2020 Chrysler Pacifica engine problems
77 of the 228 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 102 manufacturer bulletins. 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 database0 of the 77 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 4 · 2022: 14 · 2023: 19 · 2024: 15 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 10
Half of the 13 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 11,000 and 58,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
228 complaints in all about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica, 10 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.
Check engine light came on first in 12/2021 because of a failed coolant heater. Dealer repaired under warranty in 8/2022. Loud/rough idle started 2/23 dealer could not determine what was causing the sound. Started noticing empty coolant bottle once a month. 11/23 check engine light came back on indicating coolant heater failed again.
The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle independently accelerated and slowed down with a message to “Pull Over Safely – Engine Will Shut down” displayed. The contact pulled over and the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted.
My family was driving down the highway and an error message came on the dashboard telling us to " stop safely. Vehicle will shut off soon". The vehicle lost acceleration power making it dangerous to change lanes. We made it to the shoulder and turned off the car.
The vehicle stopped in February 2023 due to a power inverter problem (it’s subject to an NHSTA safety recall). We were driving to Florida from Philadelphia when a “red turtle” warning light came on.
We've had issues with transmission since we purchased this vehicle in the brand new condition. The vehicle has a hard shifting problem and makes unusual noise. We've driven newer models of Pacifica that didn't have this problem. The issues are getting worse after numerous repairs made by Chrysler
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications102 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
P0073 P0303 P0128 P0513 P0300 P0301 P0302 P0304
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica
Source: the same files- electrical problems 89 complaints
- transmission and drivetrain problems 55 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 77 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (34% of everything owners filed about it), and 102 manufacturer bulletins 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 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 7 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 35,000 miles; half of them between 11,000 and 58,000. 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.