Chrysler Pacifica Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Chrysler Pacifica years to avoid are 2005, 2017, 2018, and 2021, based on NHTSA complaint indexes of 85, 100, 92, and 77 and multiple recall campaigns. No year earns a Best verdict; 2007 and 2008 rate Good, with complaint indexes of 31 and 8.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 14
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 6,077
- Recall campaigns
- 40
- Crashes reported
- 171
- Fires reported
- 67
- Top problem area
- Engine
Pacifica Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chrysler Pacifica problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 85 | 1,244 | 25 | 13 | 2 | Engine | 17.5 | — |
| 2006 | Caution | 69 | 726 | 20 | 7 | 1 | Engine | 17.5 | — |
| 2007 | Good | 31 | 326 | 8 | 10 | 0 | Engine | 17.5 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 8 | 102 | 2 | 4 | 0 | Engine | 17.5 | — |
| 2016 | No verdict | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 100 | 1,521 | 46 | 10 | 11 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Avoid | 92 | 874 | 27 | 14 | 12 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Caution | 54 | 311 | 11 | 3 | 7 | Electrical System | 22 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Caution | 46 | 170 | 7 | 3 | 5 | Electrical System | 26 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Avoid | 77 | 368 | 11 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 26 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 62 | 211 | 6 | 2 | 10 | Engine | 26 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Caution | 38 | 152 | 3 | 0 | 14 | Engine | 26 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Caution | 23 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 11 | Electrical System | 26 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 15 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 9 | Airbags | 26 | 5★ |
Pacifica years to avoid: what went wrong
2017 Chrysler Pacifica Index 100 · 1,521 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2017 Pacifica ranks worst of all years with a complaint index of 100 and 11 recall campaigns. Engine complaints (40%, median mileage 19,000) and transmission/powertrain complaints (31%, median mileage 27,000) dominate, including reports of wheel spin and transmission shudder during acceleration on wet roads. Owners also described sudden stalling tied to a loose battery ground connection, prompting a dedicated recall. NHTSA recorded 46 crashes and 37 injuries for this model year, the highest crash count of any Pacifica year in the data.
2017 engine problems →2017 transmission & powertrain problems →2017 electrical system problems →
2018 Chrysler Pacifica Index 92 · 874 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2018 Pacifica carries a complaint index of 92 with 12 recall campaigns. Engine issues make up 46% of complaints at a median mileage of just 11,142, and electrical system problems account for 33% at 13,000 miles. Owners reported engine compartment fires starting immediately after low-speed collisions, and dashboard fires that spread through the vehicle after minor fender benders. A software-related stalling issue also triggered a recall requiring an engine control update.
2018 engine problems →2018 electrical system problems →2018 steering problems →
2005 Chrysler Pacifica Index 85 · 1,244 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2005 Pacifica has a complaint index of 85, driven mainly by engine problems (39% of complaints, median mileage 94,000) and structure/body issues (34%, median mileage 115,000). NHTSA lists 2 recalls, including a fuel pump/powertrain control module issue that could let the engine stall. Owners reported electrical fires, including one tied to the automatic liftgate motor sparking and engulfing the vehicle, plus a side airbag that failed to deploy in a collision. Crashes numbered 25 with 19 injuries across the model year.
2005 engine problems →2005 structure & body problems →2005 suspension, wheels & tires problems →
2021 Chrysler Pacifica Index 77 · 368 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2021 Pacifica has a complaint index of 77 with 7 recall campaigns, including a park-outside recall for Plug-In Hybrid battery packs that can catch fire even while parked and off. Electrical system complaints lead at 41% (median mileage 18,000), followed closely by engine problems at 41% (median mileage 14,800). Owners described unexpected loss of braking control, airbags failing to deploy in a side-impact crash, and a vehicle rolling forward unexpectedly while left running and unattended.
2021 electrical system problems →2021 engine problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →
Most common Chrysler Pacifica problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Engine2,373 (39%)
- Electrical System1,379 (23%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1,322 (22%)
- Structure & Body850 (14%)
- Other713 (12%)
- Steering710 (12%)
- Fuel System542 (9%)
- Brakes449 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires419 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras150 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What year Chrysler Pacifica should I avoid?
- NHTSA data marks 2005, 2017, 2018, and 2021 as Avoid years for the Pacifica, with complaint indexes of 85, 100, 92, and 77 respectively. The 2017 model year has the highest complaint index and the most recalls among these at 11.
- Is there a best year for the Chrysler Pacifica?
- No Pacifica year earns a Best verdict. The 2007 and 2008 model years rate Good, with complaint indexes of 31 and 8, the lowest in the lineup.
- Does the Chrysler Pacifica have a battery fire recall?
- Yes. The 2021 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid is subject to a park-outside recall because its battery pack may cause a fire even while parked with the ignition off.
- What is the most common problem area for the Chrysler Pacifica?
- Across all model years, the Engine is the top problem area, accounting for 39% of the 6,077 total complaints, followed by Electrical System at 23% and Transmission & Powertrain at 22%.
- Why do recent Pacifica years like 2023-2025 only rate Caution instead of Good?
- Those years have their verdicts capped to Caution because of high recall counts, such as 14 recall campaigns for 2023 and 11 for 2024, despite relatively low complaint indexes of 38 and 23.