VehicleVerdict

2017 Chrysler Pacifica problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica carries two red flags at once: 2,315 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 7.1× the Pacifica norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering). It is one of the Pacifica years to avoid. Complainants reported 61 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (531), transmission (463), and electrical system (411), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

2,315

NHTSA complaints

10

Recalls

3

Investigations · 2 open

71

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

61

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Pacifica years?

Pacifica NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted2,315 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 1,332 complaints2005: 1,802 complaints2006: 1,056 complaints2007: 481 complaints2008: 155 complaints2016: 6 complaints2017: 2,315 complaints2018: 1,303 complaints2019: 446 complaints2020: 255 complaints2021: 650 complaints2022: 326 complaints2023: 225 complaints2024: 58 complaints2025: 30 complaints2026: 9 complaints
Pacifica NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Pacifica years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Chrysler Pacifica problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine53123%
Transmission46320%
Electrical System41118%
Steering24411%
Other22010%
Speed Control884%
Brakes864%
Fuel System773%
Body & Structure623%
Driver Assistance362%
Suspension261%
Seat Belts131%
Lighting131%
Airbags121%
Tires & Wheels100%
Seats90%
Visibility & Wipers90%
Latches & Locks40%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica have recalls?

10 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V876000OtherDecember 17, 2025 · 86 units

Defect

Rollx Vans (Rollx) is recalling certain GMC Yukon, Sierra, Chevrolet Express 2500, Ford Transit, E-250, Toyota Sienna, Sienna Hybrid, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Town and Country, Voyager, Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Ram Promaster vehicles equipped with QRT-Deluxe and QRT-Max wheelchair restraints. Please refer to Rollx's recall report for specific model year information. The retractors may not lock, preventing the wheelchair from being properly secured.

Consequence

An unsecured wheelchair can move during transit, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Rollx will work with Q'Straint to inspect and replace the retractors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 5, 2026. Owners may contact Rollx's customer service at 1-800-956-6668.

23V010000Electrical SystemJanuary 17, 2023 · 67,117 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles (PHEVs). An internal transmission wiring connector may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.

Consequence

An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the Power Inverter Module (PIM) software and, if necessary, update the instrument panel cluster (IPC) and the electronic control module (ECM) software, free of charge. FCA US will notify dealers and begin notifying owners on or about: 03/21/2023 for 2021 model year vehicles, 05/02/2023 for 2019-2020 model year vehicles, and 06/15/2023 for 2017-2018 model year vehicles. FCA began notifying owners on February 23, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 03A.

19V348000Electrical SystemMay 9, 2019 · 198,731 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Pacifica vehicles equipped with engine stop/start systems. A loose battery ground connection may result in an intermittent loss of power steering assist and/or a stall.

Consequence

A loss of power steering assist or a stall can increase the risk of crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the battery ground surfaces, clean the contact surfaces as needed, and properly reassemble the ground connection, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US' number for this recall is V53.

18V395000Electrical SystemJune 14, 2018 · 240,242 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) plug may be removed without a tool. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence

If the MPR is engaged unintentionally, the vehicle could roll away striking and injuring a bystander or cause a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MPR plug, free of charge. The recall began July 9, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U50.

18V332000Electrical SystemMay 17, 2018 · 4,815,661 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2018 Dodge Journey, Charger and Durango, RAM 2500, 3500, 3500 Cab Chassis (more than 10,000lb), 4500 Cab Chassis and 5500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee and Chrysler 300, 2014-2019 RAM 1500, 2015-2018 Dodge Challenger, 2015-2017 Chrysler 200, 2016-2018 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis (less than 10,000 lb), 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica and 2018 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. These vehicles are being recalled to address a defect that could prevent the cruise control system from disengaging. If, when using cruise control, there is a short circuit within the vehicle's wiring, the driver may not be able to shut off the cruise control either by depressing the brake pedal or manually turning the system off once it has been engaged, resulting in either the vehicle maintaining its current speed or possibly accelerating.

Consequence

If the vehicle maintains its speed or accelerates despite attempts to deactivate the cruise control, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the software, and perform a software flash on the engine or powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Note: Owners are advised to stop using cruise control until the software update has been performed. In the event that cruise control cannot be disengaged while driving, owners should firmly and steadily apply the brakes and shift the transmission to neutral, placing the vehicle in park once it has stopped.

18V049000Electrical SystemJanuary 11, 2018 · 153,859 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with a 3.6l engine. The engine control software may become out of sync with the crankshaft position sensor, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the engine control software, free of charge. The recall began March 7, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U01.

17V542000Seat BeltsAugust 31, 2017 · 47,927 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with the 8-passenger seating option. In certain passenger seating and vehicle situations, the second-row center seating position seat belt buckle could cause the left outboard seat belt to become unlatched.

Consequence

Inadvertent unlatching of the left outboard seat belt can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a shorter second-row seat belt buckle, free of charge. The recall began October 26, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T54.

17V482000TransmissionJuly 28, 2017 · 524 units

Defect

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (VMI) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vehicles modified by VMI. The rear pinion bracket on both sides of the vehicle may crack, causing the axle not to be centered and the wheel to wobble.

Consequence

A wheel wobble may cause a possible loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

VMI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pinion brackets, free of charge. The recall began on August 14, 2017. Owners may contact VMI customer service at 1-800-488-9082. VMI's number for this recall is PAC20170728.

17V342000BrakesMay 25, 2017 · 371 units

Defect

Vantage Mobility International, LLC (Vantage Mobility) is recalling certain 2017 Chrysler Pacifica lowered floor vans modified by Vantage Mobility for wheelchair accessibility. The affected vans have rear brake lines that might have been crossed during the modification. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence

The crossed rear brake lines will cause the rear anti-lock brake system to be ineffective, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Vantage Mobility will notify owners, and dealers will correct the rear brake line attachments, free of charge. The recall began on July 3, 2017. Owners may contact Vantage Mobility customer service at 1-800-488-9082. Vantage Mobility's number for this recall is Pac-20170525.

16V490000Seat BeltsJune 30, 2016 · 3,620 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2017 Pacifica vehicles manufactured February 22, 2016, through April 28, 2016. The center overhead seat belt stow clip may fracture and prevent use of the seat belt in the third-row and/or second-row center passenger seat (if so equipped).

Consequence

If passengers occupying the third-row and/or second-row center seats cannot use a seat belt, there is an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the third-row and, if necessary, second-row center overhead seat belt stow bezel, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S42.

Open NHTSA investigations

PE25009

Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of alleged defects related to the electric power steering (EPS) system in model year (MY) 2017–2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. ODI has received 94 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting a condition in which the steering system exhibits a sticking sensation during gradual turns, particularly when the steering wheel is positioned near the 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock position. Complainants allege that during these events, increased steering effort is required to return the wheel to center. In many cases, this is followed by a sudden reactivation of EPS assistance, which may result in an oversteer condition. This behavior could increase the risk of a crash, especially at higher speeds. ODI has identified multiple VOQs describing similar symptoms. This investigation will assess the frequency, root cause, and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged EPS malfunction. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

RQ24001

Ignition-off high voltage battery fire (Remedy effectiveness of Recall 22V-077)

On February 11, 2022, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued a safety recall (NHTSA Recall 22V-077) on all 2017-2018 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) produced between August 12, 2016 through August 7, 2018. The recall addresses ignition “OFF’ fires that originate at the high voltage (HV) battery pack assembly. An ignition ‘OFF’ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning. At the time of the recall filing the root cause of the vehicle fires was unknown and under investigation by FCA and suppliers. A software remedy designed to improve thermal event detectability by monitoring battery diagnostics is currently being installed on subject vehicles as an interim remedy. As of November 23, 2023, the root cause of the battery failure is unknown. From December 2022 through December 2023, NHTSA has received four consumer complaints (VOQs) alleging vehicle thermal events involving recalled 2017 and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica PHEVs. Additional information collected from complainants confirmed a thermal event originating near or at the HV battery pack after the Recall 22V077 remedy had been applied to the vehicle. Follow up meetings with FCA and suppliers in November and December 2023 to discuss the ongoing root cause investigation and post-recall remedy incidents indicated a recent increase in HV battery thermal events. Furthermore, a review of NHTSA complaint data indicated the post-recall HV battery thermal event complaint rate now exceeds pre-recall levels. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to review the effectiveness of the original recall remedy, understand the root cause of the battery fires, investigate additional reports of Pacifica PHEV HV battery fires, and to increase monitoring of the manufacturer root cause investigation. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS IN A ACCIDENT AND THE OTHER DRIVER WAS AT FAULT. MY PASSENGER SIDE GOT HIT GOING 65 AND THE CHEVY TRUCK RAN INTO TO US FAILING TO SLOW DOWN TO THERE LANE ENDING AND HIT MY PASSENGER SIDE AND THE SIDE OF THE VAN NONE OF MY SIDE AIR BAGS WENT OFF AND SHE WAS GOING FULL SPEED WHEN HITTING US. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 7, 2019 · crash

“While driving, the motor began to vibrate and lose power as if not firing on all cylinders, and acted as if it was going to stall in the lane of travel, causing me to have to pull off to the shoulder abruptly, striking a mailbox. The vehicle does not display any trouble lights or show any error…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 29, 2022 · crash

“WAS INVOLVED IN A PASSENGER SIDE IMPACT COLLISION WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IN FACT AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION, ALL ELECTRONICS WHEN HAYWIRE. WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL UP/DOWN, DISPLAY ON RADIO SAID SOMETHING LIKE NO SERVICE, LIGHTS WERE BLINKING, AND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 13, 2017 · crash

“Front right stabilizer broke while driving down street and caused loss of control of vehicle. Vehicle spun to right and crashed into parked vehicle.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · March 1, 2025 · crash

“ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION, THE GEAR UNEXPECTEDLY SLIPPED FROM PARK (STATIONARY POSITION) TO REVERSE AFTER STARTING THE IGNITION. MOST RECENTLY ON CHRISTMAS DAY THIS OCCURRED WITH MY DAUGHTER AND 4 MONTH OLD GRANDDAUGHTER IN THE CAR RESULTING IN REAR COLLISION AND DAMAGE TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 25, 2017 · crash

2017 Chrysler Pacifica — common questions

Is the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 2,315 complaints put the 2017 model at #1 of 17 Pacifica years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Pacifica years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 Pacifica problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (531 complaints), transmission (463 complaints), electrical system (411 complaints).

Does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — 2 investigations remain open (Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Chrysler Pacifica years should you avoid?

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.

How safe is the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.