The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica has generated 34 brake complaints centered on the brake booster. Owners consistently report the pedal becoming hard to depress, making hissing air sounds, and forcing their foot upward while the vehicle rolls forward even with full pedal pressure. Several owners describe the booster failing completely, requiring brake replacement at out-of-pocket cost around $500. One owner dealt with two booster failures during ownership; another had their check valve replaced by a dealer but the problem persisted.
The brake system itself fails to stop the vehicle in multiple reports. Owners describe requiring multiple pedal pumps to achieve stopping, sliding through red lights and stop signs as though on ice, or needing to shift into park to prevent rolling. One owner experienced this three times within 90 days of purchase. Dealers examined these vehicles and sometimes found no mechanical cause, stating they could not replicate the issue.
The forward collision avoidance system is reported as non-functional or unreliable. Owners report no warning or braking activation when an obstacle is present, and dealers admitted to having no proper test procedure to diagnose it. One owner was told the system requires cruise control to be active—contradicted by another dealer statement that both systems use the same camera.
One owner reported the vehicle accelerating instead of braking when the pedal was depressed, occurring three times in 90 days and requiring aggressive pumping to regain control. A tow-package issue was reported where the 2017 model cannot be retrofitted with a brake controller needed to safely tow above 2500 pounds, despite Chrysler's 3600-pound advertised capacity.
Failure modes owners describe
Brake booster vacuum leak or failure
The brake booster loses vacuum seal or fails completely, causing the brake pedal to become hard to depress, feel spongy with air resistance, and provide diminished stopping power. Owners report the pedal pushing back against their foot and air hissing sounds. In severe cases, the vehicle continues to roll forward even with the pedal fully depressed.
When: Occurs intermittently, sometimes early in ownership (54,000 miles reported) but also recurring at higher mileage; multiple owners report repeated failures
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal becomes hard or stiff to depress; Hissing air sound when braking; Brake pedal feels like it pushes back against foot; Vehicle rolls forward while parked with brake applied; Reduced braking power requiring extra pressure; Pedal feels firm and resistant at stop lights; Air pressure release noise from pedal area
Codes mentioned: P258B, C0021-02, C1252-92
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement required; one owner paid $500 out-of-pocket; vacuum pump fuse blown and vacuum pump replacement attempted in at least one case; check valve replacement attempted but did not fully resolve issue in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V-395 (FCA-U50) issued for 2018-2020 model years for same issue; 2017 model year owners report being excluded from recall despite identical symptoms; extended warranty mentioned for certain model years; some dealers report unable to replicate issue or find codes
Brake system does not stop vehicle or requires excessive pedal pressure
The brakes fail to stop the vehicle when engaged, requiring owners to pump the pedal multiple times or depress it all the way to the floor to achieve stopping. Some owners report the vehicle slides through intersections or stop signs as if on ice, with delayed engagement or complete loss of braking during normal driving.
When: Happens intermittently; one owner reports three incidents within 90 days of purchase; occurs at various speeds from parking lot speeds to highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not stop or slows very slowly when brake pedal applied; Requires pumping brake pedal multiple times to stop; Sliding sensation through lights and signs; Brake pedal does not respond normally on first application; Excessive pressure needed on pedal to achieve stopping; Delayed braking response
Repairs/costs cited: Brake pads and rotors replaced in multiple cases but issue persisted; seized brakes diagnosed in at least one case requiring front strut replacement also; dealers unable to find mechanical cause in several instances
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls identified in narratives for this specific failure mode; dealers stated unable to replicate issue; manufacturer instructed one owner to file NHTSA complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance System (FCAS) malfunction
The active braking component of the forward collision avoidance system fails to engage or provide warning when an obstacle or vehicle is in the path. Owners report the system does not work consistently, provides no warning, and brakes do not engage when expected. Dealers reported having no proper test procedure to diagnose the malfunction.
When: Reported from early ownership through several years of use; multiple owners attempted multiple test cycles
Symptoms owners cite: Forward collision warning does not activate; Active braking does not engage when obstacle present; No warning light or alert when approaching collision; System sometimes works, sometimes does not; Inconsistent behavior across multiple driving scenarios
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers reported having no test procedure to verify system function; one dealer attempted following vehicle on freeway to test but system did not engage; no repairs attempted in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer suggested requiring cruise control to be on for system to work, but narrative states systems use same camera and should be independent; owners report Chrysler and dealers unable to repair or verify functionality
Vehicle acceleration instead of braking
In rare instances, depressing the brake pedal causes the vehicle to accelerate forward instead of stopping. One owner reports this happening three times within 90 days of purchase, requiring aggressive repeated braking attempts to regain control.
When: Reported within first 90 days of ownership; occurred three times in that period
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lunges forward when brake pedal is depressed; Engine continues to provide power despite brake application; Vehicle accelerates instead of decelerating; Requires multiple brake applications to stop acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs mentioned in narrative
Tow package inadequate for advertised towing capacity
The factory-installed tow package on 2017 Pacificas was advertised by Chrysler as capable of towing 3600 pounds, but the vehicle cannot be safely wired for a brake controller needed for trailer loads over 2500 pounds. The wiring and design do not support retrofit installation of a brake controller, making the vehicle unsafe for its advertised towing capacity.
When: Issue identified after purchase in early 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle cannot tow safely above 2500 pounds without brake controller; Factory wiring incompatible with brake controller retrofit; Advertisement claims 3600-pound towing capacity; Brake controller cannot be installed to enable safe towing above 2500 pounds
Repairs/costs cited: No repair possible; manufacturer and dealer each directed owner to contact the other
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler and dealer disputed responsibility; neither would address safety issue
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.