[Raquelzinha]

They wanted close to 5k last year because to really determine if it was the head gasket they wanted to do a tear down. In the end, I finally got that bit covered, but these Pacifica threads talk about people paying at least 3k for that replacement. I’m still awaiting news from Chrysler lawyers as I should be covered by the pre certified warranty even though they are trying to pin the problem on me. Seriously considering seeing how many people on these forums would be interested in starting a class action lawsuit. 4 months now without a car. I’m too stubborn to buy a new one when Chrysler should honor their contract and fix this one. Sorry you’re facing the same issues.

 

[ChryslerCares]

The condition of the oil filter as described above might very well be the reason the dealer believed the oil had not been changed.

I feel for you Rabbit - all of this feels familiar - all of my issues still remain still at dealership, still paying on a car that's been out of commission since June with a "maybe warranty but we don't know until it's apart" routine...

I'm just waiting on an update on my situation and will provide maybe it will be useful for you or others... but we all know why they are running out of starters - it's the first part the dealership is throwing at this issue.

Just shared my engine nightmare (coolant intrusion and head gasket replaced last year....this year same error code and engine needs replacing). Still under Certified PreOwned warranty and they won't pay. It's been in the shop for 3 months and I am waiting for them to respond to my lawyer. Details and other complaints on this thread. Warped Engine Block?!

I think I will have the same fate. P0303. 2017 pacifica with 100k. Roughy idle in the morning for 2-3 seconds. Out of warranty. My trusted mechanic replaced the spark plugs (they were due) swapped the ignition coil, and the intake plenum gasket. Cleared the codes but they are back. Last week I noticed the coolant was a little bit low. I contacted the dealership where I do all the service and was told that only labor to replace a cylinder head is almost 4K. That’s insane even for busy dealerships. How much are you paying for that work at the dealership?

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Chrysler Cares

 

[ThisSuckersElectrical]

Just a few of the comments on this video:

Austin Giesler
5 days ago
Mr.O thanks for all the content you make us. I work at a Chrysler dealer and we are seeing quite a few of the new generation 3.6L engines(with variable valve lift and cooled EGR) like you are working with here that have head gasket failures. Typically it will have cold start misfires and if pressure tested for a long period of time. You can use a borescope to look on top of the cylinder and you will see coolant coming in. Like you said, this one did get hot, but just some information to share. .any thanks from one of your many viewers.

MegaMustangkiller
5 days ago
I’ve personally seen 2 of these engines with less than 60k come in with blown head gaskets. One came in as a no crank no start customer forgot to mention it got hot and they drove it until it stopped. After some testing found the starter was bad and replaced it only to find the overheat condition on the test drive after, and after some more testing discovered the bad head gasket.

Holymium TV
5 days ago
We've had 2 2019 Pacific's come in in the last month with head gasket failures on cylinder 5. Apparently it fairly common and almost always on cylinder 5. Head gaskets are currently on national back order because of this. Not a real fun job either. It usually starts out as a very light misfire before it gets to this point.

Wrench97 97
4 days ago
Starter failure after a gross over heat seems to be a common thing with the 3.6l, I've seen 3 from a local company, of the 3 only 1 engine survived to run another 15k miles before having a head gasket/water usage failure.

2491kridge
4 days ago
Wow dude I had the exact same issue on the exact same year and model like 3 weeks ago. Customer dropped the car off complaining of overheating, I grabbed the ticket the next morning and went outside and the car wouldn’t start, exactly like you were dealing with. Called the customer and they said they haven’t had any issues not starting just overheating, so we pushed the car in and sure enough it was hydro locked, but on top of that the starter wasn’t getting a power signal, found a blown 300 amp fuse on top of the battery , don’t know how that happened lol. I was able to unlock the engine and then jumper across the 300 amp fuse and get the car started, but either way a fork got stuck in the engine regardless lol. 5 year old car with 80,000 miles and it’s a paperweight

mickguirk
2 days ago
I work at a dealership we have had a rash of these 17s in lately with this issue. 2 just this last week both of which cylinder 1 filling up with coolant and hyrdolocking the engines. Both recieved bank 1 cylinder heads and they appear to be fixed. Wonder if I a warranty extension is coming like the old 3.6L pentastar left cylinder heads

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

It would sure be nice if we could get a handle on where these failing engines were built, and if (and when) the head gaskets were ever improved upon. In other words, I'd like to know if our Pacifica built in March of 2018 is doomed to the same fate. And what about our 2021?

Are replacement engines any better, or will they eventually fail with the same issue?

 

[willysp]

Update on my 2017 Pacifica with cylinder 3 misfire: warped cylinder head. The dealership is going to let me know when the parts will be available and the final price. I really hope I don’t need to wait too long.

 

[willysp]

More updates: final price to replace the cylinder head is around $4300 and the dealership has the part so the van will be ready in 4 days. Although it is still a lot of money for a problem that should not have happened to a vehicle with 100k miles, after reading so many horror stories in this forum I should consider myself “fortunate”.

 

[Raquelzinha]

More updates: final price to replace the cylinder head is around $4300 and the dealership has the part so the van will be ready in 4 days. Although it is still a lot of money for a problem that should not have happened to a vehicle with 100k miles, after reading so many horror stories in this forum I should consider myself “fortunate”.

I hope you are lucky. I thought I was “lucky” Aug 2021 when they replaced the cylinder head. June 2022 when the same thing happened, the engine now needs replacing and I’m angry. Will it take a class action for Chrysler to make this right for all of us?

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

Hi ccartel. Thanks for your post. I'm the OP who gave it this title and I fear you may be right.

If it wouldn't be too much trouble, I wonder if you would file a report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

As the OP, I just removed the word "few" from the title of this thread.

 

[ChryslerCares]

Update on my 2017 Pacifica with cylinder 3 misfire: warped cylinder head. The dealership is going to let me know when the parts will be available and the final price. I really hope I don’t need to wait too long.

I hope you are lucky. I thought I was “lucky” Aug 2021 when they replaced the cylinder head. June 2022 when the same thing happened, the engine now needs replacing and I’m angry. Will it take a class action for Chrysler to make this right for all of us?

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Chrysler Cares

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

Here's a question: is the Pentastar engine used in Pacificas the same engine used in other Stellantis vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee? If so, are those makes experiencing the same head gasket failure?

Maybe i was doing something wrong, but i tried doing a search on a Jeep forum and could not find any threads about head gasket failures like the threads on this forum.

 

[Dcrossen87]

Just an update on my situation from Oct. - and I just replied to Chrystler Cares - didn't catch their request prior.

In October the dealership I purchased my pacifica from replaced the head gasket and starter (third..) and did cover it under warranty, Towed it up there myself from the dealership that wouldn't touch it. received car back late october.

Ran until December 17th and Cylinder 2 Misfire is back, not unexpected I suppose. in the last 6 months I've had a drivable van for 1.5 Months.

Another 3 month saga, away we go.

 

[M0Par]

Just an update on my situation from Oct. - and I just replied to Chrystler Cares - didn't catch their request prior.

In October the dealership I purchased my pacifica from replaced the head gasket and starter (third..) and did cover it under warranty, Towed it up there myself from the dealership that wouldn't touch it. received car back late october.

Ran until December 17th and Cylinder 2 Misfire is back, not unexpected I suppose. in the last 6 months I've had a drivable van for 1.5 Months.

Another 3 month saga, away we go.

Sadly until they replace the engine this will be a common theme. They rarely diagnose this issue correctly and want to put a band aid on it until you are out of warranty. The only solution is a brand new engine.

 

[ThisSuckersElectrical]

Sadly until they replace the engine this will be a common theme. They rarely diagnose this issue correctly and want to put a band aid on it until you are out of warranty. The only solution is a brand new engine.

Even at that, will the new engine replacements fail around the same mile make/time frame?

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

Even at that, will the new engine replacements fail around the same mile make/time frame?

That is the $64,000 question (I am dating myself; it is probably $640,000 by now). In other words, have they made changes to the new engine to prevent the problem from happening again? And, if so, what did they change???

 

[Dcrossen87]

In the words of my service advisor... what issue, never seen it before?

 

[ThisSuckersElectrical]

In the words of my service advisor... what issue, never seen it before?

Anytime you hear that you know for sure it is a common issue and well-known by the technicians.

 

[Dcrossen87]

Update; Just received a call this time it's cylinder 2 fuel injector.

told it's ready/come get it.

I'm assuming I'll post an update in 30-60 days

 

[zhenya]

I was at the dealership getting the P0E15 recall work done on my Pacifica yesterday - first time I'd set foot in there in most of a year. The one other conversation I heard was a service advisor telling a Pacifica owner that they needed a new engine - but at least Chrysler was covering it!...

 

[Kamilrox]

Why pacifica don't have coolant level sensor?

 

[Red S]

Why pacifica don't have coolant level sensor?

Most cars do not have a coolant level sensor. It would be very surprising to find a car with one.