[Tomek1962]

This is what I have done already. Not willing to take the risk. My 2018 is at the age, but with less miles, about 43K. So a new Rav4 Hybrid I ordered in September of 2022 was in production last week, and expected delivery the middle of February. And starting about a month ago,I also got the issue with the GPS showing incorrect location. So, although I love the vehicle, it gives a chance to downsize a little and to get excellent MPG, around 40+ MPG, during these times with high gas prices.

I also broke up with my Pac in October with heartbreak. However, the risk of cylinder head damage (gasket) was too great for me and a repair in Germany would have cost a fortune.
I am still convinced that the damage, which almost always occurs on the rear cylinder bank, is caused by heat build-up after the hot engine has been switched off.
I wanted to mesen the temperature with a grill thermometer with two probes, but unfortunately I did not get around to it. Maybe someone of you can do it to measure the difference in temperature between the front bench (behind the radiator) and the rear bench.

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

Not that I should be saying this to you your going through enough already and you have my sympathies but all this head gasket talk is really making me want to sell mine and be done with it and maybe these threads to on this topic, it's enough to depress you to the point everytime I start my car now I worry about some **** head gasket situation when I shouldn't be thinking about this at all .. I'm wondering what the real percentage is of these failures like 1 in 2-3000?? I'm really liking the Carnival I'll think I'll get that soon as much as I love the Pacifica, this is rediculous!!

This is what I have done already. Not willing to take the risk. My 2018 is at the age, but with less miles, about 43K. So a new Rav4 Hybrid I ordered in September of 2022 was in production last week, and expected delivery the middle of February. And starting about a month ago,I also got the issue with the GPS showing incorrect location. So, although I love the vehicle, it gives a chance to downsize a little and to get excellent MPG, around 40+ MPG, during these times with high gas prices.

Yes, the number of Pacific head gasket failures reported on this forum continues to grow. As of this post it is up to 84.

As concerned as I am, the truth is I'm not yet ready to throw in the towel. For one thing, I have Mopar extended warranties on both vehicles. For another, I'm still not convinced that there is an inherent design flaw in the engine itself. If there were, based on the number of Pentastar 3.6 V-6 engines produced since 2015, wouldn't the number of failures be much, much higher? Instead I continue to wonder if these failures could be due to improper monitoring and maintenance. I am also concerned that the advertised longevity of engine oil, engine coolant and transmission fluid is based on "normal use of the vehicle" without any consideration to those who tow, drive freeways at high speed (80+ mpg), do tons of stop-and-go driving, drive lots of short trips that don't allow the engine to warm up properly, or any other number of uses that would not be considered "normal."

Having said that, I completely sympathize with those who are truly worried that their Pacifica might some day become the victim of engine failure and decide to get rid of it before the failure occurs.

@ChryslerCares, you might want to step this up to upper management. The engine failure issue is scaring the **** out of your customer base.

 

[BriPac]

Yes, the number of Pacific head gasket failures reported on this forum continues to grow. As of this post it is up to 84.

As concerned as I am, the truth is I'm not yet ready to throw in the towel. For one thing, I have Mopar extended warranties on both vehicles. For another, I'm still not convinced that there is an inherent design flaw in the engine itself. If there were, based on the number of Pentastar 3.6 V-6 engines produced since 2015, wouldn't the number of failures be much, much higher? Instead I continue to wonder if these failures could be due to improper monitoring and maintenance. I am also concerned that the advertised longevity of engine oil, engine coolant and transmission fluid is based on "normal use of the vehicle" without any consideration to those who tow, drive freeways at high speed (80+ mpg), do tons of stop-and-go driving, drive lots of short trips that don't allow the engine to warm up properly, or any other number of uses that would not be considered "normal."

Having said that, I completely sympathize with those who are truly worried that their Pacifica might some day become the victim of engine failure and decide to get rid of it before the failure occurs.

@ChryslerCares, you might want to step this up to upper management. The engine failure issue is scaring the **** out of your customer base.

I couldn't agree more to basically everything you said.. Statistically even if you look at the 84 complaints just on here versus hundreds of thousands of Pacificas built its still an inherently low number of failures. Driving habits, longevity of fluids before changing them and maybe heavy towing are all huge contributing factors to the life of your engine.. I'm old school, oil changes every 3K miles I've already done 8 drain and fills on my transmission and flushed every bit of old coolant out filled with new purple, I'm not taking any F'n chances on this **** thing!!.
I even left the apartment sized belly pan off when I did my maintenance for better air circulation. No Ram Air goes through the front so this will only help expell more hot air. I've had it off for 3 years and never any issues not to mention if you have any leaks you'll be able to see it on the ground because with the belly pan hides it and you will never see anything.
... One thing we have to remember as unfortunate as it is when people come here to complain about their head gasket on this forum it's when something goes wrong and they are looking for answers so definitely not representative of the whole bunch...

 

[katiepuhr]

Update:

Adding my story to this thread. 2017 Touring L, 62k miles. Started having issues and noticed low coolant back in August 22, but no diagnosis of head gasket issue until January 23. Talked to Chrysler on the phone and David said since I'm out of warranty I'm out of luck, but feeling increasingly frustrated by that since I wasn't out of warranty when the van began having issues in August. Messaged @ChryslerCares and hoping for some assistance. Also reported to NHTSA. Completely unbelievable that we'd have this much trouble this soon.

Update: the dealership near us worked with us and applied good will assistance to the parts. Replaced all heads completely, all parts free and just charged for labor. It ended up being just under 3k. The other mechanic we went to was going to charge 5k for just one head gasket and labor.

If you end up having this issue and aren’t far out of power train warranty, worth it to talk to your local dealership. We provided service records, and since we’d had the aux battery replaced there once they were quick to help.

 

[BriPac]

Update:


Update: the dealership near us worked with us and applied good will assistance to the parts. Replaced all heads completely, all parts free and just charged for labor. It ended up being just under 3k. The other mechanic we went to was going to charge 5k for just one head gasket and labor.

If you end up having this issue and aren’t far out of power train warranty, worth it to talk to your local dealership. We provided service records, and since we’d had the aux battery replaced there once they were quick to help.

If you have a pre-existing condition related to the head gasket before the 5yr 60k powertrain is up (unless you have the extended warranty) and it's documented you "might" have a chance at some negotiations, but if you have a brand new issue 1 day or 1 mile over the 5yr-60k your SOL

 

[BriPac]

Yes, the number of Pacific head gasket failures reported on this forum continues to grow. As of this post it is up to 84.

As concerned as I am, the truth is I'm not yet ready to throw in the towel. For one thing, I have Mopar extended warranties on both vehicles. For another, I'm still not convinced that there is an inherent design flaw in the engine itself. If there were, based on the number of Pentastar 3.6 V-6 engines produced since 2015, wouldn't the number of failures be much, much higher? Instead I continue to wonder if these failures could be due to improper monitoring and maintenance. I am also concerned that the advertised longevity of engine oil, engine coolant and transmission fluid is based on "normal use of the vehicle" without any consideration to those who tow, drive freeways at high speed (80+ mpg), do tons of stop-and-go driving, drive lots of short trips that don't allow the engine to warm up properly, or any other number of uses that would not be considered "normal."

Having said that, I completely sympathize with those who are truly worried that their Pacifica might some day become the victim of engine failure and decide to get rid of it before the failure occurs.

@ChryslerCares, you might want to step this up to upper management. The engine failure issue is scaring the **** out of your customer base.

You know I have to wonder if the oil might be attributed to or contributing to failures because people might be putting different weight and type oils in other than the 0w-20 full synthetic required with the Ms-6395 spec. Maybe because they forget or just get what's available. I would venture to say most people don't change their own oil and when they bring it into any side shop only God knows what they're really putting in maybe non synthetic or different weight crap oil because it's cheaper for them in bulk without the 6395 spec.. Happens all the time. Only Penzoil and Valvoline have have the 6395 from what I've seen. The '17 and up Pacifica 3.6 ICE has VVT timing and must only get 0w-20 or top end pressure will will suffer. These are extremely refined engines with very tight tolerances and little room for error ... Just food for thought🧐

 

[PacificaMinivanFan]

You know I have to wonder if the oil might be attributed to or contributing to failures because people might be putting different weight and type oils in other than the 0w-20 full synthetic required with the Ms-6395 spec. Maybe because they forget or just get what's available. I would venture to say most people don't change their own oil and when they bring it into any side shop only God knows what they're really putting in maybe non synthetic or different weight crap oil because it's cheaper for them in bulk without the 6395 spec.. Happens all the time. Only Penzoil and Valvoline have have the 6395 from what I've seen. The '17 and up Pacifica 3.6 ICE has VVT timing and must only get 0w-20 or top end pressure will will suffer. These are extremely refined engines with very tight tolerances and little room for error ... Just food for thought🧐

There are discussions on this board about how necessary, or unnessary, it is to use MS-6395 certified oil. The owner's manual says it is "recommended." Add to your list of MS-6395 compatible oils the Quaker State Ultimate Synthetic brand.

While the owner's manual falls quite short in warning that engine damage could occur if one used the incorrect oil, it is very explicit in its warning of using the incorrect coolant.

My concern is it is possible the people who buy minivans are typically too busy with families and have little time to pay attention to this stuff. Understandable.

 

[BriPac]

There are discussions on this board about how necessary, or unnessary, it is to use MS-6395 certified oil. The owner's manual says it is "recommended." Add to your list of MS-6395 compatible oils the Quaker State Ultimate Synthetic brand.

While the owner's manual falls quite short in warning that engine damage could occur if one used the incorrect oil, it is very explicit in its warning of using the incorrect coolant.

My concern is it is possible the people who buy minivans are typically too busy with families and have little time to pay attention to this stuff. Understandable.

Yes will add Quaker State to the list I must have missed that. I know Mobil 1 is not.
I know this is grasping but just thought I'd throw it out there to at least keep the oil recipie right as the life's blood, as it is
0w-20 is paper thin and worries me so I put my trust in the engineers,, fingers crossed. These new pushed 10kmi oils and changes must be avoided at all costs. Yes I think people with vans have multiple kids big families and live chaotic lives and sometimes maybe put maintenance on the back burner..
I remember as a teenager I threw in anything that was the cheapest even if it was gear oil in my '73 Pinto😆...

 

[Red S]

I know Mobil 1 is not.

Mobil 1 is not MS6395? That is news to Mobil 1. They have multiple oils that are MS6395.

Caution: this is a PDF https://www.mobil.com/lubricants/-/...-1/pdf/emsga-mobil1productguide-v2-9-1-22.pdf

If you want the link go to this page, and click on "Zinc and phosphorous levels" in the right sidebar. Mobil 1™ 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy | Mobil™ Motor Oils

 

[BriPac]

Mobil 1 is not MS6395? That is news to Mobil 1. They have multiple oils that are MS6395.

Caution: this is a PDF https://www.mobil.com/lubricants/-/...-1/pdf/emsga-mobil1productguide-v2-9-1-22.pdf

If you want the link go to this page, and click on "Zinc and phosphorous levels" in the right sidebar. Mobil 1™ 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy | Mobil™ Motor Oils

I didn't do much research I just picked up t

Mobil 1 is not MS6395? That is news to Mobil 1. They have multiple oils that are MS6395.

Caution: this is a PDF https://www.mobil.com/lubricants/-/...-1/pdf/emsga-mobil1productguide-v2-9-1-22.pdf

If you want the link go to this page, and click on "Zinc and phosphorous levels" in the right sidebar. Mobil 1™ 0W-20 Advanced Fuel Economy | Mobil™ Motor Oils

I didn't do any research I just picked up 2 different 5 gallon bottles of the Mobile 1
0w-20 regular synthetic and high mileage, which are mainstream, and both didn't have the spec so I just assumed and was surprised when it didn't. The ones that have the spec I think are types maybe most people don't use as often..

 

[mrshakenbake]

Late to the party here, but I feel I have the same problem... I'll be #85 on this thread now I guess.

87k miles on a 2017 Pacifica, consistent oil changes. Got back from a long trip and next day CEL light came on - cylinder 3 misfire. Took it in and dealer didn't find anything. Changed oil, and found oil cooler leaking, so replaced that and spark plugs due to being at 87k miles. CEL and misfire came back 3 days later after a weekend trip. This time, been in the shop for over a week and now they want 1500 to do engine tear down to diagnose the "severe coolant leak", suggesting that they believe it could require a full engine replacement for 10k or more. Seems way too early for an engine replacement... even just head gaskets. What is Chrysler doing about these?

Have the dealer do the teardown and see what the damage is truly is?
Is it better to take to a different shop for a second opinion?