2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-IN Hybrid engine problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V740000Oct 19, 201810,260 vehicles
  ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

  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.

  Risk: The improperly started engine could result in a loss of motive power increasing the risk of a crash or the unburned fuel in the catalyst may ignite increasing the risk of a fire.

  Remedy: FCA will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain controller module software, and inspect and replace the catalytic converter as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U94.

What owners say

1. Filed Jan 28, 2025CAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   Vehicle states "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon" with a red turtle logo. I have restarted the vehicle, and the warning persists. I am bringing in the car to the dealer next.

   NHTSA complaint #11639047 · source
2. Filed Dec 9, 2024VAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   On [XXX], my vehicle produced a large red wrench and a turtle warning on a busy highway and I was forced to pull to the side with my [XXX] son in the car, as the vehicle lost motive power. It was towed to the dealer and after several days, they told me the issue was due to normal wear and tear in the transmission. I had to escalate to a service manager to even get a diagnosis after 5 days in the shop. I believe my transmission issue is due to a failure of the fix implemented…

   NHTSA complaint #11629611 · source
3. Filed Aug 13, 2024100,800 miSCElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred immediately after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V010000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer requested that the vehicle be diagnosed and provided the cost for the diagnostic test. The contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11608273 · source
4. Filed Jul 20, 2024TXEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   After refueling on a recent road trip the check engine light came on. After driving for a little bit to get to a hotel for the night white smoke started coming out the back of the car. To me the incident seems similar to the recall for other 2018 Chrysler Pacifica's, noted below, but did not apply to my VIN so wasn't completed for my car. The mpg's kept going down because I believe too much fuel was being fed to the engine resulting in the white smoke. When taken to the…

   NHTSA complaint #11603594 · source
5. Filed Jul 8, 2024MAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   I was driving with my family on the interstate and was exiting when the car shuddered and I lost propulsion. Interior electrical power was still functional. This occurred as the car was switching to gas mode as I had been been driving about 30-35 miles on electric at that point. The gas motor never came on. I was able to roll into a gas station since we were on a bit of a downhill. Shut off car and waited a beat then started car again, battery showed 1% and was able to pull…

   NHTSA complaint #11600061 · source
6. Filed Jun 24, 2024CAEngine

   I was driving on the freeway and my engine suddenly stopped out of nowhere. A console message informed me to shift from Drive to Park. The accelerator did not work. This happened 4 times before I could get off the freeway. The first time I pulled into the shoulder, but I still had to get off the freeway. I had to wait about 10 minutes each time for the engine to start again until I could pull off the freeway and wait for AAA. I did not feel safe waiting on the freeway. I'm…

   NHTSA complaint #11596296 · source
7. Filed Apr 23, 2024HIEngine

   Warning message stating "stop safely, vehicle will shut off soon", which is followed by loss of power and vehicle will only go about 30 MPH. There is an open investigation according to the NHTS website, NHTSA Action Number: RQ24004. Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short. Dealer says that the fix is to replace the Power Inverter module (PIM), for which we are waiting for the part.

   NHTSA complaint #11584816 · source
8. Filed Feb 7, 2024TXElectrical SystemEngineSteering

   Tried to start car. When start button was pressed the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. Multiple error messages. FCW unavailable, power steering unavailable, fuel door open, park brake unavailable, park sense unavailable, Service hybrid electric system, power steering unavailable. The gear indication, both on dash and by shifter was flashing. The car would not turn off. I had to open hood and disconnect 12v battery for the car to power off. Waited 10 seconds and connected…

   NHTSA complaint #11570442 · source
9. Filed Jun 22, 202355,000 miHIEngine

   The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11528390 · source
10. Filed Jun 21, 2023COElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    My Pacifica Hybrid van has been at a Chrysler dealership (Castle Rock in Colorado) for over six weeks now to have the Z11 recall addressed. It is clear that neither Chrysler nor their dealers know how to properly fix this (potentially lethal) issue with their vehicle batteries. Chrysler have failed to provide a loaner vehicle, even though it is stated in their recall letter that they would, and their "Customer Care" hotline have been unable to assist in any way. No one will…

    NHTSA complaint #11528111 · source
11. Filed May 2, 2023CAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    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. My friend who has the car had the vehicle suddenly lose traction and stop in freeway (this happened last week). Fortunately nothing happened as he was able to exit safely. Given it hit so close to home, I am…

    NHTSA complaint #11520060 · source
12. Filed May 1, 2023CAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the messages "Service Hybrid System" and "Service Shifter" were displayed. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the software update was completed under Chrysler Campaign Number: A14; however, the failure persisted. The check engine and the MIL warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the…

    NHTSA complaint #11519807 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology