicle is available for inspection. It has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance. The issues have not repeated at this point, although the vehicle was not used the last 12 days. I do not have confidence in its electrical components. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other indications of any problem with the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11720695

The contact owned a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact's vehicle was involved in a crash. The contact stated that a nearby vehicle drove in front of the contact's vehicle and then suddenly applied the brakes. In addition, the contact vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. The contact stated that the rear passenger seat belt did not restrain. The contact stated that the waist strap did not restrain. The contact's son, who was seated in the rear passenger seat, was thrown forward. The contact's son did not receive medical attention; however sustained injuries to his neck, back, and right and left shoulders. In addition, the contact's son sustained severe pain in his lap area. The contact, who was seated in the front passenger's seat, later went to the local medical center. The contact sustained severe pain and bruises to both legs from the air bag deployment. The contact stated that the ongoing pain was so severe. The vehicle was taken to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss. A Police report was filed. In addition, the contact referenced an unknown seat belt recall that was initiated a while ago. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed at that time that the contact's VIN was not associated with the unknown recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA ODI 11703914

When I was taking curved exit, 10 mph over, the wheel got stuck and over corrected itself.

NHTSA ODI 11691789

On December 28, 2024 my family and I were in a crash with our Pacifica van. In a gradual left turn at approximately 40 mph, the van slowly drifted to the right. I slowly corrected to the left with no affect. After slightly more left correct, the van cut hard left and crashed head into a concrete wall on the opposite side of the roadway. The steering correction inputs should not have resulted in such a hard left turn. The drift to the right should not have occurred and I was not able to correct for some reason. The vehicle was inspected by insurance and totaled. No other inspections were completed to my knowledge. There were no issues or warnings of a potential problem. We did suspect the lane keep assist system could have caused an over correction but have no way to confirm that.

NHTSA ODI 11686189

When I’m steering to the right of the highway, my van is hard to steer back onto the roadway.

NHTSA ODI 11686096

The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while his wife was attempting to park the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed, the engine unexpectedly began to rev. The vehicle then accelerated inadvertently, resulting in a collision with a pole in front of the parking space. There was no damage to the pole. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to a collision center, and the insurance company declared it a total loss. No police report was filed. No injuries were sustained. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11683184

Parksense Unavailable. While reversing we backed into another vehicle. Normally, the parking brakes if we get to close or at least a warning that we are approaching a potential hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11673415

The contact owned a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the garage from a stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed and it traveled to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to violently accelerate 7 feet and crash into the garage. The vehicle crashed into the garage, through a wall, garden box, fence, and a mud ground where the vehicle came to a stop. No warning light illuminated prior to the failure. None of the air bags deployed. There was property damage to the garage and walls. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The insurance company deemed it a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 79,828.

NHTSA ODI 11653718

I am writing to report another incident related to my 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Today, while driving on a major highway, my vehicle unexpectedly shut off and braked violently multiple times without warning, creating a serious safety hazard. Fortunately, there was no accident, but due to the sudden and forceful braking, I am now experiencing pain in my head, neck, upper back, and shoulders. I previously reported electrical issues with this vehicle on January 22, 2024. Given the recurring nature of these problems, I am extremely concerned about the ongoing safety risks. Please advise on the next steps to formally document this incident and any updates regarding similar reports or investigations into this issue. I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

NHTSA ODI 11652115

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

Driver side sliding door fell off onto my wife causing window to break and was hanging by just a cable on bottom track.

NHTSA ODI 11570638

Electrical problems since purchase (new). Warranty repairs by 2 dealers. The rear lift warning buzzer went out causing me to be hit in the head and getting black eye. The buzzer is out again, but not repaired as the part has been on back order for months. Dealer said over 100 of the same part by various dealers on the back order. This is a major problem as car purchased for use with my dogs and w/o buzzer they also are not warned when ‘door’ coming down. For the part to not be available for so long is unacceptable and since covered under paid warranty I think Chrysler is neglecting the warranty owners. Also, since the part has failed before, they are aware it’s a faulty part but have not done anything to keep the part stocked,

NHTSA ODI 11556550

When having to press hard on brakes my vehicle does not stop right away. I have to pump them to get my van to stop. When at a light with vehicle stopped by pressing on break the brake pedal will push back up with force and start moving forward.

NHTSA ODI 11543049

December 24, 2022. Started the vehicle to warm up (25 degrees outside), approximately 3 minutes later it caught fire. Vehicle has been in the dealers shop for multiple electrical issues, 9 recalls since it was bought new. All repairs have been at chrysler dealerships. Got it back from dealer on 2nd of December after they had it for 7 weeks repairing electrical short and latest recall.

NHTSA ODI 11503984

We stopped at a rest stop on the NJ Turnpike (Mile Post, 92.9 NJ Tpke, Woodbridge, NJ 07095). After about 10 minutes we returned to the car and noticed a little bit of white smoke coming from the hood (approximate location 12-volt battery). Due to the color of the smoke thought was the radiator. I popped the hood from the car to inspect and at moment about to lift the hood, small flames came from between the hood and windshield. We then backed away from the car and called 911. Within minutes the car was consumed by large flames and the fire department had to extinguish the flame. NJ State Police said the cause would not be investigated due to arson not being suspected. Luckily no cars were parked close to us so no cars were damaged. There were no warning lights or messages in the car prior. The car is a regular engine, but there is a warning for this issue on the hybrid version, so not sure if maybe also affect non-hybrid engines as well. https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/recall-chrysler-pacifica-fire-risk

NHTSA ODI 11484587

While driving, the motor began to vibrate and lose power as if not firing on all cylinders, and acted as if it was going to stall in the lane of travel, causing me to have to pull off to the shoulder abruptly, striking a mailbox. The vehicle does not display any trouble lights or show any error codes on diagnostic equipment at an independent garage. Vehicle idles roughly.

NHTSA ODI 11482907

While traveling on a dry highway, with good tires/new tires, and decelerating from 45 mph and approaching a red light, and a moderate, but firm pressure on the brake to bring the van to a full stop, the speed decreased to 15 mph, with the tachometer stable at 800 rpm and then to 10 mph, with both hands on the wheel, left foot on the dead pedal, and right foot on the middle of the brake pedal. As the speedometer made the transition at 10 MPH, the tachometer surged to 1500 RPM and then to 3000 in under 3 seconds, which cause me to initiate an emergency action drill of stabbing the brake pedal hard three times and rotating the transmission control to the lowest gear. The transmission refused to shift lower, and the control of the vehicle turned on oa wrestling match and the tachometer surged from 1500 RPM, them 3000 RPM, then 4500 RPM, and then 6000 RPM, each time the vehicle acting like it was repeatedly being rear-ended at a speed exceeding 15 MPH. The engine could not be disengaged and aceelaretd uncontrollably to over 40 MPH, through a busy intersection, and required over 24 hard break stages over a 10 second period to actually stop the car, and the engine refused to disengage until stopped. Once the car was restarted it immediately surged forward trying to fight through the hard applied brakes. The cruise control was never on the entire time. I then stut down the engine once I was able to wretle it to a stop with the engine climbing to over 4500 RPM. I then took this vehicle to a safe area, and repeated the conditions, and again as the vehilce speed dropped below 15 MPH, and certainly below 10 MPH, the egine tachometer increased in steps of 1500 MPH, 3000, 4500, 6000 RPM, and no control could be achieved other then violently "stabbing" the brake pedal. Under controlled conditions the behavior was repeatable over 20 times. This is a life threatenign defect, and it appears to be software in origin. I have CAN data streams from the events (23) and video.

NHTSA ODI 11433618

This car was bought used in 2020. It had less than 15000 miles on it at that time and was still under original warrantee. I took it to a Chrysler dealership for some minor repairs which they resolved. I informed them that there was a rapid acceleration issue which they couldn't resolve. For the last year it has continued. It only happens at low speeds an is definitely not a pedal issue I recently happened while pulling into a handicap spot and I hit a pole. It was fortunate that it wasn't a crosswalk or some on could have been seriously injured.

NHTSA ODI 11427760

30,390WHILE CRUISING ON INTERSTATE, (2/6/21, 3:17 PM, DRIZZLING, 55 DEGREES F, AT 70 MPH IN CRUISE CONTROL) INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES BLACK, ENGINE SHUTS OFF, POWER STEERING GOES OFF, RT PASSENGER WINDOW DESCENDS ALL THE WAY, WIPERS GO OFF, CRUISE GOES OFF, GEAR INDICATOR SWITCHES (ON IT'S OWN FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL, TO PARK. COASTING TO SIDE LEFT OF SIDE OF THE (UNDER CONSTRUCTION) SHOULDER (RT SHOULDER IS BLOCKED BY JERSEY BARRIERS) INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COMES BACK ON. I SHIFT FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL, TO DRIVE, WITH NO EFFECT ON DRIVABILITY. I STOPPED OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BATTERY AND FCW WARNING LIGHTS ON. THERE IS A DISTINCT SMELL OF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. I CHECK UNDER THE HOOD TO LOOK FOR OBVIOUS FIRE SOURCES. NONE ARE APPARENT. I CHECKED THE BATTERY CONNECTION. THIS APPEARS AS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE, NOT TIGHT ' BUT NOT LOOSE EITHER. I CHECKED THE FUSE BOX. I DID NOT HAVE A FUSE INDICATOR TOOL WITH ME AND DID NOT ATTEMPT TO PULL FUSES. SEEING NO OBVIOUS FIRE SOURCES I SHUT THE HOOD. FIVE MINUTES AFTER STOPPING I TRIED THE IGNITION AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED. THE RT PASSENGER WINDOW WAS TO 3' SHORT OF CLOSED, THEN IT STOPPED. I PULLED BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND RESUMED THE TRIP. THE FCW WARNING LIGHT WAS STILL ON. CRUISE CONTROL WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR WARNING INDICATOR WAS ON. ON 2/7/21 I CHECKED THE CAR. ALL POWER DEVICES ON THE RT FRONT DOOR WERE NOT ACTIVE. I CHECKED THE FUSES AND DETERMINED THAT AT LEAST ONE HAD FAILED (F47). I ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE FUSE. IN DOING SO THE RT PASSENGER WINDOW IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO THE FULLY CLOSED POSITION, THE FUSE BLEW AS I PUT IT IN, THE SMELL OF BURNING ELECTRICAL WIRE WAS APPARENT INSIDE THE CAB, BUT NOT UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA ODI 11395580

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SAFFORD CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM FIAT OF SPRINGFIELD, 7611 LOISDALE RD, SPRINGFIELD, VA 22150, FOR A ROUTINE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE AND KNOCKED OVER THE POLE AND CRASHED INTO A WALL BEHIND THE POLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISING FROM THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG BUT NO SERIOUS INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED BUT WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HIS WIFE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,196.

NHTSA ODI 11364512

THE VAN LOST CONTROL ON ITS OWN AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO BREAK WHATSOEVER, UNTIL I GOT INTO A VERY DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD BY FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, BUT THERE CERTAINLY WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BREAKS. THERE WAS NO ISSUE WITH MY DRIVING, NOR WAS THERE ANY ISSUE WITH THE WEATHER. I AM A SEASONED DRIVER OF OVER 20+ YEARS, AND THE WEATHER THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT WAS COMPLETELY SUNNY AND IT WAS BRIGHT DAYLIGHT OUTSIDE. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD STREET. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE VAST NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING BREAKS AND VEHICLE SAFETY FOR THIS TYPE OF CAR.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11359988

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT INTO SELF PARKING MODE AND CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE. AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SELF PARKING SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. ALSO DURING THE INCIDENT, THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT ACTIVATE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO THE SECOND VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL COLLISION CENTER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER EXAMINED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S ENGINEER WHO INDICATED PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM HAD FAILED. THE PRE-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM MODULE WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE LOCAL DEALER ORANGE COAST CHRYSLER (2929 HARBOR BLVD, COSTA MESA, CA 92626) WAS ALSO NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. *LN*JB

NHTSA ODI 11350020

TURNING ON YOUR AIR CONDITIONER TO MAXIMUM OFTEN MAY CAUSE BACTERIA GROWTH DUE TO THE EXCESS WATER THAT IS DRIPPING IN YOUR UNIT'S TRUE THAT IN HIGH HUMIDITY ENVIRONMENTS THAT MOLD CAN BUILD ON EVAPORATOR COILS AND CAUSE AN ODOR, ESPECIALLY IF THE VAN SITS FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS BETWEEN DRIVES. I MAKE IT A PRACTICE OF TURNING OFF THE A/C THE LAST FEW BLOCKS ON THE WAY HOME TO BLOW SOME WARM AIR THROUGH THERE TO DRY IT OUT A LITTLE IN THE SUMMER. NONETHELESS, IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IF ONE OF THE SMELLS YOU DETECTED WAS "VINEGAR." I WONDER IF MAYBE A SMALL ANIMAL/RODENT FOUND THEIR WAY INTO YOUR SYSTEM AND GOT STUCK AND HAS SINCE EXPIRED? IF THE SMELL IS ONLY THERE WHEN YOU FIRST TURN IT ON AND THEN DISSIPATES, THEN THAT SEEMS A LOT LIKE A COMMON MOLD GROWTH SCENARIO. IF IT PERSISTS, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT YOU HAVE A BIGGER ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330890

THE BRAKES HAVE FAILED FIVE TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE TWICE WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I SUSPECTED THE FORWARD CRASH CONTROL DID NOT WORK AS WELL OR IT WOULD HAVE STOPPED ME I TOOK IT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS AND NEITHER CAN TEST IT. PLUS THEY SAID THERE WAS NO CODES WHY WOULD THERE BE? THE ONE TOOK IT ON A TEST DRIVE AND SAID YEP IT DOESN'T WORK HE FOLLOWED A CAR ON THE FREEWAY. AND IT DIDN'T GO OFF. LAST WEEK IT WENT OFF??? SO I TOOK IT BACK TO A DEALER. HE SAID WELL YOU DON'T THINK IT SHOULD SAVE YOU DO YOU. I SAID YES IF I DON'T HIT THE BRAKE IN TIME. ISN'T THAT WHAT IT IS FOR. I KNOW YOU SHOULDN'T RELY ON THEM BUT IT SHOULD WORK I THINK? THEY HAVE NO TEST FOR THIS FEATURE. I THINK THAT THEY COULD FOLLOW A VEHICLE WITH A FOAM BOARD HANGING BACK LIKE AS CONSUMER REPORTS TEST IT.TWO TIMES THE VAN DIDN'T START AND TWICE IT DIDN'T STOP FOR THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO RIDE UP ALONG SIDE THEM UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED IT ALSO HAPPENED LAST YEAR AND I REPORTED IT TO YOU THEN.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11317024