NHTSA Complaint #11654239 — 2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding a critical design flaw in my 2018 Chrysler Pacifica that resulted in a severe overheating incident on the highway. I have experienced a sudden and dangerous failure wherein my vehicle’s coolant drained rapidly, causing the engine to overheat within minutes of driving under normal conditions. Below, I address key questions related to the malfunction: Component/System Failure and Inspection Availability: The core issue appears to be a malfunction within the engine cooling system, directly linked to a problematic head gasket design. I have inspected the affected system and component by a qualified independent service center at your request. Safety Risk: Although my vehicle did not exhibit any warning lights or alerts prior to the incident, the rapid onset of overheating posed an immediate danger. This unexpected failure could have resulted in a catastrophic engine failure, thereby placing me, my passengers, and other road users at significant risk. Confirmation of the Issue: Despite strict adherence to routine maintenance, the problem has been confirmed by a independent service center. Their inspections indicate that this is not a result of neglect but likely a consequence of a fundamental design flaw which appears to be a common issue with this van and previous years with remediation. Third-Party Inspections: While the manufacturer has not yet conducted a formal inspection, independent service centers have reproducibly identified the problem. I am open to any further investigations by Mopar. Previous years have same issue with extended warranty and repair being paid for at no cost to the owner, as this is not new it needs fixed Warning Indicators: Prior to the overheating incident, there were no warning lamps, messages, or alerts to indicate any potential issue with the cooling system. The situation escalated unexpectedly from normal operating conditions to a significant problem within a few minutes on the highway.