[mikepacificasandiego]

I recently took my 2018 Pacifica Limited with just under 66k miles to dealership for a check engine light code p0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). The car would idle roughly. clearly distinguishable. No other OBDII codes. No overheating or coolant issues. The dealership mechanic diagnosed and determined a blown head gasket and requested to conduct a full engine tear down. I approved and now the dealership is having Mopar inspectors to check engine. Since I bought from a dealership in 2020 as certified pre-owned, it is still under a 7 year or 100k warranty. As anyone had any issues with getting mopar to honor the warranty? The dealership service rep is hinting that mopar sometimes will not and find ways to say the owner has not properly followed the EXACT manufacturers recommended maintenance. For example getting oil changes every 3k miles. I mean with synthetic oils, do you really need them every 3k? Also, it seems the blown head gasket is common for pacificas at such relatively low mileages. Any other owners have similar issues?

 

[CANADAHYBRIDGUY]

I’m assuming they will try the “ maintenance records “ route . Since the van is 5-6 yrs old , depending on its build , there’s a few ways that a head gasket can go . Was the coolant reservoir bottle empty , oil analysis done ?

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

I am not aware that those were down but will ask tomorrow. Last oil change was in April at 59.9k miles with all fluids toped off

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

@ChryslerCares

any feedback appreciated.

 

[M0Par]

This is a known issue. Make sure they don't weasel out of it.

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

This is a known issue. Make sure they don't weasel out of it.

any suggestions? I definitely plan to hold the accountable to honor the fact the van is still under the 100k warranty. Seems a blown head gasket is actually fairly common and has nothing to do with owner neglect, as im sure they will try to suggest.

 

[M0Par]

any suggestions? I definitely plan to hold the accountable to honor the fact the van is still under the 100k warranty. Seems a blown head gasket is actually fairly common and has nothing to do with owner neglect, as im sure they will try to suggest.

Between your own documentation, all the blown head gaskets here that are well documented, and the help of Chrysler Cares you should be good.

If not, then get representation but likely won't come to that. The good news is after it gets fixed you will probably be near bulletproof for the life of the vehicle. Sucks that it happened, however.

What was the mileage when you purchased it?

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

Between your own documentation, all the blown head gaskets here that are well documented, and the help of Chrysler Cares you should be good.

If not, then get representation but likely won't come to that. The good news is after it gets fixed you will probably be near bulletproof for the life of the vehicle. Sucks that it happened, however.

What was the mileage when you purchased it?

mileage at purchase was 36k. Current mileage 65k.
What is process to get Chrysler Cares involved in this issue?

 

[M0Par]

mileage at purchase was 36k. Current mileage 65k.
What is process to get Chrysler Cares involved in this issue?

PM them with VIN and your name. @ ChryslerCares

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

PM them with VIN and your name. @ ChryslerCares

Thanks

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

@ChryslerCares

any feedback appreciated.

@ChryslerCares

 

[M0Par]

Might not want to publicly post it.

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

Thanks

 

[M0Par]

Coincidentally you also should check out the open recalls you have for your vehicle here:

Lookup FCA Vehicle Recalls by VIN | Official Mopar® Site

Search vehicle recall information by VIN or sign in to your Mopar account to see recall information related to your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram vehicle.

www.mopar.com

Look for the Y65 recall

 

[Raquelzinha]

I recently took my 2018 Pacifica Limited with just under 66k miles to dealership for a check engine light code p0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). The car would idle roughly. clearly distinguishable. No other OBDII codes. No overheating or coolant issues. The dealership mechanic diagnosed and determined a blown head gasket and requested to conduct a full engine tear down. I approved and now the dealership is having Mopar inspectors to check engine. Since I bought from a dealership in 2020 as certified pre-owned, it is still under a 7 year or 100k warranty. As anyone had any issues with getting mopar to honor the warranty? The dealership service rep is hinting that mopar sometimes will not and find ways to say the owner has not properly followed the EXACT manufacturers recommended maintenance. For example getting oil changes every 3k miles. I mean with synthetic oils, do you really need them every 3k? Also, it seems the blown head gasket is common for pacificas at such relatively low mileages. Any other owners have similar issues?

I’d love to keep in touch about what happens with you. This happened to me last year and they replaced it under the CPO warranty. Less than 9 months later the same code appeared P0303 and now I need a new engine but they say I drove it in an overheated state and won’t replace it under warranty. I spent months fighting since June 6th. Had my lawyer send a letter in July and again in August. They finally acknowledged in September but haven’t reached out since Sept 15th. I told them I won’t roll over and go away. Deciding between class action, small claims or just paying my lawyer to sue. My dream van has turned into a total nightmare. If you get yours fixed, I’d get rid of it before engine block goes bad and they refuse to fix, but then I feel sorry for the next poor schmuck who buys it…Keep me posted please.

 

[M0Par]

I’d love to keep in touch about what happens with you. This happened to me last year and they replaced it under the CPO warranty. Less than 9 months later the same code appeared P0303 and now I need a new engine but they say I drove it in an overheated state and won’t replace it under warranty. I spent months fighting since June 6th. Had my lawyer send a letter in July and again in August. They finally acknowledged in September but haven’t reached out since Sept 15th. I told them I won’t roll over and go away. Deciding between class action, small claims or just paying my lawyer to sue. My dream van has turned into a total nightmare. If you get yours fixed, I’d get rid of it before engine block goes bad and they refuse to fix, but then I feel sorry for the next poor schmuck who buys it…Keep me posted please.

Wow that is a nightmare! They replaced the head gasket but did they perform an engine tear down and inspect for any other issues?

If not, Chrysler is on the hook. Either performed the job poorly or misdiagnosed the extent of the problem.

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

What those of us who have been following this issue need is an explanation of what is causing all of these engine failures. Does anyone really know?

 

[gmfreak]

What those of us who have been following this issue need is an explanation of what is causing all of these engine failures. Does anyone really know?

It all comes down to Chrysler quality control if you ask me. Seems to be a little shoddy. They need to be issuing a recall or something, but never will. This engine is in a majority of the newish FCA vehicles. It'd be too much for the bean counters to justify. They rather have someone bring a class action suit and pay the fees to fight in court. They don't care. Just look at what people have gone through with GM and some of the issues related to oil burning in brand new vehicles. Instead of fixing the issue they rather fight it.

 

[CANADAHYBRIDGUY]

Indeed if they produce 1 million engines a year and have to replace a few it’s no biggie , all that f this is factored into built cost , etc . So any manufacturer knows a few here and there when your selling 200 thousand cars a month is relatively nothing .

 

[ThisSuckersElectrical]

I recently took my 2018 Pacifica Limited with just under 66k miles to dealership for a check engine light code p0303 (cylinder 3 misfire). The car would idle roughly. clearly distinguishable. No other OBDII codes. No overheating or coolant issues. The dealership mechanic diagnosed and determined a blown head gasket and requested to conduct a full engine tear down. I approved and now the dealership is having Mopar inspectors to check engine. Since I bought from a dealership in 2020 as certified pre-owned, it is still under a 7 year or 100k warranty. As anyone had any issues with getting mopar to honor the warranty? The dealership service rep is hinting that mopar sometimes will not and find ways to say the owner has not properly followed the EXACT manufacturers recommended maintenance. For example getting oil changes every 3k miles. I mean with synthetic oils, do you really need them every 3k? Also, it seems the blown head gasket is common for pacificas at such relatively low mileages. Any other owners have similar issues?

Let's talk about those engine failures in Pacificas?

They wanted close to 5k last year because to really determine if it was the head gasket they wanted to do a tear down. In the end, I finally got that bit covered, but these Pacifica threads talk about people paying at least 3k for that replacement. I’m still awaiting news from Chrysler lawyers...

www.pacificaforums.com