Now I am getting very frustrated/angry over the W46 recall. Again today, over two months after I got the inspection done, the service department at my dealer told me that WAS the entire fix. Then they came back and told me that there were no parts available at all. When I objected (after 9 weeks of dealing with this with them) she came back and said that the service manager was going to have to call FCA and find out if they could order the fix parts for me since it passed inspection. The dealer had exactly two Pacifica’s that hadn’t passed the initial inspection 8 days after my inspection. I called FCA again today & FCA found the case number from two months ago and told me that they (or one of two other dealerships) would be sending me a letter when parts were available for my car. I’ve already received an email that a fix was available 8 weeks ago tomorrow. I really feel like the original dealer is lying and another two local dealers can’t make the appointment for the fix because the parts are back ordered. I’m at wit’s end with this.
Recall W46
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The dealers are not lying. What would they have to gain? I am still waiting for parts as my dealer has tried weekly to order them for months now and still can't get them. The parts system still shows not available for them to order.
They did lie when they said again today that the inspection, if passed, was the whole recall. That’s what is so frustrating. I got three different answers in one phone call to the dealer today. If they are fixing new cars on the lot, even if that’s their business model, they could maybe prioritize customers’ vehicles. FCA has told me twice, two months apart, that the parts for the fix are available but dealers can only order a limited quantity per week. If so I would think that at the very least the dealer would keep a waiting list and notify us as our cars rise on the list. I’m not in a big city, there aren’t many PAC hybrids on the road here. IMO this is terrible customer service.
Yes, it's a mess. Up until August it was true that if the inspection passed then that was all they needed to do since there was still no "fix" at that time. But then once Chrysler came up with a fix they modified the service procedure for the recall to include installation of either a gasket (if the inspection was OK) or a gasket plus an isolator post and some cables (if the inspection was not OK). Those, like you, that took their cars in before August and passed their inspection got to drive away but the recall was still marked as "incomplete" for their VIN. They had to come back and do it all over again.
Depending on who you talk to at the dealer the person may not understand all this. Dealers vary a lot with respect to their knowledge of the hybrid version of the Pacifica. They also may assume that they need the gasket + isolator post + cables for all cases, whereas in the majority of cases all they need is the gasket. As I understand it gaskets are available now, but dealers are limited to the number they can order per week. Isolator posts and cables are back ordered until after October 30.
Personally I am simply waiting until the parts supply clears up and only then will I take it in.
I'm on the same boat. I took my vehicle back in August and been waiting for parts even though they had the gasket already. I was told they needed the gasket + isolator post for the final fix. Not sure where they got that info from though. Which I thought was just going to be the gasket since the vehicle did pass inspection. It's been over a month now and still waiting for the vehicle to be repaired.
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it took my dealer about a month to get the gasket in. once it was, I was scheduled for service within the week. I don't know whether it was covered earlier in the post but, if your dealer is insisting that there is nothing to do beyond the preliminary inspection, you need to go to a different dealer. the longer you fool around with this dealer, the longer it will be before a dealer that knows what it's doing can get you in line for a gasket replacement. as I and others have noted, that process itself can be a month or more.
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Hello everyone, if you are having trouble with parts to your dealers, feel free to send us a message with your VIN and dealer info and we can see if we can assist.
There is are more parts making their way through the network now so part concerns should be cleared up soon.
Kaitlin
Chrysler Cares
There is are more parts making their way through the network now so part concerns should be cleared up soon.
Kaitlin
Chrysler Cares
My 2018 went in on Saturday for the recall (after waiting 2 months for the parts). Saturday evening they called to tell me there was an issue and they needed to keep it a few more days.
Yesterday, they told me that my Pacifica failed the testing after the recall was completed, and now they need to hold the vehicle until they can complete the recall. The service writer said they expect it will take 2-3 months to get the parts.
I appreciate Chrysler not wanting my car to catch fire, but being without my car for months isn't acceptable. I'd rather just have them give me a good trade value and buy a new car.
Yesterday, they told me that my Pacifica failed the testing after the recall was completed, and now they need to hold the vehicle until they can complete the recall. The service writer said they expect it will take 2-3 months to get the parts.
I appreciate Chrysler not wanting my car to catch fire, but being without my car for months isn't acceptable. I'd rather just have them give me a good trade value and buy a new car.
I agree that the odds of any one vehicle shorting or worse is very low. Chrysler is being proactive to prevent a rare worst case scenario, and I applaud them for that. This is the right thing to do.
My issue is with the logistics of the recall. I called my dealer the day I received the initial recall notice and had the parts ordered. I waited for those parts to come in before dropping off my vehicle for service.
Now, I'm told that my vehicle is one of the lucky few, and they will need additional parts that are not yet available. I'm not angry/upset/etc, I'm just adding my experience to this forum.
99% of people are going to go in, get the recall done in a couple hours and be done. I'm just not that guy this time.
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Regarding W46 safety recall, there is a complete service procedure on NHTSA website (FCA Revision (2) July 2020), the URL link is https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCRIT-20V334-3759.pdf The full service procedure is quite involved because it involves powering down the 12V circuit, do a high voltage safety disconnect and removing (2) belly pans to access the "isolator post" from under the vehicle. If there is no obvious corrosions (see Fig 20 of the service procedure), adding a "special" foam washer (from the passenger compartment, to prevent future water damage) will fix it. The washer/gasket seems to be a double-sided adhesive washer (see Fig 51 of bulletin, FCA part number CSALW462AA Gasket Kit). I don't understand how such a simple part can become such a big hassle to distribute to the dealers. Obviously this is a safety recall, you must let the dealer to perform the inspection and the necessary repairs. But if you are frustrated about the run-around and delays, and just want to take a peek-a-boo, you can start from Fig. 21 (disclaimer: do so at your own perils) remove the seat rail plastic cover (first, pry off a small plastic plug that holds it in place), pop the rear door plastic sill with a door panel removal tool (Fig. 22), gently pull the carpet (Fig. 23) to expose the 12V cable terminal (Fig 24). If there are no signs of liquid incursion or corrosion, you are in good shape. W46 is presumably caused by liquid accumulating around the terminal and seep under the 12V cable terminal, down to the underbody causing nasty corrosion and eventually fire. Dry is good. I attached photos of the area around the 12V cable terminal (Isolator Post) in my Pacifica PHEV, it looks completely dry and shows no signs of liquid incursion. Dry is good: don't put wet umbrella, ski boots, juice or milk around that area. The W46 Foam Gasket fix is to add a gasket under the 12V cable terminal so that (future) liquid cannot seep past through it to the underbody to cause corrosion and fire. It is better to not let liquid to get there in the first place. Be creative in keeping this area dry such as using plastic bucket for umbrella or using rubber floor mat that can trap some water.
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The nut in the picture (exposed by popping the 1" dust boot) is "hot", i.e, it is connected to the 12V battery (at the back). Don't torque it using metal socket or else sparks can fly. If you must absolutely torque it, make sure you take all precautions so that your socket and wrench will not touch anything around it to cause a short (or perform the 12-Volt Power Down procedure, Service Procedure Section A, Steps 4 to 14). The torque for the 12-volt cable terminal nut is 17 ft. lbs. [23 N.m] (Service Procedure Section D Gasket Installation Step 23, Fig. 23).
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Hello, I'm trying to get the latest info, it seems like W46 is still just the "check procedure" and we are still waiting on the permanent fix, is that right? Our dealer cautioned us not to park the Pacifica in our garage until the final resolution was available, but we thought it would just be a month or two. Its been 6 months now, so we are starting to wonder what's up.
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Model Year:
2018
Gas / Hybrid:
gas
Trim:
Touring L Plus
When you had your inspection, was your vehicle determined to be OK. It must have been or Chrysler would have held it.
If you have not heard from your dealer, you should call right away to see about getting the gasket replaced.
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We actually had it in twice: once for an inspection (they said there was no concern at the time) then we brought it back for a vin-specific repair kit, but at that time they said it was still a temporary measure and a permanent solution would be coming, but that was months ago.
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I had my recall (gasket kit installed) completed last fall.
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You need to contact your dealer. That should have been done by now.
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The final repair for the recall was available starting last year. If you need any help, send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name.
Kaitlin
Chrysler Cares
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Hello, thank you - its possible there was a miscommunication with the dealership when we last brought it in. I will send you a PM to be sure.
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