2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA Electrical System Problems

This submission supplements my prior NHTSA ODI complaint regarding the same vehicle and loss-of-motive-power condition. On Nov 8, 2025, the vehicle experienced a loss of propulsion at highway speed, creating an immediate safety risk. The vehicle could not maintain speed and required evasive action with no propulsion to avoid traffic hazards. Following the incident, the vehicle was inspected and stored diagnostic trouble codes P0A3F-00 and P0A43-00 were retrieved, relating to drive motor position sensor / resolver signal loss or degradation. These fault codes are associated with loss of propulsion and indicate a propulsion control signal-path fault, rather than a condition resolved by software calibration alone. The vehicle remains available for inspection and is out of service at a dealership due to unresolved safety concerns. Since my prior ODI complaint, I provided formal written notice to the manufacturer describing the incident, the retrieved fault codes, and the safety implications, and requested...

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized in the middle of the road. The contact stated that there was no power to the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred close to the residence, and there was not a lot of traffic. The driver was able to exit the vehicle and get to a safe area. The contact's brother-in-law was contacted for assistance; however, the driver became impatient waiting for assistance. The driver attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle started. The help arrived, disconnected and reconnected the battery cables, and the vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer; however, the dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that a recall was issued, but for Hybrid vehicles. In addition,...

I purchased this van in March 2025, it was used about 62000 miles, but dealer said it was in good condition, no issues. In September 2025, a battery light came on, that also activated the Start/Stop could not be used and needed service as well as Service Shifter. I brought the vehicle in and they simply replaced the auxiliary battery and sent me on my way. On November 13th, I was driving and a battery light came on as well as the Stop/Start not available error, and then moments later said "Stop Safely Vehicle will shut off soon". Thankfully I was only moments from home, and made it safely with my 5 children who were also in the van. Obviously this is dangerous as the vehicle stopping while driving can kill myself, my children, anyone in my vehicle, as well as cars around me as I live in a busy...

Component/System: The propulsion system of my 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, specifically a suspected internal transmission wiring-connector short—the exact hardware defect identified in Recall 23V-010 as capable of causing sudden loss of motive power. In my case, both propulsion sources (gas and electric) simultaneously ceased providing power, leaving the vehicle unable to accelerate. The vehicle, its transmission, and all hybrid-system components are available for inspection upon request. When inspected at the Chrysler dealership, technicians retrieved a diagnostic trouble code they acknowledged corresponds to the known wiring-connector short condition. This code was present before any recall procedures were performed. Safety Risk: I was traveling at highway speed with my family, the vehicle abruptly lost all motive power and began decelerating without my ability to maintain speed. I was forced to coast to the shoulder while surrounded by faster-moving traffic, exposing me and other motorists to the danger of a high-speed rear-end collision....

My 12v battery failed and damaged other system components. This is a description of the flaw from a mechanic that had the same problem: There is a major flaw in the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. The BPCM (high-voltage battery control unit) has no protection against high-voltage pulses on the 12-volt network. Moreover, the connection diagram of the high-voltage contactors does not contain any elements that could extinguish the counter-induction EMF pulses when the contactors are turned off. That is, when turned off, the contactors in the 12-volt network create high-voltage surges that can burn anything, any block that is connected to the 12-volt network. In my case, the power supply module of the high-voltage battery control unit BPCM was burned. The LG chem battery modules themselves were in perfect order during this malfunction. The circuit of this module is quite complex, the board is multilayered and it was difficult for me...

Engine Shutdowns randomly While driving and it almost caused me to crash once on the highway and the other was while in my neighborhood to take my daughter to school

The batteries died and we didn't know that there was an IBS(internal battery sensor). The van started to take over its own system. It would put itself in park, open the hood, self holding temporarily unavailable, start/stop unavailable, emergency break engaged, and turned it self off while driving!

On multiple occasions, from 2023-2025 our vehicle has had issues where all the gauges and warning lights go off and vehicle stops and turns off regardless of driving conditions. Recently happened yesterday. The culprit is the can c bus connectors that Chrysler is using. They short out causing the issue and because so many systems codes get tripped after nearly a year of back and forth with dealerships unable to diagnose issue I went to a pacifica forum where there are 1000s same reported issue. The issue is caused by the cancam bus connectors - specifically under the dashboard in our case, due to Chrysler using zinc based soldering that cannot handle the heatand elements. These solders use to be made out of lead that can handle the elements. We are replacing them for the 2nd time in less than a year after,as mentioned before, my wife and daughter had...

I was driving and all of a sudden I got a warning to stop that the engine was going to shut off. I got off to the side of the road and it shut down. I had it towed to the garage. The next day they ran tests. The batteries were both new and they tested fine. Alternator tested fine. Since then it’s happened two more times and the dealer is telling me that all the tests are fine. That Chrysler won’t help me because they can’t prove anything is wrong. Even with the pictures of all the codes and alerts. I don’t feel safe driving my kids in this van at all now. But nobody will help me.

Vehicle was plugged into an outlet inside the resident's garage when smoke began to come from the battery located in the center floor board. Fire crews responded and unplugged the vehicle and pushed it out of the garage and cooled the battery that registered 350 degrees using a thermal imaging camera. No flames were present. National Fire Reporting Incident Number: 25-2040031

The vehicle was purchased 8/5/2023. 8/23/2023 the vehicle stalled while at the bus stop with kids. Would not start again. 10/26/2025 the vehicle again stalled but at a red light during rush hour. During this event I attempted to use the hazards so the traffic approaching was aware it was not working. The hazard lights would not work. The vehicle was not even allowing the neutral position to allow it to be pushed out of the way. I was on the side of the road waving down card watching about 20 cars (fairly assuming with no lights indicating otherwise that it was moving) I was flagging traffic on my way home from a night shift at a hospital in town. I had it towed home was able to charge the battery enough for taking it to the dealership. The axillary and main batteries both were replaced more than 3 times....

On multiple occasions while driving, we would get a fault/error message on the dash stating the Start/Stop system was malfunctioning and would be deactivated. We had the battery replaced at the dealer and had no issues for approximately 6 months. Not only does the car give a fault/error message when the fault occurs, but the car shuts off, while in motion (including at high speeds), causing us to have to coast through dangerous traffic to get to a safe place to put the car in park and then restart it. Once restarted, the car will run fine for an undetermined length of time before it shuts off again while driving for the same issue. Chrysler's only recommendation is to change the battery, which has been replaced and the current battery tested for proper operation.

On [XXX] in Alabama at [XXX] on Saturday [XXX], going highway speed with cruise control on, the engine shut off unexpectedly. The driver put on the flashers, pulled over, and turned off the vehicle for 30 seconds. Then the vehicle was turned back on and was functioning normally. Approximately 10 minutes later the engine light is on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

THE VEHICLE WILL HARD SHIFT RANDOMLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON SOMETIMES AND THE ENGINE LOSSES SPEED AND POWER WHILE DRIVEING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I CAN SOMETIMES CUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND MAKE IT HOME SAFELY OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT LET ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ALL. WE HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY SAY THEY CANT DIAGNOSE IF LIGHT ISNT ON. MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON I CANT MAKE IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE SCANNER FROMA INDEPENDENT SERVICE CENTER.

The Backup Camera is intermittent. One time it works and I can see what’s behind Me. The next time I go to backup, I get a blue screen. The next time I get fuzzy squiggly line. Once in a while I’ll see behind Me but it doesn’t move with Me, like the screen is stuck. There are several complaints of this on Reddit as well. I went to the dealership and they did a software update which did not change this issue. The dealership wants to charge a massive charge to ‘look at it and see if they can fix it’. They’re not even sure if they’ll be able to fix it.

The entertainment system when super cold outside the screen goes black and does not work. The issue has made it difficult then to change heating and cooling settings and utilize the rear view camera and other safety features of the car. The dealership was able to update it to fix it once then the other two times it came back on before the appointment for the dealership. The auto/stop start malfunctioned while waiting at light.putting my whole car in park and locked up until I turned it off and back on. This occurred twice and put me at risk with being on busy roads in the day. Dealership was able to fix with a new battery. In the past and currently the car has shifted with a Jerk or lunge type movement making the driver worried and concerned about hitting cars around them due to this. The dealership replaced a...

The auto engine start-stop stopped working approx 2 years ago. Last week (early March 2025) my wife called and was panicking that “the engine stopped and the steering locked” while driving and a warning light and message appeared in the dash display - something like “service power steering”. I said it sounds like an electrical issue and she needs to add power steering fluid so I purchased a jug and went to meet her. While driving toward her location she called and said she looked online and found that her Pacifica has electric power steering, not hydraulic type. When I arrived the vehicle was working as normal and the message and warning light had disappeared. The same problem has repeated nearly ever day since then except the vehicle engine has not stopped. She claimed that she could not physically turn the wheel during these episodes and I tried to tell...

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the stop service message displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,800.

2020 Pacifica keeps stalling. From a stop light or stop sign the vehicle will lurch forward without warning. Recently, from a strip mall I stopped before pulling out into traffic and the vehicle lunged forward peeling rubber and shot onto the main road and I had to slam on the brakes to get the vehicle under control. At the next stop light, it stalled and I couldn't get it started. I'm handicapped and I had to exit the vehicle with my canes and advised the driver behind me of the problem. I've made 5 trips to the dealer with this problem. The dealer replaced a crankshaft postion on one trip and the fuel pump on another visit. If you leave the vehicle set for about an hour everything goes back to normal until the next time it stall, which is the next time I use the vehicle. More recently I...

Car start/stop system not operating properly; batteries are not able to keep charge after replacing several times; car unexpectedly stops and unexpectedly jerks. Back up camera and screen freezes unexpectedly . These are all ongoing and continue to be unresolved by local Chrysler dealership

Electrical system issues. Had to replace both batteries in the pacifica. The van jerks or grinds while trying to shift. Now the oil pan is warping which can cause the coolant to mix with the oil causing a safety hazard.

I came to a stop at a stop sign yet again & the emergency brake engaged & put the car in park & shut itself off. I’ve lost count of how many of these forms I’ve filled out & how many times it’s happened and NOTHING IS GETTING SOLVED!!

Our Chrysler Pacifica caught fire in the passenger cabin, appearing to start near the 2nd row drivers side passenger seat. The fire department said it was an electrical fire.

While driving down the highway car makes a pop sounds and shuts completely down. Would not start again for 4+ minutes. Upon a quick google search learned this happens a lot with this vehicle and was apparently recalled and fixed in the past and seeing how this vehicle has no open recalls that was supposedly fixed. However this is the 2nd time it has done it with us alone

Came to a stop at a stop light & the emergency brake engage, the van went in park & shut off. It has done it twice in a week now.

Van randomly shut off at stop light.

I’m experiencing persistent issues with my 2020 Chrysler engine. While driving, the engine frequently shuts down unexpectedly, often resembling a start-stop feature. When I come to a stop, the engine and lights go out, and the vehicle won’t restart, which is particularly concerning while in traffic. Additionally, when accelerating, I notice a jolt in the engine followed by a loud knocking sound. These problems significantly affect the vehicle's performance and pose a serious safety risk. I would appreciate any guidance on diagnosing and resolving these issues.

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the STOP/START system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that unknown parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact believed that the failure was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V348000 (Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where the relay sense circuit was replaced. The contact stated that one year after the repair, the failure returned with the check engine warning light illuminated. While driving to the dealer, the vehicle stalled; however, the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the electrical wiring harness was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V010000 (Electrical System, Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 39,000.

While driving our van last Saturday afternoon, an error notification made a ding sound and the error message "STOP SAFELY. VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF SOON" appeared on our dashboard. Thankfully we were driving through a small town at the time and were able to safely pull into a parking lot, turn the vehicle off and wait a few minutes, and start it up to find the error message gone, and we could resume driving. Upon researching this issue, I learned that there is an Open Investigation, NHTSA Action #RQ24004, as of 2-27-24, that correlates exactly with our issue and explains my exact concern - should this error message come on again at a time when I cannot pull into a safe area, or at night time in the dark, with my children along, this could be extremely unsafe. I now worry to take our vehicle on longer trips, as I...

My problem started about a year ago with the auto start/stop light coming on- said it needed serviced. They replaced my auxiliary battery. Mind you, my van was only about 2.5 years old at this point (bought it brand new). So then about a month ago, same warnings. Stop/start isn’t working. I get it inspected at the dealership, they say everything is fine. Well yesterday, my van stopped emergently in the middle of an intersection. The brake engaged, couldn’t use any pedals, steering or switch gears. I had to shut my vehicle off and restart. In the middle of a busy intersection at 4pm. The auto start/stop light keeps coming on. Take it to the dealership today and they said it’s a sensor issue with my hood switch. My hood thinks it’s open so my van freaks out and stops driving. It’s a $540 fix. This is a huge safety...

The stop start system on my 2020 Chrysler. Pacifica has been malfunctioning since 2021, I’ve taken this car into the dealer multiple times, and replaced the batteries that should’ve been covered by Warranty but weren’t and my car recently died completely, and had to be jumped only have to replace the battery changed again. I have complained about noises in the dashboard that sounds like ticking, and dealer says that’s not covered by warranty even though my car only has 50,000 miles on it, and at 13,000 miles, when I told them about it, they didn’t do anything about it. The electrical system will completely shut off, lights and warnings will turn on, and after pulling fuses, the system will start The vintage seats on the driver side have not worked for three years, I have informed the dealer about that and was at 15,000 miles and they still did...

While driving my kids to school I experienced my first loss of power on my vehicle, where an error message appeared in the instrument cluster stating "shift to P to start" with the P indicator on the shifter flashing. No check engine light was produced. I was on surface streets driving at 20mph, this could have been worse of I was on the freeway, especially with my kids in the vehicle.

While driving the vehicle, we received a message on the dash stating, "Stop Safely, Vehicle will shut off soon". Then a few minutes later, it lost all power and turned off. We were not traveling at high speeds at this time but if we were and needed to exit the highway this could have caused an accident. There was no prior warning that this would happen and I drove it yesterday evening. We have not taken it to be serviced because it just happened an hour ago and now we are afraid to drive it to the dealership because we have to get on the interstate to do so.

Unknown, I have Pacifica 2020, it’s reported to the dealer and to independent car repair company with electric issues. The electric issues put me and my children in danger, I have to call 911 to get them help me in the middle of the road. The car stopped suddenly putting on park and suddenly shutdown. Even did not allowed me to use the emergency light / hazard warning lights. I felt trapped and one of the toddler was inside the van with me , so it’s out his kid in danger too. I took it to the dealership and they was not able to fix or to know the root of this issue. Just cost me money for inspection for nothing. Last time is repeating the same problem wa last night, was stuck in the middle of the night in freezing weather. I called my insurance company which was full...

In August 2022, while traveling on the interstate I received a warning that the vehicle was experiencing a power failure. It subsequently shut down while traveling at highway speeds. I was able to navigate off an exit that happened to be immediate and coasted downhill off the exit ramp to a safe spot. I was unable to power the vehicle off for approximately 10 minutes. Once able to power the vehicle off and keeping it off for a few minutes, I restarted it. The check engine light was lit but drivable. The dealer replaced the entire transmission. In January 2023, the dealer completed the recall associated with the vehicle. On 1 January 2024, while driving approximately 60mph, I received notice that the vehicle would shut down and to pull over safely. Upon turning the vehicle off and back on, the check engine was lit but drivable. The vehicle is currently...

On 11.03.2023 @ approximately 17:30 hrs I was stopped at a red light with my 9 year old in the car. A warning indicating the “hood popped”” appeared on my dash. It indicated the auto start/stop would not work. The van shifted into park mode on IT’S Own. I DIDN’T engage park mode. The PACIFICA did it on its own. Let me repeat this so you understand the severity of this matter. The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica made its own mind up and took action without a direct order from me or my hands. It engaged into park mode. It then told me I would have to restart the car in order for AUTO START/STOP to work. I live in Austin Texas. 5 o’clock traffic is a reality and in order to be efficient the commuter is only as good as there car. I must advise that this is not a...

On 11.04.2023 @ approximately 12:45 hrs while driving in Austin Texas, congress & 5th, the Auto Start:/stop warning light came on my dash. I was driving downtown. I will continue to file complaints until this matter is taken seriously. If my family is injured/killed please know that NHTSA & Chrysler will be collectively grouped & liable. I urge you to take this matter seriously before it’s too late.

While loading my van from the sliding door entrance on the passenger side, the door started closing. Instead of stopping when it hit me, it kept on closing, very hard and forecful. I had to put my full weight into it to stop it and it finally opened back up. Never had this happen before and it was quite concerning.

When pulling up to a stop light the car shuttered and shifted into park and engaged the parking brake with no warning. Then it said safe hold temporarily disabled as well as the auto start stop light on the dash came on

I own a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica limited. This happened on04/15/2023 when I was sitting at a traffic light, an alarm went off. The message came up that read “Auto/start stop not available”, “Hood latch open”, “parking brake went on automatically vehicle went from drive into Park on its own”, the emergency brake came on and a warning light came on. I had to turn off the car and restart it. The main and auxiliary battery was replaced on November 2022 .The similar issue also happened on 04/07/2023.

Problems with the entire dashboard electrical system going out and not coming back on for approx. 2 hrs. Until vehicle sits. Everything including the heat/AC, radio, nothing worked. Secondly the engine is and has been running rough even though oil changes performed every 4-5,000 miles full synthetic. Engine feels as if it needs an engine service or something. Vehicle has some jolting and stubborn acceleration at time as well.

While driving in normal conditions most, if not all, of the van's dash warning lights lit up, the van came to a stop on its own (without input from driver) in the middle of the street, put itself in park and would not shift into drive again. This happened in the middle of the street and before it could be moved onto the shoulder. The battery had to be disconnected to allow the computer/electrical system to reset, only then would it move. We are very lucky that this occurred within a 35 mph zone and not in interstate traffic. Even with this happening in a lower speed zone it is still very dangerous for the van to stop unpredictably in the middle of traffic. Again, had this been on interstate it could have been deadly. When attempting to put into reverse or drive, the shifter would shift itself back into...

We've had issues with transmission since we purchased this vehicle in the brand new condition. The vehicle has a hard shifting problem and makes unusual noise. We've driven newer models of Pacifica that didn't have this problem. The issues are getting worse after numerous repairs made by Chrysler.

When driving at high speeds the van doors will unlock. You cannot lock them. When you hit lock the unlock again. Then on Saturday driving down the road the doors the door flew open.

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. After multiple attempts, the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where unknown components were repaired. The vehicle was repaired, and the contact referenced the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V348000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

My car has had an electrical fire/smoke smell with no check engine or other warning lights on. No signs of overheating, etc. and now I=has been having. a hard up and down shift. Today while stopped at a light smoke was boiling out from underneath the hood.

The Start/Stop battery on the Pacifica is a problem. I owned a 2017 model that failed 3 times. I traded that can in for the 2020 model and in less than 2 years it failed. I had it repaired under warranty on 09/27/2022 and it has failed again less than one month after the repair. This is an issue that many Pacifica owners have dealt with. This is something that Chrysler needs to correct so that the consumer is not replacing the batteries every year or so.

Has stalled on freeway twice now. All check engine lights come on, car goes into limp mode then stalls. Will not allow moving from park into drive. Has left us stranded 3 times. Chrysler including dealers not helpful.

While stopped at a red light, the vehicle automatically put itself into park, activated the parking break, and turned off. Had to power the vehicle back on while still at the red light, turn off the parking break and put it back into drive.