Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 1,332 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.1 times the median Pacifica year — the 2004 model ranks #3 of 17 Pacifica years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 47 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (328), engine (260), and suspension (126), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.
1,332
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
3
Investigations
51
Crash-involved
42
Fires reported
47
Injuries
4
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body & Structure | 328 | 25% | new |
| Engine | 260 | 20% | new |
| Suspension | 126 | 9% | new |
| Electrical System | 119 | 9% | new |
| Transmission | 102 | 8% | new |
| Fuel System | 94 | 7% | new |
| Steering | 51 | 4% | new |
| Other | 50 | 4% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 36 | 3% | new |
| Speed Control | 33 | 2% | new |
| Airbags | 27 | 2% | new |
| Seats | 27 | 2% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 26 | 2% | new |
| Lighting | 19 | 1% | new |
| Brakes | 18 | 1% | new |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 5 | 0% | new |
| Latches & Locks | 5 | 0% | new |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 0% | new |
| Child Seat | 2 | 0% | new |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NGC-1 POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, THE SOFTWARE PROTOCOLE USED TO TEST THE VEHICLE EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) SYSTEM MAY LEAD TO ENGINE STALLING UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CHASSIS FUEL SUPPLY TUBE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.
Consequence
UNDER CERTAIN ENGINE AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONDITIONS, THE FUEL LINE MAY SEPARATE, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK AND AN INCREASED RISK OF A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SECONDARY RETENTION CLIP TO THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 15, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-992-1997.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“04 CHRYSLER PACIFICA WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BY A SEMI, AS A RESULT OF THAT THE PACIFICA THEN STRUCK THE GUARD RAIL ON ITS DRIVERS SIDE. THE IMPACT WAS GREAT ENOUGH TO BREAK MULTIPLE WINDOWS, TAKE A TIRE COMPLETELY OFF ITS RIM, AND YET THE SIDE AIRBAGS DID NOT COME OUT. *TR”
“THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN WHEN SUDDENLY SMOKE STARTS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD AND FLAMES BEGAN COMING OUT CLOSED THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE JUST BURNED DOWN TO THE GROUND CALLED 911 FIREFIGHTER CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE IT WAS ALL SO FAST ITS UNREAL.…”
“THERE ARE MULTIPLE OCCURRENCE BUT THE START OF THE PROBLEM WAS 1 WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. 5/6/14 I REPLACED THE TIRES LEFT FRONT AXLE ALONG WITH THE FRONT STRUTS AND STRUT MOUNTS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CAME OUT FOR EMISSIONS SYSTEM SMALL LEAK CHANGED THE GAS CAP. FINE TILL JUNE THEN I HAD TO…”
“I WAS GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN MY BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF NOWHERE AND THEN A SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER STARTED COMING THROUGH THE CAR I PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF POPPED THE HOOD AND FOUND A FIRE ON MY ALTERNATOR . I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR I AM…”
“CAR ROLLED BACKWARD DOWN DRIVE WAY WHILE CAR WAS IN PARK. MY WIFE WAS ALMOST RUN OVER AS SHE WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE DRIVER DOOR WHILE THE DOOR WAS OPEN. THE CAR ROLLED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY (2% GRADE), INTO THE STREET WITH THE DRIVER DOOR OPEN AND PUSHING MY WIFE INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S MAILBOX AND UP MY…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 1,332 complaints put the 2004 model at #3 of 17 Pacifica years. It is one of the Pacifica years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (328 complaints), engine (260 complaints), suspension (126 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Chrysler Pacifica. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Pacifica years to avoid are 2017, 2005, 2004, 2018, 2006, 2021, 2019, 2022, 2020, 2023. The cleanest record among Pacifica years belongs to 2003.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.