[Jeff12p]

My wife's van threw the P018D code and has major surging when the accelerator is pressed. The dealership says the fuel pressure sensor is faulty and they want $534 to change it. We bought the car used and thought it would be covered under the basic warranty since it is still under 36k miles but apparently the warranty expired June 6. Also, how is this not covered under powertrain warranty? This failure causes the engine not to run properly, I would consider that powertrain. It seems to be the straw that broke the camel's back for my wife. She wants to trade it in and replace it even though we have only had it a couple months and just put new tires on it. So far, it has had a failed radio, failed DVD player, failed air mixer, we encountered the sliding door failure that may or may not be fixed by a firmware update TSB (that they want to charge $150 to do since it's out of warranty), and now this.

 

[Jeff12p]

The fuel rail pressure sensor isn't part of the powertrain as defined in the warranty booklet. AFAIK this sensor isn't even used by the PCM for any engine management purpose. It only exists so a tech can see the fuel pressure with a scan tool instead of needing to connect a fuel pressure gauge to the rail. If you're handy, you can easily replace it yourself using the instructions posted earlier in this thread. You might be able to simply disconnect the sensor and keep driving the van in the meantime if you want to fix it yourself. If your van is a 2017 or 2018, you'll also need to change the wiring connector which is also explained earlier in this thread.

I replaced the sensor and the harness today and now the van runs like it did last week before it broke. If the sensor isn't used by the PCM, why does the STAR case earlier in the thread refer to one of the wires as providing a signal to the PCM and why did the van not run correctly when one of the wires to the sensor broke?

 

[Jeff12p]

So much for Chrysler "Cares". Not only did they not help out in any way with the fuel pressure sensor, but they managed to convince my wife that she could get reimbursed for other firmware updates the van needed and then denied the claim. Not only was it a waste of time dealing with them since it led to no relief from the original issue, they managed to cost us more money that we might not have otherwise poured into what is more and more obviously a vehicle with inferior electrical and electronic systems. I don't know if this is a particularly badly built example or if the issues are more widespread in design and sourcing, but either way this van is likely to be sold or traded in and replaced.

 

[Jeff12p]

😂 My wife's 2018 Pacifica went through all those same repairs under basic and extended warranty plus a catalyst converter replaced after it got so hot that it almost caught the van on fire. Just got this CEL with p018c. I feel like a chump for recommending wife to get this minivan. Argg...

It really is a shame because the features and comfort of the van were awesome. As much as we like her new vehicle, we often lament the van having all of the issues that made us replace it.