Pacifica and Jeep don’t have the same driveline , so whomever is telling you this has zero knowledge of the product . The Pacifica uses a 6 cyl and a one speed transmission as the Jeep uses a turbo 4 with a 8 spd powertrain that has capability to pick your drive mode , battery size is different , engine management , programming , etc . If it was a transmission issue they would swap out the entire transmission and ship the “ problematic “ one back to corp . Did they scan for codes prior to reflating the software update ? When the powertrain glitch occurred did the engine light come on ? Lots of real facts missing , did they charge the van and see if it runs in electric or ehybrid mode , is the motor constantly running on startup ? You stated that it doesn’t really run , can you expand on what doesn’t really run mean ?
2021 Pacifica plug-in hybrid, total transmission failure, car is not drivable with just 16,000 miles. (03A strikes again)
We have had our Pacifica for 23 months now and in that time, we have enjoyed it. Other than allot of unfortunate interior rattles and the Uconnect being delivered without full functionality (multi users took about a year to get) it has been pretty good, and I probably would have recommended it to anyone considering buying one.
But last Friday (March 17th, 2023) as my wife was on the way home from picking up the kiddo at school the check engine light came on and a message saying "check charging system" popped up right as she got home. I then took it on a test drive around the block and as I was driving it suddenly and totally died with the message of "shift to park to start vehicle". I stopped and was after a few mins of blocking the street able to get it to restart and make it back home. I immediately called the local dealership and scheduled an appointment for the next day Saturday March 18th to have them look at it and do the 03A software update that supposedly fixes loss of motive power. AND THIS IS WHERE IT GETS BAD!
On my way to the dealership service center which is only about 1 mile from my house the van died about 3 or 4 times, so I arrived at service with an appointment for a 30 min software update that turned into much more. I explained to the service advisor what had happened, and he said they would flash the software update and see if this fixed the issue since the recall of 03A addressed loss of motive power problem. IT DIDN’T and I was given the option of picking it up as they wouldn’t be able to do anything till Monday the 20th of March as they are closed on Sunday. I pointed out that it doesn’t really run so they might as well keep it, he agreed and told me I would have an update Tuesday morning. Tuesday comes and goes but I hear nothing so Wednesday I call and get no answer and leave a VM on his extension asking for an update, reminding him I was promised an update on Tuesday but still I hear nothing until today (Thursday now). The update is that they found metal shavings in the transmission and are still working with Chrysler to diagnose the issue. They haven’t ordered any parts yet and have no estimate of how long it will even take to find out what else is wrong and what needs to be ordered. He also told me that the car is dying for them, and they had issues even getting it started after looking at it to get it out of their service center.
Since they don’t have any timeframe of repair I asked about a loaner and was told that they don’t give loaners, but I could call Chrysler and open a case, so I did but now I need to wait 24-48 hours for a call back with approval for a rental car.
At this point I would ABSOLUTELY NOT recommend anyone buy a Pacifica Hybrid. Admittedly I am bitter at this point because Chrysler moves so slow but honestly, I don’t know if I would even trust any stellantis product for my next car purchase. They have a chance to make this right and act quick, the ball is in their court. My guess is they don’t care much about loosing one buyer and nothing will change but time will really tell.
For what it’s worth I have opened a case with NHTSA because honestly, I feel like Chrysler knows about this issue but is trying to band-aid the problem (software update) that clearly DOES NOT fix anything as evidenced by my situation. They need to be held responsible and provide a REAL FIX before someone gets killed. All sales of Hybrid Pacifica’s (both new and used) need to be stopped until this issue is fixed. They obviously are just buying time in releasing software updates why does the NHTSA allow that?
But last Friday (March 17th, 2023) as my wife was on the way home from picking up the kiddo at school the check engine light came on and a message saying "check charging system" popped up right as she got home. I then took it on a test drive around the block and as I was driving it suddenly and totally died with the message of "shift to park to start vehicle". I stopped and was after a few mins of blocking the street able to get it to restart and make it back home. I immediately called the local dealership and scheduled an appointment for the next day Saturday March 18th to have them look at it and do the 03A software update that supposedly fixes loss of motive power. AND THIS IS WHERE IT GETS BAD!
On my way to the dealership service center which is only about 1 mile from my house the van died about 3 or 4 times, so I arrived at service with an appointment for a 30 min software update that turned into much more. I explained to the service advisor what had happened, and he said they would flash the software update and see if this fixed the issue since the recall of 03A addressed loss of motive power problem. IT DIDN’T and I was given the option of picking it up as they wouldn’t be able to do anything till Monday the 20th of March as they are closed on Sunday. I pointed out that it doesn’t really run so they might as well keep it, he agreed and told me I would have an update Tuesday morning. Tuesday comes and goes but I hear nothing so Wednesday I call and get no answer and leave a VM on his extension asking for an update, reminding him I was promised an update on Tuesday but still I hear nothing until today (Thursday now). The update is that they found metal shavings in the transmission and are still working with Chrysler to diagnose the issue. They haven’t ordered any parts yet and have no estimate of how long it will even take to find out what else is wrong and what needs to be ordered. He also told me that the car is dying for them, and they had issues even getting it started after looking at it to get it out of their service center.
Since they don’t have any timeframe of repair I asked about a loaner and was told that they don’t give loaners, but I could call Chrysler and open a case, so I did but now I need to wait 24-48 hours for a call back with approval for a rental car.
At this point I would ABSOLUTELY NOT recommend anyone buy a Pacifica Hybrid. Admittedly I am bitter at this point because Chrysler moves so slow but honestly, I don’t know if I would even trust any stellantis product for my next car purchase. They have a chance to make this right and act quick, the ball is in their court. My guess is they don’t care much about loosing one buyer and nothing will change but time will really tell.
For what it’s worth I have opened a case with NHTSA because honestly, I feel like Chrysler knows about this issue but is trying to band-aid the problem (software update) that clearly DOES NOT fix anything as evidenced by my situation. They need to be held responsible and provide a REAL FIX before someone gets killed. All sales of Hybrid Pacifica’s (both new and used) need to be stopped until this issue is fixed. They obviously are just buying time in releasing software updates why does the NHTSA allow that?
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I will go back and edit original post removing all references to the 4xe, sorry for the confusion. Just what the service guy told me.
Let me know if you have any other questions or if i missed anything else you would like to know. thanks!
All they told me is the transmission has metal shavings in it and will probably need to be replaced but they are still working with Chrysler to identify the cause or causes by doing diagnostics.If it was a transmission issue they would swap out the entire transmission and ship the “ problematic “ one back to corp .
Yes they did, when i dropped it off actually before they even took it in back.Did they scan for codes prior to reflating the software update ?
The check engine light was on already from the first error that my wife got "check charging system" so when I drove it after and it died the light was already on, i am guessing it just created another error code for when they scanned it at the dealer.When the powertrain glitch occurred did the engine light come on ?
The motor doesn't run constantly. If i turn on the heater the motor will start so i probably also have the bad electric heater issue and they are looking into that also. The loss of power was when i was driving in just battery/electric though (unless maybe the gas motor was trying to turn on but it didn't feel like it)Lots of real facts missing , did they charge the van and see if it runs in electric or ehybrid mode , is the motor constantly running on startup ?
quoted from my original post "On my way to the dealership service center which is only about 1 mile from my house the van died about 3 or 4 times. Also they had issues even getting it started after looking at it to get it out of their service center."You stated that it doesn’t really run , can you expand on what doesn’t really run mean ?
Let me know if you have any other questions or if i missed anything else you would like to know. thanks!
Hello,We have had our Pacifica for 23 months now and in that time, we have enjoyed it. Other than allot of unfortunate interior rattles and the Uconnect being delivered without full functionality (multi users took about a year to get) it has been pretty good, and I probably would have recommended it to anyone considering buying one.
But last Friday (March 17th, 2023) as my wife was on the way home from picking up the kiddo at school the check engine light came on and a message saying "check charging system" popped up right as she got home. I then took it on a test drive around the block and as I was driving it suddenly and totally died with the message of "shift to park to start vehicle". I stopped and was after a few mins of blocking the street able to get it to restart and make it back home. I immediately called the local dealership and scheduled an appointment for the next day Saturday March 18th to have them look at it and do the 03A software update that supposedly fixes loss of motive power. AND THIS IS WHERE IT GETS BAD!
On my way to the dealership service center which is only about 1 mile from my house the van died about 3 or 4 times, so I arrived at service with an appointment for a 30 min software update that turned into much more. I explained to the service advisor what had happened, and he said they would flash the software update and see if this fixed the issue since the recall of 03A addressed loss of motive power problem. IT DIDN’T and I was given the option of picking it up as they wouldn’t be able to do anything till Monday the 20th of March as they are closed on Sunday. I pointed out that it doesn’t really run so they might as well keep it, he agreed and told me I would have an update Tuesday morning. Tuesday comes and goes but I hear nothing so Wednesday I call and get no answer and leave a VM on his extension asking for an update, reminding him I was promised an update on Tuesday but still I hear nothing until today (Thursday now). The update is that they found metal shavings in the transmission and are still working with Chrysler to diagnose the issue. They haven’t ordered any parts yet and have no estimate of how long it will even take to find out what else is wrong and what needs to be ordered. He also told me that the car is dying for them, and they had issues even getting it started after looking at it to get it out of their service center.
Since they don’t have any timeframe of repair I asked about a loaner and was told that they don’t give loaners, but I could call Chrysler and open a case, so I did but now I need to wait 24-48 hours for a call back with approval for a rental car.
At this point I would ABSOLUTELY NOT recommend anyone buy a Pacifica Hybrid. Admittedly I am bitter at this point because Chrysler moves so slow but honestly, I don’t know if I would even trust any stellantis product for my next car purchase. They have a chance to make this right and act quick, the ball is in their court. My guess is they don’t care much about loosing one buyer and nothing will change but time will really tell.
For what it’s worth I have opened a case with NHTSA because honestly, I feel like Chrysler knows about this issue but is trying to band-aid the problem (software update) that clearly DOES NOT fix anything as evidenced by my situation. They need to be held responsible and provide a REAL FIX before someone gets killed. All sales of Hybrid Pacifica’s (both new and used) need to be stopped until this issue is fixed. They obviously are just buying time in releasing software updates why does the NHTSA allow that?
Please know our team is on your side and wants to support you to the best of our ability. I’m happy to share your feedback with the appropriate teams regarding how we evaluate these types of concerns in the future. We are sorry to hear about your experience with your vehicle. Should you wish to discuss this matter further with us, please send us a PM.
William
Chrysler Cares
"metal shavings in the transmission" is the techs way of skipping all of the troubleshooting to where they just send a new transmission. Not that doing that is a bad thing, its saving time, but I would imagine they are making new transmissions as fast as they are able.
If my vehicle did this, I would probably pull the transmission and just fix it myself since the root cause of the problems are known.
If my vehicle did this, I would probably pull the transmission and just fix it myself since the root cause of the problems are known.
William, I sent a PM but you responded that you couldn't help me with getting a loaner, so I am here at 6 days with no vehicle and no timeline for getting my vehicle back. I just want my car fixed (actually fixed, not just band-aided) and returned to me ASAP. Maybe this lack of caring and service is normal in the Chrysler world but with other brands I have owned this isn't normal and honestly this whole experience has made me almost 100% sure that my next car will not be a stellantis product. The whole dealer service experience needs to be thrown away and recreated from scratch.Hello,
Please know our team is on your side and wants to support you to the best of our ability. I’m happy to share your feedback with the appropriate teams regarding how we evaluate these types of concerns in the future. We are sorry to hear about your experience with your vehicle. Should you wish to discuss this matter further with us, please send us a PM.
William
Chrysler Cares
So what is the ROOT cause of the problems?"metal shavings in the transmission" is the techs way of skipping all of the troubleshooting to where they just send a new transmission. Not that doing that is a bad thing, its saving time, but I would imagine they are making new transmissions as fast as they are able.
If my vehicle did this, I would probably pull the transmission and just fix it myself since the root cause of the problems are known.
Is it metal in the transmission fluid causing a short in a connector?
Is it a bad connector?
Please share if you know the ROOT cause.
The way it was explained is there is a casting issue with the case which rubs one of the wires inside the transmission which shorts out the wires for one of the resolvers which tells the computer the position and speed of the one motor.
In the latest mailing of 03A recall that I just received in the mail today (march 24th, 2023) they say they need to update the software in this PIM (Power Inverter) as well as possibly the software in the instrument panel (IPC). So that would imply this PIM may have been supplying too much power to the car at certain moments (think power surges) which could short out components of the vehicle such as the transmission. This would explain allot including maybe some of the other electrical components that seem to fail allot in these cars like the electrical heater for example. Maybe?The way it was explained is there is a casting issue with the case which rubs one of the wires inside the transmission which shorts out the wires for one of the resolvers which tells the computer the position and speed of the one motor.
#_# Just wanted to say sorry.. they honestly seem to be here more for "crowd" control than anything. My interactions with Chrysler have been frankly insane.William, I sent a PM but you responded that you couldn't help me with getting a loaner, so I am here at 6 days with no vehicle and no timeline for getting my vehicle back. I just want my car fixed (actually fixed, not just band-aided) and returned to me ASAP. Maybe this lack of caring and service is normal in the Chrysler world but with other brands I have owned this isn't normal and honestly this whole experience has made me almost 100% sure that my next car will not be a stellantis product. The whole dealer service experience needs to be thrown away and recreated from scratch.
I have a ‘22 4xe wrangler and honestly it’s been perfect for me besides a messed up gas cap seal (my fault for over tightening it). But our ‘22 hybrid Pacifica is now going back to the shop in 2 weeks since it did exactly as you described 3 weeks ago. They had it for about a week and supposedly did all the recalls and updates so that it’s fixed. Well, apparently not! Did the exact same thing where my wife was on the same freeway and was in the fast lane passing slower folk when the engine just died and she had to throw on the hazards and pull off onto the emergency lane and wait for me.
It started exactly when I got there which was about the time it took the last time for it to restart. The check engine light stays on but possibly on the 3rd restart it might turn off. I will head to the dealer again and see what happens but it’s not letting me out trust in this vehicle that carry’s my wife and children daily.
It started exactly when I got there which was about the time it took the last time for it to restart. The check engine light stays on but possibly on the 3rd restart it might turn off. I will head to the dealer again and see what happens but it’s not letting me out trust in this vehicle that carry’s my wife and children daily.
Wishing you luck, I still have no update and they have had my car for 9 days now. I will continue posting as I get updates hoping to help you and any others going through the same thing. Hopefully i will have some info soon with at least some sort of timeline. 😥I have a ‘22 4xe wrangler and honestly it’s been perfect for me besides a messed up gas cap seal (my fault for over tightening it). But our ‘22 hybrid Pacifica is now going back to the shop in 2 weeks since it did exactly as you described 3 weeks ago. They had it for about a week and supposedly did all the recalls and updates so that it’s fixed. Well, apparently not! Did the exact same thing where my wife was on the same freeway and was in the fast lane passing slower folk when the engine just died and she had to throw on the hazards and pull off onto the emergency lane and wait for me.
It started exactly when I got there which was about the time it took the last time for it to restart. The check engine light stays on but possibly on the 3rd restart it might turn off. I will head to the dealer again and see what happens but it’s not letting me out trust in this vehicle that carry’s my wife and children daily.
I appreciate it and will do the same. The urgent recall didn’t fix this issue that seems to be the exact same issue again. So it must be either the transmission needs to be replaced or else this might be a repetitive problem and there’s no way I’m going to put my family in a car that keeps breaking down on the freeway and Chrysler can’t figure out what’s wrong with it nor fix it where it doesn’t keep happening.
I am 100% positive the transmission needs to be replaced, my fear and my biggest question is if the replacement parts are updated with some fix or in another 2 years 16,000 miles will I be back in the same place again? I know Chrysler won't tell us that and only time will tell the truth. I hate that they are not open and honest with us as customers that believed in them enough to spend $40-60k on the Pacifica Hybrid, instead they seem more interested in making it look like #ChryslerCares.I appreciate it and will do the same. The urgent recall didn’t fix this issue that seems to be the exact same issue again. So it must be either the transmission needs to be replaced or else this might be a repetitive problem and there’s no way I’m going to put my family in a car that keeps breaking down on the freeway and Chrysler can’t figure out what’s wrong with it nor fix it where it doesn’t keep happening.
The Chrysler Chat Bot strikes again.Hello,
Please know our team is on your side and wants to support you to the best of our ability. I’m happy to share your feedback with the appropriate teams regarding how we evaluate these types of concerns in the future. We are sorry to hear about your experience with your vehicle. Should you wish to discuss this matter further with us, please send us a PM.
William
Chrysler Cares
Haha, I am pretty sure it is a real human using the copy and paste function and not a bot. Though with the recent advances in Ai, I would guess they will soon be replaced.The Chrysler Chat Bot strikes again.
Must be a pretty boring job. I hope they don’t get paid more than minimum wage to type that dribbleHaha, I am pretty sure it is a real human using the copy and paste function and not a bot. Though with the recent advances in Ai, I would guess they will soon be replaced.
Is the general consensus to wait on taking it in for 03A fix or take it in? Do we think they have identified the real issue and have a real fix?
I’ll just say my experience is take it in. After the fix, the car gave you a few seconds of warning before it shut the engine off and made you coast to a stop. Better than no warning but it was a slight warning. It also drove better afterwards like normal after you shut it down and wait 10-15 minutes to start it again. The check engine light remained on but it drove like normal, whereas before it was just acting strange and turning and using the engine for no reason when I had electric battery remaining.Is the general consensus to wait on taking it in for 03A fix or take it in? Do we think they have identified the real issue and have a real fix?
Mine has now been in the shop since Monday and I haven’t heard anything yet. But this happened less than 2 weeks after the “fix”.
Thank you for sharing this feedback with us, as it is important. Do you currently have an open case with our Customer Care Team? If not, please send us a PM, we'd be happy to get a Specialist to stay engage with you further on this.I’ll just say my experience is take it in. After the fix, the car gave you a few seconds of warning before it shut the engine off and made you coast to a stop. Better than no warning but it was a slight warning. It also drove better afterwards like normal after you shut it down and wait 10-15 minutes to start it again. The check engine light remained on but it drove like normal, whereas before it was just acting strange and turning and using the engine for no reason when I had electric battery remaining.
Mine has now been in the shop since Monday and I haven’t heard anything yet. But this happened less than 2 weeks after the “fix”.
William
Chrysler Cares
1 - 20 of 132 Posts
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