[inbloom]

Apparently I'm the lucky winner of a lemon.

Last weekend the car wouldn't start after charging in my garage for a few hours, with the message "Service Charging System" displayed on the dash. It was towed to a dealer, where they cleared out the error codes and it started working again. They were working closely with Chrysler engineering, but there was no real diagnosis, unfortunately.

3 days after picking it up from the service center, the car ran into another issue. This time I am afraid it was more serious. I started the car and the engine started knocking and the van literally jumped up and down before cutting the engine and displaying the message "Service Transmission" along with a "Service EV" and a ton of other error messages. The most concerning part was that the car kept trying to start again on its own. I moved the transmission into Park, but the computer didn't recognize it and wouldn't shut off out of Park. I noticed the Parking brake was on, and when I turned it off, the car started moving on its own. Anyway, great experience with a new car. I've gotten to drive it for a total of 10 days. I'm hoping Chrysler does the right thing here and just replaces it. I don't really want this particular unit anymore.

 

[CentralFla]

I'm hoping Chrysler does the right thing here and just replaces it. I don't really want this particular unit anymore.

I hope for your sake they do as well, there's no excuse for this. Do the right thing FCA take it back, tear it down and have the engineers figure out what's going on. The customer deserves better than this.

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[SherylBear]

Yikes. I know you were already working with corporate on this issue so I'm interested to hear what they say.

 

[inbloom]

I just heard for my contact at FCA engineering. They're towing the car to the dealer that did the work last week. Since the issue is different this time he said FCA may actually send someone out here to assist. Either way, I probably won't see the van again for a while.

While my gut tells me that they should just replace the vehicle, I'll reserve further judgment on the situation until they have an opportunity to troubleshoot. I'll keep you all posted.

 

[RobbW]

Ugh! I can only imagine the frustration you're feeling! I hope they at least gave you a nice loaner in the meantime.

 

[volt779]

With the issues that the early build hybrids have been having, I think I might just wait for the 2018s. Hope your van gets fixed once and for all this go around!

 

[RobbW]

With the issues that the early build hybrids have been having, I think I might just wait for the 2018s. Hope your van gets fixed once and for all this go around!

I don't necessarily think the early build hybrids are having THAT many issues. Just remember, when it comes to reports and reviews of products, it's usually those people with problems that are the most vocal and get amplified, or those people who are really, REALLY super excited about the product. Meaning, folks have to go out of their way to post their experiences (good or bad) about a product online. So, they must feel strongly about the product (good or bad). You usually don't hear from the hoards of people who are simply content with their products and have no issues at all. For them, it is simply not worth their time and effort to go online to post, "Meh, it's fine. No issues."

For those folks who may be having legitimate issues with their 2017 PacHys, they are rightly upset about it and are posting about their experiences. Since theirs are the few experiences when owners are having issues, their sagas get the most attention and get amplified. However, for each person that may be having some type of legitimate issue with their PacHy, there are likely hundreds who are having no problems whatsoever, but just aren't posting about their everyday, normal, acceptable performance.

 

[inbloom]

I'll say this - Chrysler is proactive. I have heard from Engineering and a Brand Advocate regarding my issue. I did reach out to engineering, but it was only after they'd reached out to me first last week when the charging system issue occurred. The Brand Advocate reached out to let me know that she can "move mountains" if things aren't going my way. No word yet on an initial diagnosis.

The dealer I was towed to provides cars via Enterprise. I got a late model Caravan. It's definitely a step down in luxury from the Pacifica, but it does start when I enable the ignition.

 

[Mike]

This may explain the sudden and unexpected delivery stop on all PacHy's across North America today. Ours is in transit and has been held at the train yard in Montreal. Our dealer even said FCA wants him to contact the customers he's already delivered to recently and take their cars back. (He seemed unimpressed with that idea.)

I wonder what's going on? I'm 'almost' glad I haven't taken delivery...almost.

 

[SherylBear]

I have to wonder if there will be people that won't take delivery after all this chaos if they do take all the cars back. At least Chrysler reps are trying to help but a little transparency would be great.

 

[animatorelt]

I have to wonder if there will be people that won't take delivery after all this chaos if they do take all the cars back. At least Chrysler reps are trying to help but a little transparency would be great.

Do you think we could reject the ordered vehicles before the dealers get them? I just don't want to bother at this point.

 

[SherylBear]

Yes you can tell your dealer you don't want to take delivery. I don't know if you have a deposit that may be at risk.

 

[1tg1]

I stand by my original post that there is a fundamental issue with these vehicles.

 

[ChryslerCares]

Apparently I'm the lucky winner of a lemon.

Last weekend the car wouldn't start after charging in my garage for a few hours, with the message "Service Charging System" displayed on the dash. It was towed to a dealer, where they cleared out the error codes and it started working again. They were working closely with Chrysler engineering, but there was no real diagnosis, unfortunately.

3 days after picking it up from the service center, the car ran into another issue. This time I am afraid it was more serious. I started the car and the engine started knocking and the van literally jumped up and down before cutting the engine and displaying the message "Service Transmission" along with a "Service EV" and a ton of other error messages. The most concerning part was that the car kept trying to start again on its own. I moved the transmission into Park, but the computer didn't recognize it and wouldn't shut off out of Park. I noticed the Parking brake was on, and when I turned it off, the car started moving on its own. Anyway, great experience with a new car. I've gotten to drive it for a total of 10 days. I'm hoping Chrysler does the right thing here and just replaces it. I don't really want this particular unit anymore.

Hi inbloom,

I'm sorry to hear about your ongoing concerns with your vehicle. I believe I reached out on your other thread but in case I didn't if you'd like to PM our page with your VIN I'd be happy to document your concerns in a Customer Care case and escalate it to a team who would be best able to further assist you.

Andrea
Chrysler Social Care Specialist

 

[TMaclay]

Apparently I'm the lucky winner of a lemon.

Last weekend the car wouldn't start after charging in my garage for a few hours, with the message "Service Charging System" displayed on the dash. It was towed to a dealer, where they cleared out the error codes and it started working again. They were working closely with Chrysler engineering, but there was no real diagnosis, unfortunately.

3 days after picking it up from the service center, the car ran into another issue. This time I am afraid it was more serious. I started the car and the engine started knocking and the van literally jumped up and down before cutting the engine and displaying the message "Service Transmission" along with a "Service EV" and a ton of other error messages. The most concerning part was that the car kept trying to start again on its own. I moved the transmission into Park, but the computer didn't recognize it and wouldn't shut off out of Park. I noticed the Parking brake was on, and when I turned it off, the car started moving on its own. Anyway, great experience with a new car. I've gotten to drive it for a total of 10 days. I'm hoping Chrysler does the right thing here and just replaces it. I don't really want this particular unit anymore.

The part about it trying to move on its own is particularly concerning. What stopped it from moving? I'm just guessing you had your foot on the brake or switched the parking brake back on. If the car did all this without one or the other brakes being on, that is much less concerning(no hint of the runaway Toyota/Lexus scenario). Thanks in any case for writing this up and letting us know.

One thing you (or anyone who experiences unexpected faults) may find helpful for discussing with the service department folks or filing an NHTSA report is finding a quiet place and writing notes as extensively as you can remember and referring to them frequently when discussing what happened. Often the service folks just want to reset codes or find the easiest/first plausible explanation and do minimal fixes so they can tell you everything is OK. The notes help maintain the questioning attitude you might need to ensure they do a thorough fix. This one sounds as though the damage is mechanical and much more significant. The failures seen so far with these vans suggest to me that the software is getting challenged by faults in elex circuit continuity or unanticipated user actions and is not robust enough to respond in an orderly manner. As suggested way earlier in the 'delay in ordering' thread, this reinforces the idea that software updates for everyone may be called for in the future.

 

[inbloom]

The dealer called yesterday afternoon to tell me the technician was looking at the car. He was able to drive it in under its own power, with no issues. Unfortunately, I know issues that don't repeat themselves are difficult to diagnose. They do have a ton of error codes to review. Engineering wants some information about the outlet that I use to charge the van. I sent them photos for the previous issue.

To answer a couple of questions:

1. I mentioned it already, but I have heard from two different people at Chrysler already. They both initiated contact, which I appreciated. I'm not worried about this being swept under the rug.
2. When the "service transmission" light was on, it appeared that the van didn't recognize what gear I was putting it into. I suspect it was stuck in "drive", even though I had spun the knob to "park". The parking brake was automatically turned on. When I released it, the car rolled forward on its own. This was on flat ground, so the vehicle was likely still in gear. As a result of it being stuck in "drive" the van wouldn't turn off with the message "vehicle not in park". It would shut off on its own and then start back up again on its own.

I get the impression Chrysler is taking this seriously. I'll update this thread as I hear more.

 

[inbloom]

I just heard from Chrysler. They're doing the right thing and getting me a new car. Details on the replacement are coming. I honestly don't think they could have handled this any better.

 

[popac]

I just heard from Chrysler. They're doing the right thing and getting me a new car. Details on the replacement are coming. I honestly don't think they could have handled this any better.

It is EXTREMELY reassuring that they are on top of this and literally "moving mountains".

I got mine 10 days ago and I am super happy with this car with ZERO issue what-so-ever.

Please keep us posted.
thanks,

 

[RobbW]

I just heard from Chrysler. They're doing the right thing and getting me a new car. Details on the replacement are coming. I honestly don't think they could have handled this any better.

That is very good news to hear! I'm glad FCA is providing such wonderful customer support to you. It helps justify my decision to finally give American cars another chance!

 

[Bluesfox]

Great news and re-assuring to hear that you are getting appropriate customer service. Kudos to Chrysler for maintaining positive perception on this one.