2020 Chrysler Pacifica ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
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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, the contact referenced an open investigation for the failure. The contact stated that the failure had occurred twice within two weeks. Additionally, the warning light that the “Auto START/STOP Unavailable” had remained illuminated since August 2025. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. The VIN was unavailable.
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
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.
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. I had the vehicle for three years and this was an ongoing issue the dealership never disclosed there was a battery cable recall and turned me away from discussing they also did not disclose this year make and model had a class action lawsuit and recalls for the stop/start system failure. They refused to help or report my VIN number. In March of this year it did it again. To allow this vehicle to be on the road is dangerous. I voluntarily surrendered it with that being said and the lender (Flagship Credit Acceptance) Is attempting to sell the vehicle and also refused to acknowledge any calls out of many calls I made to report the vehicle is dangerous. Both businesses did not disclose the recall and the vehicle is currently in storage I believe and I'm worried a family will end up very hurt if not multiple as that day where I witnessed about 15-20 cars come very close to ramming the back of it head on because it was not able to be moved.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Quick Summary
The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica has 11 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.