When it is unusually cold, the heater fails to heat the hybrid battery sufficiently to register the correct voltage. This causes the car to enter “turtle” mode- a special mode that limits the car to 30 mph. It’s designed to allow the driver to get to a dealership. When we were driving at highway speeds about 70mph, during a particularly cold day, the turtle mode dropped us suddenly to 30 mph.…
2022 Chrysler Pacifica powertrain problems
moderate 62 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
62
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 34% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 62 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A used 2022 Pacifica Hybrid presents serious unresolved transmission and powertrain control issues, with owners experiencing unexplained loss of power at highway speeds even after recall repairs and transmission replacements. Safety-critical shutdown events have occurred repeatedly on multiple vehicles, sometimes multiple times post-repair, posing collision risks.
Owners describe a powertrain defect that causes unexpected power loss and shutdown at highway speeds, often while in traffic. The signature event is a dash warning—"Stop Safely, Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon"—accompanied by a red turtle icon and check engine light. The vehicle immediately enters limp mode or complete shutdown, forcing drivers to coast to the shoulder. This has occurred on I-states and busy highways where owners had to navigate across multiple lanes with children aboard, creating collision hazards.
Owners report the issue happens repeatedly, sometimes within days or miles of dealer repair. One owner experienced this 13 times since 2023; another had five shutdowns in a single day in January 2025. The problem persists even after Chrysler's Recall 03A (software update for transmission wiring connector) completed in early 2023, and even after full transmission replacement—some owners' vehicles shut down again within a year of transmission work.
The dealership repair sequence typically starts with software updates, progresses to transmission control module (TCM) reprogramming, then full transmission replacement, costing $7,000 or more out-of-pocket or under warranty. One owner had transmission work done five times without permanent fix. Dealers report transmission bearing wear and wiring faults; one technician identified roller bearing failure at the bottom of the transmission causing electrical damage. Chrysler has not requested failed components for root-cause investigation, and owners question why the same failure pattern repeats after "repairs."
Hard shifts between electric and gas motors, radio reboots, and confusing dash messages ("Put Vehicle in P to Start" while in Drive) appear in some cases. Cold-weather limp mode has also been reported, where insufficient battery heating triggers 30 mph speed restriction on the highway.
Same Chrysler Pacifica powertrain reports on nearby years: 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of Motive Power / Shutdown at Highway Speed
Vehicle enters limp mode or complete power loss while driving, typically at highway speeds (50–80 mph), with warning message 'Stop Safely—Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon' and a red turtle icon on the dash. Check engine light illuminates. Vehicle must be pulled over; sometimes will not restart immediately or requires multiple restart attempts. Owners report this happens repeatedly, sometimes within days or miles of dealer repair. A major safety hazard when occurring in traffic, on narrow shoulders, or in multi-lane highway scenarios.
When: Highway speeds (typically 50–80 mph); some incidents on city streets and in town. Onset varies—some vehicles experience this within weeks of delivery, others after service attempts. One vehicle reported the issue 13+ times since 2023; another experienced it 5 times in one day in January 2025.
Symptoms owners cite: Dash warning: 'Stop Safely—Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon' or similar (with red turtle icon and/or exclamation mark); Complete loss of engine power or severe reduction (limp mode, <10–30 mph top speed); Check engine light illumination; Vehicle coasts to a stop; Loss of acceleration response; Occasional chime or alarm sound; Gas engine fails to engage or spontaneously shuts down (PHEV models)
Codes mentioned: P079A-00 (transmission issue), P0A43-00 (hybrid battery/drive motor issue), P0A7D-00 (battery voltage issue), P0973 (solenoid), C0063-9A (yaw rate sensor), U0418, U0402, U0422 (communication/network codes), Various stored and erased codes (dealership unable to replicate in many cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement or rebuild is the primary repair, often $7,000–$10,000+ out-of-pocket or under warranty. Some dealers replace the Power Inverter Module (PIM) first without success, then pursue transmission replacement. Transmission control module (TCM) reprogramming attempted in some cases. Ground connections and transmission harness inspections/cleaning performed. Software updates delivered via recall 23V-010 (Chrysler 03A) have not permanently resolved the issue in many reported cases. One vehicle required transmission replacement twice within one year; another needed transmission work for the fifth time with dealer unable to fix the underlying problem.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 23V-010 / Chrysler Recall 03A (software update for internal transmission wiring connector). TSB 21-008-23 (transmission wiring connector). TSB 21-042-24 (transmission replacement protocol). Recall completed on many vehicles (documented in narratives as completed in Jan–March 2023) but issue persists post-recall. Chrysler has acknowledged transmission issues via warranty coverage and TSBs but root cause has not been published or resolved. Dealers report Chrysler delays parts shipment and does not request failed components for analysis. Some owners report Chrysler refuses warranty coverage despite acknowledged defect.
Hard Shifts / Transition Issues Between Electric and Gas Motors (PHEV)
Vehicle exhibits harsh or jerky shifts when transitioning from electric-only power to gas engine kick-in. RPM spikes abnormally high during gas engine engagement. Occurs at delivery and intermittently during normal driving, sometimes triggering check engine light and transmission fault codes shortly thereafter.
When: Noted at delivery and early in vehicle ownership; some instances reported after months of use. One vehicle report at under 21,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard/jerky shifts between electric and gas motor; Abnormally high RPM when gas engine engages; Check engine light (may appear later same day or within hours); Limp mode activation shortly after (in some cases); Rough acceleration transitions
Codes mentioned: P0A43-00
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement pursued after hard shift events lead to limp mode. TSB 21-008-23 and Recall 03A cited as potentially related to internal transmission wiring connector.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 03A and TSB 21-008-23 cited by owners as addressing internal transmission wiring connector. No specific guidance in narratives on hard-shift remediation beyond transmission replacement.
Stalling / Refusing to Start or Restart
Vehicle stalls or shuts off abruptly while driving or at traffic lights, often without warning. Engine restarts only after a delay (several minutes to hours) or multiple restart attempts. Dash may display messages 'Put Vehicle in P to Start' or 'Press Brake and Push Button to Start' while vehicle is in Drive, creating confusion and hazard. One case reports vehicle refusing to start for hours after pulling over.
When: Various; some cases within days of purchase, others intermittently over months. One incident reported within a week of delivery.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off unexpectedly while driving or idling; Confusing/contradictory dash messages ('Put in P to Park' / 'Press Brake and Push to Start' while in Drive); Delayed restart or multiple restart attempts needed; Vehicle remains on/electrical systems active but engine unresponsive; Check engine light may appear; Steering wheel lock-out (not explicitly mentioned but steering difficulties implied in one narrative)
Codes mentioned: P0973, U0418, U0402, U0422 (communication codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attempts include ground connection cleaning, harness inspection, transmission replacement, and software updates. Repair outcomes vary; some owners report the issue recurs within days or weeks of 'repair.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 03A (software update) and TSB 21-008-23 issued. No other manufacturer remediation program cited in narratives.
Limp Mode / Reduced Speed (Turtle Mode)
Vehicle enters limp mode, restricting maximum speed to 10–30 mph. Triggered by warnings ('Stop Safely' message, red turtle icon) or by cold weather causing hybrid battery heater malfunction. In cold conditions, insufficient battery heating causes low voltage register, triggering turtle mode. On highway, sudden drop from 70 mph to 30 mph creates accident risk.
When: Reported across multiple temperature ranges; one specific cold-weather case noted during unusually cold day with snow/ice on road.
Symptoms owners cite: Maximum speed limited to 10–30 mph; Red turtle icon displayed; Check engine light; In cold weather: abrupt drop from highway speed to 30 mph; 'Stop Safely' warning message
Codes mentioned: P0A43-00, P0A7D-00
Repairs/costs cited: In cold-weather cases, hybrid battery heater function insufficient; cause may be thermal management or sensor malfunction. In transmission-related cases, transmission replacement pursued.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific cold-weather battery heater recall or TSB cited in narratives.
Radio / Electrical System Reboots and Failures
Radio reboots without warning while driving; radio fails to operate at startup. Possible indicator of broader electrical system instability (grounding, CAN-bus connector, or module communication faults). Timing correlation noted with other powertrain issues in one vehicle.
When: Reported mid-2023; may be concurrent with or precede transmission shutdown events.
Symptoms owners cite: Radio reboots unexpectedly during drive; Radio does not power on at startup; Possible correlation with check engine light and transmission faults
Codes mentioned: U0418, U0402, U0422 (communication/CAN-bus codes, inferred)
Repairs/costs cited: Not explicitly repaired in narratives; suspected to be related to broader wiring/grounding issues.
False or Nuisance Hood-Open Warning / Start Prevention
Vehicle falsely detects hood as open and refuses to restart, despite hood being closed. Occurs at traffic light (stop-start feature). Owner forced to exit vehicle in heavy traffic to physically check/close hood. Safety risk in high-traffic areas.
When: At busy intersection during stop-start cycle.
Symptoms owners cite: False hood-open detection; Vehicle prevents engine restart; Requires physical hood intervention to resolve; Stop-start feature (auto-shutoff at lights) involved
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; owner disabled stop-start feature as workaround.
Transmission Roller Bearing Failure / Internal Wear
In one detailed case, dealership lead technician identified a roller bearing near the bottom of transmission showing early signs of failure, causing shorts and damage to electrical 'phasers.' Vehicle history: rebuilt transmission at 50k miles (different dealership); transmission failed again at 80k miles. No root-cause analysis performed by Chrysler; failed components not requested for investigation.
When: First failure at ~50k miles; second failure at ~80k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: 'Stop Safely' warning with power loss; Check engine light; Limp mode
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission rebuilt at 50k miles; entire transmission rebuilt again at 80k miles. Owner reports Chrysler did not request failed components and did not conduct deep root-cause analysis despite repeated failures.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 03A and TSB 21-008-23 cited. Owner frustrated by lack of investigation and questions if third failure is predictable given pattern.
Software Update Ineffectiveness (Recall 03A)
Recall 03A (software update for transmission wiring connector) completed on multiple vehicles, yet loss-of-power and shutdown issues persist. Software update does not resolve the underlying functional defect; in some cases, it only adds a warning message ('Stop Safely' notification) without preventing power loss.
When: Recall completed Jan–March 2023 on affected units; issues reported weeks to months post-recall completion.
Symptoms owners cite: Post-recall, vehicle still loses power at highway speeds; Check engine light continues; Limp mode still triggered; Only change is addition of warning message (not a functional fix)
Repairs/costs cited: Software update performed per recall protocol. Does not prevent power loss; does not eliminate need for transmission replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 23V-010 (Chrysler 03A) software update issued but does not resolve underlying transmission wiring/electrical fault. TSB 21-008-23 references internal transmission wiring connector; TSB 21-042-24 specifies transmission replacement (not rebuild). Owners report dealerships slow to complete repairs and Chrysler delays parts shipment.
12V Battery Failure Causing Power Loss (Misdiagnosis)
One dealership diagnosed sudden power loss at highway speed as a dead 12V battery (not hybrid battery). Owner disputes that a dead 12V battery should cause sudden loss of acceleration and power while driving, as this is unusual failure mode for 12V system. Dealership provided no written invoice due to cyberattack.
When: Single incident report.
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration at highway speed; No warning before power loss
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnosed and replaced 12V battery; owner skeptical of diagnosis and repair validity. No invoice provided.
PIM (Power Inverter Module) Software Update Ineffectiveness
Dealership updated Power Inverter Module (PIM) software as temporary fix. Vehicle shut down again within 1–2 days on highway. Over 45-day parts wait for replacement PIM; dealership uncertain if replacement will resolve issue.
When: Post-software-update failures within 2 days.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle loss of power; Limp mode / shutdown warning; Gas engine fails to engage (PHEV)
Repairs/costs cited: PIM software update attempted; ineffective. Replacement PIM on order with long lead time and uncertain outcome.
Synthesized from 62 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
I was renting this vehicle. On my way home on the highway, going about 70 mph, the vehicle suddenly illuminated the check engine light. Soon after, an message appeared on the dash warning me that I needed to stop and that the vehicle would shut off soon. I immediately pulled over and turned at the next county road. However, I did not realize until this point that my engine power was now being…
The vehicle lost power while driving on the highway. My wife had to coast off the highway.
While driving on a busy freeway, a warning light appeared: "Stop safely vehicle will soon shut down" Loss of power in such a situation is dangerous. This happened on three separate occasions during the same trip yesterday. It happened once about a month ago and when we brought it to the dealer, they said it was some sort of computer glitch. On each occasion, after pulling off the road and…
When I was on highway, the dash suddenly displayed a notification that asks me to pull over safely because the vehicle would shutdown soon. I had to follow the instruction to pull over on the side of the highway before the vehicle lost propulsion.
This car has lost power train at highway speeds several times almost casing accidents in major interstates intersections with no left shoulder. Chrysler has more than reasonably failed to repair this car transmission 9 times. This car has been in repair for 7 months in 2023 waiting for a new transmission. It has now spent more than 30 accumulative days just this year, and it is now at the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2022 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 2022 Chrysler Pacifica?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 62 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?
Based on the 62 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 48,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2022/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.