The car shifts really hard going into 2nd gear, it feels like I've been rear-ended. It is awful. Also sometimes it loses power then accelerates on its own. Both issues are safety issues. this happens several times a weeks for the last 3 years.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica powertrain problems
moderate 138 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
138
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 138 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 138 powertrain 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 12 model years of Chrysler Pacifica in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has documented widespread powertrain defects. Expect potential head gasket failure and engine misfires around 60,000–80,000 miles, transmission jerking and loss of propulsion at any mileage, and sudden stalling without warning. Repair costs are high ($2,000–$10,000+), recur frequently, and dealers often cannot diagnose or fix issues—which is a major red flag.
The 2018 Pacifica powertrain shows a pattern of systemic failures. Engine misfires and head gasket leaks are the most common severe issue, typically requiring cylinder head replacement or full engine rebuild at 60,000–80,000 miles; some failures occur as early as 30,000 miles. Owners describe ticking noises, rough idle, coolant in the exhaust, and overheating. Transmission problems are widespread: harsh jerking around 35 mph and between first and second gear, delayed acceleration, loss of gears, and complete failure requiring replacement—sometimes within weeks of a prior transmission replacement. Many owners report sudden loss of propulsion while driving at highway speeds, with dashboard warnings saying "Stop Safely—Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon" and inability to restart or shift out of Park. Uncontrolled acceleration (engine revving and staying stuck at high RPM) has been documented over 350 times in one complaint. Auto start/stop system failures and battery replacements every 1.5–2 years are common. Hybrid-model owners report cascading failures after the 2025 Recall 73B battery fire-risk repair, including multiple control module failures, transmission issues, and loss of power steering. Dealers frequently cannot reproduce issues or provide diagnoses, leaving owners with vehicles that are unsafe to drive but unfixable under warranty.
Same Chrysler Pacifica powertrain reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Engine misfire and head gasket failure
Cylinder misfires (primarily #3 and #6), rough idle, check engine lights, and confirmed head gasket leaks into cylinders. Owners report coolant leaking into combustion chambers, often requiring head replacement and sometimes full engine rebuild.
When: Typically 60,000–80,000+ miles; some as early as 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Persistent ticking noise from engine; Rough cold start and rough idle; Check engine light with cylinder misfire codes (P0303, P0304, P0306); Coolant in exhaust, smell of burning coolant; Overheating; Loss of power/acceleration
Codes mentioned: P0303, P0304, P0306, P0732
Repairs/costs cited: Cylinder head replacement, head gasket replacement, timing chain tensioner, cam and rocker replacement. Full engine replacement cited in some cases. Estimated costs $2,000–$6,000+ per repair; repairs often temporary, recurring within weeks or months.
Transmission failure and harsh shifting
Erratic shifting, loss of gears, harsh jerking between gears (especially 1st to 2nd), delayed response to accelerator, and complete transmission failure requiring replacement. Issues range from intermittent hesitation to limp mode and loss of propulsion.
When: 30,000–100,000+ miles; some failures within weeks of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Rough, jerky shifting especially around 35 mph and 1st–2nd gear transition; Delayed acceleration response; Vehicle losing power/sudden loss of propulsion; Transmission slipping and clunking; Vehicle entering limp mode with 'Stop Safely—Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon' message; Difficulty turning gear shifter; Inability to shift out of Park; Transmission fluid burnt smell
Codes mentioned: P2797, U0103, U0001
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement (new and refurbished units both reported), valve body repair, transmission fluid pump replacement. Repair costs $10,000+ for replacement. Multiple owners report repeated failure of replacement transmissions within months.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Lifetime transmission warranty (stated by 2018 Pacifica Hybrid owners); recalls 23V-010 and related transmission wiring defect recalls issued but owners report inadequate remedy. Back orders and supply delays common.
Sudden loss of propulsion and engine stalling
Engine shuts off without warning while driving at highway and city speeds, leaving vehicle without power or steering response. Accompanied by dashboard warning messages and inability to restart or shift. Distinct from the auto stop/start feature malfunction.
When: Throughout vehicle life; reported at low mileage (5,450 miles) through higher mileage (100,000+ miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown while driving; Loss of acceleration response; Dashboard message 'Stop Safely—Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon'; Loss of power steering (some cases); Inability to shift out of Park; Dashboard lights flashing and alarms sounding; Vehicle coasting to a stop
Codes mentioned: U87, U01
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnostics often inconclusive; dealers unable to reproduce. Some owners cite low-voltage battery failures, hybrid battery issues (PHEVs), or PCM/powertrain control module software faults. No consistent repair identified in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 73B (NHTSA 24V-536) issued for hybrid battery fire risk; however, owners report cascading failures after recall repair. Recall 23V-010 for transmission wiring defects. Earlier recalls U87 and U01 for engine stalling in 2017–2018 models; owners note these 'fixes' did not resolve the problem.
Uncontrolled acceleration and throttle sticking
Engine revs to high RPM and stays stuck at elevated speed despite brake and throttle input. Engine does not slow down normally. Owner reports over 350 documented incidents in one case.
When: Early in vehicle life (from 1,300 miles reported in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stuck at high RPM while vehicle at stop; Engine does not respond to throttle release; Engine remains at high speed for 30–45 seconds; Forced braking required; brake pedal feels ineffective; Engine racing while in Park or at traffic light
Codes mentioned: PCM, UT module
Repairs/costs cited: Software engineers cited defective UT (under-throttle) modules and PCM (powertrain control module) reprogram issues. Dealership unable to resolve; vehicle tested by independent software engineers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler did not acknowledge safety issue per owner report; vehicle testing and reprogramming attempted without success.
Auto start/stop system malfunction and battery failures
Auto start/stop system disengages intermittently or fails to function. Main and auxiliary batteries fail repeatedly, sometimes within 1.5–2 years, contributing to no-start conditions and stalling.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; battery replacements recur every 1.5–2 years
Symptoms owners cite: Auto start/stop light comes on indicating system unavailable; Vehicle stalls at traffic lights and during low-speed driving; Multiple no-start incidents requiring jump starts; Delayed starter engagement (multiple turns required); Battery warning lights; Vehicle unwilling to start after sitting
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Main battery and auxiliary battery replacement (multiple times for some owners). Battery monitoring software updates issued. Hybrid battery monitoring systems blamed for over-sensitivity and premature battery replacement triggers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls issued for start/stop system (1Y65 cited). Software updates and TSBs issued. Owners report Chrysler not proactively replacing batteries from affected supplier (unlike other manufacturers) without dealer-reproduced failure.
Hybrid battery failure and post-recall 73B cascading failures
Hybrid battery pack failures causing limp mode and loss of power. After Recall 73B (NHTSA 24V-536) for hybrid battery fire risk, numerous owners report cascading drivetrain failures: control module failures, transmission issues, power steering loss, and multiple warning lights.
When: Post-recall repairs (January–March 2025 and beyond); limp mode incidents reported at 50,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Limp mode activation with sudden power loss (highway speeds drop to 20 mph); Hybrid battery fault codes; Multiple warning lights (check engine, service hybrid system, service electronic throttle control, blind spot alert, ABS, parking brake, stability control); Loss of power steering while driving; Transmission will not engage gears; Vehicle completely disables itself while driving
Codes mentioned: U0103, U0001, P2797
Repairs/costs cited: CAN bus connector replacement, hybrid control processor replacement and reflashing (required up to 14 attempts), transmission auxiliary pump replacement ($1,786.67 repair failed within 23 miles), power inverter module replacement. Multiple repair visits required; vehicles out of service 30+ days.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 73B (NHTSA 24V-536) issued August 2025; however, owners report repair shops performing recall incorrectly or trigger points not addressed. Chrysler directed owners not to park vehicle in garage or near structures due to fire risk. Second and third attempts at recall repair needed.
Electrical system and component failures
Intermittent electrical failures affecting infotainment, power sliding doors, rear liftgate, third-row power seats, and dashboard electronics. UConnect system stops working intermittently.
When: Throughout vehicle life; some reported early (within 2 weeks of purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: UConnect system intermittent failure; Infotainment screen shutoff and reboot while driving; Power sliding door inoperable or intermittently opens/closes; Rear liftgate fails to open fully; Third-row power seats non-functional or intermittent; Passenger-side rear entertainment screen non-functional; Dashboard lights not illuminating properly
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: UConnect software updates, component replacement. Dealers often unable to diagnose. Third-row seat lacks manual override, creating safety concern.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: PCM software recall (Campaign specified in complaint #2). UConnect system addressed during transmission recall work in some cases.
Transmission shift-lock and park-lock failures
Vehicle locks in Park and will not shift out, or will not shift into Park. Shift lever immobilized. Gear indicator lights flash or fail to illuminate. Requires manual intervention or multiple restart attempts to resolve.
When: Intermittent; reported from early ownership through high mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Shift lever will not move out of Park despite brake application; Gear indicator lights flashing or non-illuminated; Engine light illuminated simultaneously with shift lock; Inability to turn engine off while in Drive; Hazard lights and parking brake unresponsive; Requires multiple restart cycles to unlock
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to duplicate issue or provide repair in most cases. Vehicle returned to owner without diagnosis. No consistent fix identified in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some owners mention recalls related to manual park release; however, remedies appear inadequate.
Premature CV axle failure
CV axles wearing prematurely and failing at low mileage, causing noise and instability. Owners report recall coverage but ineligibility due to manufacturing date borderline or other technicalities.
When: 40,000–60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Creaking and grinding noise in front end, especially in reverse with wheels turned; Unstable feeling while driving in reverse; Noise worsening over time
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: CV axle replacement required. Owner cites Safety Recall U80 / NHTSA 18V-493 but was denied coverage despite VIN falling within stated recall scope.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall U80 / NHTSA 18V-493 issued for front halfshaft; however, some owners claim they were incorrectly denied coverage.
Adaptive cruise control and braking system anomalies
Cruise control maintains speed unpredictably, especially on hills, causing sudden speed changes and jerky behavior. Vehicle behavior during braking and low-speed maneuvers erratic.
When: Throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control speed increases downhill without input; Slow response to cruise control deceleration commands; Transmission shifts back and forth when attempting to maintain cruise speed uphill; Antilock brake system engages unexpectedly during low-speed maneuvers
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repairs identified in narratives. Dealers claim behavior is normal.
Remote start and ignition system anomalies
Vehicle exhibits behavior mimicking remote start state while in normal drive mode after recent remote start usage. Accelerator unresponsive and vehicle difficult to restart until auto start/stop disabled.
When: At low mileage (5,450 miles reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard messages similar to remote start mode while driving normally; Accelerator pedal unresponsive; Vehicle idles at 600 RPM with no throttle response; Shift lock preventing drive engagement; Issue resolves when auto start/stop button toggled to 'defeat' position
Codes mentioned:
Repairs/costs cited: No repair needed after disabling auto start/stop; issue did not recur.
Synthesized from 138 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
We purchased our 2018 Chrysler pacifica in early october 2018 and have since put less than 3,000 miles on the odometer. Today, while driving on a level rural road near our home, a couple of warning lights started flashing out of nowhere: one indicating that blind-spot monitoring was disabled, and another re: electronic stability control. Not long after we started up a hill a half-mile…
When completing a stop at traffic lights, the vehicle start/stop system shuts off the engine and without warning it has not restarted automatically leaving us expecting to take off and having to put the vehicle back in park while in traffic and then restart the engine and move gear selector back to the drive position. I've nearly been rear-ended due to this several times. I have counted 7 times…
2018 touring l plus towed. Was driving along and started losing all power, systems started to shut down, van was limited in speed and function. By the end all warning systems had failed, power steering was gone, ABS was gone, after the battery hit 8.9 volts we lost control of the transmission, the "d" on the display started flashing and the van shut off 15 seconds later. Once the van was off I…
Head Gasket Blew at 102,000 Miles which caused windows to fog up on freeway.
Van will jerk or jolt when it's shifting between gears going 10- 50 MPH on a flat straight away city road. Dangerous on the road because its unpredictable and uncontrollable. The jolt feels as though you have been rear ended. This has happened on multiple occasions. My car is a little over a year old. I've been having this problem immediately after I bought this brand new van with less than…
The check engine light came on after 2 weeks of owning the car. It threw a Code P0303. We replaced the coils on 1-3-5 and spark plugs on all cylinders and the check engine light came back on after 1 week. It finally would not start. Our mechanic has removed the head and gasket and discovered the cylinder 3 was full of water and water and oil in the oil pan creating a gooey sludge. This is…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 138 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 43 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 5,500 and 34,750 miles, with the median around 17,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,500; a quarter make it past 34,750. 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/2018/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.