2021 Chrysler Pacifica problems
The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has 350 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has 350 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 117 complaints, typically surfacing around 54,250 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Pacifica | 825 | 4 |
| 2019 Pacifica | 338 | 2 |
| 2020 Pacifica | 162 | 0 |
| 2021 Pacifica (this page) | 350 | 0 |
| 2022 Pacifica | 197 | 3 |
| 2023 Pacifica | 141 | 5 |
| 2024 Pacifica | 38 | 3 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Powertrain: 117 complaints, classified severe
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2021 Chrysler Pacifica VAN FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2021 Chrysler Pacifica? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 117 owner reports · tends to show around 54,250 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 84 owner reports · tends to show around 33,380 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 32 owner reports · tends to show around 46,600 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- steering — 14 owner reports · tends to show around 70,432 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 54,250 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Chrysler Pacifica
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
While driving the vehicle on a highway - a hard solid piece of the exterior literally separated from the vehicle and flew off. This incident gave rise to the risk of an accident or injury to those traveling behind or to others traveling on the highway. A flying projectile is…
The infotainment system would crash and freeze, causing the backup camera not to be visible on the center screen when in reverse.
The engine of our 2021 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid suddenly lost power while driving on the freeway. The display indicated "Put car in park" or something similar--but we were driving 65 miles/hour in heavy traffic! I had to pull over, turn the car off completely for one minute, and…
My 2021 Pacifica Hybrid with 19.2K miles threw a "Service Charging System" and Check Engine Light error while I was driving at 65mph on the highway on Christmas Eve in 8 degree weather. The minivan stopped accelerating and the transmission began flashing between P and D. We were…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ24004 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 350 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Powertrain: 117 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 117 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,250 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 350 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 54,250 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 117 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 54,250 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 54,250 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chrysler Pacifica has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 350 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.