2018 Chrysler Pacifica

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2018 Chrysler Pacifica
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chrysler Pacifica Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2018 highlighted. 2003: 1 complaints 2003 2004: 896 complaints 2005: 1244 complaints 2006: 726 complaints 2006 2007: 326 complaints 2008: 102 complaints 2016: 2 complaints 2016 2017: 1473 complaints 2018: 817 complaints 2018 2019: 289 complaints 2019 2020: 162 complaints 2021: 346 complaints 2022: 190 complaints 2022 2023: 136 complaints 2024: 37 complaints 2025: 22 complaints 2025 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2018: 817 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20031
2004896
20051244
2006726
2007326
2008102
20162
20171473
2018817
2019289
2020162
2021346
2022190
2023136
202437
202522
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 44%

44% of complaints: engine — 359 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

6/20 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THEY PERFORMED THE DTC INSPECTION AND A SYSTEM UPDATE (TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM STALLING). THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED ON 6/23 AND IT BROKE DOWN ON 6/24.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180624

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 33%

33% of complaints: electrical system — 271 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

There was a fire of unknown origin within the van. The fire was self extinguished and contained to the inside of the vehicle. No one was in the vehicle at the time of the fire, and it was found about 45 minutes after leaving the vehicle parked.

NHTSA ODI report, 20241111

MALFUNCTION OF THE HANDS FREE POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENER CAUSED SUFFICIENT HEAT BUILDUP TO IGNITE AN OPEN FLAME IN THE PLASTIC CLADDING MATERIAL UNDER THE BODY OF THE CAR. VEHICLE WAS PARKED (AND HAD BEEN FOR SEVERAL HOURS PRIOR).

NHTSA ODI report, 20180727

6/20 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THEY PERFORMED THE DTC INSPECTION AND A SYSTEM UPDATE (TO PREVENT VEHICLE FROM STALLING). THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED ON 6/23 AND IT BROKE DOWN ON 6/24.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180624

POWER TRAIN 18%

18% of complaints: power train — 148 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
STEERING 18%

18% of complaints: steering — 146 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 46 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20171026 — seat belts

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles equipped with the 8-passenger seating option.

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.

Campaign 17V542000 — check if this car was fixed

2018 — complaint volume: 817
R 20180214 — equipment

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling various Dodge, Chrysler, and RAM vehicles equipped with Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began February 14, 2018.

Campaign 17V824000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180604 — electrical system, vehicle speed control

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...

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.

Campaign 18V332000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180709 — electrical system, equipment

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The Manual Park Release (MPR) plug may be removed without a tool.

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.

Campaign 18V395000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180807 — power train

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019 Jeep Cherokee vehicles and 2018 Chrysler Pacifica non-hybrid vehicles.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U85.

Campaign 18V492000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180918 — power train

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles. The front axle halfshafts may have been incorrectly assembled, preventing the shaft from being properly secured to the constant-velocity (CV) joint.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left or right halfshaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began September 18, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403.

Campaign 18V493000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20181002 — electrical system

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Jeep Renegade, Compass and Grand Cherokee, RAM 1500 and Promaster, Fiat 500x, Dodge Journey, Challenger, Charger and Durango and Chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Grand Caravan and...

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began October 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U87.

Campaign 18V524000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190426 — suspension

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and Pacifica hybrid vehicles. The right front lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front knuckle and lower control arm for damage, replacing the components as necessary.

Campaign 19V143000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190524 — electrical system

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.

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.

Campaign 19V348000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200109 — back over prevention, equipment

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Pacifica vehicles equipped with an 8.4 inch radio display, 360 degree surround view camera system, and seat back video screens.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began January 9, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is VE2.

Campaign 19V886000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20220722 — PE (closed 20240327)

Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power

R 20230223 — electrical system, hybrid propulsion system

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.

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.

Campaign 23V010000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20240116 — RQ (open)

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

I 20240227 — RQ (open)

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

I 20250905 — PE (open)

Intermittent Loss of Electric Power Steering

R 20260205 — equipment adaptive/mobility

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...

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.

Campaign 25V876000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2018 Chrysler Pacifica — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (359 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (271 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (148 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 17V542000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V824000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V332000 (electrical system, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V395000 (electrical system, equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V492000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V493000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V524000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V143000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V348000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V886000 (back over prevention, equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V010000 (electrical system, hybrid propulsion system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V876000 (equipment adaptive/mobility) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2008 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ■ 2005 ■ 2004

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.