Chrysler Pacifica brake problems, 2016–2027
174 of the 4,317 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chrysler Pacifica 2016–2027 name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). The loudest years: 2017 (90), 2019 (59), 2023 (10). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 manufacturer bulletins, 2 recall campaigns. 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 brake 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 brakes | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 2 | 18% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 3 | 10% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 4 | 6% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 10 | 5% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2021 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2020 | 6 | 3% | — | — | the year → |
| 2019 | 59 | 17% | 36k | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 0 | — | 4k | — | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 90 | 6% | 16k | 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | — | 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 brakes. Nothing here is a rate.
When the brake complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 10 · 2018: 22 · 2019: 19 · 2020: 14 · 2021: 27 · 2022: 7 · 2023: 16 · 2024: 19 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 20
Across the model years, half of the 104 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 5,000 and 39,000 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 brakes, 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 brakes on my vehicle randomly go out. Sometimes the brakes go out long enough the entire car starts screaming at you to break because you get too close to the vehicle in front of you. It's unpredictable. The car has always been in motion when this happens
When backing up in a new poorly lighted parking deck, the safety braking system and back up camera with associated warning beeps did not engage. The resulting crash damaged the bumper, rear liftgate, rear window, and me
When driving and I press on the brakes there is a 'air ' sound and it does not brake right away. If i'm in a bit of a hill and I have the brakes pressed it will give out and start rolling back and I have to press it all the way in which makes an ugly sound and it stops after a bit.
The vehicle would not stop whenever I pressed the brake pedal. It felt hard and did not respond. Much like other complaints on this website, the pedal made a hissing sound whenever it came up. The power brake system is being looked at and is a common problem. A recall on this system clearly needs to occur before someone dies.
The contact owns a 2023 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving approximately 7 MPH and slowing to park his vehicle, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle kept moving forward. The contact stated he crashed into the front end of a vehicle parked in front of his vehicle.
What is on file about the brakes, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V191000 HighMar 27, 2025 · 8 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2025 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The bolts securing the front brake caliper bracket may not be tightened properly, which can result in reduced steering control, a brake fluid leak, and a loss of front brake function.
- 17V342000 HighMay 25, 2017 · 371 vehicles
- Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage Mobility) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vans modified by Vantage Mobility for wheelchair accessibility. The affected vans have rear brake lines that might have been crossed during the modification. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
2 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 2, 2026
- ACTUATOR Park Brake Do NOT replace actuator before checking for latest ABS software referencing TSB 08-010-26 and TSB 08-066-26. This update will eliminate the false occurrence of the DTCs below: C10EA-00 - Left Park Brake Actuator C10EB-00 - Right Park Brake Actuator C10EC-00 - Park Brake Actuator Correlation
- Aug 31, 2026
- Cruise Control Shuts Off Without Driver Input. Vehicle Has Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Lamp On. C0042 Brake Pedal Position Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)
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 files- engine problems
- transmission and drivetrain problems
- electrical problems
- steering problems
- hybrid system problems
Every 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 brake complaints?
2017, 90; 2019, 59; 2023, 10. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (18%).
Is there a recall for the brakes on the Chrysler Pacifica?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V191000 (2025), 17V342000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the Chrysler Pacifica?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 15,300 miles across the model years; half of them between 5,000 and 39,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.