2021 Chrysler Pacifica vs 2021 Toyota Highlander
Reliability comparison based on NHTSA recall and complaint records.
2021 Chrysler Pacifica
2021 Toyota Highlander
Stories from the shop
Buyers cross-shop the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2021 Toyota Highlander but they're solving slightly different problems. The reliability data tells you what breaks on each one. The right pick depends on which set of trade-offs fits your actual driving more than which score is higher.
If you lean 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, know what you're getting into on electrical and engine. Those categories have noticeably more complaints than the 2021 Toyota Highlander sees, and they're not cheap items when they go.
Going with the 2021 Toyota Highlander? Watch the powertrain and brakes. The 2021 Chrysler Pacifica has fewer reports in those categories, so you'd be trading one set of weak spots for another.
Bottom line: pick based on use case more than the spec sheet. If you tow heavy and don't want to think about it, that's one calculation. If you're a daily driver and want the cheapest path forward, that's another. Both of these will get you down the road. We're just telling you where each one is most likely to break.
Side-by-side by problem area
Common questions
Which is more reliable, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica or the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
It's close to a tie. Both vehicles score within 0.2 points on our reliability index (3.6 vs 3.5). At this margin, either choice is defensible — base your decision on the specific failure modes that matter to you.
What goes wrong more often on the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica?
Compared to the 2021 Toyota Highlander, the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica sees more reported issues in electrical and engine. That doesn't mean it's a bad truck — it means those are the categories worth budgeting for if you go that direction.
What goes wrong more often on the 2021 Toyota Highlander?
Compared to the 2021 Chrysler Pacifica, the 2021 Toyota Highlander has more complaints in powertrain and brakes. Whether that's a deal-breaker depends on the cost and severity — see the comparison table above for repair cost ranges.
Which has more recalls?
Both vehicles have 0 active recalls. Total recall count alone isn't a great signal — what matters is severity. See the recall counts by severity in the comparison table.
Is an extended warranty worth it on either of these?
Both vehicles are out of factory bumper-to-bumper coverage at this point. Combined repair exposure across the top problem categories runs around $11,550 on the higher-risk vehicle. A quality service contract typically costs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years, so a single major failure usually pays for the contract. The math favors warranty coverage on whichever vehicle you choose, especially if you plan to keep it past 100,000 miles.