11 complaints reported

2020 Chrysler Pacifica Power Train

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
11
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jan 2026

Transmission shifts very hard from 2nd to 3rd gear and 4th to 5th gear at random times and at random speeds. Sometimes it occurs in parking lots at less than 15mph and other times at highway speed above 65 mph while cruising. This has caused the engine and transmission mounts to fail prematurely. When it was taken to the dealership multiple times, the service department said they could not replicate the issue but opted to reset the computer anyways. This fixed it for about 2 weeks before the issues came back. A computer reset will wipe the transmission shift learning but with normal daily driving it comes back. This should not be considered "normal" or expected behavior.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2021
Jan 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter independently shifted from drive to park. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle eventually restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission solenoid shift sensor failure. The contact was informed that the transmission solenoid shift sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2025
Oct 2024

My van once again gave the stop safely, vehicle will shut off soon & stopped right in the middle of the intersection. I’ve lost count on how many times this has happened!!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Oct 2024
Sep 2024

I have a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid that has had transmission issues since 2022. I have taken it to the dealer 8 times for repair for the same transmission issue. In August 2022, the vehicle shut down on the interstate while driving. It was determined that it needed a new transmission after just two years. The vehicle was with the dealer for over 30 days awaiting a new transmission. Once the transmission was replaced, there was a battery issue in February 2023. In January 2024, the vehicle went into limp mode again, for the first time after the transmission was replaced. Repairs were attempted at the dealer. I have continued to have issues throughout 2024. In July 2024, the transmission wiring harness was replaced. The vehicle has gone into limp mode three more times since then. On 14 September, the most recent time the vehicle went into limp mode on the interstate, I took it into the dealer, and it was determined a second transmission replacement was needed. Chrysler has now issued a lifetime warranty on the transmission. It's only a matter of time before significant injury or loss of life occurs because of the transmission issues, especially because they normally occur only at higher speeds on the highway. Clearly, installing a third (or fourth or fifth) transmission will not fix the issues in this faulty vehicle. When I contacted Chrysler Cares yesterday I was told that because the transmission will be replaced for only the second time, I do not qualify for a buyback. However, it has been to the dealer to be serviced 8 times and was there for over 30 days during the first transmission replacement.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Sep 2024
Sep 2024

Vehicle sudden loss of power 3x in 3 months. Van has known recall for loss of power/possible transmission problem. Traveling 30-50mph for 20 minutes, start of morning temps 70 degrees, recall warranty (update was software to warn driver of power loss on screen) done and 1 month later began power loss. Screen reads "Stop Safely Vehicle Will Shut Off Soon", engine light on, red turtle light on. Loss of power would not warn drivers to rear of slow down since brakes are not pressed promoting rear end collision, highway speeds slow down causes traffic and collision with limited place to exit safely, loss of power would not allow driver to exit traffic thus causing danger , obstacle for other drivers to avoid. Vehicle at dealer for software update: May 2024 , 3x power losses after, 9/2024 returned to dealer, currently in service at dealer Data Source: Recall 23V010, Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened investigation PE22-008 regarding complaints alleging a loss of motive power condition potentially due to a transmission malfunction in Model Years 2019-2021 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Aug 2024
Jul 2024

Power steering has failed on 2 occasions while driving. Fault code was set and dealer confirmed fault codes using scan tool. Power steering returned after a few seconds of driving. This vehicle has an electric power steering pump. Fault code listed a communication failure between the power steering controller and body ecu. Dealer service department could not duplicate the problem and returned the vehicle to us saying there was nothing further they could accomplish. It is a dangerous situation losing power steering while driving. Warning icon did appear on our on screen driver display.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: May 2024
May 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power; however, the vehicle was able to be restarted. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact also stated that later, while driving at 40 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly hesitated and jerked before returning to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission control module and performed a software update as per Technical Service Bulletin: 21-043-20. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2024
Jul 2023

Exceedingly jarring transmission shifts at both low and higher speeds that are startling to the driver and could cause an accident. This has been a chronic issue that happens frequently but not in every use of the vehicle. Below is a date in which this recently occured.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jul 2023
Jul 2023

The transmission lurches or stalls. A check engine light will come on and says to service the transmission. While moving it will automatically detect a problem them engage the parking brake. While the check engine light is on, it will not go into gear. It will put itself in park if i try and out it in drive or reverse it just wont move. Has been going on since 6,000 miles and Chrysler constantly tells me there's no problem and it's normal. Now at 50,000 miles and it's still a huge issue. Chrysler has failed to document every time I've complained about it. Refused to give service records.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Aug 2020
May 2023

On 11/05/2023 at approximately 12 pm while getting onto the highway of 183 in Austin Texas @ Lamar increasing speeds from 45 to 65mph the engine shifted hard 3x. The engine surged then a hard shift. This occurred 3x. I’m certain you understand the complexities of austin Texas traffic. No matter the time of day. Imagine those complexities with a car that was poorly made by a company that has never been held accountable.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: May 2023
Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to forcefully jerk. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing to complete TBS: 21-043-20 (flash update transmission controller). The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience a failure. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 CHRYSLER PACIFICA, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Apr 2022

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica has 11 Power Train complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.