[dawnurb]

This is my first post on this forum. I think the best way to describe my problem is to give a timeline of events.
8/13 leased a 2018 Pacifica Touring L
8/19 car broke down on the freeway on a return trip home from picking up my kids from summer camp, at about 500 miles on vehicle.
8/20 roadside assistance towed vehicle to dealership that we leased the Pacifica from
8/21 Chrysler dealer called to say that it needed a new body valve which was on back order with Chrysler
9/18 (30th day of Pacifica being at the dealership for repairs) I am notified by my service advisor that the vehicle is FIXED and ready to be picked up.
9/18-9/25 I drove the Pacifica short distances, not ready to really trust it yet on the freeway. I noticed some transmission jerks, car smells after being driven for awhile on the outside of car, one day when it was raining I noticed some vapor coming out from under the hood and finally a puddle of fluid on the driveway where my Pacifica was parked. I believe this to be transmission fluid from my research on this forum. It was dripping by the driver's side just inside of the wheelbase.
9/26-Today at 700 miles on the vehicle, I called roadside assistance and had the vehicle towed back up to the dealership. I am waiting to hear what repairs are needed this time.
I do have an open Chrysler cares case. Thanks for any advise.

 

[Lily]

what color was the fluid?

 

[dawnurb]

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Shadow5501]

Have them check it out, but not at all sure you have any problems here. Steam from under the hood on a rainy day is not at all uncommon - the engine is hot, and water turns into vapor... My Pacifica made burning-ish smells when new, especially when you stepped hard on the gas. I assume it was from anti corrosion coatings on the exhaust system. Puddles of condensate (water) are normal from the air conditioner on every car ever made.

 

[Lily]

Thanks for your reply!

Does it look like chocolate milk? I can't tell in the picture but in the crack it looks like chocolate milk which is usually due to bad head gasket. The oil and antifreeze mix and looks like chocolate milk. A blown head gasket could also give you steam from the stuff leaking out onto hot engine parts which would also give you a burning smell as it burns off the hot engine parts engine. Transmission fluid, basically hydraulic fluid, would look red.

 

[dawnurb]

I guess the transmission fluid Chrysler is using in the Pacifica is no longer red in color.

See thread titled "Back to the dealer, again" dated 08-06-2016, 08:11 AM. Website wouldn't allow me to post the link because I'm new to this forum.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Lily]

I guess the transmission fluid Chrysler is using in the Pacifica is no longer red in color.

See thread titled "Back to the dealer, again" dated 08-06-2016, 08:11 AM. Website wouldn't allow me to post the link because I'm new to this forum.

Thanks again for your help.

Interesting.... well keep us updated. If you need any technical stuff I can pull it off the chilton library for you.

 

[dawnurb]

Dealer called to tell me that "yes" it's transmission fluid that is leaking. According to my service advisor at Chrysler the cause of the leak is a porous transmission case and that means the whole transmission needs replacement. The replacement transmission is on back order with no ETA. I updated my Chrysler cares case manager and he is checking to see what is the next step.

 

[Lily]

Dealer called to tell me that "yes" it's transmission fluid that is leaking. According to my service advisor at Chrysler the cause of the leak is a porous transmission case and that means the whole transmission needs replacement. The replacement transmission is on back order with no ETA. I updated my Chrysler cares case manager and he is checking to see what is the next step.

What do you do, drive a loaner while it sits there!?

 

[Waldo]

Dealer called to tell me that "yes" it's transmission fluid that is leaking. According to my service advisor at Chrysler the cause of the leak is a porous transmission case and that means the whole transmission needs replacement. The replacement transmission is on back order with no ETA. I updated my Chrysler cares case manager and he is checking to see what is the next step.

Have you been given a satisfactory loaner?

 

[dawnurb]

The dealer gave me a fun Alfa Romeo Giulia loaner car to drive for 30 days when we were waiting for the body valve to the transmission to be replaced. This time the dealer gave me an Enterprise rental car that really isn't that nice, but yes the dealership has been good so far as providing me with a loaner. I was actually hoping for a loaner Pacifica so I would know what it is like to drive one that is problem free.

 

[Waldo]

The dealer gave me a fun Alfa Romeo Giulia loaner car to drive for 30 days when we were waiting for the body valve to the transmission to be replaced. This time the dealer gave me an Enterprise rental car that really isn't that nice, but yes the dealership has been good so far as providing me with a loaner. I was actually hoping for a loaner Pacifica so I would know what it is like to drive one that is problem free.

I'm jealous about the Giulia! I would love to have one to play with for a month!

 

[dawnurb]

My case has now been assigned to the Chrysler resolution team in Centerline, Michigan. Anyone have any experience dealing with this department? I didn't have any luck today trying to get into a better rental car today. Enterprise rented to me a base model Dodge Journey which doesn't even have a back-up camera not comparable to a working Pacifica at all. Any guesses on how long it takes for the dealer repair shop to receive the new transmission. I am here just waiting for answers.....I just made my third lease payment and only been able to drive the Pacifica for two weeks.

 

[Waldo]

My case has now been assigned to the Chrysler resolution team in Centerline, Michigan. Anyone have any experience dealing with this department? I didn't have any luck today trying to get into a better rental car today. Enterprise rented to me a base model Dodge Journey which doesn't even have a back-up camera not comparable to a working Pacifica at all. Any guesses on how long it takes for the dealer repair shop to receive the new transmission. I am here just waiting for answers.....I just made my third lease payment and only been able to drive the Pacifica for two weeks.

I'd be all over Chrysler to get you a Pacifica to drive. You bought a minivan because you need a minivan. At the least they should get you a Dodge Caravan. The Journey is a much lower level vehicle. It's been out of service too long. Maybe it's time to get some legal advice.

 

[Bond007]

If it’s been three months since you haven’t been able to use that car, it’s high time you check the lemon laws in your state. You may already qualify for that. Use that information for a buyback and ask them to get you into a new vehicle. You supposedly bought a brand new car, dude.

 

[dawnurb]

I have a question, would you be comfortable with your local dealership's service department replacing the transmission on your brand new Pacifica (700 miles) or would you push to get a replacement Pacifica? This is after the dealership already replaced the body valve to the transmission and said the vehicle is all fixed and week later is leaking transmission fluid because the dealer says it has a porous transmission case and needs a full replacement transmission which of course is on back order. Please tell me what you would do? I am at 39 days of the Pacifica being in the repair shop.

 

[bradly1101]

Puddles of condensate (water) are normal from the air conditioner on every car ever made.

Um.

 

[bradly1101]

Are the Canadians (via Italy) intentionally building these like this so they can laugh at Americans? If so, I don't blame them.

 

[dawnurb]

Hi fellow Pacifica owners,

I just wanted to update the forum and let you know that Chrysler did replace my 2018 Pacifica for a 2019. I decided to change the color and went with the luxury white and now a heated steering wheel comes standard on the 2019 touring L trim line, this comes in handy living in Michigan. I want to thank the forum for the help and advise to contact Chrysler cares. I would lease/buy a Chrysler again.

 

[tom8]

Glad chrysler did the right thing. Glad it worked out for you and your happy.