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2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid, most often about the electrical (37% of complaints, typically around 6,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory2 recalls for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid problems
Electrical
83 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 6,500 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery.
2018 Chrysler pacifica lost power due to the torque convertor locking up I know because I have the freeze frame data in a snap on zeus using the 18.4 software. It was moving at 39 miles an hour when the transmission locked up. Code in freeze frame is p061b internal control module torque calculation performance. This…
I live in new york city and have had my Chrysler pacifica phev for just over a year. About 6 months ago, I had (more) electrical problems causing the check engine light to be constantly illuminated. I took it to the dealer and the dealer found that my engine wiring had been chewed presumably by squirrels. They kindly…
Hybrid system
75 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 42,500 miles. Parts named most often: inverter.
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler pacifica hybrid. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 22v077000 (hybrid propulsion system) however, after retrieving the vehicle from the dealer a failure was experienced. The contact stated that while his wife was parking the vehicle a warning…
The contact owns a 2018 Chrysler pacifica hybrid. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 22v077000 (hybrid propulsion system) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount…
Engine
64 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 5,500 miles.
While on traffic 20-30 miles just after the 34miles battery charged ran out and when the car switched to engine mode the car stalled in the middle of the i80 highway. Followed on screen instruction to re start the engine and started after a minute or two and ran at a speed below 30miles per hour to a carpark. Amber…
While driving at 60mph on freeway, vehicle lost engine power without warning and was no longer responsive to gas pedal. Not enough time to maneuver out of traffic. First occurred 2 weeks after new vehicle purchase. Out of service for 15 days then returned to owner after software update. Same problem occurred again 3…
Transmission
39 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 5,000 miles.
While on traffic 20-30 miles just after the 34miles battery charged ran out and when the car switched to engine mode the car stalled in the middle of the i80 highway. Followed on screen instruction to re start the engine and started after a minute or two and ran at a speed below 30miles per hour to a carpark. Amber…
The car totally shut off when driving 20 MPH. Full tank of gas. Brand new car with 5,000 miles on it. Called Chrysler -- they left US abandoned mid-road, they said it would take the 90 minutes. We purchased the top, perpetual warranty. Called aaa who got the car onto a flatbed. But no way to get it off because wheels…
Other or unspecified
34 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 4,500 miles.
Occassionally when I hold the break and press the button to start the van, all 3 of the motorized electric doors are opened! Applies to 2018 Chrysler pacifica hybrid touring l
Vehicle will not start with the lights flashing, disabling the vehicle for a number of hours until the battery is completely drained. After this, the car needs to be jumpstarted. When disabled the car does not jump start. This has happened 5 times in ~5 months I have owned the vehicle.
Fuel system
19 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 2,000 miles.
Gas door opens via a pushbutton. Push the botton, and it checks for pressure in the system, then releases door. When closed, and the starter activated, door re-opens. Must exit vehicle to re-close. It stays shut until next opened with button. Close door, hit starter, door re-opens. Does not reopen until next opened…
Similar frustrating experience here for the 2019 pacifica hybrid limited. Bought brand new in dec. 2018. Now only 2,000 miles on it, the minivan rattled on startup (with 60% charged) and could barely accelerate when I tried merging into a main road. The vehicle put itself into a low-speed mode (aka the famous 'red…
Speed control
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 3,500 miles.
While driving on a highway with a speed limit of 70 MPH, a warning light came on that the battery was conditioning. I was then limited to 45 MPH with very little acceleration, and the A/C stopped working. This was repaired, but happened again three weeks later when about to merge onto another highway with a 55 MPH…
My brand new 2018 Chrysler pacifica hybrid which I got on july 4th 2018 shuts off last week on a highway while I was driving from raleigh to charlotte about 70 miles/hr. With lot of difficulty we were able to pull over. I stopped the car and restarted the car, the car behaved normal but with malfunction indicator in…
Brakes
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 1,000 miles.
While driving on the highway going 70 going home after work the vehicle suddenly lost all ability to accelerate. I still had power, but the dash told me to press the break to start the car. I managed to coast off the bridge I was on thankfully and pulled off the side of the road. The car was stuck in park. I tried…
Brakes are mushy, and do not respond well. Vehicle failed to respond to normal braking in an attempt to stop, even with brakes pressed to the floor, had to swerve to avoid collision with the vehicle in front of our van. Vehicle died when attempting to brake 30 MPH.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid recalls
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until they are repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module (bpcm) software. In addition, dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the battery pack assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed august 1, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed december 12, 2024. Owners may contact fca US llc customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US llc's number for this recall is 73b. Vehicl
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US, llc) is recalling certain 2017-2018 pacifica plug-in hybrid electric (phev) vehicles that received a software update remedy under NHTSA recall number 22v-077. The battery pack may cause a vehicle fire when parked, even with the ignition in the "off" position.
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
Risk: A vehicle fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised not to recharge their vehicles, and to park outside and away from structures, until they are repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack control module (bpcm) software. In addition, dealers will inspect and if necessary, replace the battery pack assembly. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Interim letters, informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on february 25, 2022. Final owner notification letters were mailed october 6, 2022. Owners may contact fca US llc customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Fca US llc's number for this recall is z11. This rec
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US, llc) is recalling certain 2017-2018 pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (phev). A vehicle fire can occur when parked, even with the ignition in the "off" position.
Electrical: interior/under dash
Risk: A high resistance electrical connection may result in the connection overheating, increasing the risk of a fire with the vehicle on or off.
Fix: Fca will conduct a voluntary safety recall on affected vehicles to increase the torque and install a waterproof gasket to the 12v isolator post, the post will also be inspected for signs of contamination. In the event the post is compromised, the 12v isolator post and associated cables will be replaced. Until the final remedy is available, customers should bring their vehicles to dealers for an interim inspection of this joint. The recall remedy is currently under development. Fca US llc will notify owners, and dealers will perform an interim inspection of this joint. If the inspection indicat
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2017-2020 pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles ("phev"). The 12 volt isolator post located behind the driver's seat may develop high resistance.
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A control arm separation could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the right front knuckle and lower control arm for damage, replacing the components as necessary. The right front lower control arm knuckle pinch bolt will be replaced with a larger-diameter pinch bolt. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began april 26, 2019. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is v15.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2018 chrysler pacifica and pacifica hybrid vehicles. The right front lower control arm may separate from the steering knuckle.
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
Risk: The improperly started engine could result in a loss of motive power increasing the risk of a crash or the unburned fuel in the catalyst may ignite increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Fca will notify owners, and dealers will update the powertrain controller module software, and inspect and replace the catalytic converter as necessary, free of charge. The recall began november 15, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u94.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2017-2018 chrysler pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (phev). After the vehicle has been operating in phev propulsion mode, the gas-fueled engine may not restart properly resulting in unburned fuel entering the exhaust catalyst.
Electrical: front underhood
Risk: A vehicle stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the powertrain control module, free of charge. The recall began october 2, 2018. Owners may contact chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is u87.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2018 jeep renegade, compass and grand cherokee, ram 1500 and promaster, fiat 500x, dodge journey, challenger, charger and durango and chrysler 300x vehicles, 2017-2018 jeep wrangler, dodge grand caravan and chrysler town and country vehicles and 2018-2019 jeep cherokee and 2018 chrysler pacifica and pacifica hybrid vehicles. The powertrain control module may be equipped with a voltage regulator chip in the circuit board that may fail, causing a stall or a no start condition.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Electrical arcing and thermal events, potentially leading to fires, while utilizing enel x way USA, llc's juicebox residential charger.
Summary
On october 3, 2024, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened pe24028 to investigate alleged failures of enel x way's juicebox level 2 residential EV chargers. The allegations were described as thermal incidents and electrical malfunctions, which could trip the circuit breakers in juicebox ownersâ homes and disrupt electric vehicle charge cycles. On october 2, 2024, enel x way posted on its website that enel x way north america would cease operations in the united states and canada on october 11, 2024. The closure would potentially impact the charging app and supporting software. Odi sent enel x way an information request (ir) letter on october 21, 2024. Enel x way provided an inco
Loss of motive power due to an internal wiring connector short.
Summary
On july 22, 2022, the 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).â on january 17, 2023, fiat chrysler automobiles (fca) issued safety recall (NHTSA recall 23v-010) involving 2017-2023 model years (my) pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (phev) produced between august 12, 2016, through january 9, 2023. The recall states that the loss of motive power condition in these vehicles is caused by an internal transmission wiring connector that may short circuit, resulting in an une
Ignition-off high voltage battery fire (remedy effectiveness of recall 22v-077)
Summary
On february 11, 2022, fiat chrysler automobiles (fca) issued a safety recall (NHTSA recall 22v-077) on all 2017-2018 pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (phev) produced between august 12, 2016 through august 7, 2018. The recall addresses ignition âoffâ fires that originate at the high voltage (hv) battery pack assembly. An ignition âoffâ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning. At the time of the recall filing the root cause of the vehicle fires was unknown and under investigation by fca and suppliers. A software remedy designed to improve thermal event detectability b
Transmission fault leading to loss of motive power
Summary
On july 22, 2022, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe22008 to investigate allegation of loss of motive power, potentially due to transmission malfunction, in certain chrysler pacifica vehicles. In a january 17, 2023 letter to NHTSA, fiat chrysler automobiles (fca) submitted recall notice 23v-010 involving a transmission motor wiring defect in 67,118 model year (my) 2017-2023 chrysler pacifica plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (phevs) manufactured from august 12, 2016 through january 9, 2023. Fca determined that an internal transmission connector short could result in an unexpected engine shutdown under certain conditions. Follow up correspondence with fca confirmed this defect
Questions about the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (83 complaints, typically around 6,500 miles); hybrid system (75 complaints, typically around 42,500 miles); engine (64 complaints, typically around 5,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 18, 2024 (hybrid system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid?
- It is the most complained-about Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid model year since 2000, with 223 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.