FLASH - NO START OR HARD START.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Chrysler Pacifica cruise control problems
severe 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
3crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 34 cruise control complaints filed for the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 34 cruise control complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 9 model years of Chrysler Pacifica in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Pacifica's accelerator pedal sticks regularly, requiring owners to forcefully stomp or press multiple times to release it. The problem happens during cold starts, low-speed acceleration, idle-to-acceleration transitions, and sometimes while parked. Owners report the pedal gets stuck at 2700–3000 RPM in some cases, and the sticking ranges from sporadic to occurring every time the vehicle is driven. The vehicle then surges forward, continues accelerating after the driver's foot is removed, or lunges unexpectedly—sometimes with braking unable to stop it. Multiple owners have collided with other vehicles, poles, and property as a result.
Dealers diagnose throttle body carbon buildup and clean the throttle for $125–$170, but the fix lasts weeks to months before sticking recurs. One owner discovered an intake air hose mechanically rubbing the throttle cables and fixed it himself with a zip-tie. Warranty denials are common; Chrysler and dealers label sticking as wear-and-tear, not a manufacturing defect. A front wheel speed sensor failed twice on one vehicle within two years at different mileages, marked defective under warranty but not recalled. The vehicle also stalls intermittently when decelerating, even after computer replacement. Owners found their complaints documented online as a pattern specific to 2005 Pacificas, yet no manufacturer action materialized.
Same Chrysler Pacifica cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Stuck accelerator pedal / throttle sticking
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck in a partially or fully depressed position, requiring forceful application of pressure or multiple foot strikes to release it. Owners report the pedal sticks during acceleration, idle-to-acceleration transitions, or even while parked. The sticking occurs sporadically or frequently depending on the vehicle.
When: Various mileages from 16,000 to 160,000 miles; incidents span the vehicle's entire service life
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal stuck and unresponsive to normal foot pressure; Vehicle accelerates without driver input or continues accelerating after foot removed from pedal; Pedal requires forceful stomping or multiple hard presses to release; Sticking occurs more often during cold starts, idle-to-acceleration, or at 2700–3000 RPM range; Vehicle jerks, surges, or lunges forward unexpectedly; Engine races while car may simultaneously slow down or coast; Braking does not stop unwanted acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cleaned carbon/gunk buildup in throttle body or throttle cable; some charged $125–$170 for cleaning. One owner found intake air hose rubbing against throttle spring and cables, cutting the hose. Dealers also charged for throttle body replacement or pedal assembly replacement. Parts cost (pedal assembly) cited as $48.99 at retail; dealers charged $316 for labor and part. Repairs are often temporary; problem recurred within weeks or months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler told one owner throttle needs cleaning every 30,000 miles. Warranty denials common; dealers claimed sticking was 'wear and tear' not covered. Chrysler initially told one owner warranty had run out, then said issue not covered under bumper-to-bumper. Dealers unable to reproduce the fault in some cases.
Unintended acceleration events with safety risk
Vehicle accelerates suddenly without driver input, often triggered by the stuck pedal condition. Owners lost control, collided with other vehicles, poles, and dumpsters. In one case, brakes were ineffective and owner had to shift to Park and turn off ignition to stop.
When: Incidents at low speeds (2–10 mph), highway speeds (30–60 mph), and while parked; mileage 42,000–150,000
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lunges forward or accelerates uncontrollably; Loss of vehicle control; Brake pedal depression does not stop vehicle; Malfunction indicator light and ABS warning light illuminate during some events; Rear-end collision occurred due to continued acceleration after driver removed foot from pedal
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle collided with another vehicle, dumpster, and telephone pole; airbags did not deploy. Another owner rear-ended another driver. Owner stated repair cost for crashed vehicle was significant but not specified. Some vehicles were not repaired when complaints filed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in some cases. Dealers offered no assistance in at least one collision case.
Throttle body defect and carbon buildup
Throttle body accumulates carbon or gunk that restricts or sticks the throttle mechanism. Dealers report the issue as defective throttle body requiring cleaning or replacement. One owner's post-purchase internet research revealed others experienced the same problem at similar mileages.
When: Mileage 40,000–83,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator requires extra pressure to depress; Throttle response delayed or sluggish; Pedal resists being depressed after pressure is removed
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle cleaned with oil as lubricant; cleaning repeated multiple times (four dealer visits in one case) without lasting resolution. One owner applied oil themselves. Parts appear to be reusable after cleaning rather than replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None stated in these narratives.
Intake air hose interference with throttle linkage
Air intake hose rubs against and cuts throttle spring and cable, mechanically restricting pedal movement. One owner discovered the hose was rubbing and zip-tied it to the alternator mounting bracket, resolving the sticking.
When: Long-distance driving (800-mile trip); mileage not specified in repair
Symptoms owners cite: Throttle sticks when cruise control disengaged, particularly at 2700–3000 RPM; Hose visibly rubbing and being cut by throttle cable
Repairs/costs cited: Owner DIY-repaired by zip-tying hose to alternator bracket; problem resolved. Dealers typically charge for throttle cable, throttle body, or pedal assembly without identifying the root cause.
Front speed sensor failure (repeated)
Front wheel speed sensor fails prematurely and requires replacement. One owner replaced the same sensor twice within two years; first at 33,000 miles under warranty (labeled 'defective' by technician), second at 50,000 miles out of warranty.
When: First failure at 33,000 miles (September 2007, under warranty); recurrence at 50,000 miles approximately two years later
Symptoms owners cite: Speed sensor malfunction triggers warning or diagnostic code
Repairs/costs cited: Part cost $48.99 at retail (PepBoys). Dealership charged $316 total ($48.99 part + $268 labor). Owner states job takes 15 minutes. Part marked 'defective' but no recall issued.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite sensor marked defective and owner finding similar complaints online for same year/make/model.
Vehicle stalls intermittently during deceleration
Engine stalls when driver removes foot from accelerator at various speeds. Vehicle restarts without delay. Dealership replaced computer; problem persisted.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls intermittently when releasing accelerator; Vehicle stalls and then restarts without delay
Repairs/costs cited: Computer replacement performed at dealership; repair did not resolve issue.
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I was making a 800 mile trip in my 2005 Chrysler pacifica and noticed that the throttle was starting to stick when my cruise control was disengaged. The only way to fix it was to stomp on the gas pedal. I pulled over to see if there was something stuck around the pedal or even the throttle cable but couldn't find anything. The throttle only stuck when the tac was at around 2700 to 3000 rpms.…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2005 Chrysler Pacifica?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2005 Chrysler Pacifica?
It's a meaningful issue. 34 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 27 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 42,000 and 117,000 miles, with the median around 66,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,000; a quarter make it past 117,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Chrysler/Pacifica.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.