NHTSA Complaint #11549086 — 2017 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

On or around September 11, 2023, our 2017 Chrysler Pacifica began to stutter and shake upon ignition. On September 27th, the high engine temperature alarm came up. The coolant reservoir was empty. We filled it up and scheduled an oil change and diagnostic. The Check engine line did not come on for the mechanic during the diagnostic and oil change. The oil change was on September 29th. Shortly after the oil change, the Check Engine line came on again, and on October 5th, the high engine temp alarm came on again. The coolant reservoir was empty again. I filled it again, and drove it to another location. Within a matter of hours, the coolant reservoir was empty again. I scheduled a maintenance visit with our local Chrysler Dealership. I told the dealership the Check Engine light was on and that the reservoir for coolant appeared to be leaking and I had filled it up 3 times. I was informed that the Check Engine light is a Cylinder misfire, and that the car may need a tune up. Upon hear this, I asked the service advisor if they had check the reason for the leaking coolant. I was in disbelief that this was not done as per my original comments. After checking on the coolant leak, the dealership noted that there was no external coolant leak. An internal coolant leak is indicative of a leaking or damaged head gasket. The vehicle purchased in 2017 has 66,000 miles on it. This defective component at this low mileage has put my family at risk of a major accident and will continue to do so due to poor design.