Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repairing has a crack in the flex plate or failed pump bushing inspect and confirm that both (2) dowel pins
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Chrysler Pacifica powertrain problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 12 powertrain complaints filed for the 2008 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
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CHRYSLER/JEEP/DODGE: FLASH-DRIVEABILITY IMPROVEMENTS OR MIL ILLUMINATION DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0452-EVAP PRESSURE SWITCH STUCK CLOSED. INCLUDES MY09 TOWN&COUNTRY; VOYAGER AND CARAVAN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Pacifica powertrain shows a cluster of failures that buyers need to know about. Engine stalling while driving is the most dangerous: vehicles lose power unexpectedly at various speeds, with some owners dealing with intermittent failures over months. Dealers tried PCM resets and blamed fuel pumps, but owners report Chrysler recalled 2004 and 2006 models for identical stalling issues—yet refuses to acknowledge the problem in the 2008.
Transmission problems are widespread. Owners report jerking, gear slipping, sudden downshifts, and surging. Multiple motor mount and isolator replacements failed to fix recurrent failures. Transmissions leak and fail internally; one owner had the entire rear disassembled without finding the problem. Another was left paying a car note on a non-functional vehicle.
Shift-related defects add to the pile: stuck gearshift levers with broken plastic internals, sudden uncontrolled acceleration from Park, and transmissions slipping out of gear while driving.
Warranty denial is common. Chrysler invokes rust-corroded engine cradles to void transmission warranty coverage and demand $5,000+ repairs before honoring coverage. Dealers struggle to diagnose failures, and many repairs go unperformed.
Same Chrysler Pacifica powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling while driving
Vehicle loses power and stalls unexpectedly at various speeds, sometimes requiring restart. Owners report intermittent failures over months. Dealer diagnostics inconclusive; some suspect PCM or fuel pump issues. One owner notes Chrysler recalled 2004 and 2006 models for this issue but refuses to acknowledge it in the 2008 model.
When: 8 months of intermittent occurrences; failures reported around 47,000–120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Unexpected engine stall while driving; Loss of power; ESP warning indicator illumination; Vehicle requires restart
Codes mentioned: PCM suspected, Fuel pump suspected
Repairs/costs cited: PCM reset attempted but ineffective. No successful repairs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler refuses to acknowledge responsibility for 2008 model despite recalls on 2004 and 2006 models for the same issue. No recall issued for 2008. Warranty denied; vehicle not under warranty.
Transmission jerking and gear slipping
Vehicle jerks violently during operation and gears slip unexpectedly. Owners report recurrent failures despite multiple repair attempts. One owner had front motor mounts and isolator replaced repeatedly with no resolution. Another owner experienced sudden downshift at 35 mph followed by abnormal surging.
When: Around 55,000–85,000 miles; recurrent failures within weeks of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking motion; Gears slip; Sudden downshift without warning; Sudden surge forward; Transmission jerking at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Front motor mount replaced three times; isolator replaced once on one vehicle. Motor mount replaced three times on another vehicle without resolution. One owner told transmission replacement needed; repair not performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One vehicle VIN excluded from NHTSA Campaign 06V432000 (Powertrain). Manufacturer notified; vehicle not repaired. Another repair not performed due to warranty denial.
Transmission seal/shaft leaks and breakdown
Transmission develops leaks and internal failures causing vehicle to break down repeatedly. Owner reports dealer fixed dry shaft twice but problem recurred within days to one week. Dealer eventually disassembled entire rear without finding root cause. Owner left paying car note with non-functional vehicle.
When: Initial failure around 22,000 miles; recurrent breakdowns over 2-month period
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle breaks down on roadside; Transmission leak; Dry shaft issue
Repairs/costs cited: Dry shaft repaired twice; complete rear disassembled with no definitive repair achieved. Owner continues to pay car note without functional vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not addressed in narrative. Dealership unable to identify root cause despite extensive work.
Abnormal transmission shaking
Vehicle shakes abnormally during low-speed operation. One owner reported shaking at 5 mph with transmission leak confirmed by independent mechanic. Dealer unable to identify failure.
When: At 22,000 miles; owner now has 78,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal shaking while driving; Transmission leak
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic identified transmission leak; no repair cost or outcome documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler stated vehicle not under warranty; no coverage offered.
Transmission noise with corroded engine cradle
Transmission produces noise but Chrysler refuses to service under lifetime powertrain warranty because engine cradle is rusted and too fragile to access transmission safely. Owner notes rusted engine cradles are documented ongoing problem on 2008 Pacifica models.
When: Not specified; rusted cradle is pre-existing structural issue
Symptoms owners cite: Noise from transmission
Repairs/costs cited: Chrysler estimates over $5,000 for new engine cradle; refuses warranty coverage without cradle replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lifetime powertrain warranty voided by Chrysler unless owner pays $5,000+ for new engine cradle due to rust preventing access.
Torque converter failure
Vehicle spontaneously stalls at various speeds. Independent mechanic diagnosed torque converter as needing replacement.
When: Around 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous stalling without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Torque converter replacement needed; repair not performed by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified of failure.
Gearshift stuck in Park with broken plastic lever
Gearshift lever becomes stuck in Park position and will not release. Root cause is a broken plastic lever with spring attachment. Owner notes this has occurred multiple times with Chrysler vehicles.
When: Not specified in narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Gearshift stuck in Park; Gearshift will not release
Repairs/costs cited: Plastic gearshift lever requires replacement.
Sudden uncontrolled acceleration from Park
Vehicle experiences sudden uncontrolled acceleration when shifted from Park to Drive. Dealer unable to identify defect or root cause.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden uncontrolled acceleration from Park to Drive
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose; no repair performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer unable to find defect.
Transmission slips out of gear while driving
Transmission completely disengages from gear while vehicle is in motion, causing loss of drive and vehicle to roll to stop.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips out of gear while driving; Vehicle rolls to stop
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler pacifica. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and lost power. Also, the esp warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was placed in neutral and restarted. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (junction auto in chardon, ohio, 440-285-5700) for diagnostic testing, but the cause of the failure could not be…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Chrysler pacifica. The contacted stated that while driving various speeds, the transmission jerked without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic three times where the motor mount was replaced on each visit but to no avail. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was…
The gearshift sticks in park position and does not release. Upon investigation there is a small plastic lever with a spring attached to it that has become broken. Upon review this has occurred the number of times with the Chrysler vehicle.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2008 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 powertrain problem on the 2008 Chrysler Pacifica?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 47,000 and 85,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 85,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2008/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.