2018 Chrysler Pacifica engine problems
442 of the 1,099 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 95 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database5 of the 442 reports a crash · 13 a fire · 2 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 2 · 2018: 51 · 2019: 68 · 2020: 21 · 2021: 24 · 2022: 32 · 2023: 64 · 2024: 79 · 2025: 58 · 2026: 43
Half of the 167 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 4,000 and 25,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
1,099 complaints in all about the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, 43 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Chrysler Pacifica engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Catalytic converter overheated during operation causing a burning smell in cabin. Visual inspection of converter showed it was red hot and the color of the sun. Check engine light came in and car was not functional. This is related to the botched u73 recall and subsequent rrt
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. While driving various speeds, the check engine warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ramey Chrysler jeep dodge ram (127 frazier dr, princeton, wv 24739), but the cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred.
My family and I were riding along at 70 MPH and suddenly, the left side energy consumption meter started bouncing up and down. Some burnt rubber smell came through the vents and then the car just start slowing down. I was lucky there were no cars around me and was able to make it across 4 lanes to the right hand side shoulder.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica ~4500mi. While driving at low speed the engine suddenly cut off with no warning. All electronics were still powered. The display on the dashboard flashed something to the effect of " turn to p and press start/stop." luckily I was slowing for a red light when this occurred and was not traveling at speed.
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid. While the contact's wife was driving 70 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard and the engine stalled. The contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 18V740000 CriticalOct 19, 2018 · 10,260 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEV). After the vehicle has been operating in PHEV propulsion mode, the gas-fueled engine may not restart properly resulting in unburned fuel entering the exhaust catalyst.
95 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
- 113280 Service bulletinJul 6, 2026
- HOSE AND TUBE - EGR COOLANT
The 1 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0303 P0305 P0513 P0304 P0300 P0301 P0302 P0420
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica
Source: the same files- electrical problems 371 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 194 complaints
- steering problems 186 complaints
- hybrid system problems 75 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 442 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (40% of everything owners filed about it), and 95 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 18V740000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 10,600 miles; half of them between 4,000 and 25,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.