[jaygrovr]

Anyone have an issue where the sound of the engine gets pretty darn loud under moderate to heavy acceleration? I have a limited, and it does it on mine, but have now rented two base trim models and neither of them make the sound. It sounds like its coming from the area of the passenger side second row. Maybe an exhaust leak?

I am going to bring it in, but its brand new, and I am afraid it will not get fixed and other things broken.

Thanks

Jason

 

[dolee7]

loud groaning

Have never paid attention in my pacifica but when I first got my 2013 I did notice the motor as a loud growl when you stomped on it hard. I must be used to it cause I hove never paid attention now.At the time consumer reports said it was a different sound from the pentstar engine.If you think its not right please have the dealer check it out.I might add it was like a sporty growl. My gm cars never sounded like this but I guess it was fine as I never had any trouble with it and hope my pacifica is as good as that car was.

 

[ChryslerCares]

Anyone have an issue where the sound of the engine gets pretty darn loud under moderate to heavy acceleration? I have a limited, and it does it on mine, but have now rented two base trim models and neither of them make the sound. It sounds like its coming from the area of the passenger side second row. Maybe an exhaust leak?

I am going to bring it in, but its brand new, and I am afraid it will not get fixed and other things broken.

Thanks

Jason

Hi Jason,
I am not aware of this concern, but we want to ensure your vehicle is safe and performing optimally. Please feel free to keep me updated after your visit to the dealership, I am happy to reach out on your behalf if needed.

Anna
ChryslerCares Social Media Specialist

 

[kryptik-pacifica]

Would it be possible to use your smartphone to record some audio, drop the file in a drop box and post the link so I can listen to the "groaning" you're referring to? Maybe others on the forum can better relate if they were able to understand what you're defining as "groaning" so that we can provide better responses. That way you can arm yourself with some level of knowledge and information before you take it to the dealer. If that's not possible, then I'd say visit your local service department immediately and/or a trusted local mechanic.

Please report back what they find too (if anything at all).

Thanks!

 

[generaltso]

I haven't noticed any noise like you describe. But I agree with Kryptik that it would be easier to diagnose if you can get a recording of the sound.

 

[jaygrovr]

i guess i can try to record it with my phone, but it may be difficult to hear. I would love to video the tach while recording audio, but every phone will have different sensitivity. Just out of curiousity, does anyone know if the exhaust line runs behind the front passenger seat on the passenger side of the vehicle out the back? Is it worth me starting the engine and listening from under the car, maybe someone pressing on the gas while i am listening?

Any ideas?

Thanks

jason

 

[jaygrovr]

Just letting everyone know about some progress on my pacifica. After showing our service center, by actually driving the vehicle with the service manager, and comparing that to another vehicle (same type - limited), everyone agreed there was something wrong. So far, what they found out is that an air duct was missing. They have ordered the part and we will see if it fixes the problem. Here is the part number if someone else thinks they have this problem. 6818865AB "duct: fresh air". I would love to see an exploded diagram that shows where this part was supposed to go. I am also concerned that some dirt got into the engine if this is between the air filter and the engine. Since we havent installed the part I cannot be sure that this actually fixes the issue.

 

[Tusk White]

Just letting everyone know about some progress on my pacifica. After showing our service center, by actually driving the vehicle with the service manager, and comparing that to another vehicle (same type - limited), everyone agreed there was something wrong. So far, what they found out is that an air duct was missing. They have ordered the part and we will see if it fixes the problem. Here is the part number if someone else thinks they have this problem. 6818865AB "duct: fresh air". I would love to see an exploded diagram that shows where this part was supposed to go. I am also concerned that some dirt got into the engine if this is between the air filter and the engine. Since we havent installed the part I cannot be sure that this actually fixes the issue.

How the **** did that happen?

 

[pac3]

Just letting everyone know about some progress on my pacifica. After showing our service center, by actually driving the vehicle with the service manager, and comparing that to another vehicle (same type - limited), everyone agreed there was something wrong. So far, what they found out is that an air duct was missing. They have ordered the part and we will see if it fixes the problem. Here is the part number if someone else thinks they have this problem. 6818865AB "duct: fresh air". I would love to see an exploded diagram that shows where this part was supposed to go. I am also concerned that some dirt got into the engine if this is between the air filter and the engine. Since we havent installed the part I cannot be sure that this actually fixes the issue.

I've just noticed the exact same problem in my Limited. A loud groaning noise from below the floor when under moderate to heavy acceleration. My wife tonight said it sounds like a truck. It didn't do that the first weeks I had the van, and only started after the dealer had it to fix an unrelated problem with the seat. Did the fresh air duct fix the problem?

 

[Gohawks1224]

Have never paid attention in my pacifica but when I first got my 2013 I did notice the motor as a loud growl when you stomped on it hard. I must be used to it cause I hove never paid attention now.At the time consumer reports said it was a different sound from the pentstar engine.If you think its not right please have the dealer check it out.I might add it was like a sporty growl. My gm cars never sounded like this but I guess it was fine as I never had any trouble with it and hope my pacifica is as good as that car was.

most of that growl comes from the intake. You would be hard pressed to hear the exhaust note from the drivers seat with all the windows rolled up. Some car companies even have resonators to make this intake sound louder under harder acceleration. Some use mics and amplify it via the cars speakers. No joke.

 

[Gohawks1224]

How the **** did that happen?

so nothing shows on Google with that part number... is it your intake air duct before the air filter or after the air filter. In my cars of past days, if this was removed, a sensor (probably a pressure sensor) tells the ECU that there is an issue, and the car won't start. This was always located between the air filter and the throttle body (engine intake).

 

[ljnelson109]

The description AND the symptom sounds more like an air muffler. Back in the 90's the 5.0L Mustangs had these installed in the inner fender. It was there to prevent that roaring air noise under hard acceleration. In the Mustangs, the guys would remove them to get more airflow AND to make more noise. It was a noticeable difference. I am guessing that is what is missing here. Now, the $10 question is, are they falling off somehow? That is the only explanation for one that gets louder at a later date.

 

[pac3]

I found the part mopar here: Air Inlet. Fits: Pacifica | Mopar Parts Webstore

It looks pretty big (not to be too technical) to have fallen off or break. I will check it out today before I take the van back to the dealer for this and other problems.

Could the noise also be related to the active noise cancellation feature that's in all the vans? I wonder because over the weekend I also noticed that the rain sensor no longer works (yes, the box is checked and it worked before the seat repair) and the Start/Stop feature does not work because, according to the panel, the "battery is charging". The battery shows 14 volts. So I wonder if the techs also accidentally disabled the ANC feature?

I really don't look forward to going back to the dealer with this new list of problems. It took them 3 weeks to find the plastic obstruction that broke my third row seat (described elsewhere). They're nice guys, but really not good mechanics.

 

[ChryslerCares]

I found the part mopar here: Air Inlet. Fits: Pacifica | Mopar Parts Webstore

It looks pretty big (not to be too technical) to have fallen off or break. I will check it out today before I take the van back to the dealer for this and other problems.

Could the noise also be related to the active noise cancellation feature that's in all the vans? I wonder because over the weekend I also noticed that the rain sensor no longer works (yes, the box is checked and it worked before the seat repair) and the Start/Stop feature does not work because, according to the panel, the "battery is charging". The battery shows 14 volts. So I wonder if the techs also accidentally disabled the ANC feature?

I really don't look forward to going back to the dealer with this new list of problems. It took them 3 weeks to find the plastic obstruction that broke my third row seat (described elsewhere). They're nice guys, but really not good mechanics.

Hi pac3,

If you'd like us to get involved during your next trip to the dealership, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to facilitate!

Kori
Chrysler Social Care Specialist

 

[pac3]

Hi pac3,I

If you'd like us to get involved during your next trip to the dealership, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're happy to facilitate!

Kori
Chrysler Social Care Specialist

Thanks Kori, I will be in touch if the visit doesn't work out today.

On the issue of the loud noise during acceleration, this morning I discovered the air intake part just laying on top of the battery inside the engine compartment, presumably left there by the tech last week after he had worked on the van. I reattached it and it seems to have resolved the noise issue.

The other issues -- the start/stop feature not working because of the "battery being charged" warning and the non-working rain sensor wiper function -- are being looked at right now.

 

[Jack]

always Sounds like a race car.. loud as when you accelarate to get on the freeway

Have never paid attention in my pacifica but when I first got my 2013 I did notice the motor as a loud growl when you stomped on it hard. I must be used to it cause I hove never paid attention now.At the time consumer reports said it was a different sound from the pentstar engine.If you think its not right please have the dealer check it out.I might add it was like a sporty growl. My gm cars never sounded like this but I guess it was fine as I never had any trouble with it and hope my pacifica is as good as that car was.

I have the very same issue with my 2017 Pacifica Touring Plus L......when accelerating just on streets and going up a hill....it seems to go into overdrive with a almost race car sound in the engine....I am not use to this sound at all...I have had several town and country vehicles, a grand Cherokee none of them had that sound unless I was rapidly accelerating onto the freeway....this started happening just after my 3,000 mile oil change. I have taken it from Seattle to la 4 times over the past year and wonder if it just is not a good engine and can't handle long trips. I am going to take it in to the dealer and ask them. Especially now that I see someone having the same race car sound with normal acceleration.

I think I will ask them to drive with me and tell me why it sounds like a race car when I accelerate normally from 20 miles an hour.

 

[jonida]

my 2018 hybrid pacifica is moaning if I accelerate too quickly. Usually happens about once per trip. In spite of the fact that I do tend to drive it slowly to conserve battery, I amazed that it moans like this. Very poor acceleration.
also, my driver door doesn't lock the first time; forced to try as many as 3 or 4 times before I hear the ding. Do u think fob battery is low.

 

[smithtg]

Noise under acceleration

I have the same loud noise under acceleration on my 2017 Pacifica. Sounds like an exhaust problem, but it doesn't always happen. Still, maybe 90% of the time. Dealer service tech says he can't replicate it, but he also won't ride with me so I can show him. He said everything sounds normal. I asked if we could ride in mine then take a new one out to compare, but he won't. So I'm stuck with a noisy new van I'm paying $399/month for. I see people are asking for the noise to be recorded. I should be able to do this since it's so loud - we'll see. It will probably sound like a T-Rex is my passenger and I'm not sure what kind of diagnosis can be made from that. Tim

 

[ChryslerCares]

I have the same loud noise under acceleration on my 2017 Pacifica. Sounds like an exhaust problem, but it doesn't always happen. Still, maybe 90% of the time. Dealer service tech says he can't replicate it, but he also won't ride with me so I can show him. He said everything sounds normal. I asked if we could ride in mine then take a new one out to compare, but he won't. So I'm stuck with a noisy new van I'm paying $399/month for. I see people are asking for the noise to be recorded. I should be able to do this since it's so loud - we'll see. It will probably sound like a T-Rex is my passenger and I'm not sure what kind of diagnosis can be made from that. Tim

Hi Tim,
Have you considered visiting a different dealer to get a second opinion? You can enter your zip code here to view all certified Chrysler dealerships in your area: https://www.chrysler.com/find-dealer.html. If you see any dealerships that have received a Customer First award this means that this dealer has achieved the highest level of customer experience recognition in five core areas: people, facility, processes, customer metrics and training certification. Please feel free to send us a private message if you would like any assistance with this process.
Lydia
Chrysler Social Care Specialist

 

[Gary_LaF]

It’s sad to see how far back this thread goes.
I have a 2017 Pacifica and it has around 15k (got it in May 2018). We use the car for road trips mostly and just general around the town activities.

About a week ago I noticed the same behavior. The way I described it was rough sound and feel when accelerating, mainly under stress like up a small hill and in lower gears. It sounds like my old F150 w a v8.
I also can feel it in the gas pedal. I would say an almost grinding feel.

I have had prior minivans go through a few transmissions and we took a break and went to small SUVs...but after some great reviews we decided on this van. I really hope we don’t have another lemon.

I did look under the hood and don’t see any obvious parts disconnected but I’m no expert for sure.

The tech doesn’t have an apt for a little over two weeks and I didn’t want to drive and make matters worse. There is no engine or warning light at this time...

If anyone ever figured out what this was/could be then I’d love to know.