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2017+ Pacifica Engine Failure Owner's List
* * ADVISORY * *
06/06/2023
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
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.
81 - 100 of 103 Posts
Thank you for this, Hannah, but three of the four TSBs apply to the Hybrid 3.6L V6 and, at least to my knowledge, that engine has not suffered from the same head gasket and cracked block issues that the ICE version has. The one TSB that does apply to non-hybrids does not address the common P0303 misfire with resultant engine failure issue.To follow up our previous message, here are some relevant TSBs below that may prove useful. We advise you contact your nearest Chrysler dealership to confirm whether these apply to your vehicle. If you have any additional questions, please send us a private message so we can dive into your particular concerns.
Thanks everyone!
Hannah
Chrysler Cares
View attachment 53775 View attachment 53776 View attachment 53777 View attachment 53778
I know it's a big ask, but if you could forward a statement to us from Chrysler's engineering group as to what is causing the blown head gasket problem, it would be most appreciated. Certainly someone there knows what the cause of the problem is by now. Is there anything those of us with engines that have yet to fail can do to prevent it?
To everyone else who has or will have a failed engine, by all means be sure to PM Chrysler Cares with your VIN, odometer reading and details of the failure. Perhaps they will pass along the information to Chrysler corporate. Please also file a report with NTHSA using the link provided after the list of users in post #1 above. In the meantime, please keep reporting your failures on this forum. Feel free to PM me as others have done to have your username added to post #1, or report your engine failure in a different post. I am "Following" all of the threads listed in post #1 so as to get e-mail notification of new reports. New threads will be added to post #1 and I will follow them, as well.
Hannah, I imagine post #1 of this thread will get even more attention as the list of affected users grows and there are even more links to it on Facebook and other social media sites. This kind of public relations can't be good for Chrysler, especially if corporate thinks the problem will go away just by ignoring it. Imagine, however, how Chrysler could turn things around by leveling with everyone about this issue and providing an extended warranty to cover the specific failure.
Best wishes to all!
I have 2017 with 87K miles on it. I haven't received any error code yet, but I do smell coolant in the morning, and bubbling in the coolant reservoir when the car is cold. Do I have a blown head gasket as well?
Not necessarily. Do you mean bubbling in the coolant reservoir after the engine is turned off? If so, it could be the level of your engine coolant is well below the "MIN" mark on the reservoir and air has gotten into the system. Some who have reported smell of coolant have traced the coolant leak to a crack in the plastic oil cooler near the top of the engine under the intake plenum, sometimes caused when a owner or technician overtightens the cap to the oil filter during an oil change. Letting the engine coolant drop too low can result in overheating, and that's when things start sliding downhill.I have 2017 with 87K miles on it. I haven't received any error code yet, but I do smell coolant in the morning, and bubbling in the coolant reservoir when the car is cold. Do I have a blown head gasket as well?
If you need to add coolant, be sure to use only certified coolant as shown on top of the reservoir cap (I think it is MS-12106). Check your owner's manual. It will tell you that using the wrong coolant can cause engine damage. You can't go wrong if you buy genuine Mopar coolant directly from a Chrysler dealer.
In the meantime, I'd suggest you get your Pacifica into a service facility right away to find out what indeed is causing the smell, and to possibly prevent an even bigger issue from developing.
Thank you for posting, and good luck. Please let us know how it goes.
The bubbling in the coolant reservoir only happens when the car is cold in the morning. After the car is warmed it would stop. I will check on the plastic oil cooler and see if there are any cracks. Yes, I have been filling with MS12106. I will schedule a time with the dealer to take a look.Not necessarily. Do you mean bubbling in the coolant reservoir after the engine is turned off? If so, it could be the level of your engine coolant is well below the "MIN" mark on the reservoir and air has gotten into the system. Some who have reported smell of coolant have traced the coolant leak to a crack in the plastic oil cooler near the top of the engine under the intake plenum, sometimes caused when a owner or technician overtightens the cap to the oil filter during an oil change. Letting the engine coolant drop too low can result in overheating, and that's when things start sliding downhill.
If you need to add coolant, be sure to use only certified coolant as shown on top of the reservoir cap (I think it is MS-12106). Check your owner's manual. It will tell you that using the wrong coolant can cause engine damage. You can't go wrong if you buy genuine Mopar coolant directly from a Chrysler dealer.
In the meantime, I'd suggest you get your Pacifica into a service facility right away to find out what indeed is causing the smell, and to possibly prevent an even bigger issue from developing.
Thank you for posting, and good luck. Please let us know how it goes.
New here - was directed to share here from the fb group.
2018 Pacifica with 77,000 miles. Bought used in 2020 and have taken great care of it. No issues... until now.
Took it in for an oil change - right before we did that the Check Engine light came on. Noticed the coolant was near empty. Filled it.
At the oil change, mechanic changed spark plugs and switched coils. Drove it home and thought we were set. A few days later, Check Engine comes on again. I take it to see what code: P0302 cylinder 2 misfire.
Mechanic then puts in a new fuel injector, per Chrysler's suggestion for that code misfire. Our mechanic didn't charge us labor, just parts for that.
Drive it for a week and the check engine light comes back on. I notice the aux battery @! sign comes on occasionally as well. There is shaking on start up and noticed once white exhaust.
I actually just had my brother check our batteries and they are both fine. After he did that, all warning lights are gone. But I am skeptical anything is fixed and if I just drove it more the lights would return. But I don't want to keep driving it if there's a gasket issue!
Our mechanic said we're then looking at the head gasket issue and, unfortunately, it's too big of a job for him to take on due to the logistics of his shop. He did suggest which dealership to call and we got an appt for June 5.
We do not have an extended warranty. We bought it used in 2020. I haven't tried calling Chrysler Cares yet. But I am told to not expect much.
2018 Pacifica with 77,000 miles. Bought used in 2020 and have taken great care of it. No issues... until now.
Took it in for an oil change - right before we did that the Check Engine light came on. Noticed the coolant was near empty. Filled it.
At the oil change, mechanic changed spark plugs and switched coils. Drove it home and thought we were set. A few days later, Check Engine comes on again. I take it to see what code: P0302 cylinder 2 misfire.
Mechanic then puts in a new fuel injector, per Chrysler's suggestion for that code misfire. Our mechanic didn't charge us labor, just parts for that.
Drive it for a week and the check engine light comes back on. I notice the aux battery @! sign comes on occasionally as well. There is shaking on start up and noticed once white exhaust.
I actually just had my brother check our batteries and they are both fine. After he did that, all warning lights are gone. But I am skeptical anything is fixed and if I just drove it more the lights would return. But I don't want to keep driving it if there's a gasket issue!
Our mechanic said we're then looking at the head gasket issue and, unfortunately, it's too big of a job for him to take on due to the logistics of his shop. He did suggest which dealership to call and we got an appt for June 5.
We do not have an extended warranty. We bought it used in 2020. I haven't tried calling Chrysler Cares yet. But I am told to not expect much.
@ChryslerCares Add us to the list. 2018 Limited S 57k miles. Engine temp spike for 10 mins. Goes away after 10 mins on side of road. Find coolant res nearly empty. There have been no further over heat issues after adding about a 1/2 gal of coolant. Next day rough idle on startup that goes away in minutes. Check engine light is on and ESS is disabled. Dealer diagnosed as cyl 4 misfire suggested ignition coil. I opted to do it myself and also changed out plug. #4 plug was visibly worse than the others. Reset lights and car ran fine for 3 days then back to same issues. Mechanic fried suggests fouled or bad injector. Run injector cleaner in next tank of gas. Lights clear themselves after 15 mins of highway driving and stay off for three more days then issues and lights return again. Now have about 2000 miles to go before drivetrain warranty is up.
Hi Bcole.
Welcome to the Forum. As it happens, @ChryslerCares is not the keeper of this thread. That would be me.
But I can't quite add your username to this list since your engine has not been diagnosed with a blown head gasket, cracked block or other failure. While the low coolant level is an indicator, by far most of the failures have been on the right bank of cylinders of 1, 3 and 5; rarely cylinder 4.
Since your Pacifica is still covered by the powertrain warranty, I highly recommend you make an appointment at your dealer of choice as soon as possible. If you want, you can try calling Chrysler Cares 800#, explain what is going on, and ask if they can look up a nearby dealer who has real experience with the issue and can help you. As you probably know, some dealer appointments are weeks out, so keep an eye on the calendar. The warranty is good for 5 years and 60k miles from the vehicle's in-service date.
Thanks for your post and please keep us apprised.
Welcome to the Forum. As it happens, @ChryslerCares is not the keeper of this thread. That would be me.
But I can't quite add your username to this list since your engine has not been diagnosed with a blown head gasket, cracked block or other failure. While the low coolant level is an indicator, by far most of the failures have been on the right bank of cylinders of 1, 3 and 5; rarely cylinder 4.
Since your Pacifica is still covered by the powertrain warranty, I highly recommend you make an appointment at your dealer of choice as soon as possible. If you want, you can try calling Chrysler Cares 800#, explain what is going on, and ask if they can look up a nearby dealer who has real experience with the issue and can help you. As you probably know, some dealer appointments are weeks out, so keep an eye on the calendar. The warranty is good for 5 years and 60k miles from the vehicle's in-service date.
Thanks for your post and please keep us apprised.
Please add me to this list.
2019 Pacifica with 83k miles. Always serviced with Chrysler, and actually just done 1,500 miles ago. While driving, we received an alert for the car getting hot. Pulled over immediately and then had it towed to their shop. Initially told the oil cooler failed, then they performed a leak down test, cylinder 3 at 85%, stating we have a blown head gasket. They further investigated and reported the block was warped too. Recommendation is full motor replacement for a cost of alittle over 15k. No other codes in the computer about any issues. Have a case open with Chrysler customer care, but dont have high hopes.
2019 Pacifica with 83k miles. Always serviced with Chrysler, and actually just done 1,500 miles ago. While driving, we received an alert for the car getting hot. Pulled over immediately and then had it towed to their shop. Initially told the oil cooler failed, then they performed a leak down test, cylinder 3 at 85%, stating we have a blown head gasket. They further investigated and reported the block was warped too. Recommendation is full motor replacement for a cost of alittle over 15k. No other codes in the computer about any issues. Have a case open with Chrysler customer care, but dont have high hopes.
Dang. Is this the first 2019 we have had on here?Please add me to this list.
2019 Pacifica with 83k miles. Always serviced with Chrysler, and actually just done 1,500 miles ago. While driving, we received an alert for the car getting hot. Pulled over immediately and then had it towed to their shop. Initially told the oil cooler failed, then they performed a leak down test, cylinder 3 at 85%, stating we have a blown head gasket. They further investigated and reported the block was warped too. Recommendation is full motor replacement for a cost of alittle over 15k. No other codes in the computer about any issues. Have a case open with Chrysler customer care, but dont have high hopes.
Welcome to the forum, BlueNinja. I have added your username to the list. Yours is #125.Please add me to this list.
2019 Pacifica with 83k miles. Always serviced with Chrysler, and actually just done 1,500 miles ago. While driving, we received an alert for the car getting hot. Pulled over immediately and then had it towed to their shop. Initially told the oil cooler failed, then they performed a leak down test, cylinder 3 at 85%, stating we have a blown head gasket. They further investigated and reported the block was warped too. Recommendation is full motor replacement for a cost of alittle over 15k. No other codes in the computer about any issues. Have a case open with Chrysler customer care, but dont have high hopes.
Just curious. Did they say anything about why the oil cooler failed? Was it cracked?
I’ve asked the same question but they haven’t been able to give me a good valid reason. Same thing with the overall issue. I asked what the main root cause of the car over heating was and the head gasket blowing. Nothing, other than some parts just go bad. Searching for a motor now, hopefully I can find a good price on an oem or remanufactured one.Welcome to the forum, BlueNinja. I have added your username to the list. Yours is #125.
Just curious. Did they say anything about why the oil cooler failed? Was it cracked?
Thanks for the info. Only way we are going to get the real reason is through a subpoena of Chryslers internal documents.I’ve asked the same question but they haven’t been able to give me a good valid reason. Same thing with the overall issue. I asked what the main root cause of the car over heating was and the head gasket blowing. Nothing, other than some parts just go bad. Searching for a motor now, hopefully I can find a good price on an oem or remanufactured one.
The reason I asked was because you stated your Chrysler dealer serviced your Pacifica 1,500 miles ago. Made me wonder if they changed the oil & filter and, if so, if they cracked the oil filter housing by tightening down on the filter cap too much. From my understanding that would cause a small leak of coolant that could go undetected unless one were to open the hood and check the coolant reservoir every few days. Sorry; just thinking out loud here.I’ve asked the same question but they haven’t been able to give me a good valid reason. Same thing with the overall issue. I asked what the main root cause of the car over heating was and the head gasket blowing. Nothing, other than some parts just go bad. Searching for a motor now, hopefully I can find a good price on an oem or remanufactured one.
I know the oil filter housing is top mounted, but even if it’s cracked, where would coolant leak into the motor from? Is there an area coolant runs next to that housing?The reason I asked was because you stated your Chrysler dealer serviced your Pacifica 1,500 miles ago. Made me wonder if they changed the oil & filter and, if so, if they cracked the oil filter housing by tightening down on the filter cap too much. From my understanding that would cause a small leak of coolant that could go undetected unless one were to open the hood and check the coolant reservoir every few days. Sorry; just thinking out loud here.
Others here know the engineering much better than me, but I think the scenario goes like this: an oil change technician torques the oil filter cap on so tight that it cracks the housing connected to the oil cooler; that allows a bit of pressurized coolant to constantly escape the system onto the top of the engine; the engine warms up such that the escaped coolant is basically evaporated, thus no leak is detected; meanwhile, as the Pacifica is being driven day after day, more and more coolant escapes the system such that the coolant reservoir runs dry; eventually there isn't the proper amount of coolant needed to circulate through the engine to keep it at optimum temperature and the engine overheats. Or something like that.I know the oil filter housing is top mounted, but even if it’s cracked, where would coolant leak into the motor from? Is there an area coolant runs next to that housing?
Now that you mention the oil cooler, the service rep initially stated the oil cooler caused the issue, and he stated oil was pouring out of the oil cooler. Maybe its possible that occurred. Now throwing blame on the dealer and proving it will be the difficult part. It’s still at the dealer, I need to get down there and inspect it myself around that area. I’m trying to locate a motor, as I plan to either the swap myself or hopefully have someone I know do it, and hopefully at a decent price, vs what they quoted me.Others here know the engineering much better than me, but I think the scenario goes like this: an oil change technician torques the oil filter cap on so tight that it cracks the housing connected to the oil cooler; that allows a bit of pressurized coolant to constantly escape the system onto the top of the engine; the engine warms up such that the escaped coolant is basically evaporated, thus no leak is detected; meanwhile, as the Pacifica is being driven day after day, more and more coolant escapes the system such that the coolant reservoir runs dry; eventually there isn't the proper amount of coolant needed to circulate through the engine to keep it at optimum temperature and the engine overheats. Or something like that.
I wonder what will become of your old engine. You still own it, so can you trade it in on a new engine? (I honestly have no idea of such matters). If you still have access to the old one, can the old oil cooler be removed and inspected?Now that you mention the oil cooler, the service rep initially stated the oil cooler caused the issue, and he stated oil was pouring out of the oil cooler. Maybe its possible that occurred. Now throwing blame on the dealer and proving it will be the difficult part. It’s still at the dealer, I need to get down there and inspect it myself around that area. I’m trying to locate a motor, as I plan to either the swap myself or hopefully have someone I know do it, and hopefully at a decent price, vs what they quoted me.
Here's the rub... if you had all of your service done at a Chrysler dealer, all of those records should be on the Mopar vehicle history website. Do you also have all of your receipts? Not to get your hopes up, but it seems to me you might have good cause to ask Chrysler via your dealer for a goodwill discount on the new engine and the labor to install it. Failing that, again not to get your hopes up, I wonder if you might have grounds for a small claims case (many states limit the amount to $10k plus expenses and court fees, so you might still be out of pocket).
Finally, if it isn't too much trouble, I wonder if you would file a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). I have a link to do just that near the end of post #1 of this thread, but to save you the hassle, click here.
Good luck and all the best, BlueNinja. Perhaps you can keep us updated with the latest news regarding your case.
1st owner of a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica less than 80k miles with cylinder 1 misfire, check engine light on, blown head gasket. I hope Chrysler will take some ownership with a recall on this if there are this many people having the same issues! So expensive and frustrating!
You're #126.1st owner of a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica less than 80k miles with cylinder 1 misfire, check engine light on, blown head gasket. I hope Chrysler will take some ownership with a recall on this if there are this many people having the same issues! So expensive and frustrating!
According to some it's just a maintenence issue not the obvious manufactuer defect that we know it to be. 🤦♂️ 🤦♂️ 🤦♂️
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