[BeaconSlash]

Hi all,

2018 Touring L Plus. 55kish miles.

Bought the car used in Feb 2021 from Carvana. We've got about 4 months left in our power train warranty. According to the NHTSA and SaferCar websites, a VIN search says I have no open recalls.

I've experienced a occasional issues with the transmission engaging roughly since we've owned it. Sometimes it's a pretty distinct sounding/feeling clunk when putting it into drive. Sometimes the car kind of lurches roughly forward. It's infrequent and inconsistent though. Haven't figured out a way to replicate.

That said, shortly ago today had a more serious issue promoting this post. From a full stop, as I was negotiating a left hand turn at a light, the car stopped accelerating halfway through the turn. Engine was still turning. Only lasted 2-3 seconds, but noticable enough to be concerning. Things seemed to reengage normally and smoothly before I was all the way around.

I want to get this inspected by the dealer, but it's infrequent enough I doubt I'll be able to directly demonstrate a problem.

Couple of question I guess...

One, is there a database somewhere showing when/where recall work was completed?

What can I do to "prove" the issue, or at least narrow down a potential inspection issue for them?

Is there any effective way I can test for issues?

Thanks!

 

[6Gen]

You are not alone. My 2017 TL (90k mi) is doing that right now. "Always" has done this occasionally - sporadic and inconsistent enough to not pursue a $$ fix. Reset the transmission (software) yourself - but it's efficacy may last from mere days to many months...

 

[BeaconSlash]

You are not alone. My 2017 TL (90k mi) is doing that right now. "Always" has done this occasionally - sporadic and inconsistent enough to not pursue a $$ fix. Reset the transmission (software) yourself - but it's efficacy may last from mere days to many months...

Glad I'm not alone. Yah, not wanting to spend $$$ is the goal, hence hoping to get this done under powertrain warranty. I read about Pacifica recalls and am a little skeptical whether the transmission was properly replaced.

Can you point me to a resource for where to reset transmission?

Thanks!

 

[Shadow5501]

The symptoms sound like it’s just a touch low on transmission fluid. My 2018/50k will occasionally flare A little bit on the 2-to-3 gear change during a left turn. No major lag, but the engine revs climb as 2nd gear is released and then fall as 3rd engages. Its very minor and not a big deal so haven’t taken it in, but will do so before the 5 year power train warranty expires. Checking the fluid is not particularly user friendly.

Here’s a discussion on how to reset transmission adaptations, see post #28: Transmission Update - Flash. I did this procedure around 40k miles because I’d had a couple of hard shifts. The transmission was immediately much smoother and remains good after 10k miles. I’ve formed the opinion that the adaptive software for the transmission is buggy and goes outside calibration over time.

 

[Jeremy M.]

The symptoms sound like it’s just a touch low on transmission fluid. My 2018/50k will occasionally flare A little bit on the 2-to-3 gear change during a left turn. No major lag, but the engine revs climb as 2nd gear is released and then fall as 3rd engages. Its very minor and not a big deal so haven’t taken it in, but will do so before the 5 year power train warranty expires. Checking the fluid is not particularly user friendly.

Here’s a discussion on how to reset transmission adaptations, see post #28: Transmission Update - Flash. I did this procedure around 40k miles because I’d had a couple of hard shifts. The transmission was immediately much smoother and remains good after 10k miles. I’ve formed the opinion that the adaptive software for the transmission is buggy and goes outside calibration over time.

And no transmission dipstick to even check it. I know they claim "Lifetime Transmission Fluid" but I'm still going to have it changed around 50,000 miles.

 

[CANADAHYBRIDGUY]

And no transmission dipstick to even check it. I know they claim "Lifetime Transmission Fluid" but I'm still going to have it changed around 50,000 miles.

Just because if you have the lifetime powertrain warranty that opening up the tranny will result in a void warranty , hence why it’s a sealed unit and any faulty units are entirely replaced and shipped back to corp .

 

[gmfreak]

I honestly think this may be just how some of the transmissions are. I've had mine checked and the computer flashed and I've done the reset myself and it still occasionally does it. Just seems to be a lag when it expects one thing and you do another.

 

[Jeremy M.]

Just because if you have the lifetime powertrain warranty that opening up the tranny will result in a void warranty , hence why it’s a sealed unit and any faulty units are entirely replaced and shipped back to corp .

I only have the 5yr/60,000 mile warranty.
I’m also not 100% convinced lifetime fluid exists.

 

[Shadow5501]

And no transmission dipstick to even check it. I know they claim "Lifetime Transmission Fluid" but I'm still going to have it changed around 50,000 miles.

no dipstick is the norm these days. I expect manufacturers saw too many owners adding the wrong fluid, perhaps to the wrong opening.

 

[Rivertenderrivertender]

Hi all,

2018 Touring L Plus. 55kish miles.

Bought the car used in Feb 2021 from Carvana. We've got about 4 months left in our power train warranty. According to the NHTSA and SaferCar websites, a VIN search says I have no open recalls.

I've experienced a occasional issues with the transmission engaging roughly since we've owned it. Sometimes it's a pretty distinct sounding/feeling clunk when putting it into drive. Sometimes the car kind of lurches roughly forward. It's infrequent and inconsistent though. Haven't figured out a way to replicate.

That said, shortly ago today had a more serious issue promoting this post. From a full stop, as I was negotiating a left hand turn at a light, the car stopped accelerating halfway through the turn. Engine was still turning. Only lasted 2-3 seconds, but noticable enough to be concerning. Things seemed to reengage normally and smoothly before I was all the way around.

I want to get this inspected by the dealer, but it's infrequent enough I doubt I'll be able to directly demonstrate a problem.

Couple of question I guess...

One, is there a database somewhere showing when/where recall work was completed?

What can I do to "prove" the issue, or at least narrow down a potential inspection issue for them?

Is there any effective way I can test for issues?

Thanks!

 

[Rivertenderrivertender]

Oh boy. Can I bring some illumination to this topic.

2017 Pacifica Ltd, 7k miles wen purchased in '18. [Dealer spun fantasy was that the owner bought it at that dealership, but got cancer and traded it in. I always need to take a shower when returning home from a car salesman exchange - but I digress.]

Following transmission problems:

1. surging. Press the gas lightly and the car spurts ahead and then relents because you have already taken your foot off the gas in terror and jammed on the brake if neccessary.

2, zero response to gas pedal. This happens - in reverse-and backing up a grade. Press the pedal to the floor - zero response. Remedy? Use brake and try again or switch to another gear and then back to reverse to let the insipid transmission figure out what it is supposed to do,

3, zero respone to gas pedal. Going forward, in gear, press the pedal and nothing happens - nothing, Terrifying when pulling out in traffic.

Took the car in to the dealer and the gran poo bah service guy said.....ready?......the car surges becuse your foot is on the brake. True, but lightly and I needed to be prepared for an unexpected surge. I made him modify the report he sent in to Chrysler to eliminate that foot on the brake observation.

The occurance of each of these poblems............way and very intermittent. Surging in forward gear, maybe 4 to 6 times a year. Reverse no response, maybe 40% of the time, but how many grades are there around to back up on with a service guy?

Replicating these dangerous failures was borderline impossible.

4 months later, ultimately the trnsmission failed to the point that the car was unusable.

Chrysler put a brand new, $5,500 transmission into the vehicle in 2020.

Here is the unhappy and very discouraging news............ALL 3 PROBLEMS REMAIN, but to -maybe- a lesser degree in terms of freaquency.

I promise you, Chrysler knows about this, but they keep right on using those literally dangerous transmissions.

On the brighter side, the one thing that ransmission knows how to do is ,,,,,,,,,,,,good highway milage. With 18" wheels, 27 and change is effortless, 28 to 29,5 is doable if you baby it some. I did see a momentary 30 mpg while driving once.

Too big to care is my guess vis a vis all of us with thius transmission..

 

[Shadow5501]

Sounds like you are a two foot driver. The Pacifica has a brake-throttle override. If the brake is depressed at all, the throttle is disabled and completely non-responsive. This is standard in all modern cars - the NHTSA proposed a rule requiring it in 2012. I’m sure that you’re sure that isn’t the cause, but it’s the simplest explanation. To be clear, this isn’t meant to be accusatory or blame you, it’s certainly possible there’s an Underlying fault. Just pointing out how Modern vehicles function so that everyone operates from the same base of knowledge.

I’ve never experienced the symptoms you describe in 4.5 years/50k miles of ownership of my 2018 Pacifica. I have big feet and am a total klutz, though I drive right foot only.

 

[Rivertenderrivertender]

You are moderately correct - I'm a Pacifica 2 foot driver, for reasons of vehicular integrity ---which is a fun way of saying.. to keep from impacting other objects. The 2 foot survival modality wears off after several days of normal driving, but then reappears and becomes essential once the surge behavior manifests again.

With all due respect, you qualify for a senior service manager at a Chrysler dealership where they insist that the driver is the problem, not the legendary problematic 9 speed transmissikon.......hah ha. Only teasing.

 

[6Gen]

The throttle override (when simultaneous applying both brake & throttle) is not instantaneous. In my experience, the two pedals must be pressed for a small period of time (guessing 4 seconds?) before the throttle cuts out. Release throttle fully to reset. Try it in safe place to experience/replicate.

As mentioned above, this is not a glitch, it is a feature.

 

[Shadow5501]

You are moderately correct - I'm a Pacifica 2 foot driver, for reasons of vehicular integrity ---which is a fun way of saying.. to keep from impacting other objects. The 2 foot survival modality wears off after several days of normal driving, but then reappears and becomes essential once the surge behavior manifests again.

With all due respect, you qualify for a senior service manager at a Chrysler dealership where they insist that the driver is the problem, not the legendary problematic 9 speed transmissikon.......hah ha. Only teasing.

Ah, to be clear I was thinking only of lack of throttle response from a standstill. I didn‘t intend that my response would apply to your surging complaint, but I’m not that good a communicator. I have no idea what might cause that.

 

[Jeremy M.]

You are moderately correct - I'm a Pacifica 2 foot driver, for reasons of vehicular integrity ---which is a fun way of saying.. to keep from impacting other objects. The 2 foot survival modality wears off after several days of normal driving, but then reappears and becomes essential once the surge behavior manifests again.

With all due respect, you qualify for a senior service manager at a Chrysler dealership where they insist that the driver is the problem, not the legendary problematic 9 speed transmissikon.......hah ha. Only teasing.

The left foot 🦶 is for a clutch pedal.

 

[mopops12]

You are not alone. My 2017 TL (90k mi) is doing that right now. "Always" has done this occasionally - sporadic and inconsistent enough to not pursue a $$ fix. Reset the transmission (software) yourself - but it's efficacy may last from mere days to many months...

my17 has same as when new dealers cant fix it or chose not to lemon