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2021 Pacifica plug-in hybrid, total transmission failure, car is not drivable with just 16,000 miles. (03A strikes again)

9125 Views 134 Replies 28 Participants Last post by  woofitude
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?
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Other than getting your transmission replaced the best thing you can do is report the issue here:

Report a Vehicle Safety Problem, Equipment Issue | NHTSA
I have zero faith in the ability of this vehicle to be street worthy nor have any of the dealers near me have the competency to replace the freaking transmission on a car with less than 10k miles on it, just nonsense. I want my money back.
Does this seem safe to anyone? My 2022 Chrysler Pacfica Hybrid still suffers from loss of power, after a 3 month stay at the dealer and software update. I am furious and fear for my own and my family's safty. Video link below

One of two Loss of power events today!
Go to the dealer. Report it. Mine just had its transmission replaced because of two failures only 2 weeks apart.
Just to update this thread. I had 2 episodes of loss of motive power, one of which was post-recall. My transmission was replaced and the vehicle was picked up today. Total wait time after the second service dropoff was a couple of weeks. Make sure you have the tech open the star case. This was the necessary step to get the transmission approved by Chrysler. Hope they put it in correctly and that they solved the problem with these things.
Agreed. Did the same thing. Just picked it up today with 34 days since I dropped it off. With $1,340 covered by them for the rental they loaned me the whole time and they said it was over $10,000 for the new transmission with install. I would never keep this car out of warranty. That’s why I leased it.
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Agreed. Did the same thing. Just picked it up today with 34 days since I dropped it off. With $1,340 covered by them for the rental they loaned me the whole time and they said it was over $10,000 for the new transmission with install. I would never keep this car out of warranty. That’s why I leased it.
I bought it! lol Thing is, they had ours for 3 months already. And so they are putting my family and myself in harm's way. This is very dangerous. I don't want anything to do with this van or company. Hopefully, I get a call back next week from Chrysler, the complaint and case # are generated.
I bought it! lol Thing is, they had ours for 3 months already. And so they are putting my family and myself in harm's way. This is very dangerous. I don't want anything to do with this van or company. Hopefully, I get a call back next week from Chrysler, the complaint and case # are generated.
Wow and I thought them having my wife's Pacifica for the last 6 weeks (as of yesterday) was bad, that is nothing compared to the 3 months you haven't had your van. I hope you were able to get a loaner from your dealership unlike me. It has really gotten inconvenient at this point and is affecting life, we only have one car now to get to work, kid to school, and run errands and the past 6 weeks has been miserable trying to find a time I can use the car to do anything. But hey ChryslerCares, right?
Here is an update: I am now at six and a half weeks with no van or loaner and the replacement transmission keeps getting delayed (3 times now), so I today called up Chrysler with my case that I opened 6 weeks ago and asked for a buy back before I get a lawyer and force them to buy it back. They said I will have an update by Friday so we will see where this goes but I don't feel safe in this vehicle even once it is repaired, if that ever actually happens and i am moving on to another vehicle.

Maybe I just got the unlucky 1 in 100 but I bought this vehicle to have safe and reliable transportation for the family and it is neither. I don't know what will replace it but it will not be an FCA/Stellantis product.

I will update this thread as soon as I have more info and I am wishing everyone else going through what I am going through the best of luck with your repairs regardless if you decide to keep it or get rid of it. 👍

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my rants and even try to help out, it is appreciated.
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Here is an update: I am now at six and a half weeks with no van or loaner and the replacement transmission keeps getting delayed (3 times now), so I today called up Chrysler with my case that I opened 6 weeks ago and asked for a buy back before I get a lawyer and force them to buy it back. They said I will have an update by Friday so we will see where this goes but I don't feel safe in this vehicle even once it is repaired, if that ever actually happens and i am moving on to another vehicle.

Maybe I just got the unlucky 1 in 100 but I bought this vehicle to have safe and reliable transportation for the family and it is neither. I don't know what will replace it but it will not be an FCA/Stellantis product.

I will update this thread as soon as I have more info and I am wishing everyone else going through what I am going through the best of luck with your repairs regardless if you decide to keep it or get rid of it. 👍

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read my rants and even try to help out, it is appreciated.
Were you able to get in contact with your case manager? I haven't had contact with mine for 2 weeks after multiple attempts to get in touch with her. I may have to consider a similar option as it's been over a month for me and the dealer hasn't even decided on what to do with the van.

Chrysler Cares won't even answer my question on whether I have a star case.
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Were you able to get in contact with your case manager? I haven't had contact with mine for 2 weeks after multiple attempts to get in touch with her. I may have to consider a similar option as it's been over a month for me and the dealer hasn't even decided on what to do with the van.

Chrysler Cares won't even answer my question on whether I have a star case.
This is literally the same run around they gave me. I guess that makes sense to buy time for them.

To answer your question, I was never able to get a call back from my original case manager that was assigned to me and I too left multiple vms. Then just today I had my "new case manager" call me but I didn't answer so I called back and he didn't answer. I then waited a few hours and called back and asked to wait on hold for him and got in contact with him after a 5 min hold.

Chrysler Cares was no help to me either, I asked many times even in public posts for them to do anything to assist me in any way and they have done nothing.

At this point I just want them to buy it back for what I paid for it, I don't want to get a lawyer but I will if I have to.
The only solution go for buyback and buy something else
Please read about class action!!! for applying go the link below

Chrysler know about issue and did nothing to change for years, you can read court case documents.


Moran et al. v. FCA US LLC
If I do go for the lemon buyback, would I still be eligible to settle in this case? Also, there's no mention about the lawsuit including hybrid vehicles. From what I understand, the stalling only occurs on the hybrids.
If I do go for the lemon buyback, would I still be eligible to settle in this case? Also, there's no mention about the lawsuit including hybrid vehicles. From what I understand, the stalling only occurs on the hybrids.
The case that was quoted above is not for the hybrids, although the same crankshaft position sensor that is on the non hybrids is on the hybrids also. Faulty crankshaft sensors are common to ALL vehicles, not just the Pacifica.

These class action lawsuits need to stop, they only benefit the lawyers.....

The concentration of wealth continues....
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If I do go for the lemon buyback, would I still be eligible to settle in this case? Also, there's no mention about the lawsuit including hybrid vehicles. From what I understand, the stalling only occurs on the hybrids.
The case that was quoted above is not for the hybrids, although the same crankshaft position sensor that is on the non hybrids is on the hybrids also. Faulty crankshaft sensors are common to ALL vehicles, not just the Pacifica.

These class action lawsuits need to stop, they only benefit the lawyers.....

The concentration of wealth continues....
Well if you have an affected car they will buy it back. Chrysler knew about issue from the beginning and did nothing for years to fix. they rolling a dice selling cars and if something happens someone will dye oh well juts settle and you think thats is OK by your by your by your standarts. Would like to see if you opinion would change if you go on highway over 70MPH with kids and car just switch off !!!!
Well if you have an affected car they will buy it back. Chrysler knew about issue from the beginning and did nothing for years to fix. they rolling a dice selling cars and if something happens someone will dye oh well juts settle and you think thats is OK by your by your by your standarts. Would like to see if you opinion would change if you go on highway over 70MPH with kids and car just switch off !!!!
The way I drive, I very rarely end up in the left lane, and I pay attention to my surroundings so even if I were to lose power on the highway, I would have a high chance of being able to get it off to the side. But I get it, its always someone else's fault.
The way I drive, I very rarely end up in the left lane, and I pay attention to my surroundings so even if I were to lose power on the highway, I would have a high chance of being able to get it off to the side. But I get it, its always someone else's fault.
are you referring to corporate greed?
are you referring to corporate greed?
Corporate greed is everywhere, but these are complex vehicles that have many points of failure, the crankshaft position failure is a part that has a high failure rate on all vehicles. The transmission wiring harness is one of those things that nobody could have predicted, it happened and they extended the warranty farther than what I would have thought they would have.

If you are that afraid of a vehicle losing power on the highway, then you dont belong behind the wheel.
Just to post an update on my Pacifica for anyone that was following my thread. I am in the process of doing a buyback with Chrysler they already approved it, and it should happen in the next week or so. This will probably be my last update post as I don't think there will be much else to say.

As for the van it is now seven and a half weeks of being at the dealership and they are still waiting on the replacement transmission so I will probably complete the buyback before they even get the transmission and get it installed.

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the help and I wish you all luck with your rides.
Corporate greed is everywhere, but these are complex vehicles that have many points of failure, the crankshaft position failure is a part that has a high failure rate on all vehicles. The transmission wiring harness is one of those things that nobody could have predicted, it happened and they extended the warranty farther than what I would have thought they would have.

If you are that afraid of a vehicle losing power on the highway, then you dont belong behind the wheel.
You missing a point what Chrysler knew about problem and did nothing for 5-6 or so years.
If your car can fail in some critical situation you should use your common sense what could happen!!!!!
If you need to educated read court documents!!!!
Do you think they suddenly become so generous and they extended the warranty juts because? It was part of the judge order in the case.!!!! I guess you don't ask questions please do your research and share your educated opinion!!!!!
Just to post an update on my Pacifica for anyone that was following my thread. I am in the process of doing a buyback with Chrysler they already approved it, and it should happen in the next week or so. This will probably be my last update post as I don't think there will be much else to say.

As for the van it is now seven and a half weeks of being at the dealership and they are still waiting on the replacement transmission so I will probably complete the buyback before they even get the transmission and get it installed.

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the help and I wish you all luck with your rides.
Just to post an update on my Pacifica for anyone that was following my thread. I am in the process of doing a buyback with Chrysler they already approved it, and it should happen in the next week or so. This will probably be my last update post as I don't think there will be much else to say.

As for the van it is now seven and a half weeks of being at the dealership and they are still waiting on the replacement transmission so I will probably complete the buyback before they even get the transmission and get it installed.

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the help and I wish you all luck with your rides.
oh thats a greta news,
Can you share a bit about buyback experience an how arbitration went? I'm in schedule stage right know.
Thank you
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Corporate greed is everywhere, but these are complex vehicles that have many points of failure, the crankshaft position failure is a part that has a high failure rate on all vehicles. The transmission wiring harness is one of those things that nobody could have predicted, it happened and they extended the warranty farther than what I would have thought they would have.

If you are that afraid of a vehicle losing power on the highway, then you dont belong behind the wheel.
You missing a point what Chrysler knew about problem and did nothing for 5-6 or so years.
If your car can fail in some critical situation you should use your common sense what could happen!!!!!
If you need to educated read court documents!!!!
Do you think they suddenly become so generous and they extended the warranty juts because? It was part of the judge order in the case.!!!! I guess you don't ask questions please do your research and share your educated opinion!!!!!
They didnt know about it for 5-6 years, this started happening in 2020 and even more frequent in the newer ones ( I have a theory as to why) when they found the root cause, they assumed it could go all the way back to the first ones built, so as a precaution they decided to go back and cover all of them.

There are no court proceedings for the Transmission issue....yet.... the extending of the warranty is them trying to head off a court case. There are a bunch of scumbag lawyers who will take advantage of peoples fears and this will end up in court, but like most class action lawsuits, they will be the only ones who benefit. The end user might end up with a free oil change....
oh thats a greta news,
Can you share a bit about buyback experience an how arbitration went? I'm in schedule stage right know.
Thank you
I did not go through arbitration or anything like that. I just called them and told them I wanted them to buy it back, a few days later I got a call that it was approved and in a few days I will be able to complete paperwork at local dealership of my choice. I think because I am in California and the lemon laws are so strict here they just said agreed to it. I will update if there is anything else newsworthy in the coming days but I think and hope the rest goes smoothly.
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