Tl* - the contact received recall letter (f44). The contact called the dealer and was told they do not know when the part will available. The dealer did not schedule a repair nor take her name and number to inform her when parts will available.
2006 Chrysler Pacifica fuel system problems
moderate 26 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 fuel system 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 5 model years of Chrysler Pacifica in our records for fuel system problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2006 Pacifica has well-documented fuel-system problems including stalling at low speeds (particularly during turns), faulty fuel gauges, tank leaks, and stuck throttles that create genuine safety hazards. Many owners find their vehicles excluded from relevant recalls despite having identical failures, and repairs are expensive and often ineffective.
Owners report multiple distinct fuel-system failures in 2006 Pacificas. The most common is stalling during turns or acceleration, often accompanied by the check engine light. Many stalls happen at low speeds—making turns, coming to stops, or exiting highways—putting drivers in dangerous traffic situations. Gas gauges drop to empty or fluctuate wildly, even with fuel in the tank, and several owners ran out of fuel on highways despite believing they had adequate range.
Fuel tank leaks are documented, with one owner losing 3/4 tank on the road and another reporting impact damage to a tank corner. Multiple owners describe fuel tanks that won't accept a full fill—capping out at 8–10 gallons instead of the rated 20, leading to repeated stalls. Fuel pump failures and cracked fuel-pump lines inside plastic tanks appear across narratives. A few owners report gasoline smell and fuel-filler-neck spillage during refueling. The gas pedal sticks intermittently at idle, requiring hard stomping to unstick, causing sudden lurches forward or backward. Throttle-body spraying provides only temporary relief. Several owners reference Recall F44 (2004–2005 model years) but find their 2006 VINs excluded despite identical symptoms, or learn parts are unavailable. Engine-control modules (PCM) have been reprogrammed or replaced without resolving stalls. The check engine light persists even after gas-cap replacement.
Same Chrysler Pacifica fuel system reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling during turns and low-speed maneuvers
Vehicle stalls when turning corners, exiting freeways, or decelerating to stops, typically at 3–7 mph or during turns. Stalls recur even after repair attempts. Multiple owners report steering wheel lock-up and near-misses with oncoming traffic.
When: Low speed (3–7 mph), during turns or stops; early ownership (within weeks to months)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning during turns; Steering wheel locks up; Difficult restart after stall; Stalling in oncoming traffic or unsafe locations; Stalling immediately after repair
Codes mentioned: Check engine light illuminated, NHTSA Campaign 06V432000 (Powertrain/PCM/TCM)
Repairs/costs cited: PCM reprogrammed, new PCM installed, fuel pumps replaced (2 pumps in one case), idle-undershoot reprogramming attempted; repairs temporary or ineffective
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall F44 (2004–2005 model years); 2006 model-year vehicles often excluded despite identical symptoms. NHTSA Campaign 06V432000 parts unavailable at dealers. Chrysler stated vehicles 'outside recall dates' or VINs 'not on recall list' despite owners experiencing the same problem.
Fuel gauge failure and false empty readings
Gas gauge reads zero or drops to empty when fuel is present, or fluctuates wildly between half and empty. Owners cannot reliably track fuel state, leading to unintended stalls when vehicle runs dry.
When: Throughout ownership; documented as early as first month after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Gauge drops to zero while fuel present; Gauge fluctuates between half-tank and empty; Cannot refuel to full capacity after tank replacement; Erratic fuel-sender signals
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (Gas Cap error code), Fuel-sender unit failure
Repairs/costs cited: Gas cap replaced; tank replaced (once, then again); fuel pump and fuel-sender unit replaced; issues persist after brand-new tank installation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler assigned case manager and case number; promised dealership cooperation; however, owners report vehicle remained in shop 4+ times totaling 5+ weeks without resolution
Fuel tank leaks and improper tank fill capacity
Fuel leaks from tank damage, cracked fuel-pump lines inside plastic tanks, or faulty filler-neck valves. Some tanks refuse to accept full capacity (10 gallons instead of 20), causing spillage during refueling and repeated fuel starvation.
When: As early as 65,000 miles; one incident during cross-country shipping
Symptoms owners cite: Gasoline smell from tank; Fuel pouring from vehicle while driving; Fuel spillage at filler neck during refueling; Tank only accepts 8–10 gallons instead of 20; Cracked fuel-pump line visible inside plastic tank
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (EVAP leak)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel tank replaced (multiple times in some cases); fuel-neck filler valve replaced; extra fuel line added to prevent cracking; repairs cost $1,096+ at dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership determined replacement necessary; insurance covered some repairs. One dealer admitted vehicle 'not equipped with proper fuel tank.' Recall X26 (engine cradle corrosion) identified but unrelated.
Stuck or sticking throttle/gas pedal
Gas pedal sticks at idle intermittently or won't move for the first 1/4 inch of travel. Requires hard stomping to unstick, causing sudden unintended acceleration or rapid backward lurching.
When: Intermittent; documented as chronic (7+ years in one case); at least 3 times daily in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal sticks at idle or during gentle acceleration; Pedal won't move first 1/4 inch; Requires hard stomp to unstick; Causes sudden forward or backward lurch; Occurs in stop-and-go traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body sprayed by dealer multiple times; fix is temporary; no permanent repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service department unable to identify problem; no recall issued for this defect
Fuel pump module and PCM failures
Fuel pump control module, fuel pump assembly, or powertrain control module fail, triggering stalls or hesitation under acceleration. Multiple owners cite the fuel pump module and powertrain module as the root cause but find their VINs excluded from applicable recalls.
When: Variable mileage (65,000 to 150,000 miles); can occur early or late in vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or stumble when accelerating; Check engine light on; Vehicle stalls at various speeds; Difficult or no restart; Gauges move independently
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 06V432000 (Powertrain module), Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump module diagnosed but not replaced in some cases due to part availability; PCM reprogrammed or replaced; fuel injector repair performed in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler states VIN 'not included' in Powertrain recall (06V432000) despite identical symptoms; parts unavailable at dealers; recall F44 limited to 2004–2005 models; 2006 vehicles excluded by build date (sometimes by days)
Synthesized from 26 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had fuel system trouble with your 2006 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 fuel system problem on the 2006 Chrysler Pacifica?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 65,000 and 125,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 125,000. 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 $1,200 for fuel system 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 fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system 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/2006/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.