Chrysler Pacifica transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
1,157 of the 4,317 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chrysler Pacifica 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2017 (483), 2018 (194), 2022 (128). Filed under the same heading across these years: 1 manufacturer bulletin, 3 recall campaigns, 1 NHTSA investigation. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Chrysler Pacifica transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | 3 TSBs | the year → |
| 2026 | 2 | 18% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 3 | 10% | — | 8 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 24 | 35% | — | 1 investigation | the year → |
| 2023 in depth | 56 | 29% | — | 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 128 | 39% | — | 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 122 | 31% | — | 69 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 55 | 24% | — | 81 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 89 | 25% | 21k | 67 TSBs · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 194 | 18% | 13k | 62 TSBs · 2 recalls · 1 investigation | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 483 | 30% | 27k | 93 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 | 1 | 50% | — | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 46 · 2018: 96 · 2019: 158 · 2020: 64 · 2021: 61 · 2022: 150 · 2023: 161 · 2024: 181 · 2025: 128 · 2026: 111
Across the model years, half of the 418 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 10,000 and 43,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the battery level was low and the warning message stating to plug in the vehicle to charge and to decelerate was illuminated. The vehicle stalled and lost motive power; however, the contact was able to pull over.
We recently took our Hybrid Chrysler Pacifica to the dealer and they mentioned that there are multiple engine and transmission mounts that need to be replaced in addition to the entire transmission. I reported to them over the years that the vehicle stutters up steep hills (>13.5 degrees).
Our car’s battery ran out and left our car blocking both lanes of our traffic. We tried to shift into neutral but weren’t able to. We found an online tutorial about a panel that contains a string to pull which would enable us to shift to neutral. When we opened the panel, we found the string was missing.
With Chrysler, recalls are never ending. Last year there was battery recall (Z11) that took 10 months to fix. Just after I got that fixed in Dec-2022, in Feb-2023, we have a new recall, where the vehicle is pretty much rendered useless as it can stop anytime on freeway.
I was driving this vehicle, a 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid this evening, July 7th. The battery was operating on a charge of 1% and the gas tank was 1/3 full. I charged the battery earlier this morning but only for several minutes. This is a rental vehicle I have used for the last week with no problems.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 18V492000 HighJul 26, 2018 · 5 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles. A component in the transmission may not have been welded properly, possibly causing the transmission to not transmit engine power to the wheels.
- 18V493000 HighJul 26, 2018 · 61 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.
- 17V482000 HighJul 28, 2017 · 524 vehicles
- Vantage Mobility International, LLC (VMI) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vehicles modified by VMI. The rear pinion bracket on both sides of the vehicle may crack, causing the axle not to be centered and the wheel to wobble.
NHTSA investigation
- PE22008 Transmission fault leading to loss of motive poweropened Jul 22, 2022 · closed Mar 27, 2024
- On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE22008 to investigate allegation of loss of motive power, potentially due to transmission malfunction, in certain Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. In a January 17, 2023 letter to NHTSA, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) submitted recall notice 23V-010 involving a transmission motor wiring defect in 67,118 model year (MY) 2017-2023 Chrysl…
1 manufacturer bulletin filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 18, 2026
- Check Engine Light On and Transmission Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): ● P072F-00 - Stuck In Gear 4. Customers may also comment on the following: ● During normal vehicle operation, while decelerating from 7th gear, the MIL illuminates and the vehicle enters a limp-in (re
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Chrysler Pacifica
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Chrysler Pacifica problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Chrysler Pacifica years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2017, 483; 2018, 194; 2022, 128. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (50%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Chrysler Pacifica?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 18V492000 (2018), 18V493000 (2018), 17V482000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Chrysler Pacifica?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 24,200 miles across the model years; half of them between 10,000 and 43,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.