VehicleVerdict

2020 Chrysler Pacifica problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica carries two red flags at once: 255 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.). It is one of the Pacifica years to avoid. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (59), engine (54), and transmission (38), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

255

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

10

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Pacifica years?

Pacifica NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Pacifica years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Chrysler Pacifica problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5923%
Engine5421%
Transmission3815%
Steering3012%
Other177%
Fuel System114%
Driver Assistance73%
Speed Control52%
Brakes52%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Tires & Wheels52%
Seats52%
Airbags42%
Suspension42%
Body & Structure31%
Latches & Locks10%
Seat Belts10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica have recalls?

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

26V362000Electrical SystemJune 4, 2026 · 17,277 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV) vehicles. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire, even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition in the "Off" position.

Consequence

A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until their vehicle is repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module software. In addition, dealers will inspect and replace the battery pack assembly, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning June 23, 2026. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is 52D. The Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 11, 2026.

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.

24V793000AirbagsOctober 24, 2024 · 26 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Pacifica and 2020-2021, 2023 Voyager vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the side curtain air bags may prevent the air bags from deploying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is A8B.

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.

20V191000Driver AssistanceSeptember 10, 2020 · 319,610 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence

The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ24004

Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.

On July 22, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-008 regarding complaints alleging a loss of motive power condition potentially due to a transmission malfunction in Model Years 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV).  On January 17, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) issued safety recall (NHTSA Recall 23V-010) involving 2017-2023 Model Years (MY) Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) produced between August 12, 2016, through January 9, 2023. The recall states that the loss of motive power condition in these vehicles is caused by an internal transmission wiring connector that may short circuit, resulting in an unexpected engine shutdown.  An unexpected engine shutdown can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.  In discussions with FCA on Recall 23V-010, ODI confirmed the recall was related to investigation PE22-008.  The remedy for 23V-010 is to update the Power Inverter module (PIM) and/or Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) software to provide drivers a message stating “Stop Safely - Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon” followed by a chime and MIL, PRNDL blinking (on cluster and shifter knob), low SOC (State of Charge) warning and reduced power mode.  The recall remedy does not replace the defective hardware that was described in Recall 23V-010, and the wiring connector short still exists on these vehicles. To date, ODI has received 132 reports for the population of vehicles subject to recall 23V-010.  These reports allege a loss of motive power condition that reduces the vehicles speed, followed by dashboard warning lamps displaying messages associated with recall 23V-010.  The presence of these warning lamps and messages indicates the vehicle likely had the recall remedy applied. Follow up discussions with FCA confirm their remedy does not prevent a loss of motive power, but instead limits torque to the engine and after an unspecified number of miles or period of time, the engine will shut down.  When this occurs, FCA relies on the owner to transport the vehicle to a dealership after they experience a loss of motive power condition, at which time the defective hardware is replaced.  Furthermore, the dashboard messages introduced in the recall remedy may cause the driver to pull over in an unsafe location. Pulling over in an unsafe location may expose the occupants to undue harm. The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy, frequency, and safety consequence of the remedy for recall 23V-010.  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.

“Vehicle was plugged into an outlet inside the resident's garage when smoke began to come from the battery located in the center floor board. Fire crews responded and unplugged the vehicle and pushed it out of the garage and cooled the battery that registered 350 degrees using a thermal imaging…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 23, 2025 · fire

“The car was running great, but then I had the check engine light on. When I checked the vehicle with an OBDD2, I got P0303 (misfired cylinder 3). A mechanic expert and I checked the vehicle for a possible blown head gasket, low compression, and defective spark plugs, and all was good. The car is a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 7, 2024

“On 11/05/2023 at approximately 12 pm while getting onto the highway of 183 in Austin Texas @ Lamar increasing speeds from 45 to 65mph the engine shifted hard 3x. The engine surged then a hard shift. This occurred 3x. I’m certain you understand the complexities of austin Texas traffic. No matter…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 5, 2023

“Possible control arm failure, been reading online that this has been a known issue with these and nothing has been done about it. My wife was driving with our 3 small children when the vehicle went left on its own with no steering causing her to lose control jumping the west bound lanes of traffic.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 3, 2024 · crash

“1) A/C in the dash has loud non-stop clicking noise. Was replaced and has started up again. 2) Auto start/stop sensor in the cam went out. 3) Power steering rack went out when driving. Bought the car used from a Ford/Chrysler dealership with 65,000 miles. We have had the car for 3 months and they…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 8, 2025

2020 Chrysler Pacifica — common questions

Is the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 255 complaints put the 2020 model at #10 of 17 Pacifica years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Pacifica years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Pacifica problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (59 complaints), engine (54 complaints), transmission (38 complaints).

Does the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.). 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 2020 Chrysler Pacifica?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 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.