For now, the Chrysler lineup is limited to just three cars. The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is one of the best minivans we have around in terms of equipment levels and mechanical prowess. However, with a reliability rating of just 63 out of 100 according to J.D. Power, its future is not looking very bright. With predicted maintenance costs for five years being about $2816, it might be bogged down with electrical problems more than any other issue. With prices starting at an MSRP of $38,170, it is pitched as a premium minivan. Competing against the Kia Carnival, the Honda Odyssey, and the Toyota Sienna, its category sees a lot of competition. Let us find out more about Chrysler Pacifica's problems through this article.
2021 Chrysler Pacifica Minivan Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and Which Year to Avoid
2021 Chrysler Pacifica User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical problems:
- The most common problem owners seem to be reporting with the Chrysler Pacifica is that the vehicle begins losing electrical power in the hybrid motor system. The check engine light is then illuminated and the vehicle begins vibrating and producing loud noises. The dealers have not provided customers with adequate solutions yet.
- Many owners have faced a similar kind of issue where they are given a warning message on the dashboard saying they have to service the charging system and then the vehicle shuts off. This is just one in the list of Chrysler Pacifica battery issues.
- Some owners have also listed problems regarding the braking system. During moderate braking, the regenerative braking system flutters on and off a couple of seconds at a time. This causes the vehicle to lurch forward and become unpredictable while driving.
- Another problem that seems to be common according to many owners seems to be what was fixed in the previous Chrysler Pacifica shifter recall. The Rotary gear selector becomes unresponsive and the van sometimes locks itself into Park, unable to be moved.
Electrical system problems:
- One owner reports of the electric heater for the battery has been broken for three months but the company is not able to find a replacement part. This switches the engine on and off and also causes acceleration issues. The same problem is also very common and has been reported by multiple owners. One will find many such incidents under 2020 Chrysler Pacifica transmission problems.
- Another owner has stated that the instrument panel was not functioning properly. This was followed by the HVAC, radio, backup camera, and Bluetooth functions failing to operate as needed. The backup camera would also have issues and the airbag warning light was eliminated. The dealer diagnosed that the radio control unit had to be replaced but the parts are never available.
Interior problems:
- One passenger reports that the passenger side window seemed to spontaneously break inside the van. The tempered glass broke without any warning and this caused a reason to panic.
- One contact heard a loud popping sound which sounded like it came from inside the car. When they felt air rushing into the cabin, the sound seemed to come from the sunroof. Then shattered glass came pouring down inside the car and the owner was informed it would be covered under warranty. Even though it seems like another one on the list of Chrysler Pacifica panoramic sunroof problems, Chrysler refused to fix it under warranty.
Exterior problems:
- One contact has reported an incident in which the hatchback door could not be closed. The contact tried multiple methods to close the door by using the key fob, depressing the hatchback control panel, and also manually attempting to do the same. But the door refused to close and lock properly. This incident too had multiple people reporting about it.
Safety problems
- One contact has raised a complaint about how the driver-side lane departure warning is less accurate than the passenger-side lane departure warning.
|
Category |
Number of complaints |
|---|---|
|
Mechanical |
10 |
|
Electrical System |
25 |
|
Exterior |
1 |
|
Interior |
2 |
|
Safety |
1 |
|
Miscellaneous |
0 |
2021 Chrysler Pacifica Recalls
|
S. No. |
Date |
NHTSA Campaign Number |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
March 24, 2022 |
22V181000 |
Seat not secured properly |
The second-row seat to floor mounting latch may open and prevent the seat from being properly secured to the floor. |
Should you buy the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
The Chrysler Pacifica seems to be one of the best picks of the segment when you look at equipment levels and build quality but suffers from a lot of reliability issues. While there are other competitors in the segment that do not have these problems, it feels like the Pacifica is the wrong car to go after. The main concern would be Pacifica hybrid problems which seem to affect a lot of owners. With these many people losing full control of their cars and fearing breakdowns on the roadside, we do not want to add more people to the list. Until Chrysler gets on top of these issues, we would not recommend it to our readers.
