[rrnorman]

Just an FYI for anyone visiting this page of the numerous issues that we have had with our van. On Sept 1 we bought our Touring L-Plus. The following day, we left for an 1800 mile road trip. Issue 1: We were stranded on the way home due to a transmission pressure plate not being properly torqued at the factory. The dealer says no damage was done, so they just tightened the plate and put new fluid in. I find it hard to believe that there was no damage. Issue 2: Starting on Sept 2, when anything is played thru the Blu-ray, the sound cracks horribly. We have had 3 trips to the dealer to attempt to fix it, trip number 4 will be this week. Issue 3: the front auxillary and USB ports don't work, dealer is waiting for parts. Issue 4: the passenger sliding door will no longer automatically open. I will ask the dealer to look at this when we drop it off this week for issues 2 and 3. I am not impressed with the van and cannot recommend this vehicle to anyone. It is nothing but an inconvenience,
since options we paid for don't work and getting things fixed is taking too many trips. At what point is this considered a lemon?

 

[tsax6010]

I am sorry to hear about your experiences. My Touring L Plus has experienced none of the issues that you have (thankfully), and from reading through a lot of the posts on this excellent resource of a forum, my impression is that your situation sounds very much to be in the minority.

As far as lemon laws go, each state sets their own definition - usually defined by the number of repair attempts, days out of service and a top limit to months/mileage of the vehicle.

http://www.dmv.org/automotive-law/lemon-law.php​

For instance, in Ohio where I am a lemon is defined as:

Repair Attempts/Days Out of Service: 3 repair attempts for same defect. 8 total repair attempts, 1 attempt to repair condition likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or out of service 30 or more calendar days.
Coverage Period: 1 year or 18,000 miles, whichever occurs first.​

 

[rrnorman]

I will definitely be looking into our state lemon law. The days out of service is starting to pile up.

 

[generaltso]

Sorry to hear about all your troubles. This many issues in one Pacifica is not the norm. Finding out about your state's lemon law is probably the right move.

I can't help with most of the issues, but I can tell you what the dealer needs to do to fix issue #2 since I had the same issue with mine from the factory. My dealer replaced the Video Routing Module and the static on optical disc playback completely vanished.

Keep us posted!

 

[rkalla]

Weighing in to talk you down a bit - sounds like some lazy assembly and flaky components - as the dealership grinds through the car repairing all the flaky components it will tighten up and be the car you wanted it to be.

Day 1 of buying my new 2015 Dodge I had:
Over head light buttons didn't work
Car throwing codes like crazy after about 20mins of driving
Autonomous features would flake out and shut off
Auto window controls would reverse directions

Day 3 of owning car it went to dealership for 3 weeks - I was FUMING WITH RAGE.

Got the car back - got over my desire to light it on fire - took a deep breath... And everything started working

No more issues, fun to drive, comfortable, etc.

I think FCA is sloppy with assembly and QA but if you use warranty to slowly fix up the mistakes I think you end up with a good car.

You and I are jaded because we got burned - but there are so many customers that did just fine and never had an issue.

If you ever feel massive regret - go visit the forums for the car you thought you should have bought... You'll see posts JUST like this I promise you.

After a few threads.of cracked engine blocks and blown pistons in some Odysseys you should feel a bit better

 

[rrnorman]

Sorry to hear about all your troubles. This many issues in one Pacifica is not the norm. Finding out about your state's lemon law is probably the right move.

I can't help with most of the issues, but I can tell you what the dealer needs to do to fix issue #2 since I had the same issue with mine from the factory. My dealer replaced the Video Routing Module and the static on optical disc playback completely vanished.

Keep us posted!

Thank you for your insight. Based on your previous comments in a thread, I suggested they fix the VRM, but they told me that Chrysler is requiring a software upgrade before they can do anything else. The upgrade uses the USB port that doesn't work. While I appreciate fixing the USB port and updating the software, it just means one additional trip to get the VRM replaced.

 

[generaltso]

Thank you for your insight. Based on your previous comments in a thread, I suggested they fix the VRM, but they told me that Chrysler is requiring a software upgrade before they can do anything else. The upgrade uses the USB port that doesn't work. While I appreciate fixing the USB port and updating the software, it just means one additional trip to get the VRM replaced.

Maybe you can suggest they try a VRM from a Pacifica on the lot to at least see if that fixes the issue. That's what they ended up doing with mine.

 

[dolee7]

issues

My touring l plus has been excellent so far.Worked at a GM assembly plant for 32 years and my own opionion on car troubles begin when they eliminated most of inspection and decided the person on the assembly line could inspect there own work which was fine but most of the time they did not have time to do it right.Also the suporvisor in some times would say ship it to the dealer and let them fix it when it should have been repaired before it was shipped out.

 

[KW23]

Maybe you can suggest they try a VRM from a Pacifica on the lot to at least see if that fixes the issue. That's what they ended up doing with mine.

I had the same issue with audio static on "Listen In" mode and the replacing the VRM fixed mine as well. They also gave me the run around on updating software and electric trouble shooting before ordering a new VRM, turning what should have been one visit into three. FCA and dealerships should be able to better coordinate responses to recurring issues like this.

 

[generaltso]

I had the same issue with audio static on "Listen In" mode and the replacing the VRM fixed mine as well. They also gave me the run around on updating software and electric trouble shooting before ordering a new VRM, turning what should have been one visit into three. FCA and dealerships should be able to better coordinate responses to recurring issues like this.

I was fully expecting multiple visits, but was pleasantly surprised when they grabbed a VRM from another Pacifica and sent me on my way.

 

[rrnorman]

I saw on here somewhere that a Chrysler rep was following and commenting on this site. Any idea who it was and how to get in touch with them? The USB and aux ports were replaced and are now working. Unfortunately, the dealership doesn't know how to work the uconnect system because they said that the software update fixed the sound issue. It didn't. I can't convince them to look into the VRM..."we aren't going to just replace that because you read it on the internet". This is the second dealership I have taken the van to because the first dealership was just as responsive. At a minimum, it looks like I will have to take it in for them to try to diagnose the problem, then again once they get the part in that they will have to order. This will make a total of six trips for just this one issue. I am hoping that the Chrysler rep can help escalate this. I am tempted to take one of their Pacifica's for a test drive and swapping out the VRM on my own!

 

[yoogene]

This is the name of the specialist:

Oh dear--again, I can follow up if needed, just let me know.

Kori
Chrysler Social Care Specialist

It shouldn't be an issue for the dealer to test the VRM by pulling one from a different vehicle; if that resolves the issue, they should leave the new VRM in your vehicle and then install the replacement as they wait for that part to arrive. It is unacceptable to have a person come in for a known issue this many times.

 

[generaltso]

I saw on here somewhere that a Chrysler rep was following and commenting on this site. Any idea who it was and how to get in touch with them?

Shoot a PM to ChryslerCares. They'll be able to escalate the issue with your dealer.