NHTSA Complaint #11603870 — 2024 CHRYSLER PACIFICA PLUG-IN HYBRID

We were driving on a 2 lane stretch of highway under construction. There were concrete barriers at the edge of the left and right lanes. There were no shoulder pull off areas or highway exits. We had been driving at highway speeds for 30 minutes. For about the next 10 minutes, there was heavy traffic congestion. Traffic was periodically stopped in both lanes and generally moving at less than 30 MPH. We were in the left lane when we got an audible chime followed by a dash board message, “Stop Safely - Vehicle will Shut Off Soon”. I was hoping the warning would give me enough time to get off the highway. I used my turn signal to change lanes but the traffic in the right lane would not let me in. I pushed on the gas and there was no engine response and the check engine light was on. I put my hazard lights on and rolled to a stop. The vehicle was blocking the entire left lane and there was no where else to go. We needed a tow. Roadside assistance instructed us to call 911. The vehicle is being repaired under warranty. The engine and transmission are available for inspection upon request to the rental car owner. My family and the other highway drivers safety was put at risk. It is my understanding that over 60,000 HEV Pacifica vehicles were recalled between 2017-2023 for this issue. The corrective action was not to mechanically engineer the problem out of the vehicle but to install a software update to provide the dash board audible and verbal warnings. The 2024 models come with the software mod and so there is no current recall for this years model. I would argue the recall fix is inadequate. There are many roadways where it is not possible with the warning time provided to “Drive to a safe location” and safety continues to be compromised. Verbally filed with NHTSA, ID11598224 due to not having a VIN for the web site entry. My intent is not to duplicate the report, but to provide a more accurate 1st hand account with this submission.