[PacificaMinivanFan]

So just got off the phone with Chrysler they can’t do nothing to help since I’m the 2nd owner and the year of the car and mileage will never buy Chrysler again @ChryslerCares

Sorry to hear this about Chrysler not helping, Fvega84, but I'm afraid their response towards second owners is pretty standard across the industry. I imagine this is the risk a second owner takes. This is especially true if an extended warranty isn't purchased.

 

[Fvega84]

@ChryslerCares has lost a customer poor customer service for a product that fails

 

[gmfreak]

I've tried contacting @ChryslerCares for this issue and I have not heard anything back. I feel like I'm being ghosted.

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

I've tried contacting @ChryslerCares for this issue and I have not heard anything back. I feel like I'm being ghosted.

I sent them a PM with VIN and my issue. They responded within 2-3 days.

 

[Jaguar4d]

I sent them a PM with VIN and my issue. They responded within 2-3 days.

I am also patiently waiting. which is fine. I appreciate any help.

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

My service rep got back to me this afternoon. Chrysler is honoring warranty for failed head gasket. They are shipping a new engine from MI to San Diego, eta 14 Nov. Relieved this is covered under warranty, as vehicle is only 66k miles and I had the extended warranty to 100k miles. Still disappointed a head gasket would fail at such low mileage and Ive been eating a rental car cost and will be for another few weeks. Hoping they can get a new engine installed sooner than later.

 

[M0Par]

My service rep got back to me this afternoon. Chrysler is honoring warranty for failed head gasket. They are shipping a new engine from MI to San Diego, eta 14 Nov. Relieved this is covered under warranty, as vehicle is only 66k miles and I had the extended warranty to 100k miles. Still disappointed a head gasket would fail at such low mileage and Ive been eating a rental car cost and will be for another few weeks. Hoping they can get a new engine installed sooner than later.

Awesome news! Do you know how they arrived at this determination?
Any idea if it was covered under the basic or extended warranty?

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

I do not know what they arrived at this determination. I asked for documentation and plan to go to dealership tomorrow to get anything in writing. I can only assume they determined the gasket failure was 1) due to some defect and 2) it was not caused by owner failing to properly maintain and service the vehicle. And I am covered under the extended since I currently over 60k miles.
I would def like to see some detailed report on their determination and will ask tomorrow.

 

[gmfreak]

So they're opting to replace the whole engine versus just the gasket?

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

Yes. This is why I would like to see a detailed report and determination. I do know chatting with the actual mechanic working on my van, he said his recommendation would be a whole new engine based on sludge in engine. I do remember him saying he took measurements of cylinder 3 and nothing was out of specs but again I did not see any report. Only conclusion I have is due to gasket failure, coolant entered engine causing enough sludge that it warrants a new engine vice cleaning out the sludge and replacing gasket.

 

[gmfreak]

Yes. This is why I would like to see a detailed report and determination. I do know chatting with the actual mechanic working on my van, he said his recommendation would be a whole new engine based on sludge in engine. I do remember him saying he took measurements of cylinder 3 and nothing was out of specs but again I did not see any report. Only conclusion I have is due to gasket failure, coolant entered engine causing enough sludge that it warrants a new engine vice cleaning out the sludge and replacing gasket.

That scares me. I've been searching for a head gasket kit for mine now and can't find any anywhere anyway, so it's probably best they are just replacing the engine. It's back ordered through the dealer and anywhere I can think of checking. So far my oil is looking ok, but I know I have a failing head gasket that's just a ticking time bomb and I can't get anywhere.

 

[bickleinny]

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?

My 2018 Pacifica Limited manual says recommended oil changes are every 10k miles (not 3k) with synthetic oil required. So that is not an issue. It would have been good to get someone to approve reimbursing the repair costs in advance before doing a full engine tear down, lesson learned. Good luck!

 

[Headaches]

I am curious as to whom (FCA mechanic, dealer, FCA corp, etc...)insinuated that you need to change the Synthetic Oil every 3k?

The owners Manual clearly states change oil every 10k, 12 months, or when the oil change indicator, indicates oil change needed, under normal use conditions.

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

I am curious as to whom (FCA mechanic, dealer, FCA corp, etc...)insinuated that you need to change the Synthetic Oil every 3k?

The owners Manual clearly states change oil every 10k, 12 months, or when the oil change indicator, indicates oil change needed, under normal use conditions.

My vehicle is still under warranty and Chrysler/MOPAR is picking up the cost for the tear down and new engine. I was told this Tuesday all this news and told it will take until 14 Nov to get a new engine.
I am still waiting to see any documentation from the inspector and what goes into their process. Maybe I was spooked by my service advisor and mechanic saying that sometimes Mopar will find you did not properly maintain the vehicle. But the owners manual def says if using synthetic oil you can go up to 10k miles between oil changes. So with documentation showing changes every 6-8k miles it turned out to not be an issue.

 

[tjharison]

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.

On my 2017 Pacifica, I had a cylinder 1 misfire. when i took it to the "tire place" they wanted to change me 2000 dollars. I took it to my mechanic it cost me 300 dollars. the different between the two is.. one they wanted to fix anything that was related to the code. the other they replaced the simplest thing to fix. start with the spark plug and then the coil, I think?

 

[ChryslerCares]

@ChryslerCares has lost a customer poor customer service for a product that fails

That scares me. I've been searching for a head gasket kit for mine now and can't find any anywhere anyway, so it's probably best they are just replacing the engine. It's back ordered through the dealer and anywhere I can think of checking. So far my oil is looking ok, but I know I have a failing head gasket that's just a ticking time bomb and I can't get anywhere.

My vehicle is still under warranty and Chrysler/MOPAR is picking up the cost for the tear down and new engine. I was told this Tuesday all this news and told it will take until 14 Nov to get a new engine.
I am still waiting to see any documentation from the inspector and what goes into their process. Maybe I was spooked by my service advisor and mechanic saying that sometimes Mopar will find you did not properly maintain the vehicle. But the owners manual def says if using synthetic oil you can go up to 10k miles between oil changes. So with documentation showing changes every 6-8k miles it turned out to not be an issue.

On my 2017 Pacifica, I had a cylinder 1 misfire. when i took it to the "tire place" they wanted to change me 2000 dollars. I took it to my mechanic it cost me 300 dollars. the different between the two is.. one they wanted to fix anything that was related to the code. the other they replaced the simplest thing to fix. start with the spark plug and then the coil, I think?

Hello!

We hear you and your frustrations. Please know we are here to help and would love to continue our conversation to those who have reached out. For those who have yet to please send us a private message with your VIN to get started.

Hannah
Chrysler Cares

 

[mikepacificasandiego]

My saga is coming to an end. After 6 weeks and 3 days I finally received my vehicle back with a new engine. Waiting to hear back from @ChryslerCares if the 5 weeks I needed a rental car will be covered. I hope whatever defect with engine to create the head gasket to fail at 66k miles and leak coolant is not in this new engine. Time will tell... The vehicle is still under warranty to 100k miles.

 

[M0Par]

My saga is coming to an end. After 6 weeks and 3 days I finally received my vehicle back with a new engine. Waiting to hear back from @ChryslerCares if the 5 weeks I needed a rental car will be covered. I hope whatever defect with engine to create the head gasket to fail at 66k miles and leak coolant is not in this new engine. Time will tell... The vehicle is still under warranty to 100k miles.

Congrats on the new engine. Hopefully they do the right thing and warranty it for the full warranty that a brand new engine would receive since this was a replacement.

 

[gmfreak]

My saga is coming to an end. After 6 weeks and 3 days I finally received my vehicle back with a new engine. Waiting to hear back from @ChryslerCares if the 5 weeks I needed a rental car will be covered. I hope whatever defect with engine to create the head gasket to fail at 66k miles and leak coolant is not in this new engine. Time will tell... The vehicle is still under warranty to 100k miles.

I'm hoping my saga isn't that long. I'm hoping I won't need a rental car for that long. There's no way I could swing that.

 

[ChryslerCares]

My saga is coming to an end. After 6 weeks and 3 days I finally received my vehicle back with a new engine. Waiting to hear back from @ChryslerCares if the 5 weeks I needed a rental car will be covered. I hope whatever defect with engine to create the head gasket to fail at 66k miles and leak coolant is not in this new engine. Time will tell... The vehicle is still under warranty to 100k miles.

Hi! Yes, our team has responded to your inquiry via private message and are eager to continue our exchange there. Thank you!

Hannah
Chrysler Cares