2019 Chrysler Pacifica transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 28, 2026FLElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   We are on a 5th! Auxiliary battery since purchasing the vehicle new in 2019. It fails every 1-2 years and it causes the main battery to drain as a result of it which means replacing both batteries on average every 18 months.

   NHTSA complaint #11767410 · source
2. Filed Sep 22, 2026OHElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2019 Chrysler Pacifica experienced repeated electrical/network communication failures. The first sign was erratic dashboard behavior and a check-engine light in our resort parking lot. We drove to Pep Boys, where it was evaluated and we were told it was okay to drive. We then drove to Chick-fil-A (.4 miles from Pep Boys). While stopped in the drive-thru in Drive with my foot on the brake, the vehicle began dinging, the engine revved, and multiple warning lights/messages…

   NHTSA complaint #11766093 · source
3. Filed Sep 15, 2026MNTransmission & Drivetrain

   The transmission has a very abrupt slamming or violent jerk around 45 mph. This has been since we bought the vehicle. Even with consistent routine maintenance this slamming has gotten worse. I believe this to be a manufacturer defect in the transmission that will cause premature failure. We have reported this to every dealer service center and private mechanic shop we have visited and were told that either they couldn't work on it or that it would require thousands of…

   NHTSA complaint #11764311 · source
4. Filed Sep 5, 2026WVElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   On 7/16/26 vehicle would not start; high-pitched noise heard near engine during no-start diagnosis. Towed to Goldy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Huntington WV. Per dealer invoice #27136: blown 500-amp main battery fuse found; after jumping past fuse, white smoke from exhaust and no coolant in system, diagnosed as blown head gasket. Repair: both-side head gasket replacement plus fuse assembly. Vehicle in shop 7+ weeks, returned 9/4/26 with new unresolved issue: strong smell of…

   NHTSA complaint #11762335 · source
5. Filed Aug 21, 2026MAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L Plus is experiencing coolant leaking into a cylinder, diagnosed by. This has rendered the vehicle undrivable. The Pentastar 3.6L V6 engine used in this vehicle has a well-documented pattern of coolant intrusion into cylinders due to head gasket failure across the 2017–2019 Chrysler Pacifica model years, based on extensive owner complaints already on file with NHTSA and reported by consumer advocacy organizations. Despite this known…

   NHTSA complaint #11758412 · source
6. Filed Aug 20, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   The car rapidly came to a stop as I was starting to press the brake lightly. The check engine light came on, the car made a grinding noise, and the screen said it was turning off cruise control when it had not been engaged.

   NHTSA complaint #11758322 · source
7. Filed Aug 11, 2026WAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   As I pulled up to stop, in electric mode, at a stop light, the display screen pulled up a message to pull over safely because the engine would stop soon, within about 10 seconds the screen showed the engine stopped. I was still at the light. I tried restarting the vehicle, moving the shifter from drive to park and back, pressing the park button several times with no success. With cars honking behind me, I got out of the car, told them my car had died and asked them to drive…

   NHTSA complaint #11756324 · source
8. Filed Jun 21, 2026ARSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   Powertrain: harsh, jerky shifting, violent, lurching gear changes, pause before engaging and high revving and lack of acceleration, mostly noticed at 50-60mph Steering PE25009 - catching or sticking when making minor or gradual turns in either direction when the steering wheel is positioned near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock positions. It requires extra force to break free and jerks the steering

   NHTSA complaint #11745504 · source
9. Filed Mar 30, 202641,000 miNYTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2019 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a red light, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and the transmission unexpectedly shifted from drive(D) to park(P) and the vehicle shut off. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the failure occurred once a week. The contact also stated that the battery had previously been replaced. The vehicle was taken to an…

   NHTSA complaint #11727901 · source
10. Filed Mar 16, 2026IDElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The vehicle has no power going up hills or accelerating and just stops and doesn't move. To get the car to move again you have to turn the car off and back on. Even if you put the car in L it can still just go back in regular drive on its own an cut out with no acceleration.

    NHTSA complaint #11724582 · source
11. Filed Nov 23, 2025TNTransmission & Drivetrain

    When driving the car with not shift for a long time and then shifts hard into gear.I can also smell an odor some times. I have kids I don’t want to be driving and it cause me to wreck or catch fire. Other people I know had the same problem. This needs to be addressed.

    NHTSA complaint #11701115 · source
12. Filed Sep 5, 2025MNTransmission & Drivetrain

    Internal failure of the electronic shifter assembly. Essentially the shifter would lock into place in undesired gear-for example-attempt to move into D, would move to R and lock up so the only way we could get it to stop moving/into desired gear was to immediately power off (even though not in P) and try again on restart (which is very scary thinking your car may reverse or move foward w/no ability to stop it). This occurred on multiple occasions prior to bring to dealer,…

    NHTSA complaint #11685312 · 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