2017+ Pacifica Engine Failure Owner's List

8763 Views 102 Replies 33 Participants Last post by PacificaMinivanFan, 2 d ago

PacificaMinivanFan

* * ADVISORY * *
06/06/2023

* CHECK THE LEVEL OF YOUR PACIFICA'S ENGINE COOLANT OFTEN! TOP OFF WITH MOPAR MS-12106 COOLANT. * *

* If changing your own oil, do not tighten the oil filter cap beyond 25 nm (18.4 pound-feet) of force per the stamp on top of the oil filter cap. * *

Hi Everyone.

On January 19, 2022 I created a post entitled "Let's talk about those few engine failures in Pacificas." On October 26, 2022 I edited the title of the post to remove the word "few."

What follows is a list of users on just this forum who have reported failed head gaskets leading to loss of coolant and, in some cases, the necessary replacement of engines. As of this ~~original~~ posting, the count is 57 126. There are similar horror stories in different groups on Facebook. Most failures occurred after the 5-year/60,000 Chrysler powertrain warranty expired, often just after the warranty expired.
2017Browns
2017cassie
abegottlieb
achoksi
AJW
AmyLynn
AndrewS
Anne Chapmann
Anthony B
Apix
apnar
April423
ashishsmith
BlueNinja
blutooth
bmcdaniel
BNBott
Bradaclarke
brendenreed1
Brillokc
Bryan5145
btigner12
C Jkson
C-Daddy
califpacifica
Candleholder
carrdoor
celticcharisma
Cj18
Conner Lynch
Cpowell71
dadbod
dcloes
ddrewitz
DJLisso
DMD
eronc
Famof4
garik
Gerhart
gmfreak
GmnBrian
jacobhubson
jasontripp1975
jeremu
jimbodude44
JimO
jmorg111
johncweymouth1
jolsbean13
JPRATT 62
Jrr1901
jsandgren10
juancarguhernan
katiepuhr
Kimberly P
KimCoulter
king4trav
KS05
KYTeacher
Kuds18
laspic
lcmrc
Legroom1611
liknepp
lineback79
Lipster
LisaC
Lynn Hyatt
lynnP27
MarkMM
Mark_R
masteron
Matthew Westra
Meeks306
MerZukerborg
MicheleMoore514
mikepacificasandiego
MLiliana
mm574
Momtaxi
mp77
mpm808
mrshakenbake
munchers65
ncmitchell7
ngandhi
Nossa
NWChryslerDad
omg3kids
Otterk
Pacifica Brian
pacificalife2022
pacificat
PACS
Peabody
Pbio1
Pthora
Queen.Bee.Ros
Raquelzinha
reyaom
Rliss
Robby rob
Rrevans
rrjnmeyer
Ryankaufmann
SAKMAN
Sea_of_Tranquility
sethmeisterg
showtm490
sj1469
Speedy-SRT
spmatus
Steve Poff
svuki
teji.catia
Tjhawk
troopertim
Tpuig83
uscuba2
UTheMan218
vdubpower
Wesg1989
Whatyamacallme02
Zalagator
Z-Fam

If you happen to come across this post and see your user name on the above list, please file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) if you have not already done so by clicking here. An engine that overheats and becomes inoperable is indeed a safety defect, especially in a vehicle advertised for families with kids.

Hopefully your report, along with the numerous reports of others, will induce the agency to investigate this issue thoroughly and put their pressure on Chrysler to issue a recall or provide an extended warranty to make fixes for free with no deductible or diagnostic fees, and provide reimbursement to all who have had to pay out of pocket for repairs.

@ChryslerCares, feel free to pass this to upper management with the note, "It appears this issue is getting worse by the day and is not going to go away unless we do something meaningful."

Related threads:
Subforum "Chrysler Pacifica News":
Blown head gasket
Chrysler Really Doesn't Care - blown head gasket 58k miles
Blown Motor 2017 6100k

Subforum "New Member Introductions":
2018 Pacifica Limited 65,500 miles Engine block crack. What type new motor should I get?
2017 Pacifica Head Gasket
2018-pacifica-engine-failure-at-77-000-miles

Subforum "2017+ Chrysler Pacifica Minivan General Discussion"
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Cylinder 3 Misfire p303 Error Code
3rd Blown Head Gasket and now a warped cylinder head
Blown head gasket at 50K miles?
Warped Engine Block?!
2018 Pacifica engine issues
2017 Pacifica Cylinder Misfire and Coolant leak
misfire detected - cylinder
Class Action Suit for Motor Replacement
2017 New Engine Needed
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Touring - Gas Car 68K Mileage - Engine Failure
Polling those with Pacifica engine failure
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Head Gasket
P305 Misfire
What Hidden Features Have Discovered In Your Pacifica

Subforum "2017+ Pacifica PHEV Hybrid Batteries and Charging":
Ziegler Hybrid Warranty Coverage (this post refers to gas version)

Subforum "Chrysler Pacifica Minivan Issues and Problems":
At 70,000 miles Dealer says new engine
Coolant leaking into cylinders
2018 Blown Head Gasket
Cylinder Misfire Problem (P0305) Suggestions and More Disappointment from Dealership/Chrysler
Rough Idle and Misfire P0303 After Recall Software Update
2017 Pacifica Misfire P0306
New engine recommended at 52k miles = $13k repair
Cylinder-misfire-p0304-aCylinder Misfire (PC0304) and Coolant Reservoir nearly empty
2017 with 45,000 has sludge in engine extended warranty won't cover it
Premature engine failure
2017 Pacifica Head Gasket
Blown head gasket at 68k miles. $4000 repair. Avoid these vans!
Think That I Am Looking At Coolant Concern
Oil Analysis To Help Understand Head Gasket/Engine Failure Issue

Subforum "Engine and Technical Discussion":
Let's talk about those engine failures in Pacificas?
Any Reported 2019+ Head Gasket Issues?
Am I going to be another engine statistic?
Engine/Head Gask
Low Coolant Level....
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Cylinder 6 Misfire
Videos about having to add engine coolant to Pacificas

Subforum "Chrysler Pacifica Minivan Recalls":
So over the start/stop feature! Broke again!

Note: @PacificaMinivanFan is "Following" each of the above threads and is notified via site alert and e-mail when someone adds another post.

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peterweb

· #2 · 7 mo ago

Excellent detective work and synopsis.

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M0Par

· #3 · 7 mo ago

Time for a Class Action?

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CANADAHYBRIDGUY

· #4 · 7 mo ago

M0Par said:
Time for a Class Action?

You do realize that class action lawsuits can take years and years for remedy , too funny . Composing a list of a handful of names is lacklustre at best. Two million engines produced with a .001% rate of failure isn’t merit for a judge to certify , there’s specifics criteria that must be met or proven for this . Erroneous thread at best, just saying .

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M0Par

· #5 · 7 mo ago

CANADAHYBRIDGUY said:
You do realize that class action lawsuits can take years and years for remedy , too funny . Composing a list of a handful of names is lacklustre at best. Two million engines produced with a .001% rate of failure isn’t merit for a judge to certify , there’s specifics criteria that must be met or proven for this . Erroneous thread at best, just saying .

It's a known issue since the Pentastar engine was first released and it's never been fixed. Something needs to be done. What do you suggest?

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PacificaMinivanFan

Discussion Starter · #6 · 7 mo ago

OP here. To all who are experiencing this issue, if your user name is not on the list above and you would like it to be, feel free to PM me or post a reply at the bottom of this thread and I will add it. Thanks!

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Werd

· #7 · 7 mo ago

PacificaMinivanFan said:
OP here. To all who are experiencing this issue, if your user name is not on the list above and you would like it to be, feel free to PM me or post a reply at the bottom of this thread and I will add it. Thanks!

Can people also post their model year? I am curious if any 2019s have been reported yet. Also would like to know if anyone with the towing package has the issue since that has a beefier radiator and may help.

@CANADAHYBRIDGUY you have constantly been negative about this whole thing. Yes this forum represents a fraction of owners but a sizeable percentage of this fraction are having the same issue. Something needs to be done.

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blutooth

· #8 · 7 mo ago

Please add me to the list.

2017 Pacifica Touring 87,500 miles
Cylinder 3 misfire
replaced engine with salvaged engine with 30,000mi after waiting 3 months for a rebuilt.

Product Automotive tire Auto part Composite material Font

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blutooth

· #9 · 7 mo ago

As a follow up to my earlier post it looks like Chrysler is starting to realize there is a problem. I just got this email today - pretty strange to list oil change, transmission check (known recall) and spark plugs.

I’ve never had a car manufacturer tell me that they need to check plugs - that’s a big deal on this vehicle with the removal of the whole intake manifold to check 2,4,6. My guess is they are going to start scoping for damage since many of these vehicles will run for a while with the issue already happening - my vehicle was running when those pictures were taken.

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M0Par

· #10 · 7 mo ago

blutooth said:
As a follow up to my earlier post it looks like Chrysler is starting to realize there is a problem. I just got this email today - pretty strange to list oil change, transmission check (known recall) and spark plugs.

I’ve never had a car manufacturer tell me that they need to check plugs - that’s a big deal on this vehicle with the removal of the whole intake manifold to check 2,4,6. My guess is they are going to start scoping for damage since many of these vehicles will run for a while with the issue already happening - my vehicle was running when those pictures were taken.

Looks very routine. Wouldn't read anything into this.

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blutooth

· #11 · 7 mo ago

M0Par said:
Looks very routine. Wouldn't read anything into this.

Looks routine by design, but it’s not routine. According to my maintenance manual there is never mention of transmission inspection at any mileage. And the spark plugs are to be replaced at 160,000 mi only - to be close to that with a 2017 I would need 32,000 miles per year. How many people are putting that kind of mileage on their Pacifica? No need for any inspection nor any yearly requirement. The trans and spark plugs are basically non-maintenance parts in most modern vehicles. Chrysler is definitely trying to assess the scope of the issue.

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PacificaMinivanFan

Discussion Starter · #12 · 7 mo ago

blutooth said:
Looks routine by design, but it’s not routine. According to my maintenance manual there is never mention of transmission inspection at any mileage. And the spark plugs are to be replaced at 160,000 mi only - to be close to that with a 2017 I would need 32,000 miles per year. How many people are putting that kind of mileage on their Pacifica? No need for any inspection nor any yearly requirement. The trans and spark plugs are basically non-maintenance parts in most modern vehicles. Chrysler is definitely trying to assess the scope of the issue.

To clarify, the 160,000 number mentioned above is actually kilometers, which translates to 100,000 miles per the Recommended Maintenance Intervals in the Chrysler Pacifica Owner's Manual.

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Revo39564

· #13 · 7 mo ago

I had a number three cylinder misfire and they replaced a spark plug and coil at 60,000 miles ….. light came on again about 3,000 miles later. They replaced some of the lifters and the light has remained off for 6,000 miles sweating bullets because the warranty expires in 2000 miles …… I have had so many things wrong with this van.

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wacoodude

· #14 · 6 mo ago

blutooth said:
As a follow up to my earlier post it looks like Chrysler is starting to realize there is a problem. I just got this email today - pretty strange to list oil change, transmission check (known recall) and spark plugs.

I’ve never had a car manufacturer tell me that they need to check plugs - that’s a big deal on this vehicle with the removal of the whole intake manifold to check 2,4,6. My guess is they are going to start scoping for damage since many of these vehicles will run for a while with the issue already happening - my vehicle was running when those pictures were taken.

Are you at 100k miles?

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blutooth

· #15 · 6 mo ago

wacoodude said:
Are you at 100k miles?

No 86,000 miles

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Werd

· #16 · 6 mo ago

So if anyone is willing, can we see if this is related to Mexico vs. US engine manufacturing? If you pull up your window sticker, on the bottom right it shows engine country of origin and it will either be MEXICO or UNITED STATES. Just curious if this is specific to a certain plant or not.

To look up your window sticker, just place your VIN after the =(no spaces) in this url: https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=

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PacificaMinivanFan

Discussion Starter · #17 · 6 mo ago

Werd said:
So if anyone is willing, can we see if this is related to Mexico vs. US engine manufacturing? If you pull up your window sticker, on the bottom right it shows engine country of origin and it will either be MEXICO or UNITED STATES. Just curious if this is specific to a certain plant or not.

To look up your window sticker, just place your VIN after the =(no spaces) in this url: https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=

Werd, thank you for this. I've been wondering out loud on this forum about the same thing. Was right in front of my nose the entire time!

Per the window stickers, the engines in both of our Pacificas ('18 & '21) were imported from Mexico. So far, so good; but the '18 only has 47k miles.

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PacificaMinivanFan

Discussion Starter · #18 · 6 mo ago (Edited)

Werd said:
So if anyone is willing, can we see if this is related to Mexico vs. US engine manufacturing? If you pull up your window sticker, on the bottom right it shows engine country of origin and it will either be MEXICO or UNITED STATES. Just curious if this is specific to a certain plant or not.

To look up your window sticker, just place your VIN after the =(no spaces) in this url: https://www.chrysler.com/hostd/windowsticker/getWindowStickerPdf.do?vin=

I'll PM and ask each of the users in the affected list (post #1) and report the results, very likely not getting replies from most until sometime after the Holidays.

Edit: After first consulting with the forum moderator, I decided to create a separate thread for people to respond instead of sending them private messages:
Polling those with Pacifica engine failure

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Soccermom23

· #19 · 4 mo ago

Wow this is kinds scary. One of the things that we are experiencing with our pacifica is that my husband says frequently he smells anti-freeze. He has also had to add some but he says the amount he has added is very little. I think the last he mentioned it he said he has added less than a gallon over the last year. Thats actually all he has added since we bought it new in 2019, but he says he has never identified where it is leaking but still smells it sometimes. Hope we aren't going to be added to this list.

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DoninDel

· #20 · 4 mo ago

After car has been driven, open the oil cap and look in - if the oil is a light brown froth, the head gasket has blown.

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