2018 CHRYSLER PACIFICA Engine Problems

At 120,000 miles the head gasket has started leaking into the cylinders. We are unsure if it is reparable or if I will require a new engine. This is a know problem with Pacificas and is an issue they should be fixing since the problem is on the engine part they installed.

As I was leaving the gas station the Check engine light flashed on and off then the car was like turning on and off fast and a loud clunk sound and the Fuel pump module exploded gas sprayed all over the gas station. Huge fire hazard and the car began to smoke Vehicle experienced a sudden catastrophic fuel system failure involving fire risk and loss of propulsion. The incident occurred without warning and created a serious safety hazard to occupants and surrounding traffic. This vehicle is a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Similar failures involving fuel system and hybrid control logic have been widely reported. The manufacturer was contacted but declined to properly document the safety incident. This failure is not consistent with normal wear and tear and represents a potential safety defect. Key details to include when submitting online: - Sudden loss of propulsion - Fire risk / fuel involvement -...

Engine head gaskets replacement with less than 70k miles. I noticed than other owners are having the same issue. an expensive repair with a vehicle driven very little .

Head gasket blew due to defective engine block at 69,000 miles, confirmed by mechanic.

On October 31, 2020 (before our purchase of the van) the previous owner had to take the van to Chrysler for hesitation in the transmission shifting. On June 14, 2021 (only two weeks after purchase), we had to drop it off for intermittent shifting issues with what seemed like skipped gears. No engine light came on, and the van was returned stating an inability to reproduce the issue. On February 7, 2022 we brought the van to Chrysler after taking it in a few times to Carmax to resolve the the disabled "Start/ Stop" System. The light would intermittently come on indicating the system was unavailable, and shifting would be erratic. An inspection and recall work for the PCM was performed. In June of 2023, the UConnect System stopped working intermittently. The gears were still shifting roughly with the shift knob becoming increasingly more difficult to turn. An independent shop...

At 48,445 miles, the vehicle's engine experienced a catastrophic internal failure involving Cylinders 4 and 6. The failure resulted in a sudden loss of motive power and engine misfires while the vehicle was in operation, creating a severe safety hazard and risk of stalling in active traffic. A certified mechanic performed a cylinder leak-down and compression test, confirming internal engine failure consistent with the known 3.6L Pentastar cylinder head/gasket manufacturing defects. The vehicle is now unsafe to operate. This failure occurred well before the expected useful life of the powertrain and appears consistent with the defects alleged in the class action Maugain et al. v. FCA US LLC. No warning lights illuminated prior to the immediate failure.

Original code displayed was for a misfire on cylinder 5. Vehicle wouldn’t start and we had it towed to a Chrysler dealership for a diagnostic. Dealership stated it had a cracked head gasket. Based on research this is a common problem among Chrysler pacificas where it’s specifically happening on cylinder 5. Regular maintenance has been done and prior to the issue it idled roughly. The next morning the vehicle wouldn’t start.

Blown head gasket.

The vehicle stalls while driving without any notice. This van has a start/stop function and it malfunctions. There are two separate batteries that control this function and both of them have been replaced. The entire steering rack and steering column have had to be replaced. The front suspension has also had to be replaced because the tires wear out very quickly. The alternator, radiator, and motor mounts have also had to be replaced. The van is available for inspection. At the moment the vehicle will not start and I have been advised that it needs a new starter. This vehicle is a safety risk and it puts others at risk as well. These problems have been diagnosed and confirmed by at least three different service centers including a Chrysler dealership. I generally do not get any warning lamps, messages, or symptoms when the van stalls.

Blown head gasket leading to engine failure.

Head gasket failure number two cylinder created Hydro lock and destroyed motor 105K miles

Well driving down the interstate my van slammed on brakes stated safety mode engine will.shut off soon. Now it will not start. It could have caused us to get in a serious wreck.

On our 2018 Pacifica the head gasket is blown. This seems to be a very common issue with the 2018 model that Chrysler won't address. No one was harmed. The problem was confirmed by our independent mechanic. No it has not been inspected by anyone other than the independent mechanic. The check engine light came on after a rough start, coolant level started to go down, and white smoke from the exhaust. There are many complaints and many forums with Pacifica owners needing to foot the bill for these repairs. There is specifically something wrong with this engine from this time frame. Thank you

This van is a 2018 modified with a handicap accessible rear ramp. We purchased this van in 2021 and since it has spent 6 months the first time at the shop then it was at our facility totally not running for another 6 months we paid 400 dollars to tow it to a dealership they replaced the transmission it ran for 2 months and now doesn’t start it’s in limp mode and when it does start and run when your driving it loses all power suddenly. We have only put 3800 miles on this van in the time we’ve had it and we owe over 25,000 still on it. Nobody can figure out what’s wrong with it but we are very small residential care facility and we are unable to transport residents because we have a broken van that we still pay for do we can’t purchase another one.

2018 Chrysler Pacifica, 3.6L V6, approx. 66,476 miles. The vehicle began losing coolant with no visible external leaks. When cold, opening the coolant reservoir cap releases a strong hiss of pressure and coolant flows back into the tank. The check engine light appeared, first showing a cylinder misfire (resolved after spark plug replacement), then later a slow EGR leak code. Over the next several weeks, the coolant level continued dropping and the reservoir remained pressurized even when cold. Vehicle was inspected by Waxahachie Dodge Chrysler Jeep (RO #490099, Sept 2025). Technician performed a combustion gas test and confirmed exhaust gases are present in the coolant system. No external leaks were found. Diagnosis: failed head gasket allowing combustion gases into the cooling system and coolant to burn in cylinders. The technician stated overheating or warpage may have opened a path at the head gasket but found no external signs of overheating....

As of late of September 2025, our vehicle had approximately 59,000 on the odometer. Around that time, the check engine light turned on. A few days later, white smoke began emitting from the exhaust. On September 27, 2025, the vehicle failed to start entirely. We had the car towed to Brooklyn Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) for inspection and repair. The dealership performed a diagnostic check and provided the report on October 13, 2025, indicating that the issue was due to a failed head gasket. The repair's cost is $8,711.56.

In July of 2021 I bought a used 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L with about 21k miles on it from a massachusetts Cadillac dealer for ~$27k. in august of 2024 i took it to a massachusetts Chrysler dealer because my mechanic, while troubleshooting battery/start issues, noticed there was no coolant. The dealership told me there's a cylinder 6 misfire and coolant leaked into the engine. And that the car needs a new engine and that'll cost me ~$8k. and that their diagnostic fee was $150. The car has about 63k miles on it. In the two months before this issue, i put ~$1.5k into the car for two new tires, new back brakes, new sway bars and an oil change. in august of 2024 the car was no longer covered by any warranties. After talking to my mechanic and reading through a number of online car forums, it seemed likely...

While driving, the Pacifica lost all engine power in the middle of an intersection while traveling at 34 mph. All the dash lights blinked and sounded alerts. The car then showed U1267 and U0416 diagnostic codes.

Absolutely, [XXX] — here’s a more natural, human-sounding version of your NHTSA report draft: --- Vehicle Issue Report: Chrysler Pacifica I’m reporting ongoing issues with my Chrysler Pacifica that I believe could be safety-related: Clunking Sound: The vehicle makes a clunking noise when shifting gears. Steering Stickiness: The steering doesn’t always respond smoothly — it occasionally sticks when turning. This makes the car go wider than intended during turns and lane changes, which feels unsafe. I’m concerned they may point to a larger mechanical issue and could affect driver control. I’d appreciate it if NHTSA could look into whether this is part of a known defect or something that needs further investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Blown Head Gasket (Cylinder 3 Misfire) After having 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Touring L serviced at Chrysler Dealership, technicians found small leak coming from Oil/Coolant Filter housing unit. Part was replaced and few days later vehicle had a misfire and had flashing Check Engine Light (CEL). Car was towed to dealership, technicians said code seen was P0303 (Cylinder 3 Misfire). Tech, replaced Ignition coil for cylinder 3 and cleared codes. Two days later on start up, P0303 (cylinder 3 misfire) came back with CEL. Tech cleared codes and could not re-create CEL again. Two days later P0303 came back. Technicians performed more diagnostics and confirmed blown head gasket. This seems to be a very prominent issue with 2017-2018 Pacificas, more notably Cylinders 1, 3, & 5. The catalytic converter sits above the firewall cylinder bank and possibly is causing this possible engine failure due to excessive heat and poor heat dissipation...

The engine failed at 104,000 miles despite proper maintenance. The vehicle is used by my wife and three children, and the engine unexpectedly experienced a head gasket failure while on the highway, with no prior warning except for a known issue acknowledged by Chrysler. I am now faced with the costly repair of replacing the engine. As a family relying on this vehicle for daily needs, including school and work commitments, I am disappointed that such issues persist in this model despite widespread reports of similar problems.

I have written about repeated issues with Auto Start/Stop on this vehicle. Prior dealers have not been able to isolate the problem. Some of the problems seem to mimic a much earlier issue that went to court but did not happen during the timeframe of the class action suit. The prior submission to NHTSA was with this tracking number: 11681967 . I am now submitting repair information that aligns with my complaint of the Auto/Start stop on this vehicle. I am submitting this because it helps to support my earlier submission. Thank you

The vehicle jerks or hesitates to shift into gear when I get near 35 mph. It is forceful and loud. Somewhat like initial jerk pulling off from a roller coaster. My safety and the safety of my children have been at risk because slow moving vehicles are a hinderance to the flow of traffic. I have almost been rear-ended several times as the speed limit has increased in an area and I can't increase my speed as quickly as others behind me. Also, the delayed acceleration with the force of the jerk causes me to move forward too fast. This seems to be a transmission problem that all of the dealers in the area try to ignore. They claim they cannot reproduce the error but it happens each time I drive it. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, nor insurance representatives as I have not YET...

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact had to press the PUSH-to-Start button several times for the vehicle to restart. The contact stated that the lights were out on the gear shifter. The driver was able to shift to park and then continued driving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a corroded wire in the active grill shutter system. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact replaced the battery. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer and also the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Check engine light came on the day after the automatic start/stop light came on. Engine code read cylinder 4 misfire. We switched all the spark plugs and changed the cylinder 4. A couple days later check engine light came back on brought the vechile into Bergstrum. They put in a name brand cylinder 4 plug and spark plug, 2 weeks later the light came back on, same exact issue. They are now claiming it’s an engine issue potentially. Sounds like this is a BIG problem for 2018 Chrysler pacificas.

The transmission KICKS into 2nd gear at times and it feels like I've been rear ended. Also sometimes when that happens the car will accelerate on it's own, I am surprised that I haven't hit anything or anybody when that happens. And other times it will cut out altogether and loses power. This is definitely a safety issue. I can't understand why Chrysler will not do anything about this issue. It can be very dangerous. This has been going on for the 4 years that I have had the van.

Auto start/stop alarm displays in dash. Have taken it to two different dealerships and they say they can find no problem. They car hesitates when stepping on the gas. There have been incidences when the car stalls all together. We have now noticed that the issue is more prominent when the weather temperature is hot like over 90 degrees but especially if the temperature is over 100 degrees. Also just recently within past few weeks the car will stall but keeps going though you cannot accelerate, however, you do not lose steering ability. You have to pull off the road and shut the car down and restart it and then all components work properly. Again this is happening when weather temperatures run high. This has been an issue last year as well. I called Chrysler and got a Star Case # 91330213 but then we stopped having the problem. Most...

While slowing to a stop at a traffic light, the engine stalled unexpectedly. The start/stop system did not restart the engine when I released the brake pedal. Accessories (radio, lights, etc.) remained powered, but I could not shift the vehicle into neutral. After approximately 20 minutes, I was able to restart the engine; however, the transmission remained unresponsive and the engine could not be shut off using the ignition button. I was unable to shift to neutral or turn the steering wheel. Message on dash indicated shifter module required service, and indicated that the vehicle was not in park when attempting to turn off vehicle. The vehicle was only turned off by disconnecting the 12-volt battery. The vehicle was towed to a Chrysler dealership and diagnostics completed, showing error codes with the shift module. They were unable to recreate the problem and advised replacing the shift module. When inquiring about...

Head gasket failure at a 107,000 miles.

This vehicle experience is intermittent installing or fails to restart after the engine shut down I verified there are currently no open recalls and I believe this may be related to a known PCM or emissions related issue

Coolant leak in cylinder 3 due to faulty head gasket. Based on the blogs, this is an issue with all Pacifica not just 2018. This requires a full engine replacement which most families cannot afford nor afford to replace the vehicle. If we keep driving it with this issue it becomes a safety issue. Quote is an $11,000 repair.

On Thursday, July 3, we were on our way out of town and had just gotten on a highway when I smelled something burning, saw smoke (we thought was steam at the time) coming from the hood and heard the engine making a grinding, or rattling noise so we pulled over immediately. My husband got out of the car to start to take a look when another vehicle who had just passed us backed up and motioned frantically saying “Your car is on fire!” So we got out and looked under the front of the car and sure enough, there was liquid spilling onto the ground and fire coming from underneath. So we quickly got away from the car and called 911. Another gentleman who had been going West also stopped to make sure everyone was okay and was also calling 911. Within 10-14 minutes the front of the car...

Vehicle engine shuts off while driving down the road. Will start up after a few minutes. Traction control light and auto start stop light will come on. Random right wheel noise will come and go. Have had multiple mechanic shops check vehicle with no findings. Vehicle loses all power when shuts down.

My 2018 Chrysler Pacifica has confirmed internal engine damage—scoring in the cylinder wall—diagnosed by an authorized Chrysler dealer. This occurred with no abuse or neglect, and the failure is consistent with many documented reports involving the 3.6L Pentastar engine. Chrysler is aware of premature failures in this engine across various models, but has denied goodwill assistance in my case despite providing it in others. I have involved the Washington State Attorney General’s office (File #[XXX]), and I believe this should be part of a broader investigation into systemic engine defects that pose safety and financial risks to consumers. Mileage at failure: 77,000 Diagnosed by: Renton Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (WA) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Recurrent intermittent power steering failure and intermittent engine stall. Steering wheel gets stuck when turning right while driving at speed on highway. Steering wheel gets very heavy and requires some force to get it back to center. If I let go of the steering wheel, it would stay in the same position until I move it back. When driving at slower speeds, usually when navigating around turns or roundabouts, the engine will stall and then drastically jolt into gear. Two different mechanics have not been able to identify the root cause. They have checked alignment, electrical codes, and other potential issues without any answers. After research, I believe I am experiencing similar issues as detailed in the Safety Recall V53 / NHTSA 19V-348 Power Steering Assist. My VIN was not included in the recall , but I believe my car is showing similar concerns. I have requested a local Chrysler...

Check engine light and auto start/stop function stopped while vehicle began to run rough and slow approximately one week ago on my way home from work. BARELY accelerated to 25 on my way home. Nearly got hit as it did happen in traffic. Took it to Auto Outlet Service Yard for diagnostic purposes. Mechanic stated blown head gasket and needs new motor estimate 4500 dollars only had vehicle 6 months get oil change regularly, drive to and from work and school only.

The oil filter housing was poorly designed and leaks on virtually every one of these vehicles.  Thus causing engine failure and breakdown which may lead to potential serious harm to travelers as our family suffered.  After more than a year of research talking to mechanics and Chrysler owners and service personnel, I have come to aa clear understanding:  This Oil Filter housing should have been recalled.  Subsequently,  in later models engineers changed the oil housing manufacturing from a plastic to metal application, to a metal to metal application.  Simply put, the expansion ratios of metal and plastic are measurably different,  thus the OFH leaks with time due to heat and cold temperature  fluctuations. our Breakdown happened on [XXX] and I have been talking to Chrysler and there personnel since that time, with no help. This is a dangerous over sight! There is much more to this story that I will...

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 105,769.

Head gasket needing replacement due to cylinder 5 misfire at 7 years/55,000 miles. This appears to be a defect in the engine for this year and 2019 year. I am willing to be a named defendant if there is an opportunity to go after Chrysler for this as they are offering no assistance for this known defective engine.

I had my Chrsyler Pacifica since Nov 2018 . Recently I heard a noise and Dealer suggested change in Transmission . Ever since I have problem with Car stopping im middle of road , towed 5 times to dealer and dealer says he fixed it but still same problem with vehicle stalling happen. yesterday (05/20), delaer informed that vehicle stalled in road while they did test drive after they fixed the problem. I am scared to drive this car anymore. Dealser did not want to loan their car as well anymore , I am without car for more than 30 days during this all 5 incidents .

The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled, with a misfire coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam shaft had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

The oil filter housing adapter is made of plastic. They frequently break and mix the coolant and oil, leak oil out of the system and into the heads. This is a known problem and engineering solution of an aluminum housing has been made. They should recall this part and replace or reimburse for people who have had to do this already.

Brought Pacifica into the dealer because of "check engine" light. Car had some shaking too upon startup. There was also some "ticking" sounds in the dashboard. Dealership told me that the head gasket of the first (and likely third) needed to be replaced. There was an engine 3 misfire per diagnostics. I was quoted at $4,600 for the repair. This appears to be a known issue, as the dealer said "we don't know if this will turn into a recall." There seems to significantly similar issues all over the Pacifica message boards.

My car wasn’t driving properly (2024) so I brought it to a Chrysler dealer in Mt Juliet TN. They did some cylinder work for $2300. The vehicle had approx. 85000 miles on it. The check engine light came on again at about 90000 miles (2025) so I brought it to Christian Brothers in Mt Juliet TN and they did spark plug work for $1700. The check engine light came on immediately after and the same auto mechanic said it was the head gasket. I brought it to Car Max in Nashville TN to sell it but they didn’t offer enough and said the error code indicated a cylinder misfire.

Major engine damage at 83,000 miles (blown head gasket). Vehicle was well maintained. It seems that this is common issues with the Chrysler Pacificas.

Leading up to the failure the smell of coolant was noticeable after driving the van. Coolant reservoir never showed a drastic decrease in coolant but I would top minimally every 6-8 months. I took the van to 3 different shops stating that I smelled coolant with zero evidence of a leak. System was tested and found not be leaking coolant at each shop and recommend continue to drive the vehicle. At 61,000 miles CEL came on with code P0305. Code was for a misfire in cylinder 5. CEL ended up going away only to come back a few days later. Engine never displayed any signs of overheating and consistently runs at a normal operating temp according to the onboard display. Inspection showed coolant pooling in cylinder 5 and wear on the camshaft. Oil changes completed every 3k miles and the recommendation from shop was to put in a new engine...

Vehicle starting having some issues on startup. Check engine light came on and immediately took it in to the local shop to have it inspected. The HEAD GASKET had gone bad--while not fully blown it was leaking coolant into the cylinder and would have left us stranded on the side of the road with our three little kids if it completely failed when we were out and about.

Engine has 85000 miles on it and has never missed an oil change or service. Car has never overheated, but a check engine light has come on for a misfire in cylinder 6. Dealership indicates there is a blown head gasket and pitting on the engine. This car is too new to have such significant engine problems and it looks like it is a very common occurrence.

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...

The vehicle randomly stalls, goes dead and becomes unresponsive. This has happened numerous times at lights, stop signs and in the middle of the road.