And the procedure is............?
Chrysler Pacifica 2017 transmission problems solved
I have had my pacifica in the shop several times with hard shifting and bad performance. They kept for a week one time and several other days in the other times with no resolution. Then, I was perusing another pacifica forum and found a guy who used to be a salesman for bmw (I think). He said this was a common problem with cars which use adaptive transmissions. He described a 5 minute (or less) procedure for resetting this type of transmission which is done by sitting in the car and using the start button and the accelerator pedal. He claimed that after performing this procedure which takes less than five minutes your car's transmission will reset and will work just like it was when your car was brand new. I performed this procedure and my car runs like it was brand new. This bmw salesman said they had to do this from time to time on the bmws especially on the demo cars. It appears that Chrysler is not aware of this procedure (I don't know why). I don't know if it pertains to all types of pacificas or just one like mine (2017 Chrysler Pacifica platinum limited). But it works and I have had no repeats of hard shifting or stalling anymore since I performed the procedure.
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Turn ignition switch to on (do not start). Push gas pedal to floor for 10 seconds. Turn ignition switch off with pedal still to the floor. Release gas pedal with no foot on brake pedal. Wait 2 minutes, then start car. I noticed when I was waiting the 2 minutes that I heard a clicking noise (like something was resetting). Once I did this (and I only did it once so far) the car was more responsive and I have not had any hard shifts or sluggishness. I don't know if it will fix all transmission problems but it sure fixed my transmission problems. Prior to doing this procedure, I had my car in the shop for long periods for transmissions problems. I had found online a supposed firmware update someone in another forum had suggested. When I asked about the update, I was told that update was not applicable anymore, but there was another update that supposedly would help. But it didn't clear up my transmission problem. This procedure is the only thing that has worked for me. Prior to this procedure I was considering trading in this car for another minivan such as the new Honda minivan which was redesigned to be more like my pacifica. Hope this helps you as it has me. The BMW salesman stated that this procedure was used all the time at his BMW dealership to fix problems with the adaptive transmission present in the BMWs used primarily for test drives. His parting words when describing this fix was do this procedure and enjoy your next test drive with your new transmission.
BMW also uses ZF transmissions in their vehicles so it seems plausible that they use the same sequence of actions to reset transmission adaptations.
Please put your van info (including build date - found on driver's door) in the signature line of account settings so that it will show up at the bottom of all your posts. How many miles does your 2017 Pacifica have now? Keep us posted if you need to do this procedure again and how often. I'm glad that you found something that works. I've have the transmission adaptations reset by the dealer twice (lasted about 10,000-15,000 miles each time) and the third time something else (resetting clutch pack timing) was tried. It has been about 7,000 miles since the last fix was tried and things are still fine. I have about 52,000 miles on the van now. I printed what you posted in case the the problem returns since it is sometimes difficult to find info in the forum later. Thanks for posting. Welcome to the forum.Turn ignition switch to on (do not start). Push gas pedal to floor for 10 seconds. Turn ignition switch off with pedal still to the floor. Release gas pedal with no foot on brake pedal. Wait 2 minutes, then start car. I noticed when I was waiting the 2 minutes that I heard a clicking noise (like something was resetting). Once I did this (and I only did it once so far) the car was more responsive and I have not had any hard shifts or sluggishness. I don't know if it will fix all transmission problems but it sure fixed my transmission problems. Prior to doing this procedure, I had my car in the shop for long periods for transmissions problems. I had found online a supposed firmware update someone in another forum had suggested. When I asked about the update, I was told that update was not applicable anymore, but there was another update that supposedly would help. But it didn't clear up my transmission problem. This procedure is the only thing that has worked for me. Prior to this procedure I was considering trading in this car for another minivan such as the new Honda minivan which was redesigned to be more like my pacifica. Hope this helps you as it has me. The BMW salesman stated that this procedure was used all the time at his BMW dealership to fix problems with the adaptive transmission present in the BMWs used primarily for test drives. His parting words when describing this fix was do this procedure and enjoy your next test drive with your new transmission.
Hi jackb,I have had my pacifica in the shop several times with hard shifting and bad performance. They kept for a week one time and several other days in the other times with no resolution. Then, I was perusing another pacifica forum and found a guy who used to be a salesman for bmw (I think). He said this was a common problem with cars which use adaptive transmissions. He described a 5 minute (or less) procedure for resetting this type of transmission which is done by sitting in the car and using the start button and the accelerator pedal. He claimed that after performing this procedure which takes less than five minutes your car's transmission will reset and will work just like it was when your car was brand new. I performed this procedure and my car runs like it was brand new. This bmw salesman said they had to do this from time to time on the bmws especially on the demo cars. It appears that Chrysler is not aware of this procedure (I don't know why). I don't know if it pertains to all types of pacificas or just one like mine (2017 Chrysler Pacifica platinum limited). But it works and I have had no repeats of hard shifting or stalling anymore since I performed the procedure.
We appreciate you reaching out and providing this information! We will be sure to share this with our Brand team.
Alex
Chrysler Cares
Wow!
If anyone else is having transmission problems I hope they are able to give this a try and report their results.
Thanks for posting this Jackb.
If anyone else is having transmission problems I hope they are able to give this a try and report their results.
Thanks for posting this Jackb.
I've tried this about 5 times and it works...but only for a little while. There has to be something Chrysler can do to fix this. Everything else is great on my 17 Pacifica with 42k miles.
How many miles did the procedure last before you had to do it again?I've tried this about 5 times and it works...but only for a little while. There has to be something Chrysler can do to fix this. Everything else is great on my 17 Pacifica with 42k miles.
It sometimes only lasts about 500 miles or so. Sometimes a few thousand. I only run Mobil or Shell and it shifts differently on each gas, and I never use 89 octane, that makes it worse. I am at a loss...I don't have much faith in the dealer. Mine is a very early model with no ESS and no problems otherwise, average mileage about 28 mpg. Clunks and hard shifts occur at 35 mph and after long accelerations letting off of the gas pedal. I think Chrysler should recall the vehicle.
Interesting observation,I wonder why the manufacture of the gas "I only run Mobil or Shell and it shifts differently on each gas" would make the transmission shift differently?It sometimes only lasts about 500 miles or so. Sometimes a few thousand. I only run Mobil or Shell and it shifts differently on each gas, and I never use 89 octane, that makes it worse. I am at a loss...I don't have much faith in the dealer. Mine is a very early model with no ESS and no problems otherwise, average mileage about 28 mpg. Clunks and hard shifts occur at 35 mph and after long accelerations letting off of the gas pedal. I think Chrysler should recall the vehicle.
I've noticed that with non-Tier 1 gas the engine does not run as well or as smooth, and it affects the shifts of the transmission, and with the higher octane, when I smash the pedal to pass, the tranny takes a while before it downshifts and then afterwards I get more clunks and bumps in the shifts than before. I go back to regular and do the reprogramming and its better.
I know transmissions are somewhat complicated but you would think by now with as sophisticated as programming can be with all the sensors providing feedback as to what is going on that they could get it right, maybe they have just tried to make it too complicated, especially if changing the brand of gas can effect the shifting of the transmission.I've noticed that with non-Tier 1 gas the engine does not run as well or as smooth, and it affects the shifts of the transmission, and with the higher octane, when I smash the pedal to pass, the tranny takes a while before it downshifts and then afterwards I get more clunks and bumps in the shifts than before. I go back to regular and do the reprogramming and its better.
I typically use Chevron or Costco gas and don't think gas is a big factor in the shifting issue in my van.I've noticed that with non-Tier 1 gas the engine does not run as well or as smooth, and it affects the shifts of the transmission, and with the higher octane, when I smash the pedal to pass, the tranny takes a while before it downshifts and then afterwards I get more clunks and bumps in the shifts than before. I go back to regular and do the reprogramming and its better.
There was a transmission TSB 21-027-17 for early 2017 Pacificas which resolved almost all transmission issues for my van. (More info is on the forum if you try a search.) There is still a 15 mph jolt that returns after about 10,000 miles of having something done at the dealer. At about 54,000 miles the 15 mph jolt has returned. Eventually I will have the dealer try again. When the jolts increase in frequency to once a day, I tend to take the van in to have something done. It then shifts fine for about 10,000 miles.
If you put your van info in the signature line of account settings it will show up at the bottom of your posts.
It sometimes only lasts about 500 miles or so. Sometimes a few thousand. I only run Mobil or Shell and it shifts differently on each gas, and I never use 89 octane, that makes it worse. I am at a loss...I don't have much faith in the dealer. Mine is a very early model with no ESS and no problems otherwise, average mileage about 28 mpg. Clunks and hard shifts occur at 35 mph and after long accelerations letting off of the gas pedal. I think Chrysler should recall the vehicle.
Our van is doing this same exact issue. Going in on the 6th. It is also getting worse by the day.
Check this thread for info to take with you to the dealer. Looks like transmission adaptations are being reset for now.Our van is doing this same exact issue. Going in on the 6th. It is also getting worse by the day.
My Pacifica Transmission is Dead or is it good
Hi I just recently bought a 2017 Pacifica with 85k miles just a month ago from a dealership with extended warranty I took It in to Central Florida Chrysler and they said it was an internal transmission failure they reached out to my extended warranty and they said it didn't kick in till the 30...
www.pacificaforums.com
Thanks for typing all this out. I am experiencing the same as you were. Unfortunately, this procedure did not work for me. Very Unfortunately, I decided to do the transmission software update and I'm pretty sure it ruined my car. I am too and now going to start shipping for a Honda or Toyota, something more reliable because this isn't it.Turn ignition switch to on (do not start). Push gas pedal to floor for 10 seconds. Turn ignition switch off with pedal still to the floor. Release gas pedal with no foot on brake pedal. Wait 2 minutes, then start car. I noticed when I was waiting the 2 minutes that I heard a clicking noise (like something was resetting). Once I did this (and I only did it once so far) the car was more responsive and I have not had any hard shifts or sluggishness. I don't know if it will fix all transmission problems but it sure fixed my transmission problems. Prior to doing this procedure, I had my car in the shop for long periods for transmissions problems. I had found online a supposed firmware update someone in another forum had suggested. When I asked about the update, I was told that update was not applicable anymore, but there was another update that supposedly would help. But it didn't clear up my transmission problem. This procedure is the only thing that has worked for me. Prior to this procedure I was considering trading in this car for another minivan such as the new Honda minivan which was redesigned to be more like my pacifica. Hope this helps you as it has me. The BMW salesman stated that this procedure was used all the time at his BMW dealership to fix problems with the adaptive transmission present in the BMWs used primarily for test drives. His parting words when describing this fix was do this procedure and enjoy your next test drive with your new transmission.
Did the reset on our 2018 and it worked for me, it's a software issue that Chrysler refuses to update. Before you jump brands be aware that Honda uses the same ZF transmission in the Odessy and is having the same issues. The durability of the trans is fine as long as you reset it every once in a while. I know it's an inconvenience but no other van has the versatility of the Pacifica. We get 30-32 mpg in straight highway driving which, in my opinion, is outstanding in a 4,000 pound vehicle.Thanks for typing all this out. I am experiencing the same as you were. Unfortunately, this procedure did not work for me. Very Unfortunately, I decided to do the transmission software update and I'm pretty sure it ruined my car. I am too and now going to start shipping for a Honda or Toyota, something more reliable because this isn't it.
I have a 2017 Pacifica with 67k miles and I've tried this reset procedure a couple of times. It does seem to help with smoother accelerating and low speed shifts but I also have another issue that hasn't gone away with a reset. After accelerating up to about 20mph, if I back off the throttle and simply maintain a "coasting" speed on level pavement I can feel and hear a slight metallic clunking if I add or back off the throttle just a little. This sound is coming from the left side of the engine compartment and I recently took it to an independent repair shop. They said the engine/transmission mount was bad and replaced it but this didn't stop the clunking. To me it feels like a bushing has gone bad, but I've never read anything about that particular issue in these transmissions.
I have some good news, I recently took my pacifica in to have fixed all the problems that have only been a minor nuisance before my warranty runs out. I also asked for a quote to extend my warranty and so far Chrysler has not responded. I did mention the transmission problem and I was advised that there was and is a TCM (transmission control module) firmware update (or download) which the mechanic does essentially the same thing as the software reset I have been using for years. And it appears to work since I have not had to do the software reset (so far). The only problem was that the pacifica had to have a system reset done in order to install it. And the only problem with a system reset is that you have to reset your settings including setting your pin or several of your systems (sensors) will not function. I checked my settings when I was told after the dealership had done the system reset and they all looked good. But as I found out you must reset your pin or the systems don't all function such as your sensors. I found out the hard way by almost getting hit by a car changing lanes and by almost striking a pedestrian who walked behind my pacifica while I was backing out of a parking space. In both cases I got no indication of anything approaching my car. Fortunately, nothing bad happened. So, once I reset my pin, my pacifica began working and sensing again. Anyway, my warranty is about to expire and chrysler hasn't given me a new quote and I recently had to pay to have weatherstripping on my driver side sliding door replaced (chrysler wouldn't pay to replace the weatherstripping even though I asked to have it replaced when I first bought the car. It whines like a banshee when driving on the highway at high speeds and with a 40 plus mph crosswind. Quite scarry! The cost of replacing the weatherstripping was $1000. I was not pleased. Anyway, I have not had to do the software reset since I got my car back from the dealership which is a good thing.
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