This is completely inexcusable issue. Report it to NHTSA, they track all safety related problems.

 

I believe that there is a RRT for axels/cV half-shafts that were improperly welded or put together. Looks like they didn’t get that one out fast enough for you.

 

It looks like you're referring to this recall. If so, it appears it does not include my 2017 model.

 

We had our drivers side CV Axle replaced two months ago after it snapped.

July 26, 2018 NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V493000
Axle Shaft May Disengage Causing Loss of Drive
If the axle shaft disengages from the CV joint, the vehicle will have a loss of drive or allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V493000
Manufacturer Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Components POWER TRAIN
Potential Number of Units Affected 61
Summary
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint

 

This one looks different than my situation. My axle broke at the wheel. It did not disengage from the CV joint.

 

Rrt?

 

I am not sure exactly where the axle broke (at wheel or CV) on my wife’s 2017 Pacifica and the repair ticket doesn’t say. It was a complete decoupling because the van could be rolled while in park. At the time I just searched the Internet for axle related issues. Also, my tranny was replaced about six months earlier so I’ve wondered if my axle or CV might have been damaged during that very major repair...because I don’t believe in coincidence.

 

BrettP - If your Pacifica is a 2017 then the recall notice does not apply! It's possible, maybe even likely, that yours also broke at the wheel.

Not that I think it's significant, but my transmission was also replaced. It was done when they did the reprogramming on the first major recall. I had complained of a knocking noise that happened during mild to moderate acceleration and deceleration at low speed. I thought it might be suspension related. They had everyone including a regional rep. look at it and finally concluded they needed to replace the transmission. Hasn't made the noise since.

 

Interesting about the failure, did you get the chance to ask to see the part? I'd love to see a photo.

Take a step back and think about this, though. Your assumption that your van is unsafe because you snapped a single shaft seems a bit over the top to me. Nobody has EVER designed a vehicle that was 100% free from defects. Modern manufacturing and materials technology just isn't capable of anywhere close to that. With enough examples of even the most reliable design, some of them are gonna fail.

Parts break, it's part of life. Your failure sounds extremely uncommon, but you won't find a vehicle on the road with a 0% chance of sudden loss of motive power. The odds of this happening again to you are extraordinarily small, and not likely to be any greater than another type of vehicle. Dumping it over something like this seems like a monumental overreaction to me.

And FWIW, the only time I've ever seen a twisted driveshaft was the result of your exact situation. This was a heavy-duty unit for a semi truck, and it twisted in half after the drive wheels lost traction on ice and suddenly grabbed. It can happen.

 

Guess I was spoiled by my last vehicle, a Toyota Highlander Hybrid. It went to 170,000 miles. The worst problems it had was a rusty emergency brake cable and a rusty heat shield that separated. Since it was getting old I traded it in for the Pacifica Hybrid in order to have a new reliable vehicle. In 20-20 hindsight, maybe I should have just kept driving it. It's clear that they rushed the Pacifica Hybrid to market before it was ready. I wasn't pleased when I had to park it for months while they figured out the first recall. This is just the most recent issue. It's a matter of trust and I just don't trust this vehicle any more. I am going to go to another more reliable brand and a vehicle that is not the first model year. Unfortunately that probably means it won't be a plug-in hybrid.

 

I'm guessing in 2020 you will see a Sienna on par with the Pacifica feature-wise. I heard that it may be getting a full redesign, wouldn't be surprised to see a hybrid option.

 

what suck is that both Sienna and Odyssey have Hybrid in japan, they just won't bring it here. But a regular Hybrid is not what we want anyway, PHEV is what fit out bill, electric only for daily commute, still have options to go on road trip in hybrid mode. Now if they figure out how to pack in a spare tire on the Pachy...

 

what suck is that both Sienna and Odyssey have Hybrid in japan, they just won't bring it here. But a regular Hybrid is not what we want anyway, PHEV is what fit out bill, electric only for daily commute, still have options to go on road trip in hybrid mode...

is anyone going to compete with a PHEV in 2019?? I wish toyota would embrace plug ins

 

Toyota and Honda have them I believe .
They just don't sell them in the US yet.
Google it. I don't think they have as much range
as the Pachy.

 

I own a 2017 Pacifica Limited that had the left axle fail then after the van being in the shop for a few weeks, a week after I picked it up, the right axle failed. Before the axles failed I noticed a creaking/clicking sound when turning the steering wheel at slow speeds and when parked. I still continue to have front end issues. When I looked online about the clicking sound I found various responses that its a sign of a failing axle. The dealer didn't think so, lubed it on numerous visits, did a TSB for the bearings, then the next thing you know I hear a horrible grinding sound, I thought the transmission failed. I pulled over, put the car in park, and it started rolling back. I have been dealing with Chrysler Escalation for the past year because I want them to replace mine. I just posted a long story of my experience. The Regional Tech told me my axles failed because I put 22 inch wheels on my Pacifica, even though I got the idea from the head of Chrysler SRT program that did that to his and even has a video on youtube that you can find called "Project Venessa". I reached out to him to ask him the exact specifics of the set up and he provided them to me. After I was told by the Regional Tech that the axles failed because of my wheels, I reached out again to the SRT guy and not only did he not respond, he put a disclaimer on his video. So lame! Now we find, that the Pacifica has a problems with their front axles and it has nothing to do with the upgraded wheels, but everything to do with a poorly manufactured faulty product. Nice of them to try to blame me. At the time, I removed my wheels and still have problems.

 

I reached out again to the SRT guy and not only did he not respond, he put a disclaimer on his video. So lame!

Wow! What integrity.

 

Update: After much thought and discussion we've decided to keep the Pacifica Hybrid for the foreseeable future. The many features and benefits outweigh the one breakdown, at least for now.

 

Yes, unfortunately this cars today are so expensive and depreciate so fast, making it hard to turn them over and purchase another. :frown2:

 

are these 2017 issues?

 

They seem to be isolated to a few 2017s, but I don't think it's a widespread concern. I'm not worried...if mine were gonna fail, they would have long before now. Mine has pulled my 3,500-lb boat up a boat ramp at least 15 times last summer.

 

This just happened to me in my 2017 after trying to pull out to quick into traffic. I'll be more gentle next time

 

That wouldn’t have saved anything. It may not of happened right then, but it was certain to happen at some point.

The only way a CV axle can fail is of a vehicle is highly modified to make more power than design, or it’s a faulty part. I do NOT drive gently, and I’ve never broken a shaft in my life. My mom did on her ‘96 Grand Voyager turning into my friend’s driveway when the van was relatively new.

Now if you supercharge your Pacifica, you might want to take it gently.

 

Same situation here, was told it snap on the passenger side, I bought it used and purchased extended warranty thru Fidelity and they are denying my claim due to severe rust! Estimate from Chrysler for repairs over $3K, never - ever buy this JUNK

 

Same situation here, was told it snap on the passenger side, I bought it used and purchased extended warranty thru Fidelity and they are denying my claim due to severe rust! Estimate from Chrysler for repairs over $3K, never - ever buy this JUNK

Enough rust to cause an axle shaft to snap? I hope they have a way to appeal their decision. Enough rust to cause a shaft to break, will cause many other issues first. Do you have pics?

Does any body have any pics of these snapped axle shafts? It appears to be a larger shaft then the older Grand Caravans used. In my mind, it has to be a weld failure, but would love to see pics.

 

My 2017 Pacifica hybrid is doing the same thing. Loud clanking on left side wiggling the steering wheel back and forth, coasting and feathering accelerator also shows this issue. Dealership said it was a loose metal lining of the undercarriage cover protecting the engine. That was fixed but now the clanking is even worse. Dealership is complete lack of knowledge or admission to this issue. Apparently they just rather someone suffer catastrophic failure and deal with a huge lawsuit later than fix and admit the drive shaft on the left side is a failure point. I'm so sick of Chrysler. Just going to sell it and get a Tesla.

I own a 2017 Pacifica Limited that had the left axle fail then after the van being in the shop for a few weeks, a week after I picked it up, the right axle failed. Before the axles failed I noticed a creaking/clicking sound when turning the steering wheel at slow speeds and when parked. I still continue to have front end issues. When I looked online about the clicking sound I found various responses that its a sign of a failing axle. The dealer didn't think so, lubed it on numerous visits, did a TSB for the bearings, then the next thing you know I hear a horrible grinding sound, I thought the transmission failed. I pulled over, put the car in park, and it started rolling back. I have been dealing with Chrysler Escalation for the past year because I want them to replace mine. I just posted a long story of my experience. The Regional Tech told me my axles failed because I put 22 inch wheels on my Pacifica, even though I got the idea from the head of Chrysler SRT program that did that to his and even has a video on youtube that you can find called "Project Venessa". I reached out to him to ask him the exact specifics of the set up and he provided them to me. After I was told by the Regional Tech that the axles failed because of my wheels, I reached out again to the SRT guy and not only did he not respond, he put a disclaimer on his video. So lame! Now we find, that the Pacifica has a problems with their front axles and it has nothing to do with the upgraded wheels, but everything to do with a poorly manufactured faulty product. Nice of them to try to blame me. At the time, I removed my wheels and still have problems.

 

It's this probably...

https://www.pacificaforums.com/threads/clicking-sound-when-i-release-and-push-on-gas-pedal.50927/post-695229